PanoZoom brings the original camera imagery into panorama mode. When users zoom in far enough, SKAND loads the directional image that covers the part of the scene they are looking at and overlays it on the panorama. The result is a much sharper view of the asset, with enough detail to read plates, labels, and small defects that are not legible in the stitched panorama alone.
How PanoZoom Works
Panoramas and directional images come from separate cameras on the capture rig of a Mobile Laser Scanner (MLS). The panorama camera records the full surrounding view, which gives users context and a way to navigate the site. The directional cameras record narrower views of the corridor at higher detail. Both are captured at the same location and time, so the two sets of imagery describe the same scene from the same point.
PanoZoom links them. As users zoom past a set threshold, SKAND identifies which directional image covers the current view direction, loads it, and aligns it over the panorama. Panning to a different part of the scene loads the next relevant image automatically, so the sharpest available imagery always follows the view.
No setup is required. PanoZoom is active in panorama mode wherever the source directional images are available in the dataset.
Viewing Directional Images
Make sure all 3D, panorama, and image group layers are toggled on.
To activate PanoZoom, go to General Settings > Developer, then toggle on Enable zoom-HD panoramas.
Activate Panorama mode.
Pan to the location of the directional images, then zoom in to view PanoZoom.
Directional image with a blue border is now visible superimposed on the panorama. Feel free to zoom in and create annotations.
Pan to inspect adjacent areas. New overlay images load as the view direction changes.
Zoom back out to return to the standard panorama view.
Reading the Overlay Boundary
The blue outline shows the extent of the directional image currently overlaid on the panorama. Content inside the outline is drawn from the directional image. Content outside it is still the panorama. Because the two come from different cameras, the areas can differ in sharpness, exposure, and color at high zoom.
Where PanoZoom Helps Most
Asset identification – Reading ID plates, signal numbers, and equipment labels that are unreadable at panorama resolution.
Defect inspection – Assessing surface condition, corrosion, cracking, and fastener detail at close range.
Verification – Confirming a finding against the directional camera image rather than the panorama view.
Reporting – Capturing a clear view of an asset for inclusion in an inspection record.