> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.x.build/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Capturing photos and video > Use the XBuild camera to document a job site with photos, video, and voice notes ## Capturing a job site with the XBuild camera The XBuild camera documents a job on site. Open it from the project page's **Capture** button or **Upload → Take photo or video**. Every photo saves to your phone instantly, uploads in the background, and is scanned by AI for damage, materials, and components. Videos save and upload the same way but are never scanned. ### 1. Photo and video modes Switch between **Photo** and **Video** below the shutter. Photos are what XBuild scans and reads for your estimate. Video is for what a still can't show — an active leak, a walkthrough; videos play on the digital proposal but never appear in PDF exports. On first open, a short intro explains the idea: **take a photo, we'll do the rest**. Controls: **flash**, **flip** to the front camera, **zoom**, tap-to-focus, and a timer chip while recording. Your phone's **volume buttons** fire the shutter — useful one-handed on a ladder. Capture never waits on signal: photos queue on your phone and upload when the connection returns ([Offline and syncing](/mobile-app/offline-and-syncing)). ### 2. Camera settings: aspect ratio, level, date stamp Tap the settings (cog) button. | Setting | What it does | Persists? | | ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- | | **Aspect ratio** | Photos in **4:3** (default) or **16:9**. Videos always 16:9. | Resets to 4:3 each time you open the camera | | **Level** | A horizon line that rotates with your phone and turns green when level — for straight-on elevation shots | Yes | | **Date stamp** | Bakes the capture **date and location** into the photo permanently. Photos only. Use it for timestamped proof; XBuild records when and where each photo was taken either way. | Yes | ### 3. Voice notes with transcription After a shot, tap the **microphone** on the capture bar and talk — "three damaged shingles on the north slope, flashing is shot." XBuild **transcribes** it into the photo's note; take your next shot mid-sentence and the note still saves to the photo you were describing. You can also dictate from the photo edit screen, into the note or the description. See [Tags, markup, and descriptions](/mobile-app/tags-markup-and-descriptions). ### 4. Scanning: what the badges mean As each photo uploads, XBuild scans it and writes an AI title and description. | Badge | Meaning | What to do | | ----------------- | -------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Scanning** | Uploading and being analyzed | Wait — it resolves after the upload lands | | **Scanned** (✨) | The AI has read the photo | — | | **Upload failed** | Gave up after several retries | Retry or delete from the album | | **Out of tokens** | Your company's balance ran out; scan blocked | Top up, then use the album's retry banner. See [How tokens work](/plans-billing/how-tokens-work). | Videos don't scan — they upload and that's it. ### 5. Taking photos that scan well * **Shoot pairs: wide, then close.** Wide establishes where you are; close shows the damage. The AI needs both to size and place the work. * **Get close.** Fill the frame — a hail bruise from thirty feet is just a roof. * **Mind light and glare.** Shift your angle rather than shooting into the sun. * **Use the level for elevations.** Straight-on shots of each face read far better than angled ones. * **Cover every area you'll estimate.** The AI can only price what it can see or what you tell it. ### 6. Guided checklist capture Tap the **Checklists** button at the right edge of the camera and pick one under **Start a checklist**, or resume one in progress. A step card sits over the preview, and **every shutter press attaches to that step** — photos and videos alike, tagged with the step's section and title. Move between steps on the card and check each off; a step still needing an answer or photo says so and opens its questions. When every step is done, the card offers **Finish checklist**. Photos land in the album like any capture; answers queue offline. Full flow: [Running a checklist](/features/running-a-checklist). ### 7. When you're done Tap **Done** and your photos land in the project's **album** to review, filter, tag, and share — see [Albums and sharing](/mobile-app/albums-and-sharing). Pull in shots from your phone's own camera via the album's **Add from album** menu or **Upload → Photo library** on the project page. ### 8. Troubleshooting common issues * **The camera shows "Camera access needed."** Camera or microphone permission was declined. Tap **Open Settings** and turn both on. * **My photos say "Scanning" forever.** They're still waiting to upload — check your connection. See [Offline and syncing](/mobile-app/offline-and-syncing). * **A photo says "Out of tokens."** Top up, then retry from the album banner. See [Manual top-ups](/plans-billing/manual-top-ups). * **The Checklists button isn't in my camera.** It appears only once the project exists — open the camera from the project page, not the New project sheet. If **Files** has no **Checklists** card either, contact XBuild Support. * **The date stamp didn't include a location.** The stamp needs location permission granted and a GPS fix at capture time. For further assistance, contact XBuild Support at [support@x.build](mailto:support@x.build).