Default 3D Scan settings are optimized for photogrammetry reconstruction, however, there may be cases when you need to adjust settings, such as Overlap and Sidelap or the camera resolution, to better capture the scene.

If your goal is to create a high fidelity reconstruction, increase your Overlap/Sidelap percentages. If you do not plan to create a model of your scan, lower percentages will suffice.

  • For optimal photogrammetry reconstructions, we do not recommend overlap/sidelap under 70/70
Scan Mode Default Overlap/Sidelap
3D Capture 80/70
Surface Capture 70/70
Indoor Capture 70/70
Map Capture 70/70

[note] Increasing Overlap and Sidelap increases the number of images, scan time, and post-processing time. [/note]

When scanning homogeneous surfaces, such as solid steel or concrete structures, we recommend setting a Distance to Surface of at least 32 ft (10 m) for the Narrow camera and 16 ft (5 m) for the Wide camera.

  • If you do not have enough space to do so (e.g., not enough access underneath a bridge or not enough space inside the warehouse), we recommend to increasing Overlap/Sidelap to 85/85

When reconstructing thermal-only datasets, we recommend at least 80/80 Overlap/Sidelap. A translation of the color (RGB) camera's Overlap/Sidelap is shown at the bottom of the live camera feed.

CS_3DS_X10_media_UI_thermal_overlap_sidelap_anno_rounded.png

Intended thermal (IR) Overlap/Sidelap

Corresponding Color (RGB) Overlap/Sidelap

Wide camera

Corresponding Color (RGB) Overlap/Sidelap

Narrow camera

85/85 95/95 90/90
80/80 93/93 88/88
70/70 90/90 85/85

Suggested 3D Capture Settings

Industry Use Case Example GSD Camera Mode Stop for Photo Scan Pass

Construction: Progress monitoring and asset inspection

Artifacts to detect: 

Asset damage, misalignment, as-built vs. design

2 mm Full  OFF  Z, Y, X

Transportation: Bridge inspection

Artifacts to detect: 

Cracks and delamination of the bridge deck, bolts/nuts, connection points of bridge pillars

1 mm 1/4 Standard ON Z, Y, X

Utilities: Distribution

Artifacts to detect: 

Transformers, conductors, insulators, static wire, pole quality/damage

1 mm Full OFF Z

Oil & Gas: Asset inspection

Artifacts to detect: 

Surface corrosion or level changes of tanks, pipe damage or spills along the pipe, equipment failure

2 mm  Full OFF Z, Y, X

Suggested Surface Capture Settings

Industry Use Case Example GSD Camera Mode Stop for Photo

Transportation: Bridge inspection

Artifacts to detect: Cracks and delamination in the concrete underneath the bridge

1 mm 1/4 Standard or 1/4 HDR ON

First responders: Day-time small collision scene or collision scenes with complex shapes

Artifacts to detect: Crumple damage, skid marks, weapons, broken glass

5 mm Full OFF

First responders: Night-time small collision scene or collision scenes with complex shapes

Artifacts to detect: Crumple damage, skid marks, weapons, broken glass

5 mm 1/4 Low Light ON

Construction: Rooftop inspection

Artifacts to detect: Cracks, holes, or debris on the roof surface

2 mm Full OFF

Suggested Map Capture Settings

Industry Use Case Example GSD Camera Mode Stop for Photo

Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC): Site survey, stockpile volumetrics

Artifacts to detect: Site progress, volumetrics, terrain model

10 mm  Full OFF

First responders: Day-time collision scene

Artifacts to detect: Crumple damage, skid marks, weapons, broken glass

5 mm Full OFF

First responders: Night-time collision scene

Artifacts to detect: Crumple damage, skid marks, weapons, broken glass

5 mm 1/4 Low Light ON

Utility: Solar inspection

Artifacts to detect: Cell defects in solar panels, wires and connectors

5 mm Full OFF
Transportation: Road grading and survey

Artifacts to detect: Cracks and delamination in concrete, road damage, erosion, site survey, terrain model

10 mm Full OFF

Suggested Indoor Capture Settings

We recommend using the Wide camera for best photogrammetry reconstruction results and the most efficient time onsite.

If you plan to use the Narrow camera during an Indoor Capture, we recommend using a large Distance to Surface for better photogrammetry reconstruction results. We also recommend 1/4 resolution for indoor environments that are not well lit. For more information, read Comparing Skydio X10 sensor packages for 3D Scan

Industry Use Case Example GSD Camera Mode Stop for Photo

Transportation: Tunnel inspection

Artifacts to detect: Defects or cracks in tunnel walls and ceilings

2 mm  1/4 Low Light ON

Warehousing: Warehouse and Inventory Management

Artifacts to detect: Layout of empty warehouses for planning purposes, aisles and pallets for inventory counting and monitoring

2 mm 1/4 Standard ON

Explore More

Explore related articles for additional information

Comparing Skydio X10 sensor packages for 3D Scan

Understanding camera focus with Skydio X10

How to create Onboard Maps and Models with Skydio X10

 

Skydio, Inc. A0509

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