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What tips and tricks should I keep in mind when scanning a room?

This article explains how to tell exterior from interior walls and how windows are automatically detected during a room scan.

Divine Bunda-Rühl avatar
Written by Divine Bunda-Rühl
Updated over a month ago

Preparation:

Make sure the room is well-lit and free of unnecessary items. Open blinds and curtains to improve lighting and avoid direct sunlight to prevent glare.

Manual additions during the scan:

The autarc app enables automatic and precise room measurements using LiDAR technology. You can also manually enter additional details—such as the position of radiators—to complete your digital room plan.

LiDAR 3D scans:

Use the autarc app on compatible devices for detailed 3D room capture via LiDAR. Move through the room evenly to ensure complete coverage. A minimum distance of 2 meters from the walls helps optimize scan accuracy.

While scanning:

  • Move slowly and steadily.

  • Capture all corners and angles.

  • Cover reflective surfaces like mirrors and glass.

  • Avoid scanning very small rooms or complex roof slopes—manual measurement may be more effective.

  • Keep scan duration under 5 minutes to preserve battery life.

Scan accuracy:

LiDAR scans in the Autarc app typically have a maximum deviation of ±5%. This high level of precision is more than sufficient for nearly all planning and assessment purposes.

Maximum scanning distance:

LiDAR-equipped devices can accurately capture data up to 5 meters. This allows for scanning of larger rooms without losing precision.

What information should be captured?

Important parameters include room height, exterior wall length, room area, and window/door surfaces. Also consider features like unheated interior walls or sloped ceilings.

Effect of furniture on scan accuracy:

Furniture may cause shadows or reflections, leading to minor deviations. However, our LiDAR scans are designed to detect and compensate for such disruptions, keeping the impact minimal.

Use of scans in outdoor areas:

LiDAR scans are optimized for indoor use. Outdoor conditions like sunlight, wind, and changing shadows can affect sensor performance and reduce accuracy.

Lighting conditions and scan quality:

Ideal lighting significantly improves scan quality. Avoid sharp contrasts caused by direct sunlight or dark corners. We recommend scanning under consistent, indirect lighting.

Scanning areas larger than 5 meters:

For large spaces, divide the scan into smaller sections. The app will automatically merge these, though minor inaccuracies may appear at the transition points.

Precision of automatic corrections:

The app’s automatic corrections are based on robust data models and offer high accuracy. In complex room geometries, deviations of up to ±5% may occur. Manual adjustments can be made to increase precision.

Handling scan inaccuracies:

Compare scanned data with known measurements to identify discrepancies. The app allows for manual correction of values where needed.

Can sloped ceilings be scanned?

Yes, sloped ceilings can be captured with LiDAR. The technology can model various heights and angles accurately. Make sure to position the device properly to cover the full slope. You can also edit or rescan the area if needed.

Tool tips:

Ensure the app has camera access to avoid interruptions. When using the 3D scan function, many calculations are automatically corrected in the background.

A carefully conducted scan delivers precise data for planning and evaluation. With the right techniques and a bit of attention, you can significantly improve the quality and efficiency of your room scans.

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