Drop cameras on the floor plan · Visualize FOV cones, overlaps, and blind spots
This interactive floor plan tool allows engineers to drop cameras onto a scaled grid, visualize field-of-view cones, and analyze coverage percentage, blind spots, and overlap zones. It is used during the early design phase to validate camera placement and optimize lens selection before final drawings are produced.
Each camera is represented by a FOV cone on the floor plan. The cone is defined by the camera position, facing angle (direction the camera points), horizontal field of view in degrees, and range (the maximum effective distance). The tool samples the floor plan on a grid and counts how many camera cones each grid cell falls within — giving coverage (at least one camera), overlap (two or more cameras), and blind spot (no coverage) counts.
Field of view in degrees corresponds directly to the lens focal length and sensor size. Common presets are provided: 2.8 mm wide-angle (~95°), 4 mm standard (~70°), 6 mm medium (~48°), 8 mm telephoto (~37°), and 12 mm tele (~25°). The range parameter represents the effective working distance in plan view pixels, scaled at 2 feet per grid cell.
The IEC 62676-4 DORI pixel density requirements (Detection 25 px/m through Identification 250 px/m) are not calculated directly in this planning tool — use the Camera Coverage Designer for pixel density analysis. This tool focuses on spatial coverage planning and dead zone identification.
IEC 62676-4 (EN 62676-4) provides the DORI pixel density thresholds that govern camera effectiveness at different ranges. Physical layout planning using floor plan tools is recommended in ASIS International Physical Security Professional (PSP) guidelines and in BS EN 62676-1-1 (video surveillance systems — general requirements). ONVIF specifications define the interoperability requirements for IP cameras placed in any coverage design.
Place cameras to maximize coverage of high-value and high-risk areas: building entrances, reception areas, cash handling zones, server rooms, and emergency exits. Aim for at least 20% overlap between adjacent cameras to eliminate coverage gaps during pan/tilt adjustments and to provide redundant coverage of transition zones.
Wider lenses (2.8 mm, 4 mm) cover larger areas with more overlap but provide lower pixel density at the periphery of their range — use them for overview coverage. Narrow lenses (8 mm, 12 mm) provide high pixel density at range but cover a smaller area — use them for targeted coverage of specific entry points or checkout lanes. Avoid placing cameras with backlight sources (windows, doorways facing sunlight) directly in their field of view without wide dynamic range (WDR) capable cameras.
Enable Placement Mode and click on the floor plan to drop cameras at the desired positions. Each new camera uses the lens preset selected in the "Lens for New Cameras" selector. Click a camera marker to select it, then use the sliders to adjust the facing angle (direction the camera points), field of view, and coverage range. The heat map shows green coverage, yellow overlap, and red blind spots in real time. Toggle Placement Mode off to click existing cameras without adding new ones. Remove unwanted cameras using the Remove button in the selected camera panel.
For a straight corridor, two cameras facing each other from opposite ends with overlapping FOV cones eliminate blind spots most efficiently. Each camera should be positioned so its effective range (where adequate pixel density is achieved) reaches past the midpoint of the corridor to ensure handoff coverage. Avoid relying on a single camera pointed down a long corridor — the far end will have insufficient pixel density.
For a standard commercial entrance door where identification of individuals is required, a 4 mm or 6 mm lens mounted 8–12 feet high directly above or beside the door provides a coverage width of 6–10 feet at the door plane, typically achieving Identification (250 px/m) with a 2MP or higher camera. Use the Camera Lens FOV Calculator to verify pixel density for your specific camera and mounting height.
A minimum of 20% FOV overlap between adjacent cameras is recommended to ensure no gaps at the handoff zone. For high-security perimeter zones and corridors, 30–40% overlap provides redundant coverage in case one camera is tampered with or fails. More overlap wastes pixel density on already-covered areas — balance coverage efficiency with redundancy requirements.
Each grid cell in the planner represents 2 feet. The coverage range slider controls the camera's effective range in pixels — divide the pixel value by (cell size in pixels) × 2 ft to get the range in feet. The stats panel shows the approximate range in feet for the selected camera. A range of 140 pixels at the default cell size corresponds to approximately 14 feet.
This tool plans coverage for a single floor level at a time. For multi-floor buildings, run a separate planning session for each floor. For areas with mezzanines or open atriums, note that cameras on upper levels covering lower-level zones must account for the angled view — use the Camera Coverage Designer's mounting distance parameter to model elevated camera positions.
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