Capture what the sensors can't.
SpeleoMap uses a dedicated native camera — separate from the LiDAR scanner — for photos and video. Everything captured is anchored to your position on the Map Line or Hike Line and stays with your project.
← Back to WorkflowCapturing Media
Opening the camera
During a cave survey or hike workout, tap Photo or Video from the drop pin menu on your Map Line or Hike Line. SpeleoMap opens the native camera — a full-screen live preview with controls along the bottom.
The camera uses a dedicated AVFoundation session, separate from the ARKit/LiDAR session. When the camera opens, ARKit briefly yields the lens — you may see a black preview for a moment while the handoff completes. This is normal and clears automatically.
Photo mode
Tap the shutter button to capture a JPEG photo. The image is saved to your project, anchored to your current position on the Map Line.
- Tap to focus. tap anywhere on the preview to set focus and exposure at that point
- Exposure adjustment. slide the EV control to brighten or darken the exposure manually
- Pinch to zoom. zoom up to 10x
- Torch. toggle the rear LED for continuous light. Useful in dark passages when the cave light isn't aimed at the subject
Video mode
Switch to Video mode to record. Video captures at 1080p with audio from the built-in microphone. Tap the record button to start, tap again to stop.
Video records until you stop it or until the device approaches its storage cap — SpeleoMap auto-stops the recording before free space runs out, and the partial file is still valid.
- Tap to focus. tap anywhere during recording to refocus
- Pinch to zoom. zoom during recording
- Torch. continuous light available during video
Managing Media
Photos tab
The Photos tab on any project shows all captured photos and videos in chronological order. Tap any item to view it full-screen. Swipe to delete. Use the context menu to rename or share an individual photo or video.
Media anchored to your line
Every photo and video captured during a survey is anchored to the waypoint on your Map Line where you were standing when you tapped the shutter. You can view the photo in context from the Map Line detail view — tap the station or waypoint to see the media attached at that point.
On a Hike Line, photos and videos are anchored to your GPS position on the trail.
Save to Photos
SpeleoMap can optionally mirror every captured photo and video to your iOS Photos library automatically. Toggle in Settings → Photos & Video → Save to Photos. Off by default — your cave data stays in SpeleoMap unless you choose to copy it out.
Sharing and export
Share individual photos or videos from the Photos tab via AirDrop or any iOS share destination. For a full project export including all media, see Export.