Create a Run with the PlanRadar Mobile App

Overview

Record and upload a run for SiteView with the PlanRadar mobile app. Follow the checklists and instructions below to meet all the requirements for optimal results when processing the recording.

This article explains how to do this with a smartphone, but it works the same way with a tablet.

Also see Hardware Requirements and Plan Requirements.

Processing a Run

Once the run has been uploaded, it is processed by the PlanRadar servers. Note that this process can be time consuming, typically taking about 2 hours for every 5 minutes of video. You will receive an email notification when processing is complete.

How to Access SiteView

1. Tap SiteView

Checklist: Before the Recording

Choose a Good Starting Position

A good starting position has a huge impact on the quality of the algorithm's run positioning.

Good starting positions are:
... corridors
... smaller rooms
... in dense structural areas
... more towards the centre of the plan

Bad starting positions are:
... large rooms/halls
... corridors close to large rooms
... rooms with very high ceilings
... close to outside walls of buildings
... close to outdoor areas (e.g. wall not yet built)
... close to many glass windows

Prepare the Location

• Ensure good lighting conditions. Bring a portable lamp if necessary.
• Open all doors to avoid interruptions during the run.

Prepare the Equipment

• Camera is mounted on the helmet.
• SD card has sufficient free space.
• Battery has sufficient charge.
• Lamps on the helmet (necessary for bad lighting conditions)

See SiteView Hardware Requirements.

Checklist: During the Recording

Recording Duration

• Each recording should be no less than 1 minute and no more than 5 minutes.

Do NOT pause the recording during a run. It is important to have one continuous video for SiteView.

Walking

• Keep a moderate and steady pace.
  • Do not run.
  • Do not stand still.
• Do not shake your head more than necessary.
  • The camera and software can only handle a certain amount of vibration and movement.
• Do not turn your head or look up and down more than necessary.
  • You are using a 360° camera, so there is no need to point the camera in any direction.
• Your path should cover the entire room.

Do NOT change floors during a run.

Do NOT close the app or answer calls during a run.

Connect your Camera

There are two ways to connect your camera to your device (smartphone or tablet) and the PlanRadar app:

• Automatically: It's easier because you stay in the PlanRadar app.
• Manually: It can be faster if you have already connected your device to the camera's Wi-Fi, but you have to leave the PlanRadar app.

With both methods your device will be connected to the camera's Wi-Fi and cannot use another Wi-Fi for internet access at the same time. When you disconnect the camera in the app your device should automatically reconnect with your previous Wi-Fi for internet access.

Connect Camera Automatically

Make sure that Bluetooth is activated on your device and camera.

To connect the camera in the app:

1. Tap SiteView
   
   
2. Tap Connect
   
   
3. Wait while the app is searching for cameras by connecting via Bluetooth automatically.
   
4. Tap on your camera. e.g. Insta_360_X4
   
5. Wait while the app is connecting to the camera via the camera's Wi-Fi.
   
6. Once connected, you will see the camera's Wi-Fi name, available storage and battery life.
   
   

Connect Camera Manually

Set Up your Camera's Wi-Fi

To set up or check your camera's Wi-Fi (status, name and password):

1. Swipe down to show the menu
   
2. Swipe left to view the second menu page
3. Tap the Settings icon
4. Swipe up to scroll down in Settings
5. Tap Wi-Fi
   
6. Enter/check your Wi-Fi Name
7. Make sure the Status is On
8. Enter/check your Wi-Fi Password
   

Connect your Device to the Camera's Wi-Fi

Make sure the camera and it's Wi-Fi are turned on as described above.

Open the Wi-Fi settings on your device (smartphone or tablet) and connect to the camera's Wi-Fi using the name and password you set up earlier.

Once connected, the Wi-Fi status will show that it is connected without Internet, as the camera doesn't have Internet access.

Connect your App to your Camera

Make sure your device is connected to the camera's Wi-Fi, as described above.

To connect the camera in the app:

1. Tap SiteView
   
   
2. Tap Connect
   
   
3. Once connected, you will see the camera's Wi-Fi name, available storage and battery life.
   

Disconnect your Camera

To disconnect your device from the camera's Wi-Fi:

1. Tap on the camera
   
2. Tap Disconnect
   

Create a Run

Make sure your app is connected to the camera, as described above.

To create a run follow the steps below including:

• Step 1: Select a Layer
• Step 2: Set the Starting Position
• Step 3: Start the Recording / Stop the Recording
• Step 4: Transfer to Device (from camera to smartphone/tablet)
• Step 5: Upload to PlanRadar Servers (from smartphone/tablet)
• Step 6: Processing (automatically once uploaded)

Select a Layer

Before you can create a run you must select the target layer. Only layers with calibrated plans can be selected.

The layer selector works same like for tickets. Also see View Tickets of a Layer in the Mobile App.

To select a layer:

1. Tap on the layer selector
   
2. Tap the layer e.g. Office.
   See the number of runs on that layer e.g. 5.
   

To start creating a run:

1. Tap the + button
   
2. Read the best practises and always keep them on mind.
3. Optional: If you remember them you can activate the Do not show this again toggle.
4. Tap Let's start
   

Set the Starting Position

Before you can start the recording you need to set the starting position of the run on the plan. It is possible to change the position later, but then the time consuming processing has to be repeated.

To set the starting position:

1. Tap to confirm the explanation
   
2. Drag and drop the pin for the starting position
3. Tap ✔ to confirm
   

Start the Recording

Lamps on the helmet are only necessary in low light conditions.
Keep these lamps on for the entire run, even if only certain areas require extra light.

To start the recording of the run:

1. Optional: Activate the Outdoor run toggle if the inspection takes place in open air.
2. Tap Start recording
   

Stop the Recording

To stop the recording of the run:

1. Tap Stop recording
   
2. Tap STOP
   

Transfer to Device

Once a recording stopped you can transfer is from the camera to your device (smartphone or tablet) or create another run.

1. Tap Transfer to device
   The button shows the number of runs that are not yet transferred.
2. OR tap Create another run
   
3. You can close the screen during the transfer to your device, but you cannot close the application.
   
4. Tap Finish when the transfer is complete if you don't want to record another run immediately.
5. Tap Delete if you want to delete the videos from the camera.
6. Tap Keep files if you want to keep the videos on the camera.
   
7. Transferred videos that are waiting to be uploaded show the cloud icon:
   

Upload to PlanRadar Servers

Before uploading the recorded runs to the PlanRadar servers, you will probably want to connect to a Wi-Fi with Internet rather than using your mobile data to upload the large video files.

When connected to a Wi-Fi with Internet, all transferred videos will automatically upload. Depending on your Internet connection and the size and number of videos, this may take several minutes.

Keep your app open until the upload is complete.

To upload the videos to the PlanRadar servers:

1. Tap on the run that you want to upload
   
2. Tap Connect WiFi to open the Wi-Fi settings where you can connect to a Wi-Fi with Internet.
3. OR tap Upload using cellular data
   

Processing

Once the upload is complete, processing will begin automatically and may take a few hours.

To see the status of all runs:

1. Tap Back
   
2. This icon indicates processing (on the PlanRadar servers).
3. This icon shows the progress of the upload (from your device to the PlanRadar servers).
   

Processing will continue even if you close your app. You will be notified by email when it is complete.

Runs will not be available for viewing until processing is complete.
Read more in View & Manage Runs and View & Navigate 360° Images.

Creating a run with the PlanRadar mobile app (as described above) is the easier and recommended way. Alternatively, you can Record a Run with the Insta360 App and then Upload a Run in the Webapp.