Capture 360 Panoramic Images with Hovermap

This article explains how to capture a 360 scan with Hovermap and the GoPro MAX camera accessory. The result is a synchronised set of raw scan data and 360 video, ready to be processed in Aura.

The plug-and-play 360-degree camera accessory for Hovermap, combined with seamless processing in Aura, enables the easy capture, registration, and export of 360 panoramic images. Your 360 images are automatically registered and exported in Aura, ready for visualization, so you can highlight areas of interest in your point cloud and enhance understanding for remote stakeholders or data users.

You can perform the end-to-end 360-images workflow entirely in Aura, although Aura also integrates with third-party applications to display and share visualizations through a simple streamlined workflow.

What you will need

• Emesent Hovermap (ST-X/ST/HVM100 are all supported)

• Telescopic handheld mount or Hovermap GoPro mount

• GoPro MAX (including SD storage card preconfigured) and quick mount swap adaptor

• Hovermap handle

• Hovermap battery

• USB stick (for scan and 360 video transfer)

• Fischer cable

Procedure

Step 1: Check the GoPro MAX settings

The GoPro MAX camera comes preconfigured straight from the box. However, it is advisable to double-check the settings before initial use. Any adjustments will be saved for subsequent usage.

For more guidance on navigating the GoPro MAX menu and understanding its settings, refer to the official GoPro MAX documentation (PDF).

1. Power on the GoPro MAX.

2. Swipe down from the top to access the dashboard then select Preferences. Ensure the following settings are correct:

3. Press the Mode button on the side of the camera until 360 Video is highlighted. Doing this will set the camera to Hero AXde (indicated by the GoPro icon on the bottom left) by default. Click the icon to change the mode to 360 Video (indicated by a Sphere icon).

4. Swipe down to access the dashboard then select the bottom right icon to set orientation lock to UP.

5. From the home screen, access the 360 Video capture settings by selecting the bottom middle icon and then the Pencil icon. Ensure the following settings are correct:

6. From the home screen, access the Hero mode capture settings by selecting the bottom left icon and then the Pencil icon. Ensure the following settings are correct:

The GoPro MAX configuration settings are complete, and the camera is ready to be attached to the Hovermap.

Step 2: Attach the GoPro MAX to the Hovermap

This section describes the method for connecting the GoPro MAX to the telescopic mount provided with the 360 camera kit for handheld scanning purposes. It is also possible to connect the 360 camera to an existing fixed camera mount. However, the orientation settings will need to be customized.

1. Attach the provided telescopic 360 camera mount to the Hovermap handle using the supplied thumb screw and plate.

   

2. Attach the GoPro MAX to the top mounting location using the blue locking lever.

   

3. Ensure that the telescopic mount is fully extended.

   

During the 360 image extraction process in Emesent Aura, a mask file blurs the operator from the images. However, it is important to note that the mask files provided are designed to work only when the mount is fully extended.

4. Attach the Hovermap handle to the Hovermap.

5. Power on the Hovermap by connecting it to the battery using the Fischer cable provided, then pressing the power button. The belt clip can be used to carry the battery. You are now ready to perform a scan mission.

Step 3: Capture the scan

1. Start your scan in the Emesent Commander app.

2. Turn on the GoPro MAX. This can be done as the Hovermap is starting to rotate.

   1. Remove both the front and back lens caps.

   2. Ensure the GoPro MAX is set to 360 Video by pressing the camera screen and then checking for the Sphere icon located at the bottom left corner, as depicted in the image below on the right. If not, tap it to switch to the correct mode.

3. Once the GoPro MAX has been set to the correct mode and the Hovermap scan has started, press the red Record button on the top face of the GoPro MAX.

4. Allow the Hovermap to remain still for at least 10 seconds (about five slow green pulses) while its initializing the scan.

5. To stimulate the IMU on the Hovermap and camera to achieve an accurate time synchronization, rotate the Hovermap around the Z-axis to the sides by approximately 60 degrees, as shown in the following image. The rotation must generate a substantial angular motion (avoid slow rotations). A proper rotation process takes around 10 seconds.

The applied image mask blurs for either right-handed or left-handed operations. Switching hands during the scan might result in the operator not being blurred out in all extracted images. To avoid this, any accompanying individuals should walk on the opposite side of the operator while capturing. This will reduce the number of people appearing in the final image.

6. You're now ready to start scanning. Keep the Hovermap held in fairly consistent position to help mask yourself in software processing later on.

7. When the scan is finished, stop the Hovermap scan in Commander and stop the GoPro recording.

Step 4: Download the raw data

Once the capture is completed, download the raw data to your device for processing in Emesent Aura using one of the following methods:

1. Connect the GoPro MAX to your Windows device using the USB-C connector. Locate the data within the DCIM folder to offload the content.

   - or -

2. Insert a USB flash drive into the USB port at the back of the Hovermap unit to automatically transfer the data. The USB flash drive must be formatted in an exFAT file format.

Outcome

The 360 scan has been captured and the raw scan data and .360 video file(s) are available on a Windows device, ready for processing in Aura.

Additional information

• Next: Process a 360 scan and extract images in Aura walks through processing the raw point cloud and extracting the 360 images.

• Optional: the GoPro Quik app can be used for photo and video editing. See Quik App: Video + Photo Editor | GoPro.