What is Matterport?

Matterport is the leading name in ‘digital twins’. Matterport allows you to scan a space and create an immersive virtual tour that’s processed and hosted by them so it requires no specialist surveying knowledge. Further deliverables are then a matter of clicking a button. Matterport will create a CAD file for you, or a 3D revit model, whatever it is that the project requires.

 

The virtual tours are accessible to anyone that you want them to be, allowing anyone to walk around a space digitally, saving on costly site visits. The model can also be enriched with tags and notes or connected to a host of third parties for applications like remote sensor connection through AWS or Quantity Surveying and site management using Procore.

What does a Matterport Model look like?

If you've not seen one before, there's always a real 'wow-factor' to a Matterport model. It's a bit like bringing google maps inside a house, but you also get a full 3D 'dolls house' that allows you to envisage the whole space in three dimensions. Plus, the digital version of your property comes with lots of useful matterport tools - you can embed items like pdfs or videos as tags, or in the bottom left of the screen you can use the measurement tool to check any dimension. The models are natively AR and VR-ready, so just stick on your goggles and get exploring! You can find an example below of a tech hub that we scanned for a company showcasing tech in Greenwich, so click on it and see what you think.

How do I scan a space with Matterport?

The good news is that you can start creating Matterport models with just the phone in your pocket. This can be done just by you spinning around on the spot and following the directions in the app, or to improve results, you can use the Matterport AXIS with your phone. 

Matterport will also work with a variety of third party cameras and scanners including the Ricoh theta and Leica BLK360 G1, but for the best results for the best price we recommend using Matterport's own Pro3 camera. And we've made a short video showing exactly what it's like to scan a space using the Matterport Pro3. It's really as simple as pressing a button, then moving the scanner.

One trip to site gives you a whole host of further uses:

• Property Report with dimensions of all rooms captured including ceiling height for data analysis
• Virtual tour with the ability to download 4K imagery for an ideal reference or condition survey
• Easy asset tagging and collaboration using notes
• Pointcloud survey with downloadable assets like the e57 pointcloud file or smaller file types in the Matterpak
• Floorplans, CAD or BIM model
• Easy upload to third party programmes like google maps, Vrbo, Autodesk, AWS, Procore
• Further functionality from Matterport partners like Treedis or MPSkin

Essentially, once you've created a digital twin, there are a whole world of options for you to use it. And at Surveytech we're always happy to consult about your projects to make sure you get the most from your investment. We love this tech and are always happy to chat!

Matterport in their own words

Matterport is the leading spatial data company focused on digitizing and indexing the built world. Our all-in-one 3D data platform enables anyone to turn a space into an accurate and immersive digital twin which can be used to design, build, operate, promote, and understand any space.

Whether you work in architecture, engineering, or construction, you'll be able to streamline documentation, 3D scan as-builts, and collaborate with ease. With Matterport, you can also reduce costs and help save the most precious commodity — your time.

The Pro3 is perfect for as-built surveys, scan to BIM, virtual tours and many other applications across the surveying and construction industry. With many processes automated, you can bring files straight into autoCAD, revit and many other programmes as well as being able to share and collaborate on Matterport's cloud platform. With easy geotagging of assets, it's also perfect for construction and facilities management so you can know exactly what you have and where it is.

Explore the Matterport range available on survey-tech.co.uk.

Or would you like to start out by hiring the Matterport Pro3? Get in contact through our Matterport rental programme page