How to create best-quality 3D scans of your environment with Teleport

Teleport can produce detailed 3D reconstructions when captures follow a few proven habits. The Teleport iOS app now uses the 0.5x wide lens by default. The wider view increases overlap and sharpness, which improves results. This guide focuses on how to capture well with that setup. 

The idea behind a good capture

Reconstruction relies on a concept called parallax: many overlapping frames taken from different positions.

Think of walking past a fence; the posts seem to move faster than the trees behind them. This shift gives Teleport the depth information it needs. If the camera stays in one spot and only turns, that effect is small and the 3D result will be weaker.

The goal is to collect clear, overlapping frames from varied viewpoints while keeping motion smooth and controlled.

Before you start

Capture flow that works

Use this flow for most scenes. It balances quality with efficiency, especially with the 0.5x lens.

1. Start with a wide overview

Walk a smooth loop around the edges of the space at chest to shoulder height. Keep the camera pointed toward the center of the space as you move around (outside-in capturing). The idea is to walk the perimeter of the space while filming what’s inside so that the floor and walls stay in frame.

Reserve inside‑out capturing or tight orbits for close‑up detail passes later. Corners, doorways and fixed background features can act as anchors, so keep them visible. Multiple loops at different heights can be utilized if applicable.

• Rooms: walk sideways with your back near the wall, camera aimed toward the center.
• Single objects or small areas: circle the object from a comfortable & distant distance so the whole object + environment fits in most frames.

2. Connecting areas

When capturing multiple areas in one scan, move through doorways, hallways and transitions while keeping lateral motion. Capture both sides of the doorway with overlapping views so the capture has enough shared detail to connect the spaces accurately.

3. Add details

Keep capturing as you step closer to objects / detailed areas. Do short loops around important objects or zones. Keep some background in frame for tracking. Avoid getting closer than 30 cm / 12 in unless it’s a small object with fine detail & distinct features. If the object fills the frame against an empty background, the algorithm has less to lock onto.

4. Vary the height when it helps

Add a lower and/or higher loop if tall objects, shelves, ceilings or stairs need it. The older rule of three fixed loops is not necessarily required with the 0.5x lens. Use extra passes primarily when they add coverage rather than repeating the same view.

What to avoid

• Standing still and rotating in place. Walk and keep lateral movement.
• Only close ups with no context. Always capture a wide overview first.
• Getting too close to plain, featureless areas. Each frame should include visible details / features that the capture can use to align.
  • For example, you can get quite close when capturing a newspaper with fine print. However, not so much for a blank piece of paper.
• Sudden or fast motions that cause motion blur or big jumps in viewpoint.
• Shooting featureless or highly reflective surfaces straight on. Use oblique angles and include nearby structure. With glass or mirrors, capture from different angles and keep surroundings in the frame.

How many frames

In most cases, 250–1000 frames works well. Large or very detailed spaces can go up to 2000. More frames are not always better. Favor coverage and clean motion over repetition.

Get started with Teleport today

For additional examples and explanation of capture path shapes and spacing, read ‘Capture Paths’ in the Help Center.

Start your first capture today and see your space come to life in 3D! Install the 'Teleport by Varjo' app on your iPhone. If you don’t have an iPhone, you can still use Teleport by uploading photo or video from other cameras at teleport.varjo.com/upload/.

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