Make an initial site visit#

To develop a dependable procedure for aligning your model, make an initial visit to scan the site. Environmental factors such as lighting conditions, distances, and physical structures can affect where you set any of the alignment options—AR markers, virtual reference points, or anchor locks—in the model. Scanning the site will help you identify problem areas and areas that are suitable for alignment.

Scan the entire site#

Your camera scans continually while you are in AR mode.

Check for poor scan coverage by turning on Wireframe in the Model appearance controls. Poor scan coverage is indicated by holes in the scan mesh, and on non-LiDAR devices, insufficient feature points.

The characteristics of your site can affect scan coverage, see Evaluate scanning problems on your site.

Identify alignment locations#

Look for locations where alignment of the model is important to your goals for visualizing the model.

Use the information in the scan to decide on possible physical reference points. They should exist in the model and on the site. For example, if your device recognizes a wall or a steel beam, you can use either object as a location for alignment. If they are at least ten feet apart, you can use both.

Your device's camera must be able to scan of the locations where you plan to align the model. An area that cannot be scanned or an object that is not recognized cannot be used for alignment.

Identify alignment locations, where, for the most typical or useful views, the camera is not pointed directly at an unscannable area.

Note: Scans are lost when the app is closed. You must scan (or map) the site in the same session that you load and align the model.