When creating an immersive Matterport 3D virtual tour, one of the most common questions property owners, real estate agents, and business managers ask is whether people, pets, vehicles, or other moving objects will appear in the final tour. The short answer is: yes, they can appear—and often in unexpected and undesirable ways.
At Invision Studio, our Matterport 3D Tour Photographers recommend taking specific steps before scanning to ensure a clean, professional final product.This detailed guide explains how Matterport technology handles motion, what happens when moving objects are captured, and best practices for preparing your space for the perfect virtual tour.
Table of Contents
- How Matterport Cameras Capture Movement
- What Happens When People Are in the Scan
- Pets and 3D Tours: A Tricky Combination
- Vehicles and Exterior Scanning Considerations
- Other Moving Objects to Watch For
- Best Practices for a Clean Scan
- Post-Production Fixes and Their Limitations
- Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways
- Matterport cameras capture 360-degree images at each scan point, meaning any moving object can appear distorted, duplicated, or ghost-like in the final tour.
- Our Matterport 3D Tour Photographers recommend clearing the property of people, pets, and vehicles before scanning begins.
- Moving objects often create visual glitches such as blurred figures, partial bodies, or “ghosting” effects that reduce tour quality.
- Post-production editing has limits—minor issues can be corrected, but major motion artifacts often require rescanning.
- Proper preparation saves time and money by avoiding the need for reshoots or extensive editing.
How Matterport Cameras Capture Movement {#how-matterport-captures-movement}
Matterport cameras work by capturing a series of high-resolution 360-degree photographs and depth data at multiple points throughout a property.
The camera rotates slowly at each scan location, taking approximately 20-30 seconds per scan point. These individual scans are then stitched together using advanced software to create a seamless 3D model.Because each scan takes time to complete, any object that moves during the capture process can create visual anomalies.
Our Matterport 3D Tour Photographers recommend understanding this technical limitation, as it directly affects how you should prepare your space.When something moves during a scan, the camera may capture:
- Partial images of the object at different stages of movement
- Ghost-like transparencies where the object appears see-through
- Duplicated figures in multiple positions within the same frame
- Blurred or distorted shapes that look unnatural
- Missing depth data causing gaps in the 3D geometry
What Happens When People Are in the Scan {#people-in-scans}
Having people present during a Matterport scan is one of the most common issues our photographers encounter. When a person walks through a scan area or stands within camera range, several things can happen:
Common Visual Effects with People in Scans
- Faceless or headless figures appearing in doorways or hallways
- Semi-transparent “ghosts” walking through walls
- Duplicated people appearing in multiple rooms simultaneously
- Distorted body parts stretched across scan boundaries
- Privacy concerns if identifiable individuals appear in public tours
Our Matterport 3D Tour Photographers recommend that all occupants—including homeowners, agents, contractors, and family members—remain in areas that have already been scanned or vacate the property entirely during the scanning process.
This ensures a clean, professional result without any human distractions.For commercial properties, businesses should consider scanning outside of operating hours to avoid customers and employees appearing in the tour.
Pets and 3D Tours: A Tricky Combination {#pets-in-tours}
Pets present unique challenges for Matterport scanning. Unlike people, who can be instructed to stay still or leave the room, animals are unpredictable. Our Matterport 3D Tour Photographers recommend the following approach for properties with pets:
Why Pets Cause Problems
- Constant movement creates blurred or ghosted images
- Curiosity about the equipment leads pets to approach and interact with the camera
- Territorial behavior in dogs may create safety concerns for photographers
- Cat hair, litter boxes, and pet toys show up clearly in high-resolution scans
- Barking or aggressive behavior can delay the entire scanning process
Recommended Solutions
- Board pets off-site during the scan for best results
- Secure pets in a vehicle with proper ventilation and comfort
- Confine pets to one room that will be scanned last
- Have a pet handler present to manage animals during the process
- Remove all pet accessories including beds, bowls, toys, and litter boxes
Additionally, pet odors and stains, while not visible in scans, can affect the photographer’s ability to work efficiently. A clean, pet-free environment produces the best results.
Vehicles and Exterior Scanning Considerations {#vehicles-and-exteriors}
When exterior Matterport scans are included in a project, vehicles become another important consideration. Our Matterport 3D Tour Photographers recommend the following for outdoor scanning:
Vehicle-Related Issues
- Parked cars in driveways can distract from architectural features
- License plates may need to be blurred for privacy
- Moving vehicles on nearby streets can appear as blurs or partial images
- Delivery trucks or service vehicles arriving during scans cause delays
- Personal vehicles date the tour and may reduce its longevity
Pre-Scan Vehicle Checklist
- Move all personal vehicles off the property and out of view
- Ask neighbors to temporarily relocate cars parked in front
- Schedule around trash pickup, mail delivery, and other regular traffic
- Close garage doors if the interior isn’t being scanned
- Clear the driveway for optimal curb appeal shots
Other Moving Objects to Watch For {#other-moving-objects}
Beyond people, pets, and vehicles, our Matterport 3D Tour Photographers recommend being aware of these commonly overlooked moving objects:
- Ceiling fans should be turned off completely
- Curtains and drapes should be secured to prevent movement from HVAC airflow
- Televisions and monitors should be turned off (screens appear black or distorted)
- Aquariums with fish may show blurred aquatic movement
- Pendulum clocks should be stopped temporarily
- Wind chimes and mobiles need to be stilled
- Water features and fountains should be turned off
- Robotic vacuums should be scheduled to avoid scan times
- Automatic doors in commercial spaces may need to be manually controlled
Best Practices for a Clean Scan {#best-practices}
Our Matterport 3D Tour Photographers recommend following these guidelines to ensure a flawless virtual tour:
- Communicate with everyone on-site about staying out of camera view
- Establish a “cleared room” protocol where the photographer announces which spaces are being scanned
- Turn off all electronic devices with screens or motion
- Secure or remove pets before the photographer arrives
- Clear all vehicles from driveways and visible parking areas
- Close windows to prevent curtain movement from breezes
- Adjust HVAC systems to minimize air movement during scanning
- Plan the scan sequence to move people efficiently through the space
- Allow adequate time for a thorough, uninterrupted scan session
Post-Production Fixes and Their Limitations {#post-production}
While Matterport and Invision Studio offer post-production capabilities, our Matterport 3D Tour Photographers recommend understanding what can and cannot be fixed after scanning:
What CAN Be Corrected
- Blurring of faces or license plates for privacy
- Minor object removal using Matterport’s editing tools
- Rescanning individual sweep points where issues occurred
- Trim tool applications to hide small unwanted areas
What CANNOT Be Easily Fixed
- Multiple ghost figures throughout the tour
- Large moving objects captured across multiple scan points
- Structural distortions caused by significant movement
- Extensive vehicle removal from exterior scans
Major issues typically require rescanning affected areas, which increases project costs and timelines.
Frequently Asked Questions {#faqs}
Q: Will my scan be ruined if a person accidentally walks through? A: Not necessarily. Our Matterport 3D Tour Photographers recommend immediately notifying the photographer, who can rescan the affected point to eliminate the issue.
Q: Can I be in the tour intentionally as the business owner? A: While technically possible, we recommend against it. Static, professionally captured spaces perform better in virtual tours than those featuring people.
Q: What about service animals that cannot be removed? A: Communicate this in advance so our photographers can plan the scan sequence to minimize impact.
Q: How long does a typical scan take, and how long must the space stay clear? A: Residential scans typically take 1-3 hours; commercial spaces may take longer. The entire property should remain clear during this time.
Q: Can Invision Studio schedule scans during off-hours for businesses? A: Absolutely. We offer flexible scheduling including evenings and weekends to accommodate operational needs.
Final Thoughts
Creating a professional Matterport 3D tour requires more than just advanced technology—it requires careful preparation and coordination. People, pets, vehicles, and other moving objects can significantly impact the quality of your virtual tour, but with proper planning, these issues are entirely avoidable.
At Invision Studio, our experienced Matterport 3D Tour Photographers recommend treating scan day like a professional photo shoot: clear the space, secure pets and vehicles, minimize movement, and let the technology do its job.
The result will be a stunning, immersive virtual tour that showcases your property in its best possible light.Ready to schedule your professional Matterport 3D scan? Contact Invision Studio today, and let our expert photographers guide you through every step of the preparation process for a flawless final product.
