Why capture quality matters
The AIM processing pipeline works by matching visual features across thousands of overlapping 360 degree images. If those images are inconsistent — different lighting between frames, obstructed doorways, or gaps caused by incorrect pausing — the algorithm has less to work with and the quality of the digital twin suffers. The good news is that the most common issues are entirely preventable on site.
1. Lighting
Keep lighting consistent throughout the entire capture. If you turn lights on in one room, keep them on for the rest of the capture. If lights are off in a room, leave them off. A significant difference in brightness between two frames of the same area makes it much harder for the algorithm to match them accurately.
Avoid walking through a room with lights off and then returning with lights on. The algorithm sees those as two different environments.
Where possible, turn lights on throughout the entire property before you begin recording. Natural light from windows is fine — just be aware that standing directly in front of a bright window can cause overexposure. Walk past windows rather than stopping in front of them.
2. Doors and doorways
Leave internal doors open throughout the capture. This gives the camera a clear line of sight through doorways and helps the algorithm stitch adjacent rooms together. A closed door that was open on a previous pass is another mismatch the algorithm has to work around.
At the front door and any external doors, make sure the doorstep and threshold are clearly visible as you pass through. The transition between inside and outside is one of the trickier stitching points. Walking through the doorway at a normal pace, rather than rushing, gives the camera enough frames to handle the transition cleanly.
3. Pausing correctly
If you need to stop mid-capture — to answer a call, move something out of the way, or deal with an unexpected situation — do not tap End Data Capture. Tap Pause instead.
When you resume, start walking again from exactly where you stopped. Walk back over the last few metres you covered before you paused. This overlap gives the algorithm the continuity it needs to connect the two sections of the capture.
If you accidentally ended the capture instead of pausing, restart from a location you have already fully covered — ideally a point near the beginning of the most recent section — not from a brand new area. This creates a second capture that overlaps with the first, which the processing team can work with.
4. Gyro calibration
A miscalibrated gyroscope can cause the camera to record incorrect orientation data, which leads to drift and misalignment in the model. Calibrate before your first capture of the day and after any significant knock or drop.
To calibrate: open the Insta360 app, go to Camera Settings, and select Gyro Calibration. Place the camera on a flat, still surface and follow the on-screen instructions. It takes less than 30 seconds.
5. App and firmware versions
Always use the latest version of both the AIM Capture app and the Insta360 firmware. Updates often include fixes for capture accuracy, connectivity, and transfer reliability. Check for updates at the start of each working week — not immediately before going on site, as a large update at the wrong moment can delay your capture.
To check: open the App Store or Google Play and search for AIM Capture. If an Update button appears, install it before your next site visit. For the Insta360 firmware, open the Insta360 app and connect your camera — the app will prompt you if a firmware update is available.
Quick checklist before every capture
- AIM Capture app is on the latest version
- Insta360 firmware is up to date
- Gyro calibrated today
- Lights on throughout the property
- All internal doors open
- Know where you will pause and restart from if needed
If your digital twin comes back with alignment issues despite following these steps, contact the AIM support team with your capture date and site name and we will investigate.