(OLD) iMapper Racer 1 & 2: quick on-boarding protocol
Welcome on board, we are delighted to have you!
Watch the informative video (2 mins)
First things first, watch this video to learn a few tips on how to use your iMapper efficiently
Secondly, book a free training session
Getting started
The iMapper is an easy tool to use and you will have all the experience you need after a few scans. We will guide you step by step to make iMapper your favourite tool.
Follow the boarding process below, it will take you 20 minutes:
Step 1:
Prepare for the measurements
- Insert the SD card. ** If the SD card is not inserted, the iMapper will take a semi turn and then switch off immediately. **
You can use different SD cards from the one provided (but format them in FAT32 first and make sure they are smaller than 16 GB)
More on this topic here: How to format your SD card in FAT32
- Unfold the entire camera tripod (the center tube unfolds into 2 segments). Adapt the height of the tripod so that the laser passes at the level of the windows (approximately 1.40m).
- Position the iMapper on the tripod, the foot of the iMapper goes directly into the tripod, you don't need to use the plate/adapter (with the screw).
- Make sure the iMapper is leveled. Use the round bubble level provided to check that the iMapper is horizontal (don’t use the level on the tripod it is not accurate enough).
More information on this topic here: Leveling the iMapper with the waterscale
- Keep the doors open and check the sides of the windows are not obstructed by curtains.
Step 2:
Take the measurements
- Place your tripod in the axis of the door (and not under the frame).
More information on this topic here: Racer 1 & 2 only: How to take your first scans with iMapper
- Switch the iMapper on by pushing once the only power button on the iMapper’s top surface and enter Preview Mode
- Once ready, press once more on the iMapper's top button to launch a Scan with measurements. iMapper will take a full 360 degrees turn collecting thousands of measurements and taking 5 wide-angle photos. iMapper turns off automatically at the end of the scan, it will emit an audible sound to notify you of the end of the scan.
Tip:
If this is the first time you are using the iMapper, we recommend you to start with 3 consecutives scans:
a. One scan of a first room (or 2 if necessary)
b. One scan of the room next to the first room you scanned (remember to keep the iMapper in the axis with the door). With these two scans you will learn how to merge them automatically on the web platform (you will also be able to see the wall thickness!)
c. A vertical scan (see point 5)
- Start a vertical scan: place the iMapper on the tripod and turn it 90° using the small lever underneath. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to preview the section first and start the scan when you're ready.
Step 3:
Alignment of the pointclouds
- Remove the SD card from the iMapper.
- Place the SD card in the Laptop/PC/Mac with the SD card adaptor provided.
- Go to imapper.tech/login to access the platform, create a new project and upload the point clouds (.XML files that you will find on the SD card) by dragging and dropping them or selecting them from you pc folder.
Read more on how to create an account here: How to create a new account for the platform
- Adjust and merge the point clouds if necessary and export them in *.DXF format. At this point you can also choose the unit of measure that you prefer!
Read more on this topic here:
How to manage pointclouds (10 min)
Step 4: Draw your plans (CAD software)
Open the *.DXF file on your drafting software (e.g. AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, Revit, Sketchup, etc.)
Draw your floor plan following the point clouds. You can draft areas, doors, windows and openings directly from the platform using the Area tool.
Look for the wall thickness, you'll see it's been automatically defined!
Don’t hesitate to switch from your drawing software to the iMapper platform regularly to check the correspondence of each point with the synchronized photos!
More articles on exporting data here:
Export Data to File: from iMapper to AutoCAD with ease
Export Data to File: from iMapper to ArchiCAD with ease
Export Data to File: from iMapper to Sketchup with ease
Export Data to File: from iMapper to InSitu with ease
Export Data to File: from iMapper to Revit with ease
Integration of iMapper with Compusoft (Winner)
Congrats for reading all the way here and learning how to use your iMapper!
Before you go...
Download our latest graphic guide here (for Racer 1 & 2 only):
You may also find these articles interesting..
Known limitations of the iMapper
How to change platform's default unit of measure
How to set up date and time on your iMapper
Adjusting the intervals between pointclouds
Is it important that the iMapper is perfectly horizontal during a scan?
Updated on: 18/09/2024
Thank you!