Capture path

The most common issue that causes a bad reconstruction is the capture path. The best technique is counter-intuitive so it's no surprise many new users find this challenging.

There are three parts to a great capture:

1. Wide-angle overview shots
2. Move in loops
3. Vary the height

Wide-angle overview shots

Stand at the outside edge of your space and look inward. Try to get as much of your scene as possible into each frame, by moving further away from the surfaces you want to capture. In the illustration below we show looking across the room to the object we are capturing. Avoid closeups.

If using the Teleport iOS app, use the 0.5x lens. If using other cameras, prefer wide angle lenses.

Move in loops

 If you followed the previous tip of standing at the edge of your space, moving in loops will feel natural. Walking sideways naturally makes you walk slow, which increases the image quality.

1. If capturing a room, walk sideways with your back towards the wall. Keep pointing the camera inward. Complete the 360 degree loop.
2. If you are outdoors and capturing an object, walk in a large circle around the object with the camera pointed towards the object. Try to keep the complete object in each frame. To do this you need to keep your distance.
3. If capturing a large outdoor space, imagine there's an object in the center and walk around it. For large outdoor spaces, you can use multiple loops that overlap each other.

Vary the height

If possible, try making three loops and hold the camera at a different height in each loop.

1. In the first loop, hold the camera at eye height and point it directly forward.
2. In the second loop, illustrated below, lower the camera to hip height and angle it slightly upwards. Make sure the camera sees below tables and chairs. This loop will capture the ceiling.
3. In the third loop, raise the camera above your head and point it slightly downwards. This loop will capture the floor.

If due to the size of the space you can only complete one loop, then prioritise eye height. During the loop you may change the height and tilt the camera.