Mobile 360 Capture: Complete Field Guide for Technicians

Introduction

Field technicians are the front line of documentation. This guide covers everything you need to capture professional 360 documentation efficiently on every job.

Pre-Job Preparation

Equipment Checklist

Essential:

[ ] 360 camera (charged)

[ ] Monopod/tripod

[ ] Smartphone (charged)

[ ] Backup battery

[ ] Lens cleaning cloth

[ ] PPE as required

Recommended:

[ ] Portable LED light

[ ] Moisture meter

[ ] Tablet for larger preview

[ ] Portable battery pack

App Setup

Before arriving on site:

Update 3D Measure app

Sync camera firmware

Clear camera storage

Test camera connection

Verify account login

Arrival Protocol

Site Assessment

Before capturing:

Safety Check

- Identify hazards

- Check structural integrity

- Note electrical concerns

- Document entry/exit routes

Lighting Assessment

- Turn on all available lights

- Note natural light sources

- Identify dark areas needing attention

Planning Your Path

- Start at main entry

- Plan logical room sequence

- Note areas needing extra coverage

Capture Technique

Camera Positioning

Height:

Standard: 5 feet (chest height)

Consistent across captures

Use monopod markings

Placement:

Center of room

Away from walls (min 2 feet)

Clear of reflective surfaces

Stability:

Extend monopod fully

Use timer or remote trigger

Wait for vibrations to stop

Room-by-Room Workflow

For Each Room:

Enter and assess

Turn on lights

Position camera center

Capture 360 image

Check quality on phone

Add quick annotations

Move to next room

Capture Settings

Recommended Settings:

Resolution: Maximum

HDR: On for interiors

Timer: 3-5 seconds

Format: JPEG (fast) or RAW (quality)

Documenting Specific Damage Types

Water Damage

Key Shots:

Water source/origin

Water lines on walls

Affected flooring

Cabinet/furniture damage

Moisture meter readings

Tips:

Include moisture meters in shot

Document equipment placement

Capture all affected rooms

Note adjacent dry areas

Fire Damage

Key Shots:

Origin area

Smoke patterns

Structural damage

Contents damage

Exterior damage

Tips:

Use HDR in dark areas

Document char patterns

Include reference scales

Note ventilation paths

Storm/Wind Damage

Key Shots:

Entry points

Interior water damage

Ceiling damage

Window/door damage

Exterior (if safe)

Tips:

Document before cleanup

Capture temporary repairs

Note weather conditions

Include time stamps

Mobile Workflow Tips

Quick Quality Check

After each capture:

Preview on phone immediately

Check for blur

Verify coverage

Confirm exposure

Retake if needed

On-Site Annotations

While on site:

Add room labels

Mark damage areas

Note measurements

Include brief descriptions

Uploading in Field

When to Upload:

Wi-Fi available

Significant captures complete

Between properties

Benefits:

Backup your work

Start processing early

Enable remote review

Common Field Challenges

Low Light Interiors

Solutions:

Enable HDR mode

Use portable LED

Allow longer exposure

Multiple captures

Tight Spaces

Solutions:

Position in doorway

Use shorter monopod

Capture from multiple points

Stitch later if needed

Moving Objects

Solutions:

Wait for stillness

Ask people to move

Note movement in annotations

Multiple captures

Reflective Surfaces

Solutions:

Angle away from mirrors

Cover if possible

Note in documentation

Accept some reflection

End of Day Procedures

Before Leaving Site

Review all captures

Fill any coverage gaps

Verify upload complete

Backup to camera roll

Note anything unusual

Back at Office

Complete upload if needed

Add detailed annotations

Generate reports

Archive project

Quality Standards

Minimum Requirements

Every room captured

No blurry images

Damage clearly visible

Proper exposure

Complete coverage

Professional Standards

Consistent camera height

Logical capture sequence

Detailed annotations

Measurements added

Clean, professional presentation

Troubleshooting

Camera Won't Connect

Restart camera

Restart phone

Forget and re-pair

Update firmware

Try backup camera

Images Too Dark

Enable HDR

Use flash/LED

Increase exposure

Open blinds/curtains

App Crashing

Force close and restart

Clear app cache

Restart phone

Update app

Contact support

Conclusion

Consistent, high-quality field capture is the foundation of professional 360 documentation. Follow this guide on every job to ensure your documentation meets professional standards and supports fast claim approvals.