Capture Requirements
Understand the capture requirements for certain iGUIDE add-on options. Requirements are based on typical two-storey residential and commercial buildings under 10,000 sq ft.
Important: Unless otherwise specified, a “scan” refers to a typical horizontal scan, with the camera system positioned upright. Scanning requirements for Floor Plans and Reflected 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.
Vertical Scanning
Some of the packages require vertical scans. While the scans are optional, they increase the accuracy of the measurements and thus are recommended. The add-ons that the vertical scans can be submitted for are Exterior Elevations and 3D Model
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.
Floor Plan (DWG) Scanning Requirements
The DWG floor plan does not have any specific capture requirements; just a normal capture of interior scans would be needed. Exterior scans are not needed for either the Floor Plan (DWG) or the Reflected Ceiling Plan, but are optional. Below are some tips to keep in mind.
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 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
Reflected Ceiling Plans Scanning Requirements
Normal interior scans of the property would be needed for this add-on. For more information, please refer to the Floor Plan (DWG) Scanning Requirements
Optionally, please take a look at the recommended scanning methods for the Reflected Ceiling Plans below:
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
Exterior Elevations Scanning Requirements
Regular interior scans would be required for this add-on. Additionally, exterior scans of the property are also needed. Interior vertical scans are optional but recommended to increase accuracy. Below are some recommendations when taking scans:
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.
Roof Plans Scanning Requirements
Horizontal scans of the rooftop would be needed for this add-on. Ensure to scan at each access point. This is the only requirement for flat roofs.
For pitched roofs, exterior scans would be needed to complete the add-on
3D Model Scanning Requirements
Scans that are required for the 3D model add-on are:
Normal Interior and Exterior scans
For more information, please refer to Floor Plan (DWG) Scanning Requirements
Rooftop scans (for flat roofs)
Horizontal scans of the rooftop would be needed for this add-on. Ensure to scan at each access point. This is the only requirement for flat roofs.
For pitched roofs, exterior scans would be needed to complete the add-on
Interior Vertical Scans (These are optional but recommended to increase accuracy)
Capture Checklist - Downloadable Quick Reference
For quick reference on-site, download the Advanced Capture Checklist PDF below.
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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