4D Timelines

The Over Time feature lets you link multiple Gaussian Splats of the same location captured at different points in time. Once linked and calibrated, you can toggle between time periods directly in the viewer — making it easy to track construction progress, monitor site changes, document renovations, and compare before-and-after states.

How It Works

Step 1 — Open the Over Time Panel

In the Splat Labs viewer, click the Over Time icon in the right-hand toolbar to open the Over Time panel. Any previously linked splats are listed here.

Step 2 — Add a Time-Linked Splat

Click + Add Time-Linked Splat. Select another project in your Splat Labs account that contains a scan of the same location captured at a different time. Once added, it appears in the panel with a Needs Calibration badge.

Step 3 — Calibrate the Two Splats

Calibration aligns the two splats spatially so that toggling between them feels seamless. You do this by marking three matching real-world points that exist in both splats.

Calibration workflow:

1. Click Calibrate next to the linked splat
2. In the current splat: navigate to a recognizable permanent location (a building corner, fence post, utility box) and click Mark Point 1 — repeat for Point 2 and Point 3
3. In the linked splat: navigate to the same three real-world locations and place matching markers
4. The system calculates the spatial transformation and saves the calibration automatically

Tips for Accurate Calibration

• Choose permanent features — building corners, manhole covers, survey markers, or utility poles work well
• Spread your points apart — three points forming a wide triangle produce a more stable alignment than three points close together
• Zoom in when marking — small offsets at the marking stage cause noticeable drift across the rest of the scene
• Avoid points near moving objects — vegetation, vehicles, or temporary structures may shift between captures

Step 4 — Toggle Between Time Periods

After calibration, the Needs Calibration badge disappears. Toggle between captures directly from the Over Time panel. The viewer transitions between the two splats while keeping your camera position consistent — you see the same viewpoint across different points in time.

Use Cases

Requirements

• At least two separate Splat Labs projects, each containing a scan of the same real-world location captured at different times
• Both projects must be in your Splat Labs account (or accessible to you)
• 4D Timelines are available on Starter, Business, and Enterprise plans

FAQ

How many splats can I link to the same base project? You can link multiple splats, creating a full timeline across as many time periods as needed.

Can I re-calibrate after the initial setup? Yes. Click Calibrate again at any time to redo the three-point calibration.

Does calibration modify the original splat data? No. Calibration only stores a spatial transformation for the viewer. Your original files are never modified.

What if the two splats have very different orientations? The three-point calibration handles differences in position, rotation, and scale. As long as you can identify three matching real-world points in both splats, the system will align them.

Availability