Getting started

Guide 1 of 10 · 3 min read

SightLine is a Windows app for planning security cameras on a satellite map. This guide gets it installed and walks you through your first site.

What you need

A 64-bit Windows 10 or 11 PC.
An internet connection for the satellite imagery and address search.

Install SightLine

Run the SightLine Setup file you downloaded.
Accept the license agreement. SightLine installs for your Windows user only, so it doesn't need admin rights.
Keep the suggested folder, or choose another one.
When setup finishes, SightLine opens. It also adds a desktop shortcut and a Start menu shortcut.

The welcome window and the sample map

The first time you open SightLine (before you have any maps), a welcome window offers three choices:

Open the sample map: a small warehouse and yard with 7 cameras and one network switch, ready to explore.
Start my first site: opens the New site window (see below).
Skip: goes straight to the home screen.

The sample is an ordinary map. Click a camera to see its settings, drag things around, and delete it from the home screen when you are done. If your home screen is empty, the Open a sample map button brings back a fresh copy at any time.

Create your first site

On the home screen, click + New site (or + Create your first site when you have no maps yet).
Pick or type a Client. This is optional.
Enter a Site name and the Address or lat,lng.
Choose the Site type, for example Retail, Office or Warehouse / Industrial.
Leave Start from on Blank site, or pick Copy layout of: another site to reuse its cameras, elements and obstructions at the new address. Plan overlays are not copied.
Click Create site. The map opens on the address.

Tip If the address can't be found, the site still opens. Type the address (or paste lat, lng) into the Search address or lat,lng box at the top of the map and press Enter.

A quick tour of the map screen

Top bar: the site name and status, undo and redo, the map background, the ft / m units button (SightLine remembers your choice), 3D view, Schedule, Map export to PDF and the More ▾ menu.
Left panel: the Cameras catalog, Layers (everything on the map, with a filter box), the coverage Checklist and Smart ✨ tools.
Toolbar on the map: Select, Plan, Element, Obstruction, Switch, Fixture, Label, Route and Measure.
Right panel: the settings for whatever you clicked. With nothing selected it shows a site overview.

The map background list offers Esri imagery (no key needed), Esri imagery with labels and a street map. The Google options need your own Google Maps key (see Settings, updates and support).

Your work saves itself

Every change is saved on your PC as you go. The top bar shows Saving… and then Saved. Click ‹ at the top left to go back to all your sites.

Note Undo is Ctrl+Z and redo is Ctrl+Y.