Create your first KickTheMap job
In this article, it is assumed that you already downloaded and installed the KickTheMap app from Google Play or the App Store. Also if you own the HaX RTK device, you should go first through the configuration steps to create your first RTK job.
Register and Sign In
Before creating a job you must sign up to get full access to the KickTheMap 3D mapping app.
Once sign-up is completed, please sign in from the main login page.
Create a new job and start capturing pictures
Press “+” button to create a new job.
Enter a new job name and press “Create”. If you own the HaX RTK device, you can create a RTK job.
Once the main view is initialized press “Start Pictures” to start capturing data and start moving around the area of interest.
We highly encourage you to read the best practices article to achieve the best results possible from your KickTheMap app.
When capturing data, you get access to two new features in the upper right-hand corner : Scaling and Ground Control points.
Add control points to georeference your 3D model
If you own a HaX RTK device, it is not necessary to mark GCPs to georeference your 3D model or adding a scale bar to scale it.
It is possible to capture specific control points to georeference your 3D model. At least 3 control points are required, well spread around the zone of interest. To do so, you have to capture manually 3 pictures of each control point.
The Ground control points (GCPs) mode can be activated at any time during the pictures session.
You are first prompted to enter the point name. Then, a crosshair reticle is displayed at the center of your screen:
To capture one control point, you shall aim at it with the center of the crosshair reticle, and tap the capture button then drag the taken picture to perfectly position it.
Repeat this operation three time with different points of view to validate the same point.
It is very important that the three shots of the same point aim at the exact same location, otherwise it will have a negative impact on the full 3D reconstruction.
After uploading your pictures at the end of the pictures session, go to your my.kickthemap.com page and upload the control points list in txt/csv with the following format: PointName X Y Z (East, North, Up).
Adjust the scale (no control points)
Without a scale bar, 3D models dimensions are approximate (up to 10% off) based on device sensors quality. To avoid scaling error without ground control points, it is sufficient to have a known distance on-site (can be a meter stick, a tile…) and use the Scale Bar function.
You are first prompted to enter the known distance. Then, a crosshair reticle is displayed at the center of your screen, to shoot the two points of your scale bar.
Three shots of both ends of the scale bar are required to ensure perfect scaling of the 3D model.
It is very important that the three shots of the same point aim at the exact same location, otherwise it will have a negative impact on the full 3D reconstruction.
After the data capture
At the end of the data capture, you get a quick summary of the shooting quality.
Validate your job with the green tick button. You can either save your job on your mobile device and upload it later (the job will appear in the jobs menu) or you can upload it straight away (the job will be deleted from the device after upload) to start cloud processing.
The 3D models are delivered on your personal page my.kickthemap.com within 24 hours (for the jobs with less than 1000 pictures). You will be notified by email when your 3d model is ready.