Learn how to quickly capture floor plans using the room scan feature or by creating them manually.
In the restoration industry, having a detailed and accurate floor plan is essential for effective project planning and execution. With magicplan, you have two primary methods for creating these plans: room scanning and manual room creation. Each method has advantages and is suited to different scenarios. This guide will help you decide when to use each option for the best results.
When to Use the Room Scan for Floor Plans:
magicplan offers both Auto and Manual Scan options for accurately and efficiently creating floor plans. This feature allows professionals to swiftly create digital floor plans using just a smartphone or tablet camera.
Room scanning can be beneficial in the following scenarios:
- Minor Damages: Effective for properties with minor damages where rooms are still structurally sound and allow for precise control over dimensions.
- Simple Room Layouts: The room scan feature works best when dealing with simple, standard-shaped rooms.
- Time-Sensitive Situations: In emergencies where quick documentation is necessary, such as immediately after a natural disaster, scanning provides a fast and efficient way to create floor plans.
When to Use Auto or Manual Scan:
Auto-Scan is available on iOS devices with LiDAR sensors (iPhone Pro, 12 or newer, and iPad Pro). This scan type allows you to capture multiple rooms, furniture, and structural objects in one scanning session.
- This feature will work best with traditional floor plans that do not include: open spaces, long hallways, arched or vaulted ceilings, and any demolition or construction.
Manual-Scan captures individual rooms using Wall Mode, Corner Mode, or both, depending on the version of iOS device you are using.
- This feature will work with all floor plan layouts and floor plans that contain glass walls, have heavy construction, or lots of clutter (objects/furniture) in the way.
Creating a Floor Plan Manually
In situations where room scanning is not feasible due to poor lighting or extensive damage, the Square Room or Define Corners features, used with a compatible Bluetooth laser, provide an excellent alternative for creating accurate floor plans.
Manually creating a room can be beneficial in the following scenarios:
- Large or Irregularly Shaped Rooms: Manually creating a room will allow you to easily capture rooms with irregular shapes, high ceilings, or large commercial spaces
- Extensive Damage: Creating a floor plan manually allows you to capture properties that the room scan cannot detect, such as properties that have suffered extensive damage that obstructs the room's shape.
- Limited Technology: In situations where your device’s camera or sensors might not function correctly due to poor lighting, debris, or other environmental factors, manual input ensures you can still create accurate plans.
How to Create a Room Manually:
- Create a room using the "Square Room" or "Define Corners" feature.
- To fill in a space between rooms you've already created, you can use the "Insert a filler" feature.
- Connect your Bluetooth laser and take the measurements of all of the walls within the room.
- Repeat steps 1 and 2 for all the rooms.
- Assemble your rooms together to create a completed floor plan.
Combining Auto and Manual Scan Methods
In many cases, combining both scanning and manual creation provides the best results. For example, you can use the room scan to quickly capture the visible areas of the floor plan and then switch to manual room creation to capture rooms with severe damage or no accessibility.
This hybrid approach ensures you have a comprehensive and accurate floor plan even in chaotic environments.