Placing and aiming cameras
Cameras come from a catalog of real models. Once a camera is on the map you can see what it covers and how much detail it gets at each distance.
Find a model
Open the Cameras tab on the left. Search by model or feature (for example "bullet" or "LPR"), or narrow the list with the maker and type boxes. Models you place often show under Frequently used. Click the ★ on a model to pin it there.
Put cameras on the map
- Drag a model from the list onto the map, or
- Click a model, then click the map. Keep clicking to add more of the same model. Press Esc to stop.
Cameras are numbered C01, C02 and so on. Click a camera to open its settings on the right. Drag the camera itself to move it.
Aim and zoom
- Drag the aim handle at the end of the dashed line. It sets the direction and how far the view is drawn.
- On a varifocal camera, drag the blue handle to zoom: a narrower field of view reaches further with more detail.
- Or use the sliders: Aim (bearing), Field of view and Shown distance. A multisensor camera also has Sensor spread.
- Press [ or ] to turn the selected camera 15° at a time. Hold Shift as well to turn it 1° at a time.
- With the keyboard: press Tab to reach the camera list, then Enter on a camera to add it in the middle of the map. The arrow keys move the selected camera (hold Shift for bigger steps).
Fixed-lens cameras show their field of view as "fixed lens". Fisheye cameras always see 360°.
Pixel density and the DORI bands
SightLine colors each view by how much detail a camera gets, in pixels per foot (px/ft):
| Band | Pixel density | What you can expect |
|---|---|---|
| Identify | 76 px/ft or more | Enough detail to identify a person |
| Recognize | 38 px/ft or more | Recognize someone you know |
| Observe | 19 px/ft or more | Follow what people are doing |
| Detect | 7.6 px/ft or more | Tell that someone is there |
The camera panel shows the pixel density at the shown distance with its grade, and how far each band reaches. It also lists the IR night range, and for license plate cameras how far plates can be read (about 40 px/ft). The legend on the map shows the band colors.
Use the checkboxes at the top of the map to show or hide FOV, DORI bands, IR range and camera Labels. Hover over a camera for a quick summary.
Mounting details
- Mount height and Mount (wall, pole, ceiling and so on).
- Tilt: leave it blank and SightLine works it out. The panel then tells you how far out the ground first comes into view.
- Color, Notes, and the Model box to swap in a different model.
- For Verkada cameras, Verkada cloud retention (30, 60, 90 or 365 days).
The buttons at the bottom are View from camera (3D), Duplicate (Ctrl+D) and Delete (the Del key).
Add your own camera model
- At the bottom of the Cameras tab, click + Add custom model.
- Pick the Maker (or Other (type a new maker)…) and enter the Model and Type.
- Fill in the resolution, the widest and narrowest horizontal field of view, IR range, PoE watts and features.
- Click Save. The model is marked "custom" in the list and can be used on every map.
To change or delete a custom model, double-click it in the list.