3D Tour Shooting Instructions

Tourbuzz's Required Shooting Instructions for 3D Tours

Tourbuzz 3D Tours are immersive virtual tours emulating 3D environments using spherical images. The 3D tours are created directly using the Tourbuzz single property website platform, and images are produced with Ricoh Theta V, SC2 or Z1 cameras.

Our automated post-production algorithm utilizes visual content recognition and machine learning image classification technologies to recreate the camera path used by the photographer during the photo shoot. 

Therefore, shooting instructions are required to ensure that the visual content automated post-production processes work seamlessly.

Failing to follow shooting instructions will result with 3D tour being rejected or would prevent the 3D tour from being scaled-to-life for precise floor plan creation.

Download the UI Capture App

The first step to get started is to download the UI Capture App. The App prevents errors and poor results of immersive 3D tours.

Download for
iOS Android

Camera Height

The recommended height of the camera is 4 ft. If you would like to use a different camera height, ask our support team to show you how you can calibrate the measurement tool.

NEVER change camera height during the same shoot. It will greatly impact the scaled-to-life floor plans and feel of the tour. If you work in teams during a shoot, make sure both photographers have the exact same camera height.

Make sure your Camera is Level

Use a monopod that you can adjust the level. Make sure the camera is always levelled.

Unlevelled 360 images can’t be used as precision anchors by our post-production processes. This will greatly impact floor plan precision and user experience.

Virtual North (THE MOST IMPORTANT RULES)

The camera must ALWAYS start facing the same direction for each 360 images. We call this our Virtual North. The Virtual North can be the front, the back, the left, or right wall of the house, but must stay the same throughout the entire project.

If your camera is not always facing a virtual north, the way the 360 camera measures and gets the light that comes in the lenses will never be measured the same way. This will lead to inconsistent final images white balance and light intensity.

Furthermore, the stitching needed to feed the (in the middle of the 2 lens) gap is creating distortions when creating floor plan walls. Not shooting always in the same direction will GREATLY impact floor plan precision.

Distance between 360 images

The distance between each 360 images should not be greater than 8 feet. Too much distance between 360 images will greatly decrease the floor plan precision and user experience.

Doors And Open Access

Each doorway will require a pair of 360 images. One before entering the room and another once inside. Make sure each 360 image has a line of sight to the paired image.

Camera Path

Create a camera path that enables viewing all rooms. A minimum of one image per room is required to create the floor plan but might be not enough to provide a good user experience.

Too many 360 images is not always better. It will take extra time on site without really adding extra value to the 3D tour. Create a camera path that showcases the best possible pathway through the house.

Stair Gateways

There is no need to take 360 images on the stairs. Just do a 360 image in front of every stairway. Our post-production team will create gateways on the stairs allowing the user to jump from one level to the other with a single click.

Things not to do in order to avoid a bad outcome of your immersive 3D tour.

Your tour could be REJECTED if...

If your 360 images are pointing in different directions

The App will not be able to align the panos and the tour may be rejected.

If the distance between the 360 images is too great

This will negatively affect the navigation experience in the 3D tour

If you aren’t shooting pairs of panos for doors

Also if your walls hide the line of sight between 360 images, this will negatively affect the navigation experience in the 3D tour.

If you don't have a camera path and connected panos

Separately shooting rooms will not work with our 3D tours.

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