Capture outdoor scenes with your phone or other devices to generate a complete, editable 3D environment.

Since outdoor conditions are more complex (lighting, weather, moving elements), follow the steps and tips below for better results.

Before You Start

1. Device & Environment Requirements

Before capturing, make sure you have:

• A stable smartphone (the newer ones are recommended for better results)

• Bright and consistent lighting

• A relatively controlled environment (minimize interference where possible)

2. Optional Equipment (Advanced)

In addition to a smartphone, you can use the following devices for wider coverage or higher-quality data:

360 Camera

Best for quickly capturing large environments:

• Captures a full 360° view in a single shot

• Ideal for open spaces (e.g., plazas, streets)

• Capture from multiple positions and ensure overlap between shots

Drone (Aerial Capture)

Best for large or hard-to-reach areas:

• Provides top-down (aerial) perspectives

• Ideal for building exteriors, landmarks, and large-scale environments

• Fly slowly and maintain a stable path

• Avoid rapid movement or sharp turns

General Tips

• Keep footage as stable as possible

• Ensure sufficient overlap between different capture positions

• Avoid strong lighting or rapidly changing light conditions

3. Environment Checklist

Before capturing, try to:

• Avoid crowded areas

• Minimize moving objects (pedestrians, vehicles, etc.)

• Avoid strong wind (movement of trees or objects can affect results)

• Plan your capture path in advance

4. Lighting Requirements

• Choose evenly lit times of day (early morning or late afternoon preferred)

• Avoid harsh midday sunlight (overexposure and hard shadows)

• Avoid rapidly changing lighting (e.g., fast-moving clouds)

Start Scanning

1. Choose a Starting Point

Pick a clear reference point, such as:

• A building corner

• A sculpture

• An entrance or intersection

2. Move Slowly

• Walk or move at a slow, steady pace

• Keep your speed consistent

• Avoid sudden turns

3. Control Distance

• Keep a distance of about 2–5 meters from the subject (adjust based on scene size)

• Avoid getting too close or too far

4. Maintain Stability

• Move smoothly at a constant speed

• Avoid shaking or sudden movements

5. Ensure Full Coverage

• Move around the subject or area in a loop

• Try to form a closed-loop path

• Maintain sufficient overlap between paths

Key Areas to Capture

Make sure to include:

• Building facades

• Ground and environmental structures

• Edges and corners

• Key objects (sculptures, installations, etc.)

Multi-Angle Coverage

For complex or important areas:

• Capture from multiple angles

• Add one or two extra loops if needed

Capture Tips

Keep the Device Stable

• Hold the device with both hands

• Minimize shaking

Maintain Smooth Movement

• Move at a steady pace

• Avoid sudden turns or frequent stops

Capture Details from Multiple Angles

Focus on:

• Building edges and corners

• Structural details

• Layered or complex areas

Quality Requirements

Image Coverage & Overlap

• Capture enough usable views (typically at least 20 key perspectives)

• Maintain ≥70% overlap between adjacent frames

When using video:

• The system will automatically extract keyframes

Avoid Low-Texture or Invalid Areas

• Avoid large uniform surfaces (e.g., plain walls, sky)

• Include structural or textured elements whenever possible

Common Issues & Optimization

Common Issues

• Lighting too strong → Overexposure or harsh shadows

• Rapid lighting changes → Unstable reconstruction

• Too many moving objects → Artifacts in the model

• Moving too fast → Motion blur

• Shaky footage

• Incomplete coverage

Best Practices

• Soft, even lighting (early morning or late afternoon is ideal)

• Fewer people and moving elements

• Low wind conditions

• Stable handling

Advanced Drone Capture Guide (For Large Scenes)

For large environments, building exteriors, or complex terrain, drones can provide better coverage and higher-quality data.

1. Suitable Scenarios

Drone capture works best for:

• Building exteriors (structures, landmarks)

• Parks, scenic areas, and large spaces

• Areas difficult to cover on foot

• Scenes requiring aerial or multi-height perspectives

2. Capture Principles

Slow & Stable Flight

• Avoid fast movement

• Reduce motion blur

• Maintain a smooth flight path

Multi-Angle Coverage

Combine two main angles:

• Top-down (vertical): for overall structure

• Oblique (~45°): for facades and details

3. Common Flight Paths

① Orbit Shooting

• Fly around a target (e.g., a building) at least once

• Keep the camera facing the center

Best for:

• Single buildings

• Statue or landmarks

② Grid Shooting (Large Areas)

• Fly back and forth in parallel lines

• Cover the entire area

Best for:

• Terrain

• Large open spaces

③ Multi-Height Reshooting

• Repeat capture at different altitudes

• Improve completeness of the model

4. Lighting & Weather Tips

Preferred:

• Overcast days

• Early morning / late afternoon

Avoid:

• Harsh midday sunlight

• Strong winds

• Rapid lighting changes

After Capture

Once you’ve finished:

• Upload your footage to the Aholo app or website to generate a 3D scene

• Wait for processing to complete

• Use the editor to crop, annotate, and measure

• Export a video or share via link