Adverse Weather Capture

Overview

Capturing iGUIDE projects in adverse weather — rain, snow, extreme cold, or extreme heat — requires extra planning to protect your camera and preserve data accuracy. The PLANIX Pro and R1 can handle light moisture but should never be exposed to heavy precipitation for long periods.

This guide covers what Operators need to know about precipitation and temperature when shooting exteriors, helping protect equipment, ensure measurement accuracy, and capture clean elevations and floor plans even when conditions aren't ideal on the day of the shoot.

In This Article

• Precipitation Considerations
  • Why This Matters
  • How Snow Affects Roof Measurements
  • What You Can Do
• Temperature Considerations
• Very Sunny Conditions
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Related Articles

Precipitation Considerations

Why It Matters

1. The camera should not be exposed to heavy rain or snow for long periods
2. Light moisture is manageable, but keeping the equipment dry preserves image quality and equipment safety

How Snow Affects Roof Measurements

1. Light, even snow — minimal concern; the main roof slope remains visible 
2. Heavy, even snow — slope may still appear, but the wall-to-roof offset becomes unreliable 
3. Small to medium drifts or uneven buildup — highly unreliable; hides the true roof shape and slope

What You Can Do

1. Clear the roof where possible, especially around soffits 
2. Knock down overhang drifts so the true roofline is visible 
3. Expose vents and rooftop objects if a roof plan is being ordered 
4. In rain: bring an umbrella or cover to protect the camera Use 
5. Two-Shot Mode to keep yourself out of the scan while holding cover overhead

Temperature Considerations

Very Sunny Conditions

1. Point the camera lens directly at the sun when capturing. This reduces unwanted sun flares in the image.
2. Set the camera to High HDR. This handles the extreme contrast between bright sunlight and shadows.
3. Monitor the camera's temperature during extended outdoor scanning. If the device becomes too hot, pause capture and let it cool. Overheating affects image quality and can damage the hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Should I reschedule my iGUIDE shoot if I see rain or snow forecasted?
A: If possible, yes. This will keep your camera safe from any unnecessary moisture exposure, and will avoid any issues that may arise with measurement inaccuracies and pano issues 

Related Articles

• Scanning Best Practices
• What is the PLANIX Pro Camera?
• What is the R1 Camera?