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UK Glossary · Definition

What is Matterport?

Matterport is a 3D scanning technology and platform that captures interactive virtual tours of indoor spaces, widely used in real estate to give buyers a navigable 3D walkthrough of a property online — typically embedded in listing pages.

Also known as: Matterport 3D Tour, 3D walkthrough

Definition

Full definition

Matterport combines a 360° camera (the most recent model is the Pro3) with a cloud platform that stitches scan data into a navigable 3D model. A trained operator scans a property by placing the camera in each room and triggering captures; the platform automatically aligns the scans into a continuous walkthrough that buyers can navigate from any browser.

Beyond the tour itself, Matterport scan data can be exported to produce floor plans, still images of each room, and "dollhouse" 3D views. Estate agents typically embed the tour into their listing page on Rightmove or their own website, where it functions as a 24/7 virtual viewing.

Matterport stills are usable but rarely portfolio-grade out of the box — they have stitching artefacts, uneven exposure, and colour casts. Editing services (including VizCraft) clean these up so the stills can be used alongside professional photography. Similarly, Matterport-derived floor plans require draughting to reach UK portal standards.

Process

How it works

  1. Operator places Matterport camera in each room and triggers a 360° scan from one or more positions per room.
  2. Camera uploads scan data to the Matterport cloud.
  3. Platform stitches scans into a continuous 3D model overnight.
  4. Estate agent receives an embed link, dollhouse view, and exportable floor plan and stills.
  5. Optional: stills are sent for editing; floor plan is sent for portal-ready drafting.
UK Context

Why it matters for UK property professionals

  • For UK estate agents, Matterport tours reduce the number of in-person viewings and qualify buyers before booking visits.
  • For property developers, Matterport tours of completed show-homes serve as 24/7 sales tools.
  • For photographers offering Matterport scans, professional still and floor plan editing turns the scan into a complete deliverable package.
Quick reference

Typical UK pricing & turnaround

Cost
Scan + tour: £60–£150+ per property via a UK Matterport Service Provider. Editing/conversion: from £1.20 per still and £4.75 per floor plan with VizCraft.
Turnaround
Scan: same day. Editing: 6–12 hours.
VizCraft service: VizCraft Matterport Services →

Frequently Asked Questions

Matterport is a 3D scanning technology and platform used in real estate to create interactive virtual tours of properties. An operator scans the property using a Matterport camera, the platform stitches the scans into a 3D model overnight, and buyers can navigate the tour from any browser — typically embedded in the property listing page.

Matterport scans in the UK typically cost £60–£150+ per property via a certified Matterport Service Provider. The price varies with property size, location, and whether the package includes editing of stills and floor plan drafting. VizCraft does not perform on-site scans but edits Matterport stills (from £1.20 per image) and converts scan data into UK-portal-ready 2D and 3D floor plans (from £4.75 per plan).

Not directly — Matterport stills have stitching artefacts, uneven exposure, and colour casts that need editing before they reach professional photography standard. After editing (cleanup, colour balance, sharpening), the stills are usable alongside professional photography for portal listings.

Matterport-derived floor plans are dimensionally accurate (within 1–2% typically), but the raw output is not formatted to HM Land Registry Practice Guide 40 standards or UK HMO licensing requirements. A draughting service converts the scan data into properly formatted plans — including north point, scale bar, room labels, boundary demarcation, fire safety annotations and other UK-specific elements.
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Need matterport for a UK property?

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