Site preparation checklist
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Preparing a Space for Matterport 3D Scanning, 360 Photography, or Commercial Photoshoot
By following this checklist, clients can ensure a smooth and efficient 3D scanning, 360 photography, or commercial photoshoot process, resulting in high-quality digital assets that accurately represent the space
- General Preparation Guidelines
- Ensure the space is clean, tidy, and clutter-free.
- Remove any personal, confidential, or valuable items.
- Arrange furniture and décor to highlight key features.
- Replace any burnt-out light bulbs for consistent lighting.
- Secure or hide cables and wires for a neat appearance.
- Inform staff, residents, or occupants about the scheduled shoot to minimize disruptions.
- Lighting and Ambience
- Open curtains and blinds to allow natural light where possible.
- Turn on all indoor lights for consistent lighting.
- Avoid mixed lighting sources (e.g., warm and cool lights in the same space).
- Ensure external lights and signage are functional for exterior shots.
- Interior Spaces
- Living Rooms & Offices: Arrange furniture neatly and remove unnecessary items.
- Bedrooms & Private Spaces: Beds should be made, and personal items should be minimized.
- Kitchens & Pantries: Clear countertops, remove dish racks, and organize shelves.
- Bathrooms & Restrooms: Ensure surfaces are clean, toiletries are neatly arranged, and toilet lids are closed.
- Conference Rooms & Workspaces: Organize chairs, declutter desks, and remove excessive branding materials unless required.
- Mirrors & Reflective Surfaces: Position tall plants or other objects in front of mirrors to minimize camera reflections.
- Electronics: Turn off televisions or display a static logo if necessary.
- Exterior & Outdoor Areas
- Ensure landscaping is well-maintained (trimmed grass, cleaned pathways, and no visible trash).
- Remove unnecessary objects (e.g., bins, hoses, tools) from visible areas.
- Park vehicles in designated spots or move them away if not part of the shoot.
- Ensure outdoor lighting and signage are turned on if needed.
- Event Spaces, Ballrooms, Convention Centres & Exhibition Halls
- Stage Setup: (Empty or furnished) Ensure the stage, podium, and backdrop are clean and correctly arranged.
- Seating Arrangement: (Empty or furnished) Organize chairs and tables in a symmetrical and visually appealing manner.
- Lighting & AV Equipment: Ensure all lighting fixtures and audiovisual equipment are functioning properly.
- Signage & Branding: Set up banners, logos, and any branding elements strategically for maximum visibility.
- Empty the Space: Remove any unnecessary equipment, carts, or storage items.
- Floor & Carpets: Vacuum or clean carpets to remove stains and marks.
- Decorations & Centrepieces: Ensure floral arrangements and table settings are neatly placed.
- Hotel Rooms & Hospitality Spaces
- Beds & Linens: Ensure all bedding is neatly arranged and wrinkle-free.
- Windows & Curtains: Open blinds to allow natural light while ensuring a balanced exposure.
- Furniture & Décor: Align furniture symmetrically and remove excessive decorations.
- Bathrooms & Toiletries: Clean mirrors, sinks, and ensure fresh towels are neatly folded.
- Minibar & Refreshments: Arrange minibar items and ensure labels face forward.
- Balconies & Views: Clear any obstructions and stage outdoor seating attractively.
- Special Considerations for Matterport 3D Scanning
- Remove all moving objects (e.g., fans, oscillating signs, pets) to avoid capture issues.
- Ensure doors to be scanned are open, and unnecessary ones are closed.
- Inform staff or residents to avoid walking through the space during scanning.
- Turn off TVs , projectors, LED Screen and computer screens to prevent flickering effects, or Pause the Scene.
- Avoid moving objects between scans to prevent misalignment.
- Matterport is a closed system; items that cannot be moved may be visible in the final model.
- Special Considerations for 360 Photography & Commercial Photoshoots
- Decide on focal points and highlight key features of the space.
- Stage the area with appropriate props, decorations, or branding materials.
- Limit reflective surfaces where possible to avoid camera visibility in mirrors or glass.
- If applicable, arrange for models or staff to be present in the shots.
- Day of the Shoot
- Arrive at least 30 minutes early for a final check.
- Ensure someone (PIC) is available to grant access and assist if needed.
- Review the space to ensure all preparations are completed.
- Provide any last-minute instructions to the photographer or scanning team, before shooting commences.
- Post-Shoot Considerations
- Review the initial images or scans for any necessary adjustments.
- Discuss any post-production requests with the team.
- Matterport Pro 2 Vs. pro 3
| Feature | Pro2 | Pro3 (latest) |
| Camera Type | Infrared | LiDAR / Improved HDR |
| Best For | Indoor 3D capture with high quality and resolution | Large indoor and outdoor spaces with higher precision |
| Sample Uses | Residential & Commercial Real Estate, Construction, Travel & Hospitality, Retail | Architecture, Engineering, Industrial Facilities, Large-scale 3D scanning |
Matterport Pro2 Camera Disclaimer
Mirrors:
Please note that while we do our best to avoid capturing the Matterport camera in mirrors and reflective surfaces, sometimes we cannot completely avoid it. Matterport is a closed reality capture system, meaning that everything present in a room that can’t be hidden or moved may be seen, and cannot be removed or corrected in Photoshop after the shoot.
Jagged edges
There is a known issue with the Pro2 camera, where sometimes objects appear to have jagged edges or don’t line up properly. This is typically caused by the Pro2 camera being closer than 18″ from an object, or scanning lights, thin objects, edges of objects, and shiny black objects. Matterport’s pipeline uses depth data to align the 18 photos the camera takes at that location. When this issue occurs, the sensors in the camera weren’t able to create all of the mesh, so that when the photos are combined, pieces are missing. These can’t be repaired by our repair team because it’s not a misalignment. The presence of this issue doesn’t mean that there is anything wrong with the camera.
Outdoor Use:
The Matterport Pro2 3D camera is designed for indoor use. Outdoor scanning in 3D is conditional on direct sunlight & weather conditions. UV light interference causes errors, misalignment, and “holes” to appear. Dawn, dusk, and overcast are the best conditions for outdoor 3D scanning. If a 3D scan cannot be done, 360° panoramic views will be captured instead. If outdoor capture is mandatory for your project, the Leica BLK360 scanner, which is designed for large outdoor scanning projects, can be used at an additional cost TBD per project.
