Step-by-Step Tutorials for Creating Vehicle 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 shot-list
• Exterior/Interior replica shot-list
• Walkthrough replica shot-list
• 3D replica shot-list

Basic Replica Shot List

The Basic Replica consists of a simple and accurate 360 look around of the vehicle. While this replica is great for showing the exterior of a vehicle, the rest of the vehicle may need some showing with the use of pushpins. Here are a couple of good shots to go along with a Basic Replica:

• 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 door panels of the back seats
• Show the back seats
• Pop the hood and show the engine or battery of the vehicle
• 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 movement of a convertible
• Show any cool details like customized rims, cool exhaust pipes, back seat temperature controls, etc

Exterior/Interior Replica Shot List

The Exterior/Interior Replica shows a detailed  360 view of the vehicle along with a passenger like view of all window side seats. 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. 

Walkthrough Replica Shot List

Walkthrough Replicas provide a comprehensive view of both the exterior and interior of a vehicle, along with all accessible compartments and open doors. While the replica showcases most of the vehicle, there are additional features that might not be fully captured by the panos. You can highlight these details using pushpins to enhance your tour. For example, pushpins allow you to:

• 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.

By incorporating pushpins, you ensure that every detail—whether static or dynamic—is accurately represented, offering a complete and interactive experience for viewers. Feel free to adjust the pushpin placement to best suit the features of your vehicle.

3D Replica Shot List

3D Replicas allow the viewer to see the vehicle in its entirety with a highly detailed and immersive view. To ensure that no feature or detail is missed, you can use pushpins to showcase specific elements of the vehicle that might not be fully captured by the standard panoramas. Pushpins are perfect for highlighting:

• 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 unique design elements like back seat entertainment systems or water-rejecting windows by placing pushpins where these features exist in real life.

Be sure to place pushpins in the exact location where these features can be found, ensuring an interactive and precise representation of the vehicle. With the ability to add pushpins, you can further customize the replica to emphasize details that make your vehicle stand out.

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.