A Maquete panorama lets a client look around a space from one fixed viewpoint. Start with a SketchUp model and the Maquete plugin, position the camera, choose the finish and generate an interactive 4K panorama. Each panorama uses 2 credits. It is useful for understanding the space around the viewer; it does not let them walk freely through the model.
Open the interactive apartment and cabana examples before preparing your scene. These are existing Maquete demonstration projects, not measured customer outcomes.
1. Choose a position that explains the room
Place the camera inside the model at a plausible viewing height. Keep it clear of walls, cabinetry and furniture so nearby objects do not fill the view. A position in a doorway can explain connected rooms, but it can also hide the space behind the door. Try looking around the complete model before capturing.
Model what is behind the camera as well as what is in front. An incomplete ceiling, missing wall or unfinished rear elevation can become visible in a 360° view even when it never appeared in your original still. Hide modelling aids and check reversed faces or accidental gaps.
2. Capture the surroundings in the SketchUp plugin
Use the current Maquete SketchUp plugin. Its panorama workflow captures the surroundings from the chosen position. A single ordinary screenshot does not contain the hidden sides of the room, so it is not a substitute for the complete capture.
Keep material zones distinct. Label unusual finishes in the instructions rather than relying on a generic material colour to communicate every detail. Save the source scene so a later revision can use the same viewpoint.
3. Choose lighting and appearance references
Choose a lighting direction that agrees with the windows and fixtures in your model. If you already have an approved still, add it as an appearance reference to guide the material palette and atmosphere. A reference helps continuity but does not guarantee that every surface will match.
Avoid asking for a new layout while also expecting the original layout to remain unchanged. Resolve design changes in the model first; use the panorama to present the chosen design.
4. Inspect the entire sphere
| Inspect | A useful check | If it fails |
|---|---|---|
| Openings and circulation | Count doors and windows; look into connected rooms | Check source capture and geometry, then regenerate |
| Panorama join | Rotate through the full horizontal view and inspect repeating or broken edges | Compare both sides of the join with the source |
| Ceiling and floor | Look directly up and down for stretched textures or invented objects | Review source completeness and nearby geometry |
| Material continuity | Follow one finish around corners | Clarify the intended material and use an approved reference |
| Reflections | Inspect mirrors and glazing separately | Do not approve a plausible reflection without checking it |
Use the geometry review checklist before client approval. An attractive panorama can still contain an incorrect detail.
5. Share the right format
Review the result in the interactive viewer and download the equirectangular image. That flat image looks stretched in an ordinary image viewer because it is designed to wrap around the viewpoint. For client review, use a panorama-capable viewer and explain how to drag to look around.
A client who needs a short, directed presentation may prefer AI architectural video. A client who wants to inspect surrounding finishes may prefer a panorama. See the format comparison.
What does it cost?
The current Maquete panorama workflow produces a 4K output for 2 credits. Credit use varies by operation; a still, panorama and video are not interchangeable units. Confirm your balance before generation.
Can a panorama replace a real-time model walkthrough?
No. The viewer can rotate around one fixed position. It is not a navigable 3D model and does not provide reliable measurements. Use the source model for dimensional and technical review.