How to Set Your Capture's Default Camera Position

Setting your capture's default camera position determines both the thumbnail preview image and the initial view when someone opens your 3D model. This allows you to control which angle viewers see first and what appears as the preview in your capture library.

Plan Availability

Setting the default camera position is available on iOS for all subscription tiers.

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How to Set Your Capture's Default Camera Position

Follow these steps to set the default camera position for your 3D capture. This will update both the thumbnail preview and the initial view when the capture is opened.

1Navigate to Your Capture

Open the Polycam app on your iOS device and select the capture for which you want to change the thumbnail from your capture library.

Polycam Capture Library Selection

2Position the Capture

Adjust the view of your capture to the angle or perspective you want viewers to see when they first open your model. This view will become both the thumbnail and the default starting position for anyone viewing your capture.

Tip: Consider what aspects of your capture are most important to showcase as the first view. For objects, this might be the front or a three-quarter view that shows form and detail. For spaces, consider an angle that shows the overall layout and provides good spatial orientation for viewers to begin exploring from.

3Access Thumbnail Mode

Once you have positioned the capture, tap the camera icon located on the right-hand side of the screen. This will open snapshot mode.

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4Save Your New Camera Position

To apply the new camera position as your capture's default view, tap the Save Thumbnail button. This will update both the thumbnail in your library and set this as the default camera position.

Save button on the capture screen

5Verify Your Updated Thumbnail

Navigate back to your capture library to see the changes. Your capture will now display with the new thumbnail you just saved.

Save button on the capture screen

Cross-Platform Sync: Once you've set the default camera position on iOS, this change automatically syncs across all your devices. The updated thumbnail and camera position will be visible when viewing your capture on Android, Web, and any other platform where your Polycam account is accessed. You only need to set it once on iOS for it to apply everywhere.