Browse Our Step-by-Step AVT Tutorials

AVT Tutorials & How To Use Them

Tutorial Details

Tutorials provided by AVT give step by step guidance for anyone trying to create an exact digital replica of a vehicle. The AVT creation process differs depending on the replica type you choose and the vehicle being shot. For example, a basic replica of an SUV needs fewer panoramas than a walkthrough replica, just like the instructions for a 3D replica of a sedan will be different from those for a van, even if they use the same replica type. The tutorials given on this page are meant to make light of these differences and smooth out the shooting process with precise instructions. The tutorials include instructions on how to measure out the camera height for the panoramas, where to take pictures, and in what order to take them in the form of short videos.

Tutorial Page Navigation

To explore the different tutorials for all car configurations and replica types, select the vehicle and replica type that you are focused on shooting. Depending on the complexity of the replica type, you will be prompted to select the vehicle configuration (details such as number of doors, cabin size, number of seating rows, etc.) that matches the vehicle you would like to shoot. Once the selection is made you will be able to see the tutorial of your choice. On the top of the tutorial video there are circular icons marking each important step needed to create a digital replica of a vehicle, which the user can click on to quickly navigate the tutorial. Separate tutorials on camera connection and usage are provided on this page and on the AVT mobile app.

AVT Application

The AVT app walks users through the shooting process with detailed, step-by-step instructions, while connected to a compatible camera, enabling them to capture precise panoramas that are instantly uploaded to the order page. This allows for a streamlined shooting process that decreases the likelihood of human error during tour creation and saves time. To further decrease human error, each step presented during the shooting process will have a link to a tutorial on how to complete it, based on the tour and vehicle configurations selected before the shooting process begins.

Tips & Tricks for Perfect Replicas

Vehicle Prep

Before digitally replicating your vehicle, clean it and remove personal belongings. Get rid of any eye sores caused by clutter and dirt manually or by taking a drive to the nearest car wash. If you are looking to sell or showcase the vehicle, a detailed cleaning goes a long way. If you are concerned about privacy don’t forget to take off the license plates before shooting.

Choosing a Setting

Since all you need to digitally replicate your vehicle is a 360 camera, you can have it shot anywhere with enough space to fit the vehicle and space for the camera to be placed around the vehicle. The distance between the camera and the vehicle varies depending on the size of the transport, which will be specified once selecting the replica and vehicle types on your order. The safest bet is an open space with a flat surface.

If you select an outdoor location, consider the weather conditions before beginning your shoot. Avoid wind and precipitation to get an accurate depiction of your vehicle. Overcast lighting, meaning bright cloudy weather, is the most optimal when shooting. Replicating your vehicle on a sunny day is more than possible but harsh sunlight will reflect off of the vehicle resulting in some sun spots left in the tour. Night time vehicle photography with a 360º camera is not advised.

For indoor shooting choose a space with ceilings at least seven feet above your vehicle's highest point to help the viewer focus on the car visually. Make sure the room is evenly lit, ideally having no harsh lighting or dark spots affecting the view of the vehicle. Do not forget to leave space for the camera!

Things to Consider

There a few things to keep in mind when creating a digital replica of a vehicle:

Once you have started replicating the vehicle don’t reposition it between panos in order to keep the transport in the same condition throughout the replica.
When taking panos people and objects seen in passing will show inconsistently on the digital replica, potentially distracting the viewer. For the best results wait for the people and their things to pass before capturing the pano.
Remember that you can be seen in reflections, whether it is in the mirrors of the vehicle or potentially in the glossy finish of your vehicle. Avoid this by standing far behind the camera or hiding yourself while shooting.
If your virtual tour includes interior shots, remember that the camera can see you if you see it. Stand away from the windows or duck to avoid getting in frame. To avoid being seen during engine and trunk shots, stand on the opposite side of the vehicle to obscure the camera’s line of sight.
When shooting the interior of the vehicle harsh sunlight will make the outside overexposed while blinding the camera from capturing the cabin in good detail. Try to avoid direct sunlight and harsh lighting when picking a location.

Pushpin suggestions

Pushpins are meant to show any features or details of the vehicle that were not captured by the panos taken for your digital replica. Things like the seat movement, non static features, unnoticeable damages, and vehicle movement can be photographed or recorded for upload to your digital replica. Be sure to place the pushpins on the tour in the same location where these features can be found in real life. Since each replica type displays a vehicle to different extents we have come up with pushpin shot lists for each one below. Feel free to adjust them to you own liking.

Basic Replica

The Basic Replica is AVT’s simplest digital reproduction, providing a properly scaled 360-degree view of a vehicle that can be rotated along the horizontal axis—ideal for quickly gaining a clear, detailed visual understanding of the vehicle.
	Designed for efficiency without sacrificing accuracy, the Basic Replica takes 15 minutes to capture, accelerating your vehicles’ journey into the virtual world, perfect for boosting online sales of cars, trucks, vans, motorcycles, jets, and more. This tour is built using eight high-resolution panoramas, with four positioned along the center of each side of your vehicle and four more at its front and back corners.
For each shot, the camera lens is secured at the same height as the vehicle’s side mirrors, or, in the absence of mirrors, one inch above the highest point of the dashboard, ensuring a perfectly aligned viewing experience.	(Insert mirror level animation)

The Basic Replica is the most efficient way to convert large fleets of vehicles into digital replicas at breakneck speeds, enabling you to showcase your entire inventory online quickly and effectively.

Pushpins compliment to the simple 360 view provided by the Basic replica by showing the vehicle’s details in an interactive and informative way:

Show the dashboard and steering wheel including all screens and control panels
Take a picture of the driver's seat from outside the vehicle looking in through an open door. Try to capture any seat adjustment controls, while showing the seat in full length.
Show the door panel next to the driver’s seat and one of the back seat door panels
Show the back seats
Pop the hood and show the engine
Show all storage compartments of the vehicle
Show any small scratches, deformation, or damage on the vehicle
Take a video of any dynamic features for example the folding of a convertible roof
Show any cool details like customized rims, cool exhaust pipes, back seat temperature controls, etc

Exterior & Interior Replica

The Interior/Exterior Replica offers an interactive and dynamic perspective, allowing the viewer to explore both the vehicle's cabin and its exterior in detailed 360-degree photography. In just 25 minutes or less, you can create a tour that showcases the vehicle in its full interior and exterior detail, helping to build consumer trust and drive sales.

Perfect for automotive sales or rentals, this immersive, detailed visual content allows you to share, rent, or sell your vehicle online with ease, engaging a world of potential customers without overcrowding your dealership. With this virtual tour, thousands of potential buyers can inspect the vehicle from any angle, enhancing customer satisfaction and increasing the likelihood of turning online viewership into actual sales.

This replica is created photographing a multitude of points around the vehicle at the side mirror height to ensure that all parts of the vehicle’s exterior is captured with precision and detail.
	For the interior, panoramas are captured from each window-side seat, providing a passenger’s perspective and allowing users to easily move between seats with just a click. This interactive experience transforms how consumers engage with vehicle content online, enhancing the overall shopping experience, with a trustworthy 360 tour photography solution.

Even though most of the vehicle is captured by this digital replica, pushpins can be used to cover the remaining details and some cool features not shown on the tour. Here are some good shots for the Exterior/Interior Replica:

Show the engine or battery of the vehicle
Show all of the vehicle's storage compartments
Show any scratches, deformation, or damage on the vehicle that you did not catch on the replica
Take a video of any dynamic features like the power on animation on the center console or massage seats.
Show any cool features like vertically opening doors, modified suspension, trunk toolbox, etc.

Walk-Through Replica

The Walkthrough Replica is an ideal solution for replacing traditional vehicle photography and videography with a fully immersive, interactive experience, designed to engage viewers as if they were physically present. This dynamic tool benefits content creators, automotive sellers, and leasers by allowing viewers to explore the vehicle’s every detail, while also supporting industries like= insurance, vehicle creditors, and manufacturers with precise vehicle reports for accurate decision-making.

The walkthrough replica allows any viewer to digitally walk around the vehicle and through its doorways. Interact with doors and compartments to seamlessly transition from exterior to interior views, while maintaining accurate dimensions of the vehicle.
	The viewer can interact with all doors, compartments, and even the hood and trunk by pressing the "open doors" button, revealing crucial details like door rims, dropdown steps, and storage compartments for a comprehensive review.
When the doors are closed, the panorama configuration remains the same as in the Exterior/Interior Replica. In the open-door configuration, extra panoramas are added next to each entrance to provide detailed views of the exterior entrances, as well as a central panorama in each seating row and interior compartments.

For additional features or details not captured by the 360-degree photography, pushpins can be used to attach supplementary content, ensuring nothing is missed in the walkthrough. Here are some good shots that go hand in hand with your Walk-Through replica:

Display scratches, deformation, or damage that may not be visible in the standard replica.
Record and upload videos of moving parts like dropdown feet rails or an opening sunroof, ensuring dynamic vehicle features are captured.
Highlight unique design features, such as dynamic lighting or a built-in fridge, by placing pushpins in the exact location where these features can be found on the vehicle.

3D Replica

The 3D Replica is the most immersive and accurate digital representation on the market today, giving viewers an opportunity to fully examine every detail from rim to roof. It’s ideal for collectors and professionals who want precision and depth in showcasing their vehicles or for businesses that want a competitive edge by allowing customers to conduct a true-to-life examination of any scanned vehicle.

The 3D Replica includes all the features from other replicas—such as a 360º view of the exterior and interior, opening doors and compartments, seamless transitions between inside and outside, and the ability to add pushpins—enhanced with an additional layer of detail.

The key difference with this replica is the ability to view the vehicle from three distinct levels: rim level, side mirror level, and top level.
	For the open-door configuration, the entire exterior is captured, while interior panoramas cover each seating row, engine, and storage compartments.

Pushpins further enhance the level of detail provided by the 3D replica, showcasing the minute and the moving details of your vehicle. Awesome pushpins you can integrate into your replica include:

Scratches, deformations, or any damages that may not be visible in the 360° view.
Recording and uploading videos of dynamic, moving parts such as engine movements, providing viewers with a real-time understanding of these features.
Showcasing close-ups of unique design elements like back seat entertainment systems or water-rejecting windows by placing pushpins where these features exist in real life.

Q&A About The AVT Creation Process

How should I prepare my vehicle for an AVT?

Clean your vehicle inside and out, removing personal items. For privacy, take off the license plates before shooting.

What’s the best location for shooting my vehicle?

Choose an open, flat space with good lighting. Avoid windy, rainy, or harshly sunny days. Indoors, make sure the ceiling is high enough and the room is evenly lit.

What should I avoid during the shoot?

Don’t move the vehicle between shots. Wait for people or objects to clear the frame to avoid distractions or inconsistencies in the tour.

What are pushpins and how do I use them?

Pushpins let you add photos or videos that highlight features or damages not visible in the 360° shots, like seat movement or small scratches. Place them where the detail is located in real life.

How can I avoid being seen in reflections?

Stand out of the camera’s view, especially near mirrors or windows. When shooting interiors, stay out of sight by standing on the opposite side of the vehicle or ducking down.

How does lighting impact the quality of the tour?

Overcast lighting is ideal. Too much sunlight can cause reflections, while dark spots can obscure details. For interiors, avoid harsh sunlight to ensure a clear view of the cabin.