The following points are essential for good quality data collection when planning photoshoot of an interior:


If the scenario includes digital reconstruction of several adjacent rooms, we recommend performing test shooting to work out the best scenario and also to adjust the overlap for rooms and for transitions between rooms.



Camera settings

  • Cameras: Use a digital camera for more detailed and accurate results. We recommend not to use any phone cameras or point-and-shoot cameras. 
  • Focal length: It is better to use lenses with fixed focal length (wide angle lens may be preferred). 
  • ISO: Use minimal possible ISO in order to minimize the image noise.
  • Resolution: Take photos in the max possible allowed resolution. Using RAW data losslessly converted to the TIFF files is preferred, since JPG compression may induce unwanted noise to the images. Although for common projects JPG images with higher quality settings (and lower compression) are acceptable.
  • Tripod: Using a tripod and remote control or hand-held gimbal will help to avoid harmful camera shake effects during shooting.


Metashape operates with the original images. So DON'T crop or geometrically transform (i.e. resize or rotate) the images, as it may affect the autocalibration procedure (the process of the automatic estimation of calibration and distortion parameters).


Capturing scenarios

  • General shooting scenario: walk with your back next to the wall and shoot the wall opposite to you, as illustrated below:


Do not shoot from one point in the center of the room. The incorrect scenario is illustrated on the image below:  



Surfaces like walls without texture/pattern, one-color (black, white and so on) are difficult for reconstruction (as an images below):


Take pictures around the perimeter as described above and take pictures close to the wall so that small details on the wall are visible:




  • Overlap: the overlap between the images should be at least 60-70%, i.e. each point should be visible on at least three photos.


  • Shooting adjacent places: If you are shooting several rooms, then we recommend to open the doors prior to the image acquisition process and take pictures from each side of the door. Make sure that the walls of each of the adjacent rooms are visible on the images.

Example of photos:  


Screenshots of the model with sections of the door:


Surfaces that are difficult for reconstruction: transparent windows and doors, smooth and plain walls, lamps, reflecting surfaces and so on. It is recommended to use a circular polarizing filter to avoid reflections and highlights. 


When shooting stairs, it is important to follow the same recommendations as when shooting a door, i.e., if possible, take such pictures so that objects fall at the top or bottom of the stairs. 


Also, for sufficient overlap, make images on the stairs. Lifting and descending from it evenly (for example, every 1-2 steps).


There may be poor lighting on the stairs, then we recommen use a long shutter speed to allow more light into the camera and shooting from the tripod. In order for the tripod to fit on the stairs, we recommend shortening one leg and putting it on the next step as in the image below: 



  • What is the best scenario for capturing the ceiling? The scenario depends on the ceiling height: for rooms with high ceiling just shoot vertically upwards with sufficient overlap (side overlap 60% ad more, forward overlap 80% and more).  




for rooms with lower ceiling it can be useful to reduce the shooting height (fix the tripod an minimal height above ground) and rotate slightly  the camera to increase the distance to the ceiling even more, as illustrated on the image below:





Some simple examples of the interior reconstruction processed in Agisoft Metashape can be found on the Sketchfab platform:


 Blue Room - Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature by Maurice Svay on Sketchfab


 Juma Mosque of Kala Koreysh. Dagestan, Russia.  by  Agisoft  on Sketchfab


 New Year's on the Verge of Stokes Croft  by  9of9  on Sketchfab