Capturing Panoramas in Different Modes

Use NavVis MLX cameras to capture visual data for Capturing Panoramas and Gaussian Splatting. Different capture modes support different use cases: panoramas provide separate 270° or 360° images, while Gaussian Splatting uses camera data to help create a continuous, viewable 3D representation of the scanned environment.

Choose the capture approach and settings that best match the environment, required visual quality, and scanning workflow.

1. Capturing Panoramas

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 panorama 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.

2. Gaussian Splatting Capture Mode (beta)

In addition to capturing panoramic images, you can use the NavVis MLX cameras to capture Gaussian Splatting data. Learn more about Gaussian Splatting data here.

How to activate Gaussian Splatting (beta)

Note: Gaussian Splatting is not available on NavVis MLX by default. To activate it, submit a form with your company name, full name, email address, location, and the device serial number. After NavVis enrolls you in the beta program, install a system software update to access this feature on your device. Enroll in the Gaussian Splatting beta program.

After NavVis activates your device for Gaussian Splatting, you can enable the mode in the device settings.

Go to Settings > Camera > Gaussian Splatting and switch on the toggle.

Note: After you switch on Gaussian Splatting mode, you cannot switch it off once scanning starts.

Before a scanning session starts, a confirmation screen shows that the session includes Gaussian Splatting. Tap Confirm.

Scanning with Gaussian Splatting mode

While you scan, NavVis MLX automatically captures panoramas for Gaussian Splatting. You do not need to take any action. If the setting is enabled, you hear a camera sound each time the device captures a panorama.

For guidance on scanning in Gaussian Splatting mode, see How to Visualize in 3D with NavVis Gaussian Splatting.

After the scan, the dataset includes a colored point cloud and Gaussian Splatting data for reconstructing the environment.

Panorama capture in Gaussian Splatting mode

When Gaussian Splatting mode is switched on, NavVis MLX disables automatic and continuous panorama capture.

Manual panorama capture is still available. Use it to:

• Add extra detail in complex areas.

• Add extra panorama for poorly lit environments.

Combining Gaussian Splatting with other panorama capture modes

You cannot use continuous panorama capture at the same time as Gaussian Splatting mode. Continuous panorama capture is available only when Gaussian Splatting mode is off.

Gaussian Splatting mode does not support automatic panorama capture at a fixed interval. You can still take manual panoramas while Gaussian Splatting mode is on, including extra panoramas at any time while capturing splats.

Processing datasets scanned with Gaussian Splatting

If you scan with Gaussian Splatting mode, you must also enable Gaussian Splatting in NavVis IVION Processing. For more information, see Gaussian Splatting IVION Processing.