Using a mobile phone to collect small-scale spatial data

In the Mega spatial data collection solution, in addition to using professional panoramic cameras for collection, it also supports a solution for collecting spatial data using smartphones. The mobile phone collection solution does not require the purchase of additional equipment. You only need to install the Mega Toolbox app on your phone to perform the collection, greatly lowering the threshold for data collection. Due to the limited field of view of mobile phones, it only supports collecting small-scale areas such as rooms or small squares. Before using a mobile phone to collect data, please carefully read the following data collection instructions.

Important

If the spatial area to be collected is too large, please use GoPro for Mega Block spatial data collection.

Preparation for collection

Before starting data collection, it is necessary to choose suitable lighting conditions and plan the collection route. Adequate preparation is key to obtaining high-quality map data. Before each collection, follow the collection checklist for preparation.

Capture environment

• The area to be captured should be a small-to-medium-sized scene (store, exhibition hall, office, etc.)
• The lighting should be sufficient and even, avoiding areas that are too dark or overexposed (e.g., direct sunlight)
• The scene should have relatively fixed texture features (e.g., posters, decorative paintings, unique architectural structures), avoiding areas with very few textures (pure white rooms, glass mazes)

Plan the acquisition path

Before acquisition, the path should be planned to ensure the starting point and ending point coincide. The following are the path planning requirements for three different types of scenarios:

• Indoor room type: Adopt different strategies according to the room size. If the room is relatively small, you can walk around the edge of the room (about 1-2 meters away from the wall). If the room is large, deploy the movement route in a "grid" pattern to ensure all blind spots are covered.

  

• Corridor type: If the corridor width does not exceed 6 meters, simply walk through the middle. If it exceeds 6 meters, walk close to both sides twice, keeping about 3 meters from the adjacent walls each time. A round-trip shooting is required.

  

• Small square or open area: Deploy the route in a grid pattern, with the grid spacing set at 3 meters.

  

Choose the right phone model

Before starting the collection, ensure your device meets the following requirements:

• iPhone users: iPhone 11 or newer models.
• Android users: Devices supporting ARCore (excluding EasyAR disabled devices). View supported device details.

Note

Note that on ARCore-supported devices, the additional "Google Play Services for AR APP" must be installed to enable ARCore functionality. Some devices may have it pre-installed, while others may require manual installation from the app store.

Install the acquisition tool

Download and install the data acquisition tool app Mega Toolbox:

• For iPhone users: Search for Mega Toolbox in the App Store, then download and install it.
• For Android users: Find the "Development tools" section on the EasyAR download page and download the Mega Toolbox Android installation package. After downloading, copy the package to your phone and install it directly, or use adb install EasyARMegaToolbox_***.apk on your computer.

Collection process

The collection process is divided into three stages: launching Mega Toolbox, on-site path scanning and collection, and data saving.

Start Megatoolbox

1. Open the installed Mega Toolbox on your phone, click the EasyAR Mega mapping data collection (mobile mapping) button to enter data collection mode.

   

2. Click the blue + at the bottom to enter the collection page.

   

   Function description

   1. Return to the main interface
   2. Delete record
   3. Enter the collection page

3. For the first collection, you need to allow Megatoolbox to access your camera.

   

Device initialization

Enter the acquisition interface, first point the camera at a nearby area with rich texture, and slowly move it to initialize. After observing that the status in the upper left corner of the panel changes to Tracking, lift the phone and point it toward the location to be captured, then click the start acquisition button.

Perform collection

After entering the shooting interface, move slowly along the planned collection path and adopt the scan-while-walking method to build a comprehensive visual map.

• Panoramic scanning: During collection, keep the phone at a horizontal viewing angle. After moving forward one meter, pause briefly and turn the phone 90 degrees to the left from the forward-facing angle, hold for 1 second, return to the forward-facing angle, then turn 90 degrees to the right and hold for 1 second. Repeat this cycle to ensure coverage of both side views.
• High-altitude collection: If there are tall structures or landmarks in the space that the camera cannot fully capture, remain in position, adjust the angle to look upward, and perform another collection.

Tip

• Collection should be a single continuous process; do not interrupt during collection.
• Move slowly during collection, avoiding rapid turns or running.
• Always return to the starting position to complete the path loop.
• The real-time trajectory line displayed during collection can help determine whether the path is closed and whether the target area is covered.

End and save

After completing the capture of all perspectives, you need to stop recording and save the data persistently to the device.

1. After the capture is complete, click the red button in the middle at the bottom to stop the capture and enter the save page.

   

2. On the save page, enter the name of the captured data (only English and numbers are supported), click the Save button, and the captured data will be saved to the phone.

   

Notes

1. The entire collection process must remain in the Tracking state. Please maintain smooth and steady collection, avoiding quick turns or sudden stops.
2. The collection duration must not exceed 15 minutes. If it exceeds 15 minutes, the collection will be forcibly terminated, and the system will proceed to the save page.
3. Do not switch to the background during collection, as this will cause the collection to fail.
4. Ensure the environment has sufficient, even, and stable lighting, avoiding areas that are too dark or overexposed.
5. Avoid prolonged focus on plain surfaces such as white walls or metal, as well as reflective or transparent areas like glass.
6. If the collection fails, it should be restarted.

Next steps

After the collection is completed, refer to the export data documentation to export the data, and create a small-scale mobile collection task in the Mega development center create small-scale mobile collection task for mapping.