vSite AR: Reality Capture

Overview 

The Reality Capture feature in vSite uses LiDAR technology to generate highly detailed and accurate 3D models of your worksite in minutes. This allows teams to document site conditions, monitor progress, and share visual data through the Admin Portal for better collaboration and decision-making. 

How To 

Perform a LiDAR Scan 

Note: LiDAR scanning requires a LiDAR-enabled device. For best results, install the vGIS Scan app alongside the main vGIS AR app. When you use the 3D Scan tool, vGIS Scan will launch seamlessly in the background. 

To capture a LiDAR scan: 

  1. Open the mobile app and access AR View (Fig. 1). Verify your position and tap Next. 
  2. Tap Tools, then select 3D Scan (Fig. 2). 
  3. The vGIS Scan app will open automatically. There are three options for scanning
    1. Normal: Normal mode generates a polygon scan. This can be converted to a point cloud later on. 
    2. Continuous: When you've reached your polygon capacity while scanning, continuous mode will allow you to seamlessly begin the next scan without needing to exit the scan mode.
    3. Point Cloud: Point Cloud mode only collects a point cloud scan and will not generate polygons to represent the scanned area. 
  4. Tap the Record button to begin scanning. 
  5. The area you scan will turn red. Move slowly and steadily — avoid sudden or rapid movements — until the object is fully captured. 
  6. Tap the red Record button again to stop scanning. 
  7. Review your scan. You can delete, reprocess, measure, or share it. When satisfied, tap Share and select Send to vGIS to upload the scan to the Admin Portal. 

map menu.png

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Best Practices: 

  1. Record in landscape mode. 
  2. Hold the device at a 45–90° angle (Fig. 3).
  3. Move at a steady pace in a slight S-pattern. 
  4. Don’t pivot in place — walk sideways if needed. 
  5. Start recording before your starting point; stop after your endpoint. 
  6. Only capture what is required — avoid moving objects like people or machinery. 
  7. Ensure adequate lighting; use the “wave” technique for dark trenches. 
    Cover reflective or plain-colored objects if possible to improve quality. 

Fig3.jpg

Fig. 3

Pro Tips: 

  1. Plan exactly what you need to capture beforehand. 
  2. Anything outside your camera’s view won’t be scanned. 
  3. Avoid recording the same area multiple times. For wide trenches, scan from the side at an angle. 

Send Scans to the Admin Portal 

After recording, you’ll see the Reality Capture Review screen: 

  • Title Section: Rename your datasource and view details (vertices, faces). 
  • Scan Options: 
    • Scan Visualization: Apply flat colors, textures, normal, or wireframe shaders. 
    • Camera Projection: Switch views — Ortho (orthometric height), Perspective (default angle), or Floor Plan (top-down view). 
    • Set Camera View: Instantly align your view along the X, Y, or Z axis. 
    • Show Grid: Enable or disable the grid background. 
    • Show Bounding Box: Display the scan’s area with dimensions. 
  • Process Scan Menu: Adjust the quality and file size with presets: HD, Medium, Fast, or Custom. 
  • Help Button: Quick tips for new users. 

When ready, tap Start to process the scan. You can then delete, reprocess, measure, or share it. To send it to the Admin Portal, tap Share and select Send to vGIS. 

Supplementary Material 

Viewing Reality Capture Scans in the Admin Portal 

Portal Admins can view and manage scans in several ways: 

  1. Reality Capture Tab: Shows a map with pins for each scan location and a list with details like creation date, name, assigned team, and method (LiDAR, Rezo, or vGIS Scan). Click any scan for a summary and click View Model to open it. 
  2. Data Sources Tab: Stores scans as data sources ready for vGIS configuration. 
  3. Reports Tab: Track the status and progress of each scan to ensure it uploads successfully. 

Assigning a Reality Capture to a Team or Project 

To assign a scan to a specific team or project: 

  1. In the Admin Portal, go to the Data Sources tab. 
  2. Find your scan using its name and timestamp. 
  3. Open the datasource. 
  4. Select the ROOT folder and assign it to a Layer Group. 
  5. Under Additional Details, set the Elevation Type and Vertical Datum. 
  6. If needed, assign individual models to different Layer Groups. 
  7. In the Teams tab, assign the datasource to the correct team or project. 
  8. Save your changes and click Process Data to finalize. 

Viewing Reality Capture Scans in vSite 

With the vSite web expansion, your reality capture scans are displayed in the browser-based view of your worksite. Because each scan includes geographic coordinates and elevation data, it appears exactly where it should, blending seamlessly with your base maps to show your project’s real-world progress. 

Additional Resources

Reality Capture Welcome Board

vSite Scan Best Practices Video (KB-TT017)

 

Have Questions? Feel free to Submit A Request to speak with a member of the vGIS Support Team.

Reviewed:  2025-04-24

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