How To Create Stunning Virtual Tours Using Matterport
Free Resources
With the endless developments in technology and science, the world continues to witness astonishing advancements. Virtual tours are one of those astonishing advancements and are a great solution, particularly in this current climate.
Let us explain!
The Matterport software has become a reliable option for estate agents and holiday let owners whereby creating a platform from where potential clients can view a portfolio of properties before actually making a visit to the actual property. Reducing time and making the process much more efficient.
And, operating this software isn’t that hard either – even people who are not professionals can access this technology to make use of it with limited equipment.
Here we will go into more detail about the software itself and how to create authentic and professional virtual tours using it.
Free Resources
With the endless developments in technology and science, the world continues to witness astonishing advancements. Virtual tours are one of those astonishing advancements and are a great solution, particularly in this current climate.
Let us explain!
The Matterport software has become a reliable option for estate agents and holiday let owners whereby creating a platform from where potential clients can view a portfolio of properties before actually making a visit to the actual property. Reducing time and making the process much more efficient.
And, operating this software isn’t that hard either – even people who are not professionals can access this technology to make use of it with limited equipment.
Here we will go into more detail about the software itself and how to create authentic and professional virtual tours using it.
What is Matterport and Capturing Spaces in 3D?
Matterport is a platform that works on transforming real-life spaces captured on special cameras (but also using your iPhone and 360 cameras) into immaculate digital twins. A digital twin is a digital copy of a real-world object or place created with the help of AI and machine learning. These copies are dimensionally accurate, and they make it really easy to view an outdoor or indoor space without actually visiting it.
This software is not just helpful in the property sector but is also put to use in architecture, hospitality, leisure industry, aviation, insurance, facility management, retail, and by holiday home owners plus many other industries. Capturing virtual tours using the Matterport software has become immensely popular because of the realistic nature of these tours and how they capture even the most minute details perfectly.
If you have a good 360 camera, then creating virtual tours is easier than ever with Matterport! With its clear-cut floor plan creator feature and excellent efficiency, this software has risen to become an extremely popular choice for selling and letting homes.
What is Matterport and Capturing Spaces in 3D?
Matterport is a platform that works on transforming real-life spaces captured on special cameras (but also using your iPhone and 360 cameras) into immaculate digital twins. A digital twin is a digital copy of a real-world object or place created with the help of AI and machine learning. These copies are dimensionally accurate, and they make it really easy to view an outdoor or indoor space without actually visiting it.
This software is not just helpful in the property sector but is also put to use in architecture, hospitality, leisure industry, aviation, insurance, facility management, retail, and by holiday home owners plus many other industries. Capturing virtual tours using the Matterport software has become immensely popular because of the realistic nature of these tours and how they capture even the most minute details perfectly.
If you have a good 360 camera, then creating virtual tours is easier than ever with Matterport! With its clear-cut floor plan creator feature and excellent efficiency, this software has risen to become an extremely popular choice for selling and letting homes.
Creating Virtual Tours Using The Matterport Software
Everything You Need To Know (including hints, tips and tricks)
What You Need
1. Compatible Camera Devices To Scan Space
– iPhone and Matterport:
Matterport works with a range of cameras but the type of camera you need depends on the size of the space. According to Matterport if it’s just a small room, then an iPhone can get the job done.
However I would disagree! You need more than a steady hand to perform the scans and the result is less than perfect with critical alignment issues.
See below and you decide!
– 360 Camera and Matterport:
If you’re looking to capture small to medium-sized space including small to medium-sized houses and not just a room, you can opt for a 3D or 360 camera as these are great if you are an entry-level photographer and don’t want to spend too much.
They are also ideal for their ease of use and can carry them to any spot pretty easily.
The slimness of these devices also allows for scanning smaller hallways (like in static caravans) and tighter spaces as well as better positioning around mirrors, where you are less likely to capture them in the reflection.
Take a look at the quality of the virtual tour below using an Insta360 camera.
– Matterport Pro2 and Matterport:
As you become more advanced and looking for sharper quality you may naturally sway towards the Matterport Pro2 as this is a popular option for quality and accuracy and long battery life.
Take a look at the quality of the virtual tour below using a Matterport Pro2 camera.
Creating Virtual Tours Using The Matterport Software
Everything You Need To Know (including hints, tips and tricks)
What You Need
1. Compatible Camera Devices To Scan Space
– iPhone and Matterport:
Matterport works with a range of cameras but the type of camera you need depends on the size of the space. According to Matterport if it’s just a small room, then an iPhone can get the job done.
However I would disagree! You need more than a steady hand to perform the scans and the result is less than perfect with critical alignment issues.
See below and you decide!
– 360 Camera and Matterport:
If you’re looking to capture small to medium-sized space including small to medium-sized houses and not just a room, you can opt for a 3D or 360 camera as these are great if you are an entry-level photographer and don’t want to spend too much.
They are also ideal for their ease of use and can carry them to any spot pretty easily.
The slimness of these devices also allows for scanning smaller hallways (like in static caravans) and tighter spaces as well as better positioning around mirrors, where you are less likely to capture them in the reflection.
Take a look at the quality of the virtual tour below using an Insta360 camera.
– Matterport Pro2 and Matterport:
As you become more advanced and looking for sharper quality you may naturally sway towards the Matterport Pro2 as this is a popular option for quality and accuracy and long battery life.
Take a look at the quality of the virtual tour below using a Matterport Pro2 camera.
2. iPhone or iPad AND Matterport Capture AppYou will need a device compatible with the Matterport Capture app which allows you to see the scans, add setting details and edit the scans prior to uploading.The Matterport Capture app allows you to create a digital twin that you can easily view, edit and share.You will use the app to create your model, take the scans, preview the image, cut away ‘noise’, add mirrors and windows and then upload to Matterport for processing.
2. iPhone or iPad AND Matterport Capture AppYou will need a device compatible with the Matterport Capture app which allows you to see the scans, add setting details and edit the scans prior to uploading.The Matterport Capture app allows you to create a digital twin that you can easily view, edit and share.You will use the app to create your model, take the scans, preview the image, cut away ‘noise’, add mirrors and windows and then upload to Matterport for processing.
HINTS AND TIPS:
Because the Matterport Pro2 is higher quality, naturally the images will take up more space on your device, so unless you want to delete full spaces after each upload or so, an iPad with more storage is recommended.
HINTS AND TIPS:
Because the Matterport Pro2 is higher quality, naturally the images will take up more space on your device, so unless you want to delete full spaces after each upload or so, an iPad with more storage is recommended.
3. Monopod or Tripod
Next, a stand is an absolute necessity. You’ll be placing your camera on this stand and carrying it around the property to capture the different rooms and spaces.
– Monopod For 360 Camera
There are many as you can imagine but we use the Insta360 1.2M Invisible Selfie Stick coupled with Zeadio Metal Mini Tripod, which simply screws into the bottom of the Insta360 stick to allow for sturdy scanning.
– Tripod For Matterport Pro2 Camera
We love the Manfrotto MT290XTA3US 290 Xtra 3-Sec Aluminum Tripod for it’s easy to use design and robust construction.
3. Monopod or Tripod
Next, a stand is an absolute necessity. You’ll be placing your camera on this stand and carrying it around the property to capture the different rooms and spaces.
– Monopod For 360 Camera
There are many as you can imagine but we use the Insta360 1.2M Invisible Selfie Stick coupled with Zeadio Metal Mini Tripod, which simply screws into the bottom of the Insta360 stick to allow for sturdy scanning.
– Tripod For Matterport Pro2 Camera
We love the Manfrotto MT290XTA3US 290 Xtra 3-Sec Aluminum Tripod for it’s easy to use design and robust construction.
4. Weight Bag (If Using The Monopod)
A monopod is quite light and scanning outdoors on a windy day could result in disaster! And we know!
Make sure you add a weight to the bottom of the stand to stop the monopod falling to the ground and risking smashing your camera.
We initially used a water bag weight, however we found transporting it was a little difficult especially if it was filled. It was later dropped and ripped so we now use a sandbag weight which we love!
4. Weight Bag (If Using The Monopod)
A monopod is quite light and scanning outdoors on a windy day could result in disaster! And we know!
Make sure you add a weight to the bottom of the stand to stop the monopod falling to the ground and risking smashing your camera.
We initially used a water bag weight, however we found transporting it was a little difficult especially if it was filled. It was later dropped and ripped so we now use a sandbag weight which we love!
5. Plants and Ornaments
Plants and ornaments will come in handy if you have to cover mirrors to hide your camera from being in the reflection when performing the scan.
5. Plants and Ornaments
Plants and ornaments will come in handy if you have to cover mirrors to hide your camera from being in the reflection when performing the scan.
The Setup
When scanning a house or an apartment, you can start from the entrance or a point in the house which takes you through each room without without having to double back on yourself too much.
Position your tripod comfortably around tummy height; remember that the viewer should get a feeling that they are viewing the property by themselves.
Next, place your 360 or Matterport camera in position and make sure that you do not fall into the frame once the scan begins.
With the setup done, you can begin the process below.
The Setup
When scanning a house or an apartment, you can start from the entrance or a point in the house which takes you through each room without without having to double back on yourself too much.
Position your tripod comfortably around tummy height; remember that the viewer should get a feeling that they are viewing the property by themselves.
Next, place your 360 or Matterport camera in position and make sure that you do not fall into the frame once the scan begins.
With the setup done, you can begin the process below.
The Process
1. Turn on 360 or matterport camera
2. Open the Matterport Capture app
3. Click on the + icon in bottom right hand corner to add a space to scan
4. Populate the details of your space, i.e address etc then press Save
5. Start capturing your space with either your phone or connect a camera by clicking on ‘iPhone button. Here you will be able to add an external camera
By connecting your 360 camera to your phone via wifi, you’ll be able to view the preview of what your device is recording in the Matterport app.
6. Follow the connection settings that come up on this next page to connect your camera with your phone
7. Start your scan by pressing the bottom button on your scan device (phone or iPad) and once the scanning of a particular space is done, move the tripod around 4-6 feet. This way, your device will pick up enough data to create a model that’s a perfect replica of the actual space.
8. If space overlapping is not enough to create a good model, your app will inform you about an alignment error. You can fix it by re-scanning from the previous spot.
9. Continue this process and cover the entire house, room by room. Overall, it’s a simple process that demands a bit of patience.
10. When moving between floors use the floor plan creator feature (3 rhombus shapes) to add another floor and add the new floor scans to it.
11. IMPORTANT STEP AS YOU GO: One important step you shouldn’t ever miss is the marking up of windows and mirrors on the app after EACH scan. Reflective surfaces can be problematic for the software because they create optical illusions. By using the marking feature in the Matterport app, you can point out these features on each floor so that the app recognises them and creates the virtual tour accordingly.
12. After the scanning is done, make sure you arrange the floors in order in the app. Double-check all the markings and trim any ‘noise’.
13. Upload the space to the platform. Later, you can access it from your Matterport account and edit it accordingly!
The Process
1. Turn on 360 or matterport camera
2. Open the Matterport Capture app
3. Click on the + icon in bottom right hand corner to add a space to scan
4. Populate the details of your space, i.e address etc then press Save
5. Start capturing your space with either your phone or connect a camera by clicking on ‘iPhone button. Here you will be able to add an external camera
By connecting your 360 camera to your phone via wifi, you’ll be able to view the preview of what your device is recording in the Matterport app.
6. Follow the connection settings that come up on this next page to connect your camera with your phone
7. Start your scan by pressing the bottom button on your scan device (phone or iPad) and once the scanning of a particular space is done, move the tripod around 4-6 feet. This way, your device will pick up enough data to create a model that’s a perfect replica of the actual space.
8. If space overlapping is not enough to create a good model, your app will inform you about an alignment error. You can fix it by re-scanning from the previous spot.
9. Continue this process and cover the entire house, room by room. Overall, it’s a simple process that demands a bit of patience.
10. When moving between floors use the floor plan creator feature (3 rhombus shapes) to add another floor and add the new floor scans to it.
11. IMPORTANT STEP AS YOU GO: One important step you shouldn’t ever miss is the marking up of windows and mirrors on the app after EACH scan. Reflective surfaces can be problematic for the software because they create optical illusions. By using the marking feature in the Matterport app, you can point out these features on each floor so that the app recognises them and creates the virtual tour accordingly.
12. After the scanning is done, make sure you arrange the floors in order in the app. Double-check all the markings and trim any ‘noise’.
13. Upload the space to the platform. Later, you can access it from your Matterport account and edit it accordingly!
Tips & Tricks
Some useful tips for covering a property:
Tips & Tricks
Some useful tips for covering a property:
Final Thoughts
Creating and showcasing virtual tours are made easy with the Matterport UK services. With a bit of technical knowledge and proper gear, you can very well create virtual tours using the Matterport software and make the work easy foryourselfs and those who want to view the property.
Want to know more about our Virtual Tours?
Take me to page
Final Thoughts
Creating and showcasing virtual tours are made easy with the Matterport UK services. With a bit of technical knowledge and proper gear, you can very well create virtual tours using the Matterport software and make the work easy foryourselfs and those who want to view the property.
Want to know more about our Virtual Tours?
Take me to page
