Overview
OCR (Optical Character Recognition) in the AIM Platform enables users to search for text detected within 360° imagery.
When imagery is uploaded and processed in AIM, the system scans each image to detect readable text such as signage, labels, room numbers, and equipment tags. This detected text is indexed and linked to the associated panorama within the digital model.
This allows users to quickly find locations, assets, or rooms without manually navigating through every image.
What OCR Can Detect
OCR can identify many types of text commonly found within buildings, including:
Fire exit signs
Room or apartment numbers
Electrical panel labels
Boiler or plant room signage
Warning or safety signage
Equipment labels and asset tags
Detected text is stored and linked to the nearest panorama location within the model.
How to Use OCR Search
Open a site or digital model in the AIM viewer.
Locate the search bar within the interface.
Enter the text you want to find (for example: “Fire Exit” or “Boiler Room”).
AIM will return panoramas where that text has been detected.
Select a result to jump directly to that location in the model.
Where possible, the detected text will be highlighted in the image.
Typical Use Cases
OCR is useful for quickly locating:
Safety signage
Plant rooms or service areas
Asset labels
Room or flat numbers
Equipment identification tags
This is particularly helpful when working with large buildings or large image datasets.
Limitations
OCR accuracy depends on image quality and visibility. Detection may be reduced when:
Text is very small or far away
Images are blurred
Lighting conditions are poor
Text is partially obstructed
Decorative or unusual fonts are used
Capturing clear imagery will improve detection results.
Related Features
Points of Interest (POIs) – Tag assets and attach structured data within the model.
Search – Quickly locate locations, assets, and data across a site.
360° Visualisation – Navigate buildings using immersive imagery.