The quality of your Mobile 3D Scan depends on careful planning and execution. Follow these best practices to get the most accurate and detailed models.
To use Mobile 3D Scan, you need:
- The Ground Pro add-on. Mobile 3D Scan appears in the Ground App only when Ground Pro is enabled for your organization.
- An iOS device with LiDAR: iPhone 12 Pro or newer, or an iPad Pro with LiDAR (2020 onward). See Supported Devices for Mobile 3D Scan.
- The latest version of the DroneDeploy Ground App from the App Store. Scanning with RTK requires version 2.208.0 or later.
Plan Your Scan Path
Planning your movement ensures complete coverage and a cohesive 3D model.
- Walk through the area first and plan your movement to ensure full coverage.
- Start at a logical entry point and move in an orderly fashion.
- Plan a route that loops back or crosses itself, as described in the next section.
Walk Smoothly and Cover Each Stretch Twice
Smooth movement reduces distortion, and seeing each area from more than one direction gives the reconstruction what it needs to hold its shape and position.
- Move at a steady walking pace, curve naturally around corners, and move slowly when turning. Avoid spinning in place.
- Loop back or cross your own path so every stretch is seen from two directions.
- Avoid a single straight pass with no return. In our accuracy testing, single straight passes caused the largest misses.
- Where you can, end the scan in a position that can see where you started, with a slight overlap.
- For fuller coverage, consider two loops in opposite directions.
- Capture with heavy overlap so every surface appears in several frames: at least 50 frames per scan, more for larger areas.
- Avoid erratic movements or sudden changes in distance, as these can distort the model.
Hold a Steady Camera
Steady motion within a pass gives the reconstruction algorithm the best data.
- Keep a consistent scanning angle to the surface within a pass.
- Move steadily with your feet and keep the phone steady.
- Avoid abrupt movements, painting-like sweeping motions, or rotating the phone.
Add Angles on Difficult Surfaces
Flat, featureless or narrow areas need more than one view. Change your angle or distance between passes, not during one.
- On flat or featureless surfaces and in narrow spaces, add a second pass from a different angle. This improves depth accuracy and reconstruction.
- Between passes, back up for a broader view or change the angle to bring more feature points into frame.
- Avoid many photos of the same surface from the same angle, such as a large blank wall.
- A "too close to surface" message appears when you scan within 1 m of an object. It is a guideline, not a requirement to stop.
If You're Scanning with RTK
RTK places each scan in your project's coordinate system. For setup, mounting and RTK-specific practices, see 3D Scanning with RTK.
Scanning Indoors
Mobile 3D Scan works on both the Exterior and Levels of a project. RTK positioning is available on the Exterior only. Indoors, the capture best practices matter even more: rooms are smaller, so each frame sees less of the space, and interiors often have fewer distinct features for the reconstruction to anchor to.
- Walk each room as a loop, and cover corners and doorways from more than one direction.
- Keep enough distance from walls to bring edges, openings and fixtures into each frame. Avoid scanning a blank wall up close.
- Indoor light is often dimmer and less even than daylight. Add lighting where you can (see Use the Best Lighting Conditions).
Scanning Outdoors
Outdoor sites bring their own challenges.
- Bring curbs, joints, edges or equipment into frame. Long runs of bare asphalt or fresh concrete give the reconstruction little to work with.
- Avoid harsh shadows that move between frames.
- In heat, give the device a short break between back-to-back scans, out of direct sun, rather than shortening a scan to beat the heat.
Use the Best Lighting Conditions
Proper lighting is crucial for accurate scans.
- Scan in daylight or even, steady light, and avoid low light at dawn or dusk. Poor or uneven lighting can lead to incomplete data, resulting in missing details or distorted areas in the model.
- Indoors, use external lighting or adjust natural lighting for better coverage.
Scan with a Clear Area
Minimize obstructions and movement in the area you are scanning.
- Furniture, equipment, or moving people can obstruct the scan, leading to errors or incomplete models.
- Clear the area as much as possible and minimize movement during scanning.
Be Aware of Surface Textures
Some surfaces are harder for the device's sensor to process.
- Surfaces that are monochromatic, reflective, or low in contrast may be difficult to process accurately, leading to less detailed models.
- To improve quality, scan from different angles or adjust lighting to increase contrast.
Before You Measure
Find your finished scans under 3D Scans in the Media menu on the left sidebar. A 3D reconstruction can occasionally come back tilted or warped, even when the capture went smoothly. Check the finished scan before measuring from it.
- Rotate the scan in 3D and confirm that flat ground reads flat.
- Don't measure from a top-down view alone.
Export and Upload
To export raw scan data and upload it manually, see How to export and upload Mobile 3D Scan. Export is only available before the scan syncs.