Advanced Capture Requirements

Understand the advanced scanning requirements for certain iGUIDE package options. Requirements are based on typical two-storey residential and commercial buildings under 10,000 sq ft.

Scanning vertically

Advanced scanning requirements for specified iGUIDE package options include vertical scans in some areas of a property. Vertical scans are taken by positioning the iGUIDE PLANIX camera system at a 90° angle from the tripod, forming an L-shape with the tripod (see the image below for reference). Try to maintain a consistent height (approximately 5 ft above the floor) and camera orientation when shooting each space, but do make exceptions according to room conditions (e.g. raise the camera to scan above kitchen counters).

Tip: Choose a tripod with a ball head for quick and easy camera reorientation and leveling.

Choosing a tripod: Precautions must be taken to ensure that any tripod used is of ample weight and strength to support the PLANIX camera system when taking vertical scans. Choosing a suitable tripod can mitigate the potential of damaging your system.

2D CAD Scanning Requirements

Important: Unless otherwise specified, a “scan” refers to a typical horizontal scan, with the camera system positioned upright. Scanning requirements for Floor Plans, Dimension Plans, and Ceiling Plans, are to be repeated for each floor of the subject property. Maintain a clear line-of-sight between camera positions. Always ensure the camera system is level before each scan.

For Floor Plans, Dimension Plans

Two scans at all building entrances/exits, once at each side, interior and exterior, 3 ft (1 m) away.

Example 1 - Front/main entrance

Example 2 - Rear entrance

Two scans at all room entrances/doorways, once at each side (if/where possible), 3 ft (1 m) away.

Example 3 - Laundry room door

Example 4 - Bedroom and linen closet

One scan centered on each window, 5-10 ft (1.5-3 m) away, ensuring each frame is fully visible.

Tip: Move curtains, open/withdraw blinds to ensure visibility of window frames.

Example 5 - Bedroom and WIC windows

Two scans in each room (if/where possible) from roughly opposite sides of the room, and once again every 10 ft (3 m) for larger rooms in a grid pattern.

Example 6 - Main Floor room scans

Example 7 - Basement room scans

One scan each at the top and bottom of each staircase.

Example 8 - Main Floor stair scans

One to two scans at each mechanical/utility item, 5 ft (1.5 m) away.

Example 9 - Utility room scans (mechanical/utility items not pictured)

One exterior scan every 10-20 ft (3-6 m), 5 ft (1.5 m) away from the building face.

Example 10 - Exterior perimeter scans

One exterior scan at every building corner, 5 ft (1.5 m) away from the building corner.

Example 11 - Exterior corner scans

One exterior scan centered on each window, 5-10 ft (1.5-3 m) away from the building face.

Example 12 - Exterior window scans

One to two exterior scans of each exterior mechanical/utility item.

Example 13 - Exterior scan at utility item

For Ceiling Plans

Two scans in each room (if/where possible) from roughly opposite sides of the room, and once again every 10 ft (3 m) for larger rooms in a grid pattern.

Example 6 - Main Floor room scans

Example 7 - Basement room scans

One vertical scan centered* below the highest point in each room (if/where possible). If multiple, take additional scans below each ceiling peak.

Example 17 - Vertical scan in a room

* Within approximately 1-2 feet (<1 m) deviation.

3D CAD Scanning Requirements

Important: Unless otherwise specified, a “scan” refers to a typical horizontal scan with the camera system positioned upright. Scanning requirements for Floor Plans, Dimension Plans, and Ceiling Plans are to be repeated for each floor of the subject property. Maintain a clear line-of-sight between scan positions. Always ensure the camera system is level before each scan.

For Floor Plans, Dimension Plans, Ceiling Plans

Refer to 2D CAD Scanning Requirements

For Elevation Plans

Three scans (if/where possible), captured in a straight line at a 90° angle from the building exterior, roughly centered on each side of the building: One each at 10 ft (3 m), 20 ft (6 m), and 30 ft (9 m).

Example 18 - Exterior distance scans

One vertical scan centered* below the highest point in each room (if/where possible). If multiple high points, take additional scans below each ceiling peak.

Example 17 - Vertical scan in a room

Example 19 - Vertical scan locations, interior rooms, 2nd Floor

Note: Vertical scans should be disabled/hidden in your project, so the vertical scan locations shown above are in red.

One vertical scan at both the top and bottom of each staircase, centered* on the stair tread. Two additional scans at each stair landing: one at stairs up, one at stairs down.

Example 20 - Vertical scan locations, stairs, 2nd Floor

Example 21 - Vertical scan locations, stairs, Main Floor

Note: Vertical scans should be disabled/hidden in your project, so the vertical scan locations shown above are in red.

One vertical scan centered on each main entry and exit door and again at each remaining side of the building, 5-10 ft (1.5-3 m) away from the building face.

Example 22 - Vertical scan locations, exteriors

Note: Vertical scans should be disabled/hidden in your project, so the vertical scan locations shown above are in red.

One additional vertical scan for each change in eave height, 5-10 ft (1.5-3 m) away from the building face. For gable roof ends, scan as close to the center as possible.

* Within approximately 1-2 feet (<1 m) deviation.

For Roof Plans

Note: The below applies only to flat roofs. Lower or remove the camera system from the tripod where necessary.

Scan at each access point.

Scan parapet wall surface (if/where possible).

Scan all sides of relevant mechanical equipment (if applicable).

Project Organization

When taking additional scans as part of your required dataset, especially vertical scans, organizing your project folder is very important. One notable difference is storing your vertical scans separately from your horizontal ones. Below are examples of how to organize your project folder in Survey, including naming conventions:

Project Folder Structure

Example - One Building

Main Floor (typical, horizontal scans)
2nd Floor (typical, horizontal scans)
Basement (typical, horizontal scans)
Roof (typical, horizontal scans)
Main Floor Interior Vertical
2nd Floor Interior Vertical
Basement Interior Vertical
Main Exterior Vertical

Example - Two or More Buildings

Building A
- Main Floor (typical, horizontal scans)
- 2nd Floor (typical, horizontal scans)
- Basement (typical, horizontal scans)
- Roof (typical, horizontal scans)
- Main Floor Interior Vertical
- 2nd Floor Interior Vertical
- Basement Interior Vertical
- Main Exterior Vertical
Building B (e.g. a detached garage, workshop, storage building)
- Bldg. B - Main Floor (typical, horizontal scans)
- Bldg. B - Main Floor Interior Vertical
- Bldg. B - Exterior Vertical

Scan Alignment

For all typical horizontal scans, align each scan to the best of your ability in a way that resembles the actual property layout. Similarly, align exterior scans around the outside of each subject building to their appropriate locations. All exterior scans should be close enough to the subject building to allow for alignment to nearby scans.

No scan alignment is necessary for vertical scans. However, vertical scans should each be moved/separated so that no scan overlaps. This makes for easier visualization of each individual scan and will prevent export warnings from appearing in Stitch about overlapping scans.

Hiding Floors, Hiding Scans

To prevent vertical scans and their respective folders from appearing as floors in your iGUIDE Tour, set them as hidden using the existing options within Survey and Stitch (see below for example). Floors and scans that are set to be hidden from the iGUIDE tour are displayed in red text in Stitch.

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Last updated 2 months ago