Introduction
Use this guide when doors along your NavVis MLX scan route cannot be propped open in advance and you'll have to open them yourself mid-scan. You'll need a free hand and a clear approach path. By the end, you'll know how to pass through doorways without breaking SLAM.
Before You Start Scanning
It is recommended to open doors in advance and keep them open during the scan. This reduces the chance of SLAM errors and helps you get the best possible mapping result.
If you cannot prop the doors open beforehand, note which doors you must open yourself while scanning. If possible, have another person accompany you and open doors for you during the scan.
Remove trip hazards near doorways.
Follow all fire‑safety and access rules before you keep a door open.
Best Practices for Managing Doors While Scanning
1. Approach the doorway
Slow down slightly as you approach the doorway.
Hold NavVis MLX in one hand.
Keep the sensors aimed toward stable, fixed features such as:
The door frame.
Nearby walls and the change in floor surface at the doorway.
Textured details such as signs, hinges, or handles.
2. Open the door
Stand close to the side with the latch, with your back toward the door.
Keep NavVis MLX facing the walls and other fixed features you used as reference.
Open the door slowly, just enough so you can pass through safely, then open it wider as needed. Avoid fast movements.
Keep your arm low and out of the field of view of the bottom sensor as much as possible, so the sensor mainly sees static features instead of your moving arm or the moving door.
3. Move through the doorway
When the door is fully open and not moving, walk through the doorway at a steady, normal pace.
Avoid abrupt movements or sudden turns while you pass through the frame.
Keep NavVis MLX aimed at the door frame and nearby walls until you are fully in the new room.
When you are fully inside, return to your normal scan speed and path.
FAQ
What should I do if I cannot prop doors open before scanning?
If you cannot prop the doors open beforehand, note which doors you must open yourself while scanning. It is also helpful to have another person accompany you to open doors during the scan.
Is it necessary to remove trip hazards near doorways?
Yes, it is important to remove trip hazards near doorways to ensure a safe scanning process.
What is the best way to approach a doorway while scanning?
Slow down slightly as you approach the doorway, hold the NavVis MLX in one hand, and keep the sensors aimed toward stable, fixed features like the door frame and nearby walls.
How should I open a door while scanning?
Stand close to the side with the latch, keep the NavVis MLX facing the walls, open the door slowly just enough to pass through, and avoid fast movements.
What should I do when moving through the doorway?
When the door is fully open and not moving, walk through at a steady pace, avoid abrupt movements, and keep the NavVis MLX aimed at the door frame and nearby walls until you are fully inside.