Exterior Scanning Camera Settings (Site Plans)

Overview

Exterior scanning for Site Plans requires different camera settings than interior captures because outdoor environments introduce grade changes, dynamic foliage, fewer vertical references, and brighter lighting. Adjusting Alignment Alerts, Live Lidar Data, and Noise Reduction can speed up captures and reduce on-site distractions.

This guide outlines the recommended adjustments for exterior shoots, helping Operators capture cleaner, more efficient scans for iGUIDE Site Plans while reducing auto-alignment failures and unnecessary feedback that can slow down the workflow when working outdoors.

In This Article

• Why Exterior Scans Differ from Interior Scans
• Recommended Settings for Exterior Scans
• Important Notes
• Related Articles

Why Exterior Scans Differ from Interior Scans

1. Inconsistent data quality caused by grade changes and dynamic foliage 
2. Fewer vertical reference points make auto-alignment less reliable 
3. Greater distances between scans increase the chance of misalignment 
4. Brighter lighting conditions because sunlight is the primary source

Recommended Settings for Exterior Scans

1. Turn Alignment Alerts Off — Adjust via Settings or directly on a warning message; reduces distracting alerts when manual alignment is needed often 

2. Turn Show Live Lidar Data Off — Removes real-time visual feedback that can be confusing outdoors and helps prevent the camera from getting "lost" between scans 

3. Turn Noise Reduction Off — Found under Image Settings; exteriors are typically well-lit and don't benefit from noise reduction; turning it off dramatically increases capture speed (only enable in low-light outdoor conditions) 

Important Notes

• These features can remain enabled — they will not prevent exterior scanning, but the recommended settings make capture faster and less distracting 

• Every property is unique — some situations may benefit from keeping these features on 

• After completing exterior captures, revert your settings to interior preferences before your next interior shoot

Related Articles

• iGUIDE Site Plans
• R1 Camera Settings