Capturing Panoramas

• Manually (Manual Mode): you press the trigger to manually capture panoramas where precision is needed.Panorama capture creates 360° images at selected points during a scan. The panoramas in NavVis VLX 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 VLX:

• 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 Mode

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 panoramas in Manual mode

1. To switch to Manual Mode, tap the manual capture mode control on the top bar or via Settings.

2. Stop at areas of interest and stand facing the points where you need to capture panoramas.

3. Once the device is in a stable position, press the trigger button above the handle to capture a panorama.

You can manually trigger at any time during scanning, except when adding a control point (the trigger is reserved for that action).

Best Practices

• Aim for repeatable placements: junction centers, room centers, near equipment labels, and at corridor intervals you can recall.

• Avoid very close occlusions: step slightly back from walls, glass, and mirrors before triggering.

Auto Pano Capture Mode

In Auto panorama capture mode, the NavVis VLX automatically decides when to capture panoramas along your path. At every pre-configured distance (for example, 1.5m or 3m) and when stability conditions are satisfied, a panorama capture is triggered. 

How to use Auto Mode

1. Tap Auto mode on the top bar or the Settings menu. You can adjust the distance between triggers as required in the Settings.

2. Maintain a steady pace of walking. When you hear the capture signal (beep sound), pause and hold the device steady for the automated panorama capture. Once the capture is complete, proceed scanning.

Best Practices

• Set longer distance between panorama capture in uniform corridors; shorten spacing in high‑detail zones. 

• Plan for loop closures along your path to enable SLAM and colorization consistency.

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 mode

1. On the top bar or in Settings, toggle to the Continuous mode.

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

Choosing the right mode

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 VLX Cameras’ Field Of View

During stitching, input from all four of the cameras is taken into account to achieve a full panorama view. The cameras are arranged on the head of the NavVis VLX in a fixed position to enable their fields of view to overlap as much as possible.

The illustrations show there are blind spots close to the camera head where none of the cameras can "see". This is how the operator is hidden from the images.

It also means that if there is an object (wall or other) closer than 70cm to 1m to the mobile mapping system, image information will be missing. This is shown as "holes" in the panorama image. Because those images would then have to be discarded manually, the stitching algorithm is not run on capture locations where an object was too close to the mobile mapping system.

Note: Aim for a minimum distance of 1 m from walls and other objects to be on the safe side and achieve a high panorama image quality.
Tilting the device does not improve image clarity beyond approximately 50 cm, as the cameras already operate within their optimal focus range; closer details (for e.g., floors or walls) can be captured using other closer-range imagery if required.