(OLD) iMapper Racer 1 & 2: quick on-boarding protocol

Welcome on board, we are delighted to have you!

This guide is for Racer 1, Racer 2 & Racer 2 Refurbished only. If you have an iMapper Racer 3, go to this article: iMapper Racer 3 Starter Guide: quick on-boarding protocol

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

in English
in Italian
in Spanish
in French
in German


If it’s your first time using iMapper, we strongly recommend booking the free live training session as soon as you receive your iMapper.

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).

Tip: If you keep the same tripod height for all scans taken on the same level, it will be easier to automatically merge the scan on the platform.

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

This is a fast rotation (without measurements) which shows you only where the laser will pass. During this rotation you can check if the laser is horizontal, if there will be any obstacles in the laser's way (i.e. furniture; curtains; columns etc). You can adjust the room accordingly.

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.

Before or after the scan, stand next to your tripod and check that the entire room is clearly visible. If you notice that any part of the room is not visible (i.e. obstacles or furniture are shadowing an area)l, you will need to carry out a second scan in another location in the same room.
If this is not an issue for you, you can move your iMapper to the next room and start a second 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.

It is possible to stop the iMapper while it is operating to obtain a partial scan. Just turn off the iMapper by pressing the main button once during a scan.

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.)


Tip! It works best if it’s an external reference.


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!

Don’t forget to put the SD card back into the iMapper for the next round of scans!

Before you go...

Download our latest graphic guide here (for Racer 1 & 2 only):

in English
in Italian
in French
in German

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