Preparations before scanning

Before you start

Are you familiar with mobile 3D scanning?

Yes → Skip to: 3D scanning best practices

No → Continue reading this preparation guide :)

Device compatibility check

Does your device have a LiDAR sensor?

Look for the black circle on your device or check your phone settings.

• iPhone Pro models from 2020 onward include LiDAR sensors.
• iPad Pro 11" devices since 3rd gen (M1) and 12” devices since 5th gen (M1).

What if I don’t have a LiDAR sensor on my iPhone or iPad?

You can still use MAVO 3D as a 3D viewer without scanning capabilities. Teams with multiple devices can share point clouds between LiDAR and non-LiDAR devices.

Essential preparation steps

1. Charge your device

Yeah we know, this sounds obvious. Just keep in mind that 3D scanning needs power. If you want to scan large buildings or areas, bring a power bank to avoid interruptions.

2. Ensure adequate storage space for your project

Depending on your desired resolution settings you will capture a lot of data quickly. You can calculate about 1-2 GB per minute of scanning when RAW data capture is turned on.

3. Optional: use a gimbal

A gimbal improves scanning accuracy by stabilizing your device and helping track its position throughout the scan.

We recommend verifying key measurements on site with a laser or tape measure, especially if you are capturing in dark corners or environments.

Tip: Export your scan as an ortho image directly on site, drop the TIFF into your notes app, and annotate measurements right on top of it. Super handy with iPad Pro and the pre-installed Freeform app.

Lighting setup

• Brighten the room before you start scanning
• Scan during daylight, when possible
• Open curtains and turn on all lights
• Enable auto-flashlight in MAVO 3D while scanning

Why lighting matters: Darker environments reduce the detail captured by LiDAR sensors. Proper lighting ensures maximum scan quality.