CamToPlan

CamToPlan: AR Measuring Tool for Floor Plans and Dimensions

CamToPlan is a professional mobile application that transforms your smartphone into an augmented reality (AR) measuring tape and floor plan creator. This tool is designed for anyone needing quick, accurate measurements without physical tools, from homeowners planning DIY projects to architects and contractors on a job site. By utilizing your device’s camera and AR technology, CamToPlan allows you to measure lengths, calculate areas, and create detailed plans directly in your environment, which can then be exported for further use. The core appeal of CamToPlan is its ability to replace cumbersome traditional tools with a digital, highly portable solution that significantly speeds up the initial measuring and planning stages of any project.

Creating a New Project and Setting the Scale

To begin using CamToPlan, you start a new project. The app first requires you to calibrate the scale by measuring a known distance or object within the scene. You do this by pointing your device’s camera at a reference object, like a door frame or a sheet of paper, and manually inputting its real-world length. This crucial step ensures all subsequent measurements taken by CamToPlan are accurate. Once the scale is set, you are ready to map the entire space, laying the foundation for a precise digital plan.

Taking Linear Measurements with AR Overlays

The primary function is taking linear measurements. You point your device’s camera at a surface, such as a wall, and tap on the screen to place virtual markers at the start and end points of the distance you want to measure. CamToPlan then uses its AR engine to draw a persistent line between these points and instantly displays the length in your chosen units (e.g., feet, meters). You can take numerous measurements in a single session, with all lines remaining visible on-screen. This allows you to quickly gather all necessary dimensions for a room, like wall lengths and window placements, without ever using a physical tape measure.

Calculating Surface Areas and Perimeters

Beyond simple lengths, CamToPlan automates area calculations. For a rectangular surface like a floor or wall, you measure the length and width. The app can then compute the square footage or square meters with a single command. For more complex shapes, you can outline the entire perimeter by placing points at each corner. CamToPlan connects these points and calculates the total enclosed area. This is invaluable for professionals like floor installers or painters who need to quickly determine material quantities for a quote or purchase.

Generating and Exporting Detailed Floor Plans

After taking all necessary measurements, you can compile them into a coherent 2D floor plan within the app. CamToPlan organizes your measured lines into a scaled drawing that represents the layout of the space. This plan can be annotated with dimensions and labels. The completed project can then be exported from CamToPlan in two key formats: as a PNG image for easy sharing and viewing, or as a DXF file. The DXF export is a critical feature for professionals, as it allows the plan created in CamToPlan to be imported into CAD software for further engineering and detailed design work.

Utilizing the Multi-Layer Measurement Management

For complex projects, CamToPlan offers a layer system. You can create separate layers for different elements, such as electrical outlets, plumbing lines, or furniture placement, all overlaid on the same base floor plan. This helps in maintaining an organized and clear project file. You can toggle these layers on and off within CamToPlan to view specific systems without clutter, making it an effective tool for planning renovations or documenting the existing conditions of a building in great detail. This structured approach is what makes CamToPlan a powerful organizational tool.

Sharing and Collaborating on Measurement Projects

The workflow in CamToPlan is collaborative. Once a project is saved, you can easily share the entire plan with clients, colleagues, or contractors directly from the app. Sending the PNG provides a quick visual reference, while sharing the DXF file enables others to work with the measurement data in their own design programs. This facilitates a seamless transition from on-site measurement with CamToPlan to off-site design and planning, improving communication and ensuring everyone works from the same accurate dataset provided by CamToPlan. The utility of CamToPlan is fully realized in this streamlined sharing process.