Are there any apps or software that can assist me in using the Insta360 to make a virtual tour?
Making use of virtual tours is a fantastic approach to present homes, companies, museums, and other locations in an engaging and dynamic way. Through these, viewers may access extra information and media, as well as explore the area from various viewpoints and views. In addition, virtual tours may increase conversions, revenue, and engagement across a range of sectors and goals.
However, how is a virtual tour made? What equipment do you need, too? These queries will be addressed in this post, along with instructions on how to use the Insta360 camera and certain apps or software to make virtual tours.
What is Insta360?
A popular brand of 360-degree cameras that produce high-quality images and movies in all directions is Insta360. Insta360 cameras are made to be user-friendly, adaptable, and reasonably priced. They are suited for a variety of situations and applications since they include a variety of functions and attachments.
Popular Insta360 cameras include:
Insta360 RS 1-Inch 360 Edition Virtual Tour Kit: The most expensive virtual tour creation tool is the Insta360 RS 1-Inch 360 Edition Virtual Tour Kit. It features two 1-inch sensors that were jointly developed with Leica and offer unmatched image quality with outstanding low light performance. It can record incredible clarity and detail in 5.7K 360 films and 21MP 360 images. In order to photograph from a distance without ruining your virtual tour, it also offers Wi-Fi preview and control.
Insta360 X3: This small, portable 360-degree camera can record 5.7K 360-degree films and 18MP 360-degree still images. You may preview and manage your photographs with the touchscreen, which features a stylish appearance. It also features a battery base that can be removed to increase the recording time. It may be used with a variety of add-ons, including the Dive Case, the Bullet Time Cord, and the Invisible Selfie Stick.
Insta360 ONE X2: This is a portable 360-degree camera that can record 5.7K 360-degree films and 19MP 360-degree still images. You can preview and manage your photographs using the device’s circular touchscreen. Four microphones that record immersive audio are also included. Its waterproof construction allows it to endure submersion up to ten meters deep. It may be utilized with a variety of add-ons, including the Dive Case, the Bullet Time Handle, and the Invisible Selfie Stick.
What Apps or Software Do You Need to Make a Virtual Tour with Insta360?
You will need two things in order to build a virtual tour with Insta360: a platform that can host and distribute your virtual tour online, and a piece of software or an app that can turn your 360-degree photographs into a 3D model.
Both of these procedures have a variety of possibilities, but we’ll concentrate on one of the most well-liked and straightforward ones: Matterport.
You can build, modify, and share immersive 3D models of any environment using the Matterport platform. You may utilize Matterport to make virtual tours for a variety of industries, including real estate, hospitality, tourism, education, and entertainment.
The Matterport app and the Matterport Cloud are the two major parts of Matterport.
Matterport app: You may download the Matterport app to your iOS or Android smartphone. It allows you to wirelessly connect to your Insta360 camera and take 360-degree pictures of your environment. The photographs will instantly be downloaded to your smartphone by the app and uploaded to the Matterport Cloud.
Matterport Cloud: Online service The Matterport Cloud converts your 360-degree images into a 3D representation of your location. Either the Matterport app or your web browser may be used to access it. Your 3D model may be edited with it, and you can also add labels, media, connections, floor plans, measurements, and more. Additionally, you may post your virtual tour on your website or share a link to it with others.
Depending on your demands, Matterport offers several price and plan options. You may construct one active space up to 50 scans (or approximately 2,000 square feet) for free. Paid options begin at $9.99 a month and come with extra perks like unlimited storage, increased scan limits, better resolution models, analytics, and collaboration tools, among others.
How to Make a Virtual Tour with Matterport and Insta360?
You are prepared to build your virtual tour now that you have a Matterport account and an Insta360 camera. The steps are as follows:
Step 1 : Setting Up
Verify that your Insta360 camera’s firmware is current. The most recent firmware is available here, or you may upgrade using the Insta360 app.
From the Google Play or App Store, get the Matterport app. Do a search for “Matterport” to locate it.
Log in to your Matterport account on the app after creating one here.
Open the Insta360 app and turn on your Insta360 camera. To establish a WiFi connection with your camera, press the yellow button.
Click “Connect to Camera” on the Matterport app.
The (+) or “Create New Job” button should be tapped. Give your scan a name, and if asked, consent to location sharing.
You’re prepared! When you’re ready to start, hit the “Capture” icon.
Step 2 : The Shoot
Maintain, arrange, and clean your area. Have everything in its proper location, since your 21MP 360 images will reveal a lot of information. To prevent them from appearing in any published work, try to eliminate all clutter, personal items, and images.
Beware of reflections. Make an effort to place the camera so that it is not reflected in any windows or mirrors.
All the lights should be on. This will guarantee the camera has at least some illumination to operate with, even if certain rooms have less natural light than others.
Get out of the shot (perhaps behind a wall or in the adjacent room) after setting up your camera on a tripod in the center of the room. With Wi-Fi preview and control, Insta360 cameras, you may film from a distance without ruining your virtual tour.
Directly from the Matterport app, take pictures with your Insta360 camera. From that vantage point, the camera will take a 360-degree picture of the space, which will then be immediately sent to your smartphone.
Return to your concealing spot after moving the tripod to the next scanning position, then press Capture to take the subsequent picture. Continue until you have photographed the whole area or property.
Several shooting pointers:
Aim to maintain a 5 to 8-foot space between each scanning station. As a result, your virtual tour will have a nice overlap between each scan and a seamless transition.
Refrain from shifting furniture or other items between scans as this may lead to inconsistent 3D models.
Avoid scanning in locations that receive direct sunlight since glare will be produced and the image quality may suffer.
Steer clear of scanning locations where there are moving people or objects because this can cause ghosting and blur in your 3D model.
Step 3 : Edit and Share
After you’re done taking pictures, submit them to your Matterport Cloud account, and a 3D model will be created immediately. Depending on the size and intricacy of your environment, this can take some time.
Use the Matterport app or your web browser to access your 3D model. To alter your 3D model, you may utilize a variety of tools, such as:
Trim: This enables you to remove undesirable portions of your 3D model, such as floors, ceilings, or outside space.
Align: You may use this to rotate, tilt, or level your 3D model to change its orientation and alignment.
Highlight Reel: With this, you can add waypoints and switch between several perspectives to make a guided tour of your location.
Mattertag: This allows you to annotate individual spots or objects in your environment by adding labels, descriptions, media, or links.
Floor Plan: You may use this to create a 2D floor plan of your area that includes dimensions and labels.
Measurements: You may use this to determine the lengths, widths, volumes, and angles of your space.
Workshop: This gives you access to more sophisticated editing tools, such as the ability to hide scans, change colors, add collaborators, etc.
Link to your virtual tour or embed it on your website to share it with others. Additionally, you may post it to a variety of websites including Realtor.com, Zillow, Google Street View, etc.
With Insta360 and Matterport, creating a virtual tour is surprisingly simple and enjoyable. All you need is a Matterport account, an Insta360 camera, a tripod, and a phone or tablet. Any place may be photographed in 360 degrees in high definition, and the resulting immersive 3D model can be edited and shared online.
The usage of virtual tours is a fantastic approach to present homes, companies, museums, and other locations in an engaging and dynamic way. For a variety of reasons and sectors, they may also increase conversions, engagement, and sales.
