PLANIX Pro Lens Calibration

PLANIX Pro lens calibration is a procedure done by Planitar technicians and is not to be confused with 360° camera alignment - a procedure and option in PLANIX Survey settings which can be performed by the user.

About Theta Z1 lenses

All Ricoh Z1 cameras have Ricoh lens distortion calibration to allow converting fisheye images into a 360 equirectangular (spherical) image (horizontal and vertical pixels correspond to azimuth and elevation angles on a sphere in degrees - a camera independent format). That lens calibration is stored on Z1 and any (non-fisheye) images coming out of Z1 have that lens calibration applied automatically by Ricoh firmware.

Pro Lens Calibration

Planitar lens distortion calibration for PLANIX Pro involves taking the Theta Z1 360° images and applying further image processing to produce another 360° image that allows more accurate measurements in the iGUIDE Viewer Measure Modes 2 and 3 (measurements in the image, e.g. for ceiling height). That lens calibration can only be performed at Planitar factory for each Theta Z1 and cannot be done by a user. That lens calibration is stored in PLANIX Core module and is specific to the Z1 camera used at the time of calibration. It is possible to use a Theta Z1 without lens calibration (Survey will say PLANIX, not PLANIX Pro) and the only effect will be reduced measurement accuracy in images in Measure Modes 2 and 3. Measurements on a floor plan in Measure Mode 1, room dimensions and square footage are not affected by lens calibration, as those are based on lidar measurements.

In Case of Damage

If a calibrated Theta Z1 is dropped or otherwise subject to a strong shock, it is possible that the mechanical lens positioning inside the Z1 may change, causing its lens calibration to become invalid. If lens calibration has become invalid, you may see significant stitching artifacts visible in subsequent 360° images (i.e. some small stitching artifacts are almost always present for objects that are only 1-2 feet away from Z1 in the lens overlap area even for undamaged cameras and this is considered a normal performance). Such damages are not covered by Planitar (or Ricoh) warranty. Planitar cannot fix Ricoh lens calibration for shocked Z1 cameras and can only replace the Z1 camera with a new one at the corresponding cost. Alternatively, it is possible to replace your Theta Z1 yourself according to manual installation instructions, albeit with the loss of Planitar lens calibration.

If you believe you are in need of a calibrated Theta Z1 replacement, please create a support ticket.

A "stitching artifact" is a visible misalignment of objects within a 360° image.