Find the Right Reality Capture Device
Every project prioritizes different aspects, so we ensured FARO Sphere® XG (formerly HoloBuilder™) is equipped to handle your favored site documentation method.
360° Photo Capture
Capture detailed 360° photos mapped to your floor plan, organized by date & time. All you need to get started is a standard 360° camera and the JobWalk app on your mobile device. Capture your jobsite using various capture modes, including VideoMode, that prioritize speed or level of detail for your required documentation. 360° photo capture is considered one of the fastest methods to capture your jobsite with little to no post-processing time.
Mobile Scanning
Capture tight spaces, MEP rooms, and complex portions of your jobsite easily and quickly with mobile and handheld 3D scanners. These devices, like the FARO® Orbis™ Premium Mobile Laser Scanner, produce accurate, complete, and detailed point clouds of your projects. Developing documentation is easy; ensure your scanner is synced to the Stream App, press scan, and start walking around the jobsite. Experience the rich and measurable details you captured in Sphere XG, alongside design data and 360° photos.
Imaging Laser Scanning
Get the best of both worlds in 3D and 360° with imaging laser scanners. Devices like FARO Blink™ are easy to operate and require no specialized laser scanning expertise. Guided workflows and automated point cloud processing through Sphere XG make it easy for anyone to create high-definition 360° visuals and measurable 3D point clouds. Provide value to a wide range of use cases and users including designers, surveyors, builders, operators, and public safety professionals.
Static Laser Scanning
Generate millimeter-accurate scans of large sites even in extreme conditions with static scanners like the FARO Focus Premium Laser Scanner. Navigate through rich 3D visuals that provide measurable details from active jobsites for verification and inspections, all done virtually. Compare real-time scans to design plans within Sphere XG and ensure deviations and errors are addressed quickly.
Mobile LiDAR Scanning
With consumer-grade LiDAR available on the newest iPhones and iPads, 3D scanning has become more accessible than before. Innovative smartphone apps like SiteScape™ empower professionals like you to capture and share inch-accurate 3D scans within minutes. This intuitive capture method is a great first step into the world of scanning that requires no training and no expensive hardware.
It’s All About Speed vs Accuracy
In the world of reality capture, there’s a teeter-totter: on one side is speed, and on the other is accuracy. Capturing highly accurate data takes more time; capturing it quickly leads to decreased accuracy. Ask yourself: What do I need from an accuracy perspective? And how fast do I need it?
Time to Consumption
While static and handheld laser scanners offer higher detail, they require longer point cloud processing. In contrast, 360° cameras capture projects quickly with rich visuals and no post-processing, enabling faster access.
Level of Detail
Static and mobile laser scanning typically produces more accurate data. Those 3D scans offer true-to-scale, measurable data for detailed remote inspections, while 360° photos focus on visual progress and quick visual checks.
Cost
Budget plays a key role in choosing reality capture devices. Static laser scanners offer top accuracy but come at a higher cost, while more affordable options like 360° cameras or LiDAR-equipped iOS devices trade off accuracy.
Choosing the Right Tool for the Job
Every project comes with its own set of requirements and complexity. This makes choosing the right toolset for each project key to leveraging the potential of reality capture technology. This webinar gives a great overview of how to choose the right devices and software.
Import and Upload Data of Various Formats – on One Platform
Construction projects involve many stakeholders with different workflows. To support smooth collaboration across teams in Sphere XG, we’ve ensured compatibility with various file formats from FARO and non-FARO devices for a unified experience.
3D/BIM Models
Import your 3D models from e.g. Autodesk® Navisworks® or Revit® into Sphere XG to compare construction status with the design and ensure work goes according to plan.
Importing non-FARO Files
Easily collaborate with external contractors and professionals operating outside the FARO ecosystem by uploading industry-standard file formats (like .laz, .e57).
Drone Imagery
Level up your site documentation with drone imagery for aerial views of your project and jobsite. Simply upload 360° photos to Sphere XG.
Floor Plans
Upload your floor plans as image or PDFs and sync your 3D scans and 360° photos to it to provide complete situational context. Or directly generate a floor plan from your scans.
FARO Apps for Seamless Data Transfer
FARO Stream™ App
Connect the Stream app to an Orbis scanner to start capturing and benefit from direct data upload and cloud processing into Sphere XG. Use the Stream App to operate a Focus scanner.
FARO SCENE Software
Experience seamless synchronization between FARO SCENE Software and Sphere XG for your Focus scanner data. Easily import project spaces and scan data between platforms in one click.
JobWalk App
Connect your 360° camera to the JobWalk app, determine your position on the floor plan and start capturing. Once done, upload site captures to Sphere XG for instant accessibility.