Developing an appropriate capture path is an essential component for obtaining high-quality data. The path will inevitably differ from site to site, and may even change from one capture to another on the same site. The capture path plays a critical role in:
Collecting the accurate and necessary data
Swiftly obtaining the required data
When choosing a path, consider the location of the project site and any recent construction progress. It is not necessary to follow the same path each time; the ConstructN engine can process any path you choose and align the capture with the floor plan as long as you adhere to the capture process guidelines.
Following are some of the best practices that we recommend:
Good light gets good pictures - Light plays a crucial role in the quality of captured data and hence the processed data. Ensure that the project site that you want to capture has adequate light. We suggest that you do the capture during daytime, during which the light is generally adequate.
If daylight is not enough or the area is dark, you can arrange temporary lighting at least during capture for those areas. Alternatively, you could also use a lighting accessory which could be attached to your helmet or with your hand-held stick producing a 360-degree light in all directions. We recommend a lighting accessory as it makes capturing data easy even in dark places without the hassle of arranging for lighting every time you do a data capture.
Pre-assess your capture path - By evaluating your project site and determining the most efficient capture path, you can ensure that all required areas are captured, potentially minimizing the need for additional captures. This methodical approach also enhances coverage completeness.
Some pointers to keep in mind while choosing your capture path:
Maintain a 3-foot distance between the camera and the walls.
Maintain a 5-foot separation between two parallel lines along the same path.
Ensure that the capture path terminates at the same location where it began.
Design a path with minimal turns and rotations. Start with a long straight path and make gradual turns when necessary.
Choose the correct floor to start capture - Prior to commencing capture, it is critical to confirm that you have selected the appropriate project and floor. Selecting an incorrect floor can lead to inaccurate outcomes.
Choose the starting point and direction of capture accurately - In order for teams to access data as soon as possible, it is essential that data capture and processing occur quickly. Incorrect capture of the starting point and direction can result in prolonged processing times and occasionally lead to data misalignment.
Walk slowly and steadily - While traversing more difficult areas such as dark or narrow rooms or corners, it is best to proceed slowly or, preferably, to capture them during separate, dedicated times. Otherwise, when walking through the site, there's no need to stop and take pictures; simply move at your natural pace as though you're strolling.
Please note that you will only have data for the site areas that were captured.
We hope this article has been helpful. If you have any questions please reach out to [email protected]