Chapel Ensmad– Efficient Surveying of a Historic Building

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USER STORY

CHAPEL ENSMAD – Efficient Surveying of a Historic Building

Contents

What’s It About??
The Subject – Ensmad Chapel
Data Collection & Hardware
Data Processing & Plan Creation
Data Export & Further Processing
Conclusion & Key Takeaways
Project Participants

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What’s It About?

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Daniel Bayha, a master’s student in Structural Engineering at the Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences, developed a digital workflow for his thesis to precisely document the historic Ensmad Chapel. His approach covered everything from the wooden barrel vault construction to the entire building condition – inside, outside, and within the roof space.

A key focus was not just the structural assessment of the timber construction, but also the creation of highly accurate deformation-based plans—a task that would have been nearly impossible with conventional manual measurement methods. To achieve this, modern laser scanning technologies were combined with specialized software solutions like PointCab Origins.

The Subject – Ensmad Chapel

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Ensmad Chapel is a true cultural landmark and has been a pilgrimage site for centuries. Originally built in the Gothic style, it underwent a significant Baroque transformation around 1660 and has been lovingly maintained over the centuries, with the most recent renovation in the 1970s.

Today, the chapel shows visible structural damage that needed to be analyzed. Daniel’s goal was to document the current state of the building and create accurate plans to serve as a basis for future restoration efforts.

Data Collection & Hardware

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Daniel opted for the FlexScan 22 platform from Z+F as the hardware for data acquisition. The platform is equipped with the  IMAGER 5016 terrestrial laser scanner, which can be used both as a SLAM and as a static scanner. In addition, some details were measured manually to complement the data.

Scanning Duration: Approximately half a day on-site.

Challenges: Limited space, especially in the roof area. The FlexScan 22 had to be manually moved in this section, as it was not possible to walk through with a backpack scanner.

  • GOOD TO KNOW: COMBINING SLAM & TERRESTRIAL SCANNERS

The combination of SLAM and terrestrial laser scanners brings together the best of both worlds:

SLAM scanners allow for quick and mobile real-time data capture – ideal for large or hard-to-reach areas.

Terrestrial laser scanners provide precise measurements and detailed imaging of key areas.

This approach enables the creation of an initial rough map using SLAM, which is then refined with the precise terrestrial scan data. The result? Time savings, increased efficiency, and a comprehensive and reliable data foundation tailored to the specific application.

However, in this case, certain details were additionally measured by hand.

Data Processing & Plan Creation

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After data collection, erroneous points – such as those caused by passing individuals – were removed. This process took about a day and was conducted externally. The cleaned point cloud (in .E57 format) was then imported into PointCab Origins for further processing.
Using PointCab Origins, 2D sections (cross-sections, longitudinal sections, and top views) were generated from the 3D data. Daniel needed about a day to familiarize himself with the software, followed by approximately two days to create the sections.

  • GOOD TO KNOW: HOW TO BECOME AN ORIGINS PRO (FAST)

With our YouTube tutorials and PDF guides on our website, Daniel was able to get started with Origins quickly and independently.

For those looking to become an Origins expert right away, we also offer a free demo session with our support specialists.

Request a FREE demo

Data Export & Further Processing

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The plans were exported as PDFs, which were then imported into Nemetschek Allplan. There, Daniel manually redrew the plans, achieving an accuracy of ±3 cm.


Alongside Allplan, Bluebeam Revu Extreme was also used for further PDF data processing.


Total Time Required: The final plan creation took about a week in total.

  • TIP: DATA EXPORT

A faster workflow:
If Daniel had exported the plans directly as planar .dwg files – automatically aligned and scaled for Allplan – he could have skipped the PDF export step, saving significant time.

Good to know:
PointCab Origins is compatible with all major CAD programs and enables exports into their native formats. If you’re unsure about the best export option, our support team is always happy to help.

Conclusion & Key Takeaways

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The Ensmad project impressively demonstrates how modern surveying technologies and specialized software solutions work together to digitally capture and prepare historic structures for restoration planning. Here are the key takeaways from the project:


1. Precision in Plan Creation:
By combining modern laser scanning technology with PointCab Origins, it was possible to generate an unlimited number of highly accurate plans that faithfully reflect the chapel’s deformations and details.

2. Time and Work Efficiency:
Despite some detours in the workflow, the project showed that complex surveying tasks can be completed efficiently with the right digital tools.


3. Optimization through Support:
If users encounter workflow obstacles, they should reach out to PointCab Support. Often, alternative export methods or workflow optimizations can be quickly implemented together.

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Project Participants

This project was conducted by Daniel Bayha as part of his master’s thesis, “Surveying and Restoration of the Wooden Barrel Vault in Ensmad Chapel”.
University: Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences
Program: Structural Engineering
Academic Supervisor (HFT): Prof. Dr.-Ing. Roland Fink
Project Supervisor (LAD): Sabine Kuban

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PointCab Recap & Round up 2024

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2024: Recap & Round-up

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POINTCAB 2024:
A YEAR OF GROWTH, INNOVATIONS & CELEBRATIONS

As 2024 comes to a close, we at PointCab are taking a moment to reflect on an exciting year filled with innovation, collaboration, and milestones. From significant product updates and thrilling events to team growth and anniversaries, this year has been one for the books. Let’s take a look back at what we’ve achieved together in 2024!

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PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS: PUSHING BOUNDARIES WITH POWERFULL UPDATES

2024 was a year of major releases and enhancements across the board. We introduced several updates that our workflows even more efficient and user-friendly:

  • 4Archicad 2.0 & 2.1 (Windows & macOS): A huge step forward for Archicad users with powerful tools and seamless integrations.
  • 4Brics, 4Revit, 4Autocad, and 4ZWCAD 2.1: Compatibility with the latest CAD versions has been established for all our plug-ins and new functions offer a more efficient workflow.
  • Origins 4.2: Featuring game-changing improvements, such as the GUI Docking System and a new License Manager, enhancing flexibility and usability.
  • Cross-Platform Releases: We made major strides with the releases for macOS, ensuring our software meets your needs no matter the platform.

Strengthening Connections: Events, Partners, and Resellers

2024 was a year of connections, both online and in person. We were proud to showcase our solutions at key industry events like GeoWeek USA, DigitalBAU in Köln, and Intergeo Expo in Stuttgart. These opportunities allowed us to connect with customers and partner alike, gain valuable insights, and share our latest innovations.

Collaboration remained at the heart of our growth. We were thrilled to present at the “IN TOWN” event with NavVis in Frankenberg, creating an inspiring atmosphere for exchange and new ideas. We also welcomed new resellers, including Dron-e Italy, GMX Systems LTD, and GEOZONA LTD, strengthening our global network and making PointCab solutions accessible to even more users worldwide.

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A Decade of Success: Celebrating Our 10-Year Anniversary (Part 2)

This year marked a significant milestone for us: 10 years of PointCab! We celebrated this incredible journey with our team, partners, and friends at the beautiful Hohen Neuffen Castle. It was a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and to celebrate the hard work, innovation, and dedication that brought us here.

A big thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey—your trust and support drive us to keep innovating and improving every day.

Team Growth: Building for the Future

Our team continued to grow in 2024. We welcomed two new developers to our team in Germany, bringing fresh ideas and expertise to help us deliver even more innovative solutions in the future.

We also took time to strengthen our bonds outside the office. From our unforgettable teambuilding event in Croatia to daily collaboration, our team remains the backbone of everything we do.

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WHAT'S LEFT TO SAY?

THANK YOU!

2024 has been an incredible year of growth, milestones, and achievements. We’re deeply grateful to our customers, partners, and team members who make all of this possible. Your support inspires us to keep pushing boundaries and delivering the best solutions we can.

As we move into 2025, we can’t wait to show you what’s next. Stay tuned for more exciting updates, events, and partnerships as we continue to shape the future of our industry.

Thank you for being part of the PointCab family. Here’s to a bright and successful 2025!

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The AEC Impact – World Population Day

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THE AEC IMPACT

World Population Day

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Article Overview

World Population Day – Overview
World Population Day – Goals
The Contribution of the AEC Industry utilizing Laser Scanning Technology 
Case Studies and Real-World Applications 
Conclusion 

The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry stands at the forefront of shaping our built environment. In our series “The AEC Impact” we explore the myriad ways in which the industry contributes to societal well-being, environmental sustainability, and economic growth. Join us as we uncover the transformative power of the AEC industry and its pivotal role in building a brighter, more sustainable world.

World Population Day - overview

World Population Day, observed on July 11, is a crucial occasion dedicated to raising awareness about the pressing issues related to the world’s population. Established by the United Nations in 1989, this day emphasizes the importance of population trends and their implications on development, environment, and global health. As the global population continues to grow, currently surpassing 7.9 billion, the challenges related to sustainability, urban planning, and resource management become increasingly critical. Surveyors and architects play a vital role in addressing these issues, leveraging advanced technologies such as laser scanning and digital twins to create sustainable and efficient solutions.

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World Population Day - Goals

World Population Day aims to draw attention to the urgent issues arising from population growth, including but not limited to:

  • Sustainable Development: Ensuring that economic and social progress can continue without depleting resources for future generations.

  • Urbanization: Managing the rapid expansion of cities to ensure adequate housing, and provide essential services.

  • Healthcare: Addressing the needs of growing populations, especially in developing countries, to ensure access to healthcare and combat diseases.

  • Environmental Impact: Mitigating the negative effects of human activities on the environment, promoting conservation, and addressing climate change.

  • Resource Allocation: Ensuring that resources such as water, food, and energy are distributed equitably and sustainably.

The Contribution of the AEC industry utilizing Laser Scanning Technology

Surveyors and architects are at the forefront of addressing the challenges highlighted by World Population Day. Their expertise in planning, designing, and managing the built environment is key to creating sustainable and livable cities. Their methods and skills are employed in a variety of different applications:

  • Urban Planning: By providing accurate and comprehensive data on existing urban environments cities can become more efficient and sustainable.

  • Infrastructure Development: Surveyors can use laser scanning to assess the condition of infrastructure. Architects plan renovations and ensure new developments are integrated smoothly with existing structures.
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  • Historical Preservation: Preserving historical sites is crucial for maintaining cultural heritage. Laser scanning allows for precise documentation and restoration of these sites.

  • Environmental Impact Analysis: Detailed 3D models help to asses the environmental impact of new developments, aiding in the creation of designs that minimize ecological footprints.

  • Resource Management: Accurate modeling of resources such as water and vegetation helps in planning their sustainable use and management.

Case Studies and Real-world Applications

Smart Cities:
In cities like Singapore and Barcelona, laser scanning and point cloud processing are used to create digital twins—virtual replicas of physical spaces. These digital twins help monitor urban environments, optimize energy use, and enhance public services.

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Disaster Management:
In earthquake-prone areas like Japan, laser scanning is used to assess structural damage quickly and accurately, aiding in rapid response and reconstruction efforts.

Sustainable Buildings:
Green building projects, such as the Bullitt Center in Seattle, use these technologies to design buildings that are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, setting new standards for sustainable architecture.

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conclusion

World Population Day serves as a reminder of the challenges posed by a growing global population. Surveyors, engineers, and architects, equipped with advanced technologies, play a pivotal role in tackling these challenges. By creating sustainable, efficient, and resilient urban environments, they contribute significantly to ensuring a better future for all. As we observe World Population Day, it is essential to recognize and support the innovative solutions these professionals bring to the table in addressing the complexities of population growth and urban development.

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Global Surveyors Day

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GLOBAL SURVEYORS DAY

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March 21 is officially declared Global Surveyors Day.

A good reason to take a closer look at the history and background!

ABOUT THE HISTORY OF SURVEYING

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THE BEGINNINGS

The beginnings of surveying can be traced back to the construction of the pyramids, where property boundaries were defined using hemp ropes and knots. Greek philosophers such as Pythagoras and Aristarchus of Samos were investigating the shape of the earth and the movement of the planets. During the Roman Empire, surveying played an important role in the development and administration of conquered territories.

During the Middle Ages, surveying was simplified and geometry was regarded as one of the liberal arts. The rediscovery of ancient writings in the 15th century, including Ptolemy’s “Geographia” led to an upswing in cartography. The Age of Discovery required more accurate maps and instruments, which led to the development of new surveying techniques.

MODERN ERA

Surveying experienced a further upswing in the 18th century. Following the French Revolution, the surveying and archiving of all properties was achieved with the introduction of the land tax register. In almost all of Europe, the introduction of the metric system in the second half of the 19th century put an end to the variety of different units of measurement.

Nowadays, modern technologies such as GPS, laser scanning and photogrammetry make it possible to measure our world comprehensively, digitally and with high precision.

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GLOBAL SURVEYORS DAY

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NATIONAL SURVEYORS WEEK IN THE USA

The first “National Surveyors Week” was proclaimed on February 13, 1984, by the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM). In addition, the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, signed a proclamation calling on citizens to recognize the achievements of professional surveyors. The proclamation therefore acknowledged the important role of land surveyors, who were instrumental in establishing settlements in North America. George Washington, the first recognized surveyor, is probably the most famous among them.

National Surveyors Week starts every year on the third Sunday in March and is historically one of the first official events to regularly celebrate the achievements of surveyors.

GLOBAL SURVEYORS DAY

Global Surveyors’ Day has been officially celebrated since 2018, which conveniently coincides with National Surveyors Week, which has existed for some time.

Global Surveyors’ Day was first introduced and celebrated on March 21, 2018, at the Conference on Land and Poverty at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, DC, USA.

The day is supported by many organizations, including the CLGE, NSPS, and FIG.

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DIFFERENT SURVEYORS DAYS AROUND THE WORLD

Although “Global Surveyors Day” was officially declared in Washington DC in2018 and supported by the Council of European Geodetic Surveyors (GLGE), in Germany, for example, Surveying Day is often still celebrated on March 5 instead of March 21. The reason for this is that the GLGE already proclaimed March 5 as Surveying Day in 2012, the birthday of the famous cartographer and globe maker Gerhard Mercator.

In Iran, on the other hand, the day falls on September 4 – the birthday of the Iranian surveyor and astrologer Al-Biruni.

Regardless of when the day is celebrated where in the world, everyone seems to agree on one thing: surveyors and geodesists make incredibly important contributions to the well-being of mankind and therefore deserve our attention and recognition.

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PointCab Recap & Round up 2023

2023: Recap & Round-up

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PREFACE

Since the beginning of the 2020s, one crisis seems to be chasing after the other. Unfortunately, 2023 is no exception. This year too, conflicts and natural disasters are keeping the world on edge.

Once again, we can only express our sympathy and hope that 2024 will bring improvement in this respect.

DESPITE A DIFFICULT WOLRD ECONOMY:
POINTCAB CONTINUES TO GROW

Although the global economy as a whole and the construction industry in Germany, in particular, are struggling, we are expanding our development team. We are working on new products and improving our existing product portfolio. Particularly noteworthy in this area are our 4Archicad plugin, PointCab Origins, and PointCab Nebula.

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4 ARCHICAD PLUGIN – A RESOUNDING SUCCESS

In 2023, our 4Archicad plugin celebrates its first birthday and is already breaking all records: never before has a PointCab plugin achieved such sales figures in such a short time. The recipe for success? Our customers. Thanks to the close cooperation and valuable feedback from our “power users”, our developers are able to create a product that is perfectly tailored to the needs of Archicad users and easy to use at the same time. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all contributors and look forward to working with them in the future.

POINTCAB ORIGINS – SCAN2BIM AND MOBILE MAPPING

As in previous years, we are constantly working on further adapting our core product PointCab Origins to the needs of our customers and the new technical developments in the laser scanning market. For one thing, we have implemented even more customer requests in our updates in 2023. Furthermore, we have introduced Origins 3D, a new product aimed specifically at users working with mobile mapping data and looking for a simple Scan2BIM workflow. We have also added further functions for mobile mapping users (e.g. simple import of NavVis panoramas) to further expand the workflow for this target group.

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POINTCAB NEBULA – A NEW ERA

In order to make PointCab Nebula accessible to a wider range of users, we have continued to adapt and develop our cloud solution over the past year: an improved 3D viewer and faster loading of pano views are just some of the impressive results. However, the biggest innovation, which we have been working on in the background for some time, is scheduled for 2024: Nebula will be available as an independent solution for all major cloud platforms (e.g. Google Drive, etc.) and can be used independently of Origins. This means that anyone can use Nebula to share and visualize their point cloud projects via a link, regardless of the hardware or software they use.

DRIVING INNOVATION - POINTCAB PARTICIPATES IN RESEARCH PROJECT

Of course, it is important for us to keep our finger on the pulse and keep up with the latest technologies. That’s why PointCab is taking part in a research project on neural networks in partnership with the DHBW.

NEURAL NETWORKS AND VISUALIZATION IN VR

The idea is simple: existing mesh models (e.g. of machines) are to be automatically recognized in a point cloud and visualized in a VR environment. This not only makes it possible to create a digital twin of a factory, for example, but also to precisely plan an expansion or modification.

However, a lot of work is required to achieve this goal. Test data sets must be recorded and analyzed in a neural network (AI algorithm) to train it so that it can reliably recognize the objects to be identified later on. In addition, further algorithms must be developed to enable classification and segmentation of the point cloud.

At the moment, we are already able to automatically recognize ceilings and floors in the point cloud and are working on further expanding the neural network.

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EVENTS 2023

Unbelievable but true: PointCab celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2023. A reason to celebrate!

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10 YEARS OF POINTCAB AND MORE

In 2023, our team was once again on the road and participated in various events to get in touch with our customers and partners in person. Particular highlights were BauScan in Magdeburg, GeoWeek in Denver, and, of course, Intergeo in Berlin. Of course, we couldn’t miss the opportunity and celebrated our 10th anniversary there in a typical Berlin atmosphere. Many thanks to everyone who celebrated with us. We are already looking forward to the next 10 years together!

NEW AND OLD PARTNERSHIPS

THE POINTCAB NETWORK CONTINUES TO GROW

Our largest hardware partner to date, GeoSLAM, was acquired by FARO in 2023. Many customers have been wondering what impact this will have on their Draw software and its availability in the future. We are pleased to announce that our OEM partnership will continue with FARO and our software solutions will continue to be available to FARO customers under a new name (TBA).

Last but not least, more resellers have joined our network this year. These include FEIMA in Hong Kong, TOPOSTORE in Romania, as well as dron-e and LE Soluzioni Srl in Italy.

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WHAT ELSE REMAINS TO BE SAID?

THANK YOU!

Anyone who has read our recap up to this point will have noticed that our success this year can once again largely be credited to our customers and partners. We would therefore like to take this opportunity to thank our partners and customers once again for their loyalty, wonderful cooperation, and valuable feedback.

Last but not least, we would also like to take this opportunity to thank our team. They tackle their work with incredible motivation and enthusiasm every day, Without them, we would not be where we are today after 10 years in this industry.

With this in mind, we say: Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and here’s to a successful 2024!

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Feima Robotics & PointCab announce bundle

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Feima Robotics and PointCab announce bundle to create an End-to-End Mobile Mapping Solution for customers worldwide

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By entering a strategic partnership, Feima Robotics, and PointCab have created an all-in-one mobile mapping solution, covering the complete Scan to BIM workflow. It streamlines and integrates the mobile mapping and point cloud processing workflow, resulting in an affordable and user-friendly experience.

a strong partnership and great potential

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Richard Steffen, CEO of PointCab is confident about the success of the partnership:
 “With Feima Robotics we have found a reliable partner to further simplify the Scan to BIM workflow for a broader worldwide user base. The fusion of a state-of-the-art mobile mapping solution with our Origins Software fills the gap from reality capture to CAD deliverables and we are pleased by the innovative and user-friendly End-to-End solution emerging from it. We see great potential in this international partnership and are excited for the future ahead.”

Shijie Zhang, VP of Feima Robotics sees a great chance in the cooperation with PointCab:
“Feima Robotics is dedicated to providing our customers with geospatial solutions with integrated software and hardware. In the past years, we have released about 20 more types of intelligent UAV systems and dynamic 3D mobile scanning platforms. We feel now is a good time and pace for Feima Robotics to expand our overseas business. Together with PointCab, we work to provide the best possible mobile mapping solutions for our Chinese domestic and overseas clients.”

 

STRIVING FOR THE PERFECT WORKFLOW

Handling point cloud data from mobile mapping solutions is often a complex task to do.

How do you ensure good data quality? And how do you process the captured data to create CAD-ready deliverables?

The new hardware + software bundle from Feima and PointCab addresses exactly those issues, providing mobile mapping customers with a well-thought-out End-to-End Solution, tailored to easily process huge datasets.   

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State of the art mobile mapping solution...

The Feima SLAM100 handheld mobile mapping solution comes with a wide field of view. Therefore, data can be comprehensively captured from all corners within a max. range of 120m. The optional three 5-megapixel cameras allow simultaneous acquisition of texture information, colorized point clouds, and local panoramas. Automatic acquisition for extracting of control points and converting them into local and global coordinate systems is just one of many handy features the SLAM100 is equipped with. Additional mounts and accessories (for UAVs, GPS, Vehicles, a.m.m.) allow diverse data collection for a wide range of applications.

Feima’s mobile app for Android and iOS allows synchronizing all project information to the cloud. Feima’s SLAM GO POST software makes post-processing of the collected data easy. Helping to produce partial images, display point clouds, and optimize results with just a few clicks.

 
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...meets powerful and intuitive software

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After importing the Feima data into Origins, stunning ortho photo views are automatically created by the software, providing a clear visualization of the project. This allows the user to navigate through the data in a more intuitive fashion.

With the help of ortho photo views, creating layouts, sections, floor plans, and more can be done with just a few clicks. In addition, the Origins pano views are unmatched when it comes to a fast and clear visualization of mobile mapping data. Preferably used for CAD and BIM modeling, taking measurements and gathering 3D information directly in the pano views helps to speed up the workflow immensely. On top of that, semi-automized tools like the Vectorizer also help to generate CAD-ready deliverables easily. Vectorized layouts, flatness deviations, volume determination, and much more can therefore be created in seconds.

Thanks to its broad inter-compatibility, all Origins results can be exported to all prevalent CAD and BIM software. PointCab’s optional CAD Plugins for AutoCAD, Revit, ZWCAD, and more offer an even better-optimized workflow, enabling CAD/BIM users to directly transfer all point cloud data into CAD objects without the need to export/import it first.

This End-to-End Solution of powerful hardware combined with the easy-to-use and intuitive software makes this bundle a perfect match for starters and pros alike!

👉Read the Chinese press release from Feima Robotics

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PointCab appoints new CTO & CMO

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PointCab appoints new CTO & CMO

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PointCab CEO and co-founder Dr. Richard Steffen has decided to strengthen the PointCab leadership with the appointment of a new CTO and CMO. 

Both picks are dedicated young professionals who have been with PointCab for a couple of years. Senior Developer Martin Graner, will be taking over the position of CTO from Dr. Richard Steffen. Global Marketing Manager Nicole Herber will fill the newly created role of CMO where she will take a more eclectic role in PointCab´s future endeavors. 

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Martin Graner, CTO

Steffen explains the decision as follows: “We are still nimble and lean yet not the small start-up we were ten years ago. With the company growing economically as well as in terms of a variety of new areas in the future to come, it is no longer feasible for me to fill the double role of CTO and CEO. Luckily, I have found a natural successor in my role as  CTO with Martin. He started working with PointCab in 2016 and has since proven himself time and time again. He’s a quick and strategic thinker and the knowledge he’s built up around our products over the years can easily compete with my own. He’s become a trusted voice in our decision-making process and has my full confidence. I’ve never thought the day would come of myself saying this, but undoubtedly with Martin taking on the task, I look forward to stepping down as CTO and dedicating my time fully to my role as CEO.”

 

Steffen continues: “I am also happy to say that I’m just as confident with Nicole as our new CMO. When she started as a Marketing Manager in 2019, I have to admit that I  treated our Marketing as more of an afterthought mainly working with external entities. Our COO Chris McAuliffe saw the need to change things up and hired her to build up our own Marketing Strategy on various levels. Since then, she not only did just that but also opened our eyes to what potential still lays ahead. That’s why we decided to strengthen our Marketing department with Nicole leading the change. From day one, she was full of ideas with the drive and can-do attitude to accomplish them. She’s proven to be a great mentor for her team and a strong sparring partner for our leadership team. “

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Nicole Herber, CTO

Concluding Dr. Richard Steffen notes: “With Martin and Nicole in their new leadership roles, I’m confident we have positioned ourselves well for the future. Their appointments allow us to further grow, while simultaneously strengthening our existing teams and structures. As an employer, we strive to provide the opportunity and mentorship for our employees to achieve their full potential. 

2022: Recap & Round-up

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2022: Recap & Round-up

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Introductory remarks

2022 was yet again a troubling year when it comes to world events.
At the beginning of the year, everyone was looking forward to the pandemic fading and everyday life resuming more or less the way it was before. However, a rude awakening came with the start of the assault on Ukraine in February. As the year continued, more crises followed like the fight for freedom in Iran and natural disasters like wildfires all around the world or the devastating floods in Pakistan.

As a company, some of these events affected our economic situation and our business. However, what affected us, the people behind the company, more was the human suffering behind those events.

So before we give you the 2022 recap for the company PointCab, we as the PointCab team would like to acknowledge our privilege to be able to work and live freely and unharmed in 2022, while so many others did not. Our heart goes out to the people of Ukraine, Iran, Pakistan, and all others who have to endure loss, suffering, sickness, and tragedy.
May 2023 bring you peace, relief, and hope.

New Releases: Nebula

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We’ll start our recap not chronologically but with one of our more recent releases: PointCab Nebula. For the first time in our company’s history, we have developed a new product that is designed to be used independently from our desktop application and main product Origins. Granted, we’re not fully there yet. At the moment Nebula users still rely on Origins to create point cloud projects fit for upload into the Nebula cloud solution. However, we are dedicated to transforming Nebula from a platform for sharing and managing point cloud data to your all-in-one tool with point cloud processing abilities. So stay tuned!

New Releases: CAD Plugins

While releasing a new major product might be enough work done in one year for many, it’s not for us. That’s why we also expanded our product portfolio with 3 new plugins in 2022. The 4Autocad plugin was released first in May. Since Autocad is one of the most popular CAD software on the market, we felt it was time to provide a more simple point cloud workflow. 

Just 3 months later, the 4ZWCAD plugin followed. During the whole development process, we were supported by the ZWSOFT team, which resulted in a plugin perfectly adapted to the needs of ZWCAD users. When ZWSOFT invited us to speak at ZWORLD in Italy to present the plugin it was received very positively by ZWCAD users and dealers alike.

Last but not least and just in time for Christmas, the 4Archicad plugin was released at the request of our customers. Thanks to their input and feedback, we were able to release yet another plugin that seamlessly fits into the CAD workflow.

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Events in 2022

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Thanks to the pandemic calming down, we’ve managed to resume a full schedule of live events again in 2022. 

Highlights include the Geoweek in Denver, digitalBAU in Cologne, and Intergeo in Hannover. However, we were also fortunate enough to be invited to wonderful events by our partners like Viakom’s sailing trip, GeoSLAMs Germany Tour, and many more. 

Attending these events has been a pleasure all around and we can’t wait to see more of this in 2023.

 

Partnerships: New & Old

Speaking of our partners, we are happy to report that we have added a few in 2022 but also made some changes. Due to a strategic reorientation of both companies, we have decided in mutual agreement that BIMm Solutions and PointCab will go their own ways from now on. However, we will of course continue to help all customers with PointCab 4BIMm licences and BIMm solutions will do the same.

When it comes to new partnerships in 2022, Viakom is probably the most prominent one. Viakom is now our biggest software partner and provides the secure cloud & hosting infrastructure for PointCab Nebula. Furthermore, ZWSOFT has officially added us as their software partner for third-party ZWCAD applications. Reseller-wise, we are happy to announce that Stonex has joined our network internationally. There would be a lot more to report about more resellers who joined us, more software partners who have opened up their workflow to ours, and established partnerships being further nurtured. However, this would exceed the limits of our little recap here.

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Whats left to say?

We like to thank all of you, our followers, customers, and partners for your continued support. Because of you, we have had a successful business year which has succeeded our expectations. Thanks to you, we are able to continue our mission to further facilitate point cloud processing &handling.

Thank you very much & see you again in 2023!

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National Surveyors Week – background and trivia

Natinal_surveyors_week

NATIONAL SURVEYORS WEEK - BACKGROUND AND TRIVIA

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In the United States National Surveyors Week is celebrated every year starting on the third Sunday of March. The week is dedicated to surveyors and is intended to honor and educate the profession. While it started out in the US, National Surveyors Week is nowadays celebrated by many around the globe. This year, we like to honor the occasion by giving you a little background info and trivia.

Since the beginning of recorded history, surveyors have been instrumental in advancing society. The construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza in 2700 BC is one of the earliest examples in the history of land surveying. Surveying is also used in transportation, communications, mapping, and establishing legal boundaries for land ownership. Many scientific disciplines also use this important tool for research.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately 54,800 surveyors in the United States. They have expertise in:

– Geometry / Trigonometry,
– Regression analysis
– Physics, Meteorology
– Engineering
– Programming languages
– Law

While the fundamentals of surveying have remained the same, the surveying instruments today are much more technologically advanced than in the past. Drones and lasers have now replaced most of the work done with a telescope on a tripod. Remote sensing and satellite imagery are becoming more accurate and affordable, so they are used more and more these days. Probably the most important new technology in recent years is three-dimensional scanning (3D laser scanning).

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History of National Surveyor Week

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The first National Surveyors Week was proclaimed on February 13, 1984 by the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM). In addition, the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, signed a Presidential Proclamation urging citizens to recognize professional surveyors and their remarkable contributions. There are many famous land surveyors who have played a major role in the history of the settlement of North America. George Washington, the first recognized land surveyor, is probably the most famous of them all. 

Current use of laser scanning

Today, there are numerous industries that have discovered laser scanning for themselves. The advantages are obvious: laser scanning makes it possible to create a precise digital image of reality – the digital twin.  

This is why PointCab Origins is also used in various sectors. We have compiled a selection of industries in which laser scanning is used. Common areas of application are:

– Architecture
– Heritage
– Construction (As Built)
– Industrial plants
– Surveying
– Craftsmanship

 This is also how our PointCab Origins point cloud software is used in various fields.

Want to learn more? Then check out these links:

National Society of Professional Surveyors website:  https://www.nsps.us.com/

Washington as Public Land Surveyor: https://www.loc.gov/collections/george-washington-papers/articles-and-essays/george-washington-survey-and-mapmaker/washington-as-public-land-surveyor/

Initiative to win over young talent: https://www.getkidsintosurvey.com/

PointCab Origins trial version: https://pointcab-software.com/en/point-cloud-software/trial-version/ 

 

As-built – what does it mean?

As-built model

AS-BUILT – WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Contents

As-built documentation vs. construction drawing –
what is the difference?

Starting as early as possible:
Documentation of construction progress​

How is as-built documentation created?

“As-built” – anyone involved in architecture and the construction industry will sooner or later come across this term. It is almost always linked with documentation. But what does as-built documentation actually comprise? How is it created and what is it needed for? There is no legal or regularitory definition of the term. Even within the industry, there may be different opinions when it comes to the definition and scope of a as-built documentation. Despite this, or rather precisely because of this, we will try to clarify all the questions surrounding as-built documentation in this article.

As-built documentation vs. construction drawing - what is the difference?

As-built documentation is documentation of the actual state of a building or construction project. A construction drawing, on the other hand, shows the planned state of a project. Anyone who has already been involved in a construction project knows that there can be considerable differences between the planning and the result. In order to obtain realistic documentation of the project, it is necessary to carry out as-built documentation in addition to the construction drawing. 

As-built model

Starting as early as possible: Documentation of construction progress

So does it make sense to simply create as-built documentation after the project is finished? Of course, the finished project should be fully documented. However, it is even better to start much earlier. Especially with larger projects, it is advisable to document the various stages of the construction progress. There are several reasons for this. On the one hand, it allows all those involved to be kept up to date on the progress of construction.

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Even more important, however, is the reconciliation with the construction drawing and the planning. This allows potential complications to be identified at an early stage and rescheduled accordingly. After each construction stage, costs can be adjusted if necessary, new permits obtained, materials replaced, the structural analysis calculated and much more. This makes it easier to avoid nasty surprises and cost explosions.

Of course, final as-built documentation should also be carried out after the project has been completed and it is also worth recording existing structures. This is because subsequent conversion measures or installations can be planned and carried out on the basis of the as–built documentation. It also provides important information for disaster control and emergency services if required.

How is as-built documentation created?

The purpose of as-built documentation is clear so far. The next question that now arises is how it is actually created and what exactly it should contain. Regardless of whether the construction progress is to be documented or a project that has already been completed, the first step is to take measurements. Nowadays, depending on the size of the project, this is done using laser scanning and/or drone flights.

If you work with a laser scanner, it puts out a point cloud that must first be processed and evaluated using special software. Point clouds can also be generated from drone flights using special software such as Pix4D. Our Origins software can be used to quickly create sections, floor plans and much more from the point cloud data. The processed data can then be imported into the CAD system, where a model of the project is created.


But a reality capture and a simple 3D model are often not sufficient for as-built documentation. Depending on the requirements, further information must be included in the documentation and there is also a lot to consider when creating the 3D model. 

For instance, the level of detail, or LOD for short, plays an important role in 3D modelling. For example, should the valves of water systems be modelled down to the smallest detail or is it sufficient to roughly represent them in the correct position and orientation? Such questions should already be clarified and discussed with the modeller before the documentation is created. The modeller can determine in a personal conversation which LOD level is required for your project. There is no industry standard for the accuracy of as-built documentation. This is not least due to the fact that a higher degree of accuracy is associated with additional costs, which of course one does not want to bear if it is not needed for the project in question.

Another point that must be taken into account is additional information. For example, should the material of the floor, doors, windows, etc. also be documented? Which window model is used? Should invoices and static certificates be stored? These questions must also be clarified and the scope must be determined before preparing as-built documentation.

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Ultimately, the scope and accuracy of as-built documentation always depends on your individual requirements. In general, however, it can be said that at least a rough digital reality capture by means of laser scanning is always useful.This way, errors can be avoided in the construction phase and possible subsequent construction work can be implemented more easily.

Do you have any further questions about as-built documentation or point cloud evaluation?
Then write to usor call us under: +4971539295930.

Our support team will be happy to advise you!