- Joined
- Sep 21, 2020
- Feel free to move this to another thread if it belongs there.
'Sperg Rancher's guide to complete Security camera planning.
SO, you want a security system where you may monitor your premesis. Where is the MOST efficient placement? Are you missing anything? I'm here to provide you with a 'state of the art' method of planning these things. It is highly configurable, you'll get to see all your blind spots, and you'll even get a handy map to use later (if you don't have one to use already.) You can do this all on your own without any internet connection. I haven't found a way using only open source yet, but I'm keeping my eyes open.
Who is this for? This is for anyone who wants a *complete* system for monitoring their premises externally (out doors). If you just want 1 or 2 cameras, this is complete overkill. We'll cover drafting a property map, importing it into Foundary, and how to use walls and lights to simulate camera system visibility.
Software needed:
- any 'Paint' like program. Layers help a lot, but are not strictly necessary, OR
- a scanner, camera, and a way to get photos on your PC.
- A virtual TTRPG program. I will be using FoundryVTT, as it's not an online-only PoS. Roll20 is free, and should work for this too.
- (Optional) google maps
Materials needed:
- grid paper. Some people like hexes. They're mentally inferior. Use squares.
- straight edge
- writing utensils
- (optional) other diagramming tools. protractor, compass, etc.
- IF you don't want to use google maps, you'll need a measuring wheel. get one with a large diameter wheel for outdoor use.
Step 1: Drafting
In this step you'll go through the process of creating a detailed map of your property. Having an accurate map pays dividends for any other home improvement project, even if it's constructed on graph paper by hand, so take your time here if Home improvement is something you plan on doing a lot of. You want as much accuracy in your measurements as possible. I try to get my buildings correct to 1 inch, but for camera placement, 6 inches is good enough. You can skip this if you want to draw your map your own way.
These are the steps I follow:
- First, set your drawing scale. I *highly* recommend using google maps's 'measure distance' functionality to get a sense of the size of the property. Your scale should leave enough room to encompass the entire property PLUS a bit of space in the margins for what's adjacent to your property. Once you get a scale, note it down. I have 1 cm squares on my graph, and for me each square measures 20 feet.
- Then, find the geographic center of your map space. If your property is a square, that's easy, again, use google maps. If it is not square, there are many ways that it can be done. For us, the best way is to draw a line through the midpoint of a long line.
- Mark down on your map a few notable landmarks nearest to the center. this can be trees, large rocks, fences, etc. If the midpoint is a building, measure and mark the nearest exterior wall to the center. You can use a compass to measure the angle of the wall relative to north.
- Continue to mark down points of interest half way between the center and the borders. You can repeat this 'half way' rule as much as necessary
- Finally, flesh out the map. you've used statically measured points for local features, now you can mark down everything else relative to these points. Draw the rest of the owl.
What should you mark down?
Mark down everything which falls into one of these categories:
- Provides visual or physical cover
- Has enough stopping power to hinder a vehicle (boulders, ditches, etc.)
- Common avenues of travel (roads, sidewalks, paths, etc)
- Strategic objectives (ie: important things. power poles, well pumps, backup generators, etc.)
Finally, after you've got a satisfactory map, get it onto your pc. Move onto the next step
Step 2: Map Importing.
I'll be sing FoundryVTT, but Roll20 will work too.
Here is my example map. It's based losely off my childhood home. Bonus points if you can dox me:
't' is for tree, and 'h' is a fire hydrant
You'll import it onto foundry as so:
Then using your marked scale, you can set the grid system. In dnd 5e (the default game system) on square is 5 feet on each side:
You can get to the menu above by right clicking the map name -> configure -> grid -> configure.
Now, depending on the accuracy of your map, you'll be able to measure distances with relative precision using the ruler tool on foundary. This tool is under the 'person' icon on the left:
That's it for this step. Now onto
Step 3: Walls.
We want to add physical walls to our map. This is so the camera schemes will be more accurate and useful. Placing walls is under the 'library' icon. Hovering over each icon will show what sort of wall you have. Use normal walls for buildings, fences, and so on. Use *ethereal* walls (mask icon) for hills. You can set the 'Wall Direction' property by right clicking the wall. You want the arrow to be pointing uphill as so:
After all is said and done, my walls look like so:
Now onto the final step
Step 4: Lights.
Lights are our simulated cameras. Lights are accessed on the left via the lightbulb icon and can be placed by clicking and dragging, or copy-pasing. Here's how you'll set them up:
- Light radius: 0 bright. 90ft dim if 1080p, 150ft dim if 4k, 120ft if 2k. These numbers represent roughly the distance where 1 pixel will be 1 inch. Beyond this, you'll have a difficult time making anything out.
- Emission angle: 104. This is the most common, but there are wide angle cameras. If your cameras have a wider angle, then you'll need to reduce the dim light radius to a border.
copy, and paste them, and adjust the 'Rotation Angle' to change which way your cameras are looking. In foundary specifically, you can set the map to 'night mode', which will make the lighting more prominent.
this is one camera.
This is where you can go out an figure out what you like the most. Do you want to watch the road, your backup generator (it'll be boring), or maybe you want to make sure that you have a view of all entrances to your house. This part is truly up to you and what you find important. it's your sandbox to play around with.
Once your done you can go to night mode and see where your blind spots are.
General tips:
1: you don't have to route power lines to your cameras if you use Power over Ethernet (PoE). PoE is 'signal voltage' according to US code, and doesn't have shit for fire codes. City inspectors BTFO.
a: be sure to note carefully if the camera is PoE (15 watts), PoE+ (30 watts), or maybe even PoE++ (aka PoE ultra, 60 watts).
2: 2+ cameras in the same place will save lots of time. It may not save money.
3: I've tried very hard to hide my cameras. it doesn't work. if you have some tips, please share them. Here are mine:
a: dark corners are great places. Less natural light = better.
b: Get cameras that are one color (ie: all black or grey). cameras that are more than one color stick out more.
4: Cameras pointed at entrances don't need to see doors very well, only what's at the doors.
5: works indoors too! I use a phone app called 'magic plan'. I don't have any cams inside my house yet, but depending on what goes down, I may in the future.
have fun and happy planning!
'Sperg Rancher's guide to complete Security camera planning.
SO, you want a security system where you may monitor your premesis. Where is the MOST efficient placement? Are you missing anything? I'm here to provide you with a 'state of the art' method of planning these things. It is highly configurable, you'll get to see all your blind spots, and you'll even get a handy map to use later (if you don't have one to use already.) You can do this all on your own without any internet connection. I haven't found a way using only open source yet, but I'm keeping my eyes open.
Who is this for? This is for anyone who wants a *complete* system for monitoring their premises externally (out doors). If you just want 1 or 2 cameras, this is complete overkill. We'll cover drafting a property map, importing it into Foundary, and how to use walls and lights to simulate camera system visibility.
Software needed:
- any 'Paint' like program. Layers help a lot, but are not strictly necessary, OR
- a scanner, camera, and a way to get photos on your PC.
- A virtual TTRPG program. I will be using FoundryVTT, as it's not an online-only PoS. Roll20 is free, and should work for this too.
- (Optional) google maps
Materials needed:
- grid paper. Some people like hexes. They're mentally inferior. Use squares.
- straight edge
- writing utensils
- (optional) other diagramming tools. protractor, compass, etc.
- IF you don't want to use google maps, you'll need a measuring wheel. get one with a large diameter wheel for outdoor use.
Step 1: Drafting
In this step you'll go through the process of creating a detailed map of your property. Having an accurate map pays dividends for any other home improvement project, even if it's constructed on graph paper by hand, so take your time here if Home improvement is something you plan on doing a lot of. You want as much accuracy in your measurements as possible. I try to get my buildings correct to 1 inch, but for camera placement, 6 inches is good enough. You can skip this if you want to draw your map your own way.
These are the steps I follow:
- First, set your drawing scale. I *highly* recommend using google maps's 'measure distance' functionality to get a sense of the size of the property. Your scale should leave enough room to encompass the entire property PLUS a bit of space in the margins for what's adjacent to your property. Once you get a scale, note it down. I have 1 cm squares on my graph, and for me each square measures 20 feet.
- Then, find the geographic center of your map space. If your property is a square, that's easy, again, use google maps. If it is not square, there are many ways that it can be done. For us, the best way is to draw a line through the midpoint of a long line.
- Mark down on your map a few notable landmarks nearest to the center. this can be trees, large rocks, fences, etc. If the midpoint is a building, measure and mark the nearest exterior wall to the center. You can use a compass to measure the angle of the wall relative to north.
- Continue to mark down points of interest half way between the center and the borders. You can repeat this 'half way' rule as much as necessary
- Finally, flesh out the map. you've used statically measured points for local features, now you can mark down everything else relative to these points. Draw the rest of the owl.
What should you mark down?
Mark down everything which falls into one of these categories:
- Provides visual or physical cover
- Has enough stopping power to hinder a vehicle (boulders, ditches, etc.)
- Common avenues of travel (roads, sidewalks, paths, etc)
- Strategic objectives (ie: important things. power poles, well pumps, backup generators, etc.)
Finally, after you've got a satisfactory map, get it onto your pc. Move onto the next step
Step 2: Map Importing.
I'll be sing FoundryVTT, but Roll20 will work too.
Here is my example map. It's based losely off my childhood home. Bonus points if you can dox me:
't' is for tree, and 'h' is a fire hydrant
You'll import it onto foundry as so:
Then using your marked scale, you can set the grid system. In dnd 5e (the default game system) on square is 5 feet on each side:
You can get to the menu above by right clicking the map name -> configure -> grid -> configure.
Now, depending on the accuracy of your map, you'll be able to measure distances with relative precision using the ruler tool on foundary. This tool is under the 'person' icon on the left:
That's it for this step. Now onto
Step 3: Walls.
We want to add physical walls to our map. This is so the camera schemes will be more accurate and useful. Placing walls is under the 'library' icon. Hovering over each icon will show what sort of wall you have. Use normal walls for buildings, fences, and so on. Use *ethereal* walls (mask icon) for hills. You can set the 'Wall Direction' property by right clicking the wall. You want the arrow to be pointing uphill as so:
After all is said and done, my walls look like so:
Now onto the final step
Step 4: Lights.
Lights are our simulated cameras. Lights are accessed on the left via the lightbulb icon and can be placed by clicking and dragging, or copy-pasing. Here's how you'll set them up:
- Light radius: 0 bright. 90ft dim if 1080p, 150ft dim if 4k, 120ft if 2k. These numbers represent roughly the distance where 1 pixel will be 1 inch. Beyond this, you'll have a difficult time making anything out.
- Emission angle: 104. This is the most common, but there are wide angle cameras. If your cameras have a wider angle, then you'll need to reduce the dim light radius to a border.
copy, and paste them, and adjust the 'Rotation Angle' to change which way your cameras are looking. In foundary specifically, you can set the map to 'night mode', which will make the lighting more prominent.
this is one camera.
This is where you can go out an figure out what you like the most. Do you want to watch the road, your backup generator (it'll be boring), or maybe you want to make sure that you have a view of all entrances to your house. This part is truly up to you and what you find important. it's your sandbox to play around with.
Once your done you can go to night mode and see where your blind spots are.
General tips:
1: you don't have to route power lines to your cameras if you use Power over Ethernet (PoE). PoE is 'signal voltage' according to US code, and doesn't have shit for fire codes. City inspectors BTFO.
a: be sure to note carefully if the camera is PoE (15 watts), PoE+ (30 watts), or maybe even PoE++ (aka PoE ultra, 60 watts).
2: 2+ cameras in the same place will save lots of time. It may not save money.
3: I've tried very hard to hide my cameras. it doesn't work. if you have some tips, please share them. Here are mine:
a: dark corners are great places. Less natural light = better.
b: Get cameras that are one color (ie: all black or grey). cameras that are more than one color stick out more.
4: Cameras pointed at entrances don't need to see doors very well, only what's at the doors.
5: works indoors too! I use a phone app called 'magic plan'. I don't have any cams inside my house yet, but depending on what goes down, I may in the future.
have fun and happy planning!
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