Capturing Panoramas

NavVis MLX is equipped with four cameras, allowing you to capture 270° and 360° panorama images. The panoramas can be captured either manually by the operator, or continuously in a dedicated mode. Choosing the right method helps ensure sharp images with complete coverage and minimal motion blur, especially in challenging light conditions or tight spaces.

Panorama Capture Modes

There are three modes available for capturing Panoramas with NavVis MLX:

• Manually (Manual Mode): you press the trigger to manually capture panoramas where precision is needed.

• Automatically (Auto Pano Capture Mode): device decides when to trigger based on movement and distance.

• Continuously (Continuous Pano Capture Mode): device captures at a steady cadence while you keep moving.

You can tap the AUTO (A) or MANUAL (M) or CONTINUOUS (C) icon on the top bar to change between automatic, manual or continuous camera triggering. They can also be changed in the Settings menu.

Manual Pano Capture

In Manual mode, users can decide exactly when and where each panorama is captured. This gives users full control over image placement so you can capture panoramas for specific points of interest with maximum clarity and minimal motion blur. This is best suited for precise image placement at points of interest, complex geometry, tight spaces, signage/asset IDs, thresholds, stair entries/exits.

How to capture a 270 degrees panorama in Manual Mode

1. Hold the NavVis MLX steady in the harness system in the normal scanning position with the device in front of you.

   

2. Stand still to guarantee that pictures are taken the instant you hit the button, as any movement will result in blurriness.

3. Briefly press the trigger button once on the handle.

4. Listen for the click; a white three‑quarter circle icon appears on the screen to show the location and direction of the 270° panorama.

How to capture a 360 degrees panorama in Manual Mode

1. Stand still and and make sure there is enough space above your head.

2. Lift the NavVis MLX above your head, positioning the base close to your chin. This arrangement assists in keeping you out of the captured images.

   

3. Press and hold the trigger button on the handle for longer than usual (more than ~6 seconds) until you hear the a beep sound confirming panorama capture.

4. A preview of the panorama appears on the device display, showing the four images from all cameras. On the map, a red circle icon marks the location of the 360° panorama capture.

5. If automatic preview is distracting, you can disable this behavior in the camera Settings in the scanning UI.

Switching between 270 degrees and 360 degrees on the device

• If you accidentally capture a 360° showing parts of yourself, you can convert to 270° using “Convert to 270” in the image viewer.

• You can similarly convert a 270° panorama to 360° via “Convert to 360”.

• Use swipe gestures to browse images left/right on the screen.

This is beneficial for making swift adjustments without needing to re-capture on location.

Auto Pano Capture Mode

Perform the following for Auto Pano Capture Mode using 270°.

1. On the scanning screen, tap Settings.

1. In the camera settings, select Auto in the Capture mode for panoramas setting.

2. Configure the distance between auto triggers to match your environment.

3. Start scanning, moving at a steady pace.

4. Each time you hear the beep sound, stop and hold the NavVis MLX steady until the image is captured; then continue further until the scan is complete.

Note: This is best for large and open environments where even coverage is more important than exact image placement.

Continuous Pano capture mode

The Continuous Pano capture mode enables uninterrupted scanning from start to finish. The operator does not need to stop to capture panoramas and the system dynamically captures panoramas on the move, without any interruption across the scanning workflows. This is best suited for scanning when minimizing time on site is the priority and the environment is predictable (for example, long, straight paths, large open halls).

How to use Continuous Pano mode

Perform the following for Continuous Pano Capture Mode using 270°.

1. On the top bar or in Settings, tap to switch to Continuous Pano capture mode.

2. Walk steadily at a consistent pace. Avoid sharp turns and sudden stops near capture moments to reduce the risk of motion blur.

Note: Use Continuous primarily on straight, uniform routes. Switch back to Auto or Manual modes for complex areas, tight corners, or points of interest where exact placement matters.

Choosing the modes

When planning a scan, choosing the right panorama capture mode ensures you balance speed, image quality, and the planned scanning path and workflow, for the specific environment you’re scanning.

NavVis MLX Cameras’ Field Of View

During panorama stitching, input from all four of the cameras is taken into account to achieve a full panorama view. The cameras are arranged on the device in a fixed position to enable their fields of view to overlap as much as possible.
Shown below are the blind spots close to the camera head where the cameras cannot view. This is how the operator is hidden from the images.

This also means that if an object, like a wall, is too close to the device, some image information may be missing.

Note: Aim for at least 1 meter away from walls and other objects to achieve a high quality panorama image.