Best Scanning Practices/Camera Orientation???

General Discussions
#1

I’ve been “doing” iGuide for a few years now and feel like upgrading from MP to iGUIDE was one of the best moves we’ve made as a photography business. With that being said, I have some questions for the “collective” that hopefully can make “iGUIDE” better/easier for me and possibly others going forward.

I am very specific about the direction I set up each scan always having the camera going the same “direction” (in relation to the on camera display). Every-single-scan is the same direction as the initial one as best as I can. I thought this would help to “align scans” in post work and for the most part that is true but there are always a couple of scans that are either turned or WAY out there in left field. Is there something I am doing (or not doing) that is causing this occasional “flyer” in my scans? I make sure every scan can clearly “see” the last scan location (or a previous one if leaving a room etc) so that they can “locate” properly. Below are (5) images of my most recent project (13k sqft)

  1. Coverage data, right out of the camera
  2. Scan data right out of the camera
  3. Coverage data after Rectified scans (2 hrs later)
  4. Rectified scans (2 hrs later)
  5. Image of how the data did process VERY accurately after a tedious alignment session

Journey_iGUIDE_RAW_Coverage
Journey_iGUIDE_RAW_Coverage634×708 74.7 KB

Journey_iGUIDE_RAW
Journey_iGUIDE_RAW774×699 74.4 KB

Journey_iGUIDE_Coverage2
Journey_iGUIDE_Coverage2623×711 72.7 KB

Journey_iGUIDE_Rectified
Journey_iGUIDE_Rectified896×719 103 KB

Journey_iGUIDE_FP_Example
Journey_iGUIDE_FP_Example470×677 54.5 KB

If I “face” the camera on each scan in the direction of the “Initial view” does this have any negative affect on “Alignment” etc after-the-fact?

Technically, is the “Front” of the camera where you’re seeing the LED screen on the iGUIDE or is that back?

If I am doing a 2-shot Pano, where do I stand in Pos-1 and Pos-2?

Thank you in advance for help, guidance, and suggestions.

Allen in NC.

#2

I see this has been here since October with no answer.

I too set my camera in the same orientation through my scanning process. I am not sure if always facing the camera the same direction helps, but It make me feel more consistent with my scanning process. I set my initial pano in Stitch.

On the other hand, when doing scans for builders, I point the camera at the area, like the wall, where one might most likely want to use the measure tools. These tools are not accurate at the “corners” of the lens, that is, the area where the lens is not facing.

As for your fly away scans, I have found that happens less now than it used to, however, when it does happen, it’s often due to two rooms having the same size and/or shape, which confuses the system. I too have spent quite a bit of time puzzling out scans, but i take it as a challenge, though one that cost me time and $$s.

The rear of the Planix system is where the power button and thumb drive are located. When doing a 2-shot pano, stand at the rear for the first shot, then the front for the second shot. Confirm by doing a test, then delete the test shots.