As-built documentation of a planetarium

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Using LIDAR technology for as-built documentation of a planetarium

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Thanks to the use of laser scanning and PointCab Origins Pro, placing new projectors is no longer a problem

The precise placement of projectors in specially designed theatre rooms within planetariums is no easy task. Just measuring these rooms, which have sloping floors and domes, is a challenge. In addition, the measurement results and the design proposals derived from them must be communicated clearly and concisely to all project participants.

In the USA, the professionals from Seiler Instrument, more precisely Seiler’s Planetarium Division, are often called in for such jobs. Seiler employee Howard George used to use a combination of manual measurements and a total station for this task- a very time-consuming process. To speed up and simplify the process, laser scanning and PointCab’s point cloud software were therefore used for the first time.

The first step was to employ a handheld GeoSLAM ZEB Revo RT LiDAR scanner that creates 3D point clouds literally in minutes. Then the challenge was to efficiently extract the geometry and features to create BIM models of the spaces and better communicate the design intent to project stakeholders. To achieve this, Howard was provided with a trial version of PointCab 3D Pro (now Origins Pro). This is an easy-to-use point cloud editing and sharing software that was recommended by the Design Solutions team at Seiler. Howard comments, “In non-orthogonal areas like planetariums, PointCab allows me to freely tilt, rotate and magnify data points and orient perspectives. ” Thanks to the PointCab and Revit support, as well as online resources, Howard was able to start modelling from the point cloud within a few days, even as a novice, thanks to PointCab`s 4Revit plugin. This allowed him to simulate the placement of the projectors as-is and quickly create vectorised CAD schematics of the space and installation details. He was thrilled: “PointCab’s software exports 2D images of 3D spaces, but screen sharing the software via Zoom or simply forwarding my results with PointCab Share allows me to walk anyone through my process and show them whatever they want to see.” 

Verschiedene Evaluationen in Origins Pro

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The powerful combination of LiDAR scanning technology and PointCab Origins Pro has had a profound impact on the schedule and customer experience for these complex projector installations. Howard says: “I’m given metric spherical coordinates from ZEISS  to place projectors in relation to the dome. In PointCab, I export Cartesian imperial coordinates to place the projector stands on the floor.  Then the PointCab software exports 2D images of 3D spaces to me. Sharing data via PointCab Share (freeware) or screen sharing via Zoom allows me to share each step of the process with everyone and show in detail what is of interest.” In just one week, essential but very time-consuming tasks were thus radically reduced and changed for the better for everyone involved in the project. Once tested, the Seiler Planetarium Division would like to continue to rely on the combination of laser scanning and the PointCab software in the future.

Art Graphique

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Art Graphique et Patrimoire: digitally capture and document cultural sites

Art Graphique & Patrimoine was founded in 1994 out of a passion for sculpture and for the preservation of cultural heritage. Since then, AGP has managed many different projects that required traditional expertise as much as a progressive spirit of innovation. Over the years, AGP has accumulated more than 1500 prestigious references in France and abroad. Today, AGP is one of the leaders in France in the field of digital technologies for the acquisition and preservation of cultural heritage.

Art Graphique has used PointCab Origins to generate accurate othophotos from the extensive scan data of the buildings. You could see vivid examples of this just now in the video of Art Graphique et Patrimoine. Thanks to PointCab Origins it was possible to generate detailed orthophotos, regardless of the laser scanner file formats. Fast processing of very large and extensive point clouds is no problem thanks to PointCab Origins. All details are accurately captured and mapped. This creates a reliable basis for restorations and new components. In addition, Art Graphique creates impressive images through the versatile visualization options in PointCab Origins, which let the buildings shine in a new light.

WHY POINTCAB ORIGINS?

Software Speed

Even the most extensive point cloud data can be evaluated easily and quickly with PointCab Origins.

Detailed Otho photos

The information of the evaluated point cloud data can be easily and quickly generated into orthophotos.

Proximity to support

PointCab’s support is characterized by comprehensive expertise and individual attention.

Turning the extensive scan data into othophotos worked unprecedentedly well.
AGP
Nov. 2018

About Art Graphique et Patrimoine

Art Graphique & Patrimoine was founded in 1994 out of a passion for sculpture and for the preservation of cultural heritage. Since then, AGP has managed many different projects that required traditional expertise as much as an advanced spirit of innovation, and over time has accumulated more than 1500 prestigious references in France and abroad. Today, AGP is one of the leaders in France in the field of digital technologies for the acquisition and preservation of cultural heritage. https://www.artgp.fr/?lang=en

Surveying Dunelm House

dunelm house

Surveying Dunelm House - home of the Durham Univerity Students' Union (DSU)

Worcester, UK-based Bury Associates Ltd was contracted to survey Dunelm House, home of the Durham Students’ Union (DSU) at Durham University. With the roof leaking in many places, Dunelm House needed to be repaired quickly. As a result, Durham University decided to undertake a major renovation. In order to create a highly accurate 3D model and numerous plans in Revit, the building and the surrounding area were scanned with two FARO Focus3D laser scanners. Using total stations and GPS, the team was also able to capture topographical information in the process.

Since Dunelm House was built on the banks of the River Wear and the roof is characterized by a special shape, the sometimes very complicated geometries had to be comprehensively recorded. Thus, 3D laser scanning provided an excellent method for the detailed measurement of the building. The surveying process delivered very accurate data within a very short time. In only four days, numerous images or orthophotos could be extracted from the scan data (point cloud) in Pointcab. These images were used for the creation of plans, elevations, sections and BIM as well as for the generation of 2D plans in AutoCAD.

WHY POINTCAB ORIGINS?

Software speed

Even the most extensive point cloud data can be evaluated easily and quickly with PointCab Origins.

Direkt Workflow to Revit

The information of the evaluated point cloud data can be easily and quickly transferred to Revit.

Proximity to support

PointCab’s support is characterized by comprehensive expertise and individual attention.

We think PointCab Origins is the fastest way to extract plans and sections from point clouds.
Bury Associates Limited
Dez. 2018

About Bury Associates Limited

Bury Associates Limited was established in 1997 by Steve Bury. His aim was to provide a top quality service to clients needing topographical and measured building surveys throughout the UK. The company has grown steadily over the years and now includes surveyors, drone pilots, CAD operators, dedicated BIM specialists and administrative staff. “We pride ourselves on being an innovative company. We always use the latest and best survey equipment available and provide an excellent customer service.” Steve Bury, MD Bury Associates use the latest drones, robotic survey instruments and laser scanners. This allows even large sites to be surveyed extremely quickly and accurately. Surveys are enhanced by using network GPS to place projects onto precise Ordnance Survey co-ordinates and datum. 3D data has formed an important part of the company’s output right from the start – from the 3D AutoCAD models produced in the late 1990s of the M5/M6 interchange through to today’s highly detailed Revit Building Information Models. We supply these to some of the UK’s leading architects and engineers. https://www.buryassociates.co.uk/