FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Helpful tips: how to prepare a room & how get best scan results
To get the best result we recommend preparing the room in the following way:
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Close doors and open curtains/blinds
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Try to stay away 2meters (6.5 feet) from the wall
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Start scanning by moving your device up and down
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Scan the full height of the walls, floors and ceilings
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Separate objects if they are not detected properly
To get the best scan results, make sure to close all doors and open all curtains or blinds. Try to keep a minimum distance of two meters (6.5ft) from any objects or walls.
Start scanning by moving your device up and down. Don't forget to scan the full height of each wall, as well as the floor and ceilings to get a comprehensive picture.
To improve furniture detection, separate the objects if they are not detected properly. For example: Move the chairs apart from the table.
During the scan, you'll receive guidance through hints to improve your scan. If you don't see any messages popping up, you're on the right track! Following all instructions, you will get the optimal scan results.
If you don't have an Internet connection, don't worry - the scan will automatically upload as soon as you do. After scanning, you can minimize the app to the background, but don’t quit the app until the reconstruction process is complete.
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Single rooms and multiple rooms in one go
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Maximum size of 10m x 10m (30ft x 30ft)
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Full-height mirrors, glass walls may lead to inaccurate results (cover with paper to improve the scan!)
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Complex ceilings might be challenging
Our app works best for rooms with a maximum size of 10m x 10m (30ft x 30ft). Do not scan larger rooms than that or vast warehouses.
Full-height mirrors or glass walls may lead to inaccurate results as the Lidar sensor in the phone cannot recognize glass and is reflected by a mirror. Large glass walls should be covered with a small sheet of paper in the corners so that the Lidar sensor can detect them better.
Very high complex ceilings might be challenging to scan.
Always use the latest version of the Metaroom app for the best results, as we are constantly working on enhancing our technology.
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Follow the guidance through the scan
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Keep a moderate scan speed
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Keep distance to walls an objects
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Walk around while scanning
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Range of the scan distance is about 5meters (16.5ft)
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Recommended scan time 2-15 minutes. Check the preview 3D model for completion
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End scan when 3D model is complete
During the scan, you'll receive guidance through hints to improve your scan. If you don't see any messages popping up, you're on the right track! Move your device at a moderate speed, like when you're recording a video. Maintain a minimum distance of 2 meters (5ft) from walls and other objects.
In larger rooms, you may need to walk around while keeping a distance of 2 to 5 meters (6.5-16.5ft) from walls and other objects. Range of the scan distance is about 5 meters. The shape of the room will determine your movement pattern.
Movement in a rectangular room
Movement in an unevenly shaped room
The scan time depends on the size of your room. For an average-sized room of 15 m2 (160 ft2), the scan should take around 2 minutes. The recommended scan duration is about 2-15 minutes.
Scan all the walls of the room, floor, and ceiling once. Don’t scan areas multiple times. The goal is to scan all walls, openings, and room-defining furniture elements until the preview 3D model is complete. This is displayed on the screen and will give you an indication of which areas have already been scanned. Once all walls, doors, windows, and room-defining objects have been recognized, you can end the scan.
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Scan all walls and most areas of the floor
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Scan ceilings for automated light recognition
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Also scan the center of the room
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Scan behind free-standing furniture if necessary
Make sure to capture all the walls, most parts of the floor, and the ceiling using the app's scanning feature. Don't forget to scan all the corners and the places where the walls connect with the ceiling and floor. It's important to scan each wall at least once and also scan the ceiling for automatic light recognition, which is crucial for planning the lighting. Our app is able to recognize larger, so-called room-defining pieces of furniture. If you want them to be included in your scan, we recommend also scanning the inside area of the room. Scan until a white box is drawn around them. In general, to get a better floor texture we recommend scanning the central area and floor of the room, whether there is furniture or not.
If there is a rather large space behind free-standing furniture also try to scan this area. Otherwise, it is not necessary to scan behind every free-standing piece of furniture. There is no need to scan underneath tables or other pieces of furniture.
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Accuracy varies by +/-2,5%
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Scan all areas once for accuracy
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App recognizes furniture & light automatically
Metaroom strives for a high level of accuracy, typically within a few centimeters of reality. However, depending on the room and scan quality, accuracy can vary by +/-2,5%. The accuracy of LiDAR sensors of the iPhone 14 Pro model is around 0.5-1%.
There's nothing special to consider when scanning areas with objects. Just scan as you would any other area and we'll take care of the rest.
It's not necessary to scan areas multiple times. Scan until the dollhouse model displays all walls, openings, and room-defining furniture elements. The recommended scan duration is about 2-15 minutes, depending on the size of the room.
Our app can recognize large, room-defining pieces of furniture such as sofas, tables, chairs or kitchens. Recognition depends on the size and type of furniture. If an object is not recognized during the first scan, you can try scanning the area twice. However, if it still does not get recognized, chances are high that it is not supported by the app, and you should move on with your scan.
FAQ: GEneral
General Questions
Metaroom supports complex rooms such as L-shape, trapezoid, and curved walls. In the current version, curved walls are represented by single straight sections.
All scans from Metaroom are automatically stored in Metaroom Studio and can be conveniently accessed from different locations through the browser. The storage size of a room is between 1 and 10 megabytes in RELUX Desktop format.
The built-in LiDAR sensor emits infrared laser beams during recording to create a depth map, leading to increased energy consumption and heating of the phone battery. The heating is within the expected range by Apple.
In the current version of the Metaroom app, objects can be edited and removed directly after the scan but adding or performing complex editing functions is currently not available due to limited display size. However, we are actively working on making scanned rooms editable in Metaroom Studio with a 2D/3D room editor, planned to be available by the end of 2023.
The Metaroom app relies on LiDAR sensors and requires extremely high computing power for AI-based object recognition methods. As a result, we expect that only current and future hardware will meet the high requirements.
The detection of existing luminaires will be showcased for the first time during the "Fun with RELUX" webinar on 20.7.2023. A release is planned for later this year.
Users are able to set 3D markers in space for precise positioning of different objects (Light sources, fire extinguishers, emergency exit signs and more) - even on filigree ceilings for tasks like drilling holes for cabling.
All data collected by the Metaroom App is managed in compliance with DSGVO (GDPR) regulations at Amazon Web Services. You can find more information about Amazon Web Services' GDPR compliance at the following links
As per the basic right of GDPR, users have the ability to delete their own data at any time. If a user deletes a scan in the Metaroom app, all associated data in Amazon Web Services will be deleted simultaneously.
FAQ: MUltiroom
How to perform a MultiRoom Scan
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Initiate a scan by tapping the '+' symbol, just as you would for a regular scan.
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When you've completed scanning one room and wish to add another, tap the "add room" button at the bottom of the screen. You'll always receive prompts between scans to ensure your results are accurate and to provide you with a scan overview.
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Keep adding rooms until you're finished, then click "finish" when you've covered all areas. Verify your progress by checking the dollhouse view at the bottom of the screen.
- Keep the camera clear: Never cover the camera when moving between rooms. It constantly tracks your position, ensuring seamless room stitching. Covering the camera will result in the loss of crucial "world tracking data".
- Hold the device upright: Even when not actively scanning but moving to the next room, always keep the device upright The camera's continuous tracking allows for seamless room stitching.
- Close doors for optimal scan results: For the best scan results, close the doors of the room being scanned. During a MultiRoom Scan, remember to close the door after entering the next room but before starting the scan. This ensures accuracy and completeness.
FAQ: Points of interest
How to Set a Point of interest and mark important details
During the scanning process, you have the option to include additional information and set markers- also known as Points of Interest.
- To add a Point of Interest, press and hold the square icon on the left side of the screen for 2 to 3 seconds. This activates the feature tracker and captures the photo.
- You'll have the opportunity to add more details to the Point of Interest in the finished 3D model by using Metaroom Studio.
- To add and mark a Point Of Interest, press and hold the square icon on the left side of the screen for 2 to 3 seconds. This activates the feature tracker and captures the photo.
- Maintain steady hand positioning to ensure a clear shot.
- If possible, make sure that no other objects are covering the marked object. This way you will get the best image and the most accurate measurements in Metaroom Studio.
FAQ: Metaroom Studio
Why Metaroom Studio?
- Log in to Metaroom Studio with your account credentials. Here, you'll find a comprehensive overview of all your scans, both those you've conducted and those shared with you.
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Easily organize your scans by creating folders or renaming rooms to fit your preferred structure. To explore your scans in 3D, simply click on the cube icon next to the room name.
- When you're ready to export your work, click on the download symbol to choose from a variety of industry-standard formats, including:
ReluxDesktop (.rdf)
Industry Foundation Classes v4 (.ifc)
SketchUp (.skp)
Wavefront (.obj)
GL Transmission Format (.gltf und .glb)
Autodesk Drawing Interchange File (.dxf)
Autodesk Filmbox (.fbx)
Alembic (.abc)
COLLADA (.dae)
Radio Planning/ WiFi Network Planning (.obj/ .rp)
Stereo Lithography (.stl)
Video (.mp4)
Universal Scene Description (.usd) in Beta
- To explore your scans in Metaroom Studio's immersive 3D view, simply click on the cube icon next to the room name.
- Within the 3D model, you'll notice distinctive pink dots – these represent the Points of Interest you marked during your scan. To delve deeper into any Point of Interest, just click on the dot, and a window with an associated image will open.
- Now, you have the ability to measure objects and include additional information for the Point of Interest.
PLEASE NOTE: We are continually enhancing Metaroom Studio. This initial version was launched in September 2023. If you have specific needs, wishes, or innovative ideas on how to improve Metaroom Studio please drop us a line.
HOw to measure Points of Interest
FAQ: Light Planning
Light planning & relux
To generate a 3D model with distinct room categories, crucial for professional light planning, follow these steps:
- After scanning a single room, multiple rooms, or entire buildings, head to Metaroom Studio and open the 3D model from the room list.
- Identify and mark walls and furniture items you wish to group into specific categories in your 3D model (e.g., "bathroom").
- Once you've organized different room categories, click on the export button.
- Receive the RDF file containing the category information. Open the file in Relux and seamlessly continue your work in Relux Desktop.
View the screenrecording to see how it works!
HOw to create room categories
FAQ: Data Security
everything on GDPR compliance to data storage and security features.
Metaroom® employs state-of-the-art encryption algorithms to secure your data both in transit and at rest. Our partnership with AWS allows us to leverage their robust encryption capabilities, ensuring maximum security.
Metaroom® and AWS have a comprehensive backup and recovery strategy. Your data is automatically backed up at regular intervals, and in case of any accidental deletion or data loss, recovery is just a few clicks away.
Being an active member of the European DIGITAL SME Alliance's Task Force Data, Metaroom® is always up-to-date with the latest European data protection laws and regulations, including GDPR and the European Data Act.
As per the basic right of GDPR, users can delete their own data at any time. If a user deletes a scan in the Metaroom app, all associated data in Amazon Web Services will be deleted simultaneously.
In the unlikely event of a data breach, Metaroom® has a well-defined incident response plan in place, developed in accordance with AWS's best practices and European data protection laws. An additional measure is that we aim to store only those data that are relevant for the customer.
Metaroom® collects only the data that is essential for providing you with our services. This includes basic account information, usage data, and any content you create or upload to our platform.
Yes, Metaroom® provides users with complete control over their data. You can access, modify, or delete your data at any time through the app's user-friendly interface.
Metaroom® uses AWS's state-of-the-art security features to ensure that your data is stored, processed, and managed with unparalleled security measures.
Metaroom® strictly adheres to GDPR guidelines and does not share your data with third parties unless explicitly authorized by you or required by law.
Yes, Metaroom® stores your data in AWS data centers located within the European Union, ensuring compliance with EU data protection laws.
You can easily delete your data from Metaroom® through the app's settings. Once deleted, all your data will be permanently removed from our servers and AWS and cannot be recovered.