Modern tablets and phones allow apps to hook into the camera abilities for streamlined use, but there may be times you prefer to directly access and use your camera app. There are different ways you might take pictures on mobile phones and tablets while inspecting, for various purposes.

Tap Camera icon to Launch Camera within 3D Mobile Inspector
Tapping the photo icon button within the 3D Mobile Inspector app launches your camera app from 3D, and after you take an accept a picture, the camera app returns the photo to 3D Mobile Inspector where it is embedded into your report where inserted.  Although small devices line phones only run the 3D Mobile Inspector app in portrait mode, your camera may be oriented landscape or portrait to take photos.

Just tap the camera icon again to insert an additional photo for the same area in a narrative report.  This allows you to insert as many photos as needed into that section of the narrative report.  Photos on the copied fields may be printed together in the final report depending on your desktop program settings.  Such photos stored within the report are automatically included when your report is sent back to the cloud.  Easy Peasy!

By default 3D Mobile Inspector also stores these photos in the Gallery as well for your convenience or use elsewhere.

Long press Camera icon to access device photo gallery within 3D Mobile Inspector

It is also possible to retrieve photos from the mobile device's gallery, whether taken originally in the 3D Mobile Inspector app or from another source.  If you wish to use a previously taken photo that is stored in your Camera/Pictures/Gallery on your device, just long press the Camera icon in 3D Mobile Inspector.  Use the option to Insert from gallery to access an import a desired existing picture.  This may be handy if you wish to use the same photo in different areas, or perhaps different related reports, for instance in an ancillary inspection report for the same job site.

Launch Camera app directly
For photos you may not want to include in your report, but want for informational or other uses outside of your report, you may find it convenient to just take those pictures directly with the camera app outside of 3D Mobile Inspector. If you take pictures directly with the main camera app (not tapping the camera button in 3D), those go into your normal Camera/Pictures/Gallery app on your phone. One may usually access the camera by pressing the shutter button, or opening Camera from the app menu. Such photos are then accessible in the regular Camera Gallery.  You may manage or transfer these photos separately using your regular device options, many of which offer automatic cloud syncing. See your device documentation for further information about retrieving or syncing photos directly from a device.

Photos taken separately in your camera app may also be further annotated on your device and inserted into 3D reports afterward, whether on your device or in the desktop software.  See also the related article: http://www.3dinspection.com/Tips-and-Tricks/include-annotated-images-or-signatures-in-phone3d.html
This may also be handy for taking additional photos for personal reference that you don't wish to include in your main report for clients.

Later you may still choose to archive a group of outside photos (or even a few short videos) along with your report file for organizational purposes if you attach the file(s): http://www.3dinspection.com/Tips-and-Tricks/delivering-or-archiving-third-party-handouts-extra-photos-or-other-separate-items-with-your-report.html


With these various options available, you can mix and match the steps and features that work best for your particular work flow and organizational style!