> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.m-xr.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.m-xr.com/marso-measure/getting-started/capture/camera-and-ring-flash.md).

# Camera and Ring Flash

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIy-cUuSN5U>" %}

## Overview

1. [**Capture Distance**](#capture-distance) **-** Maintaining a good distance.
2. [**Consistent Brightness**](#consistent-brightness) **-** Key to record brightness settings.
3. [**Markers**](#markers) **-** Including if you have knocked a marker during scanning.
4. [**Consistent Focus**](#consistent-focus) **-** Focus on the subject, not the background.
5. [**Ambient Exposure**](#ambient-exposure) **-** Control the ambient lighting in your scene.
6. [**Overshooting**](#pro-tip-overshooting) **-** It is better to overshoot and delete images later.

### Capturing with a Ring Flash

Firstly it is important to make sure you have created the relevant presets for [exposure](/marso-measure/resources/creating-an-exposure-calibration.md) and [light](/marso-measure/resources/creating-a-light-system.md) calibration.&#x20;

Manual settings should be kept on at all times.

{% hint style="info" %}
When inputting figures for a Ring Flash light calibration, the X and Y axes should be left as 0, with the Z axis having the figure you get from your ruler measurement.
{% endhint %}

### Capture Distance

If you would like to use a ring flash, it is important to ensure that the distance from the camera to the subject large is enough to minimise the subject blocking any part of the light from the visible surface of the subject.

<details>

<summary>Good Ring Flash Positions</summary>

<div><figure><img src="/files/9ehSpSnbzXErdVoY5sBp" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/r8Hbf4LP8sEHzfyuiKKp" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/lhNDUrHNSV31uXZQyAGZ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

</details>

<details>

<summary>Bad Ring Flash Position</summary>

<div><figure><img src="/files/IxTpdwUB2TJC0BESuxZM" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/HpfIaD9om1ZcPWjaGtAR" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/17OCgVSBpixQWRWVwQF0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

</details>

### Consistent Brightness

To ensure consistency across scans, we recommend checking your brightness. You can do this by taking lots of photos of a white wall, if the images are jumping around in brightness, then power should be increased.&#x20;

{% hint style="success" %}
Take a note of the flash power settings, this often isn't recorded in the metadata and will be needed for your exposure solve.
{% endhint %}

### Markers&#x20;

Including markers in your scene will help for scale and camera alignment. We recommend taping down your markers to avoid any movement.&#x20;

Moved a marker during scanning?

* **If you a part way through a scan, and move a marker, but haven't taken more photos** - remove this marker from the scene and place it out of shot. This will avoid any issues when performing a 3D solve.
* **If you are part way through a scan, and have taken lots of picture of the markers moved** - either reshoot the capture, or make a note of which markers were moved, and remove them from marker detection when performing your 3D solve later.

### Consistent Focus&#x20;

Ensure you're camera focuses on the subject not the background.

### Ambient Exposure&#x20;

Take a picture with the flash off to judge the effects of ambient lighting, you want this as dark as possible.

### Pro Tip: Overshooting

It is better to overshoot and delete images when doing your 3D solve, than undershoot and not be able to go back to your location


---

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