Advanced Measurements
This page will inform you on the measurement modes available within an iGUIDE 3D Virtual tour, and how to use them.
Intro
The Measurement Tool features 3 Modes.
Standard measurements (Mode 1) are featured in every iGUIDE by default.
Advanced Measurements (Modes 2 and 3) are only available if the “Advanced Measurements” option is selected in Packages & Addons, or as a part of a Premium iGUIDE.
Read on for instructions on how to use Measurement Modes 1, 2, and 3 or click here to watch an instructional video.
Measurement Modes
Step-By-Step Instructions
Mode 1 - Measurements on the Floor Plan
Measure the horizontal distance between any two points on the floor.
This mode is useful for measuring wall-to-wall distances in irregularly shaped rooms or to see if your furniture will fit.
To use this feature:
Select Measure Mode 1
Click and drag from one point to another on the floor plan
A red line will connect the start and endpoints and its length will be reported as shown in Figure 1.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Mode 2 - Measurements on a Vertical Plane
Measure the distance between points located on a vertical plane using a panorama.
This mode is useful for measuring features found on walls, such as windows, doors, and ceiling height.
To use this feature
Select Measure Mode 2
Click and drag from one point to another on the floor plan to draw a line segment.
It will get extended into an infinite line, shown in red, on the floor plan as seen in Figure 2.
When projected upwards from the floor, that line will define a vertical plane.
All subsequent measurements will be reported as if the points selected in a panorama were located on the defined plane.
Click on any two points in the panorama to measure the distance between them. You can zoom in on the panorama for more precise positioning. The two points must be located on the vertical plane you defined, otherwise, the reported distance between them will be meaningless.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Mode 3 - Dual Panorama Triangulation
Measure the distance between any two points in 3D space by using two panoramas.
The two points must be clearly visible in both panoramas.
This mode is useful for measuring distances that cannot be measured using Mode 1 or Mode 2.
To use this feature:
Select Measure Mode 3.
Select the first panorama that contains the two points of interest.
Click on those points, remembering the order in which you do that (as shown in Figure 3).
Tip: You can zoom in on the panorama for more precise positioning. The distance between the two points will initially be shown as “???”.
Select the second panorama.
Click the same two points of interest in the same order.
You can use Zoom again for greater precision.
The measurement will appear in place the question marks after all four points have been selected, as seen in Figure 4.
NOTE: It is very important that both panoramas were shot with a camera located on the same horizontal plane (no split-level floors should be used) and using the same tripod height, otherwise, the reported distance will be meaningless.
General Information
Multiple Measurements and Undo
You can make multiple measurements in Modes 1, 2, and 3 - just keep selecting new additional points.
You can use the Undo button to delete the last point. In Mode 3, Undo will work only until a new pano is selected.
Measurement Uncertainty
After completing a measurement in Modes 2 and 3 you will receive a message that looks similar to this when a measurement has been taken:
“Estimated measurement uncertainty is 2. Take additional measurements by selecting new start and endpoints.”
The measurement uncertainty will vary depending on the panoramas selected and the measurement points chosen.
Reduce the measurement uncertainty to the lowest possible number by trying the same measurement multiple times, using different panoramas to see what yields the best results.
When choosing a panorama in Mode 2, try to use a panorama that is close to the features you are trying to measure.
This makes selecting the features easier and will reduce measurement uncertainty.
This can also be expressed as keeping measurements within a 90° field of view when the panorama’s viewing direction is perpendicular to the vertical plane in which measurements are taken.
See the shaded area in Figure 6.
When using Mode 3, try to choose panoramas that are close to the features being measured, but that are far enough apart from each other to offer a unique and different perspective.
Try to keep measurements out of the periphery of either panorama to reduce measurement uncertainty and aim to keep measurements within the shaded area in Figure 6.
For the iGUIDE Photographer
Shooting
In order to have optimal panoramas available for measurement, you will need to create many panos near objects that could potentially be measured later on.
In this way, a little forethought and planning during data capture will lead to more precise measurements by allowing for optimal pano selection later.
We recommend taking four shots with specific Z1 orientations in a room. This helps reduce measuring issues in the lens stitch areas (as shown in Figure 7).
Camera Height
To use panos for effective measurement in Mode 3, the iGUIDE camera tripod height must be kept the same while shooting.
There is no specific height requirement, but if the camera tripod height is adjusted higher or lower to capture different features, it is recommended that it be returned to its original height to maximize the number of panos that can be used with the Advanced Measurements.
Enabling Advanced Measurements
The Advanced Measurements feature is included with every iGUIDE. It is checked by default as a Free Add-on.
Tip: You can find out if Advanced Measurements has been activated on your iGUIDE on the Package & Add-ons page as seen in Figure 9.
To toggle Advanced Measurements on or off for any iGUIDE view click the checkbox labelled “Disable Advanced Measurements (if available)” found on the Edit View page.
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