Matterport Handbook

Overview

This is an overview of our capturing process as we perform 3D Matterport scans. This breakdown is by no means comprehensive and we are depending on you to lean on your own expertise to effectively highlight the listings that you capture. With that being said, if you have any questions regarding specifics of scanning please reach out to us at [e-mail] and we will do our best to help.

Training resources

Watch all tutorial videos:

• How to scan - Best practices | Link

• Tips on stairs & multiple floors | Link

• How to scan outdoors | Link 

• Marking windows/mirrors and trimming | Link

• Tips for Avoiding Alignment Errors | Link

• Set start location | Link

Equipment and Hosting

To perform Matterport scans you need a Matterport camera. To be approved to perform Matterport tours you will need a Matterport camera model from the last 3 years as well as a stable tripod.

Once you’ve been certified with us, you will be added as a collaborator to our Matterport account. Being a collaborator gives you the option to upload scans for Pineapple services to our Matterport account. This will ensure that we are charged for hosting fees and will still allow you to adjust and finalize the tour once uploaded. When you have finished with a scan and click the upload button in the Matterport Capture App, you will be able to select ‘Pineapple Labs’ so that your scan uploads to our account.

Pre-Shoot

Once you’ve logged in and filled out your payment information you’ll be able to accept your first shoot. To do so, click on the Pineapple services icon on the left sidebar. If there are Matterport services available in your area then you will see them there. When services become available in the future, you will get notified via email. These services can be accepted on a first come first serve basis.

When you accept a shoot, you will be able to view it under the ‘accepted services’ tab in the Pineapple services section. From the service page, you can review the job details and copy the templated message to send to the client.

Expected delivery

If the client asks about the turnaround time for the Matterport, then inform them that Matterport tours can be delivered within 48 to 72 Hours.

Blurring

Matterport does not allow us to edit the scans in any way. We cannot blur faces or license plates.

Capturing 

Capture time

If the scan goes smoothly and alignment issues do not happen, Matterport tours typically last 30 min - 1 hr for a 2,000 sq ft property.

Prepare home

Walk through the home, open blinds, turn on all lights, turn off any ceiling fans, make sure staging looks good, and remove any clutter if the client or homeowner hasn’t already done so. If opening the blinds lets in too much direct light onto the floor, then close the blinds. This can make the Matterport camera unable to accurately render scans. Keep in mind that an error can occur if sunlight shines directly on the Matterport’s infrared camera.

Scanning

Keep a constant tripod height throughout the entire scan to mimic what it would be like to view the home in person. 5-6ft is a good height to use. Make sure to capture enough scans to move through the space smoothly. For best results, scan every 5-8ft. If there is a stairwell, make sure to capture a scan right at the bottom, and every 5 steps as you move up the staircase. When you are at the top of the staircase add a new floor within the Matterport Capture App. As you scan, do your best to position the Matterport camera in locations that highlight the selling features most effectively. 

Make sure you are hidden from the camera and the tripod is stable. If the floor is unstable (like carpet), then do not walk around behind the camera as it scans or it may shake the camera and ruin the scan. Instead, hide behind a wall or in another room while the scan takes place.

As you scan, mark windows/mirrors and trim within the Matterport Capture App. Watch this video for a complete breakdown on this | Link

Exterior scans

As mentioned previously, the Matterport camera has difficulty capturing scans in direct sunlight. This makes exterior scanning with the infrared camera difficult unless there is heavy cloud cover or shadows. To scan in direct sunlight, capture scans with the 360º View mode. Capture 1-3 scans in the front and backyard so that all of the highlighting features are displayed.

How to scan outdoors | Link

Post Shoot

Finalize the tour so that it is ready to be delivered to the client. After the scan is finished processing, you will get an email notification saying it is complete. At that point, the completed scan will be visible in your Matterport account under Pineapple Tours.

Add 360º Scans

To add the exterior 360º scans, go into your Matterport account on your computer and click ‘Edit’ on the scan. Select ‘View Floor Plan’ in the bottom left to view the scan from above - this will make it easier for you to place the exterior 360º scans in the proper positions. Then select ‘360º Views’ from the right-hand sidebar and drag the views in accordingly. After placing the ‘360º Views’ make sure to test them to ensure that they are accessible while navigating the tour.

Set start location

The start location should be set by the front door ideally, but a main living area is great as well if it is a highlighting feature. This becomes the thumbnail for the tour so do your best to make it look attractive. This can be done by framing the sides of the view with the verticals of the walls and including the highlighting features.

Setting start locations article | Link

Add client details

• Presented by: Pineapple Labs

• Contact info: client name & phone number

Scan name

Verify that the scan’s address is correct. These are often automatically generated based on your location when scanning and they are frequently incorrect. 

How long to save the scan

After you have uploaded the scans to us, we ask that you keep them for 5 days in case the client needs us to upload the scan again with adjustments.

Avoiding Mistakes

Make sure to check behind all doors to see if there is an extra room there and ask the client how many floors there are. Confirm with the agent areas they would like excluded, or included, in the Matterport scan (and 2D Floor Plan if ordered) before you start.

Matterport 3D Scan Examples

956 Quince Ave | Link

1429 Garden Hwy | Link