What is Image Viewer
Image Viewer is a versatile tool that allows you to view photos and panoramas alongside your models and see their camera positions directly within the 3D scene. This provides a seamless integration of your images and spatial data.
This guide outlines the main features and functions of the Image Viewer and how to use them efficiently:
Managing Image and Panorama Groups in the Layer Tree
Three Viewing Modes for Every Need
Switching Between Viewing Modes
Cameras in 3D Scene
Color-Coded Image Groups
Custom Camera Widget Color in Pop-out Mode
Mini Gap Between Cameras
Improved Image Sorting for Finding Relevant Images
Navigating between Panoramas with Mini Map
Customise Panorama Disc Size and Camera Height
Managing Image and Panorama Groups in the Layer Tree
You can find image and panorama groups in the Layer Tree alongside your models and annotations. They are marked with distinct icons for easy identification. Control their visibility just like any other layers to manage what’s displayed in your project.
Three Viewing Modes for Every Need
Image viewer has three different modes each designed for specific scenarios:
3D Overlay Mode
3D Overlay Mode renders images or panoramas directly onto your 3D model, creating an immersive experience that blends spatial context with image details. Annotations drawn on images or panoramas automatically project onto the 3D model.
To enter 3D Overlay Mode:
Search for an image/panorama in the Layer Tree and click on it.
Or click the image camera widget, then select Open in 3D Overlay, or click on a panorama disc to load it automatically.
Or click an image/panorama in the right-side ribbon (visible only when already in a viewing mode).
Pop-out Mode
Pop-out Mode enables you to open images/panoramas in separate, resizable windows, allowing side-by-side comparisons or simultaneous viewing alongside your 3D model.
To open an image/panorama in Pop-out Mode:
Search for an image/panorama in the Layer Tree, click ..., and select Open in pop-out.
Or click the image camera widget, then select Open in pop-out.
Or click the pop-out icon in the right-side ribbon.
2D Fullscreen Mode
Note: Panorama does not have a fullscreen mode.
2D Fullscreen Mode is ideal for focusing entirely on image details, especially when working with images that lack 3D positioning.
To enter Fullscreen Mode:
Click the image camera widget, then select Open in 2D Fullscreen.
Click the fullscreen icon on an image in the right-side ribbon.
Switching Between Viewing Modes
Quickly switch between Panorama Overlay, Image Overlay, and 3D Mode using the switcher in the top-right corner of the viewer. Switching back to 3D Mode will automatically exit 2D Fullscreen and 3D Overlay Modes.
Note: Make sure you have enabled at least one image or panorama group in the layer tree.
Cameras in 3D Scene
Image Viewer displays camera positions from your image and panorama groups within the 3D scene. By default, it displays up to 10 cameras to optimise performance. You can adjust this setting to display a specific number of cameras or show all cameras as needed.
Open Image Viewer Settings next to 3D Viewer Settings.
Adjust the number of images to show
or tick the All checkbox to show all cameras.
Click Apply to confirm changes.
Color-Coded Image Groups
Working with multiple image groups and want a quick way to tell them apart? You can customize the color of camera widgets in the 3D viewer for different image groups. This is useful for distinguishing images from different dates, locations, or project phases.
To update the color of an image group:
Click "..." on the image group.
Select "Change Color."
Pick a color that helps you organize your images visually.
Note: These color settings are saved locally on your device, giving you the freedom to set up your project just the way you like it. Just keep in mind that if you share your project with others, they'll need to set their own color preferences.
Custom Camera Widget Color in Pop-out Mode
Users can now customize the color of individual camera widgets in pop-out mode to improve spatial orientation within the 3D viewer. This feature allows for quick visual identification of the active camera position.
Additionally, the borders of associated 2D images dynamically adapt to match the selected camera widget color, making it easier to correlate images with their corresponding camera locations.
Open the Image Group layer - Access the relevant image group from the layer panel.
Select the desired camera widgets - Click to select one or multiple camera widgets you wish to modify.
Apply a new color - Use the color selector to assign a custom color to the selected camera widgets.
Confirm the color change - The camera widgets will update from the default green to the selected color.
Verify in the 3D Image Viewer - Open a pop-out view in the 3D Image Viewer to see the updated border color, which reflects the new camera widget color for improved visual alignment.
Minimum Gap Between Cameras
In the Image Viewer Settings, you also have granular control over the distance between cameras, allowing you to skip unnecessary ones within a specified range for a clutter-free experience, especially in smaller spaces.
Scroll the slider, Minimum gap distance in meters, to set the distance
Or enter a specific value in the input box.
Click Apply to confirm the change.
Improved Image Sorting for Finding Relevant Images
SKAND now features an enhanced image sorting system for point selection in the 3D viewer. Instead of cycling through multiple sorting modes, a new algorithm automatically prioritizes images based on camera position, viewing angle, and proximity to the selected point.
When a point is clicked, a marker is displayed both in the 3D scene and on the associated thumbnails. The most relevant image is automatically displayed in the overlay, precisely aligned with the mesh beneath.
All previous image sort modes have been deprecated in favor of this streamlined and intelligent sorting experience.
If you want to lock the current image order:
Go to Settings
Toggle on "Lock Sorting"
Or use the keyboard shortcut "Z"
Navigating between Panoramas with Mini Map
When exploring panoramas in a large area, it’s easy to lose your sense of direction. To help, turn on the mini map in the bottom-right corner of the 3D scene.
White points: Represent different panoramas.
Cursor: Shows your current location and rotates as you move the camera.
Click on any white point to quickly jump to that panorama.
Customise Panorama Disc Size and Camera Height
Panorama Disc Size
In the Image Viewer Settings, you can adjust the size of the panorama icon. Increasing the size helps when locating panoramas in large, open spaces, while reducing it can improve navigation in smaller areas.
Panorama Camera Height
By default, the panorama icon is positioned 1.5 meters below the original camera location to show where the camera was approximately placed. You can reset this position to 0 or adjust it further in the Image Viewer Settings to suit your needs.
Regenerate Image Pose & Improve Loading Speed
Noticed that your image isn't aligning perfectly with the 3D model in 3D Overlay mode? Sometimes, the initial pose or scaling needs a quick adjustment. Here's how you can fix it:
Regenerate Image Pose
Click "..." on the image group.
Select "Regenerate Pose" to recalculate the image’s position and scale (this may take some time).
If alignment is still off, please reach out to our support team for assistance.
Improve Image Loading Speed
If images load slowly, look for the "Generate Image Tiles" button.
Clicking it will optimize loading times.
If you don’t see the button, your image group was already created with image tiles automatically.