INFO

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Scan Planning

 

We have developed our own Revit-based planning tools to help us to:

 

  • tailor our scanning services to client needs and budgetary constraints
  • define scope of work and align expectations
  • schedule ScanStations and equipment settings for proposed scans
  • create detailed job notes
  • ensure the desired minimum scan resolution is achieved in key areas
  • quantify the minimum number of scans required to provide adequate coverage
  • make efficient use of our time in the field
  • quickly measure and evaluate the various trade-offs between scan resolution, registration techniques, HDR imaging, image resolution, data size, and field time

INFO

 

Leica PTX (*.ptx)

Leica PTS (*.pts)

XYZ Format (*.xyz)

TXT Format (*.txt)

SVY Format (*.svy)

Autodesk RCS (*.rcs)

Autodesk RCP (*.rcp)

Sample Point Cloud Data

DOWNLOADS

 

Download sample point cloud data below in a few of the most common file formats, including: Leica *.pts, Leica *.ptx, Autodesk *.rcp, / *.rcs, Text *.txt, Text *.svy, Text *.xzy

List of Considerations

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Below is a short list of items to consider prior to your next scanning project:

 

  • Site obstructions
  • Security and/or site access
  • Time of day?  Off hours required?
  • Reflective surfaces (glazing, mirrors, high gloss finishes, etc.)
  • Dark surfaces (especially black)
  • Occupants and/or vehicular traffic
  • Weather conditions
  • Accumulated snowfall
  • Unstable ground conditions, deflection, vibrations, etc.
  • Desired minimum scan resolution
  • Desired level of accuracy
  • Anticipated uses for data
  • Anticipated users of data
  • Need to tie data into existing coordinate system?
  • Need for RGB color information?
  • Lighting conditions (low light, high contrast lighting, shadows, etc.)
  • Software packages that the data will be opened and viewed in
  • Desired file formats
  • Data size limitations
  • Computer hardware limitations

 

 

INFO

Basic Scan Options

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Scan Resolution:

  • Ultra Low Resolution (50.0mm)
  • Extra Low Resolution (25.0mm)
  • Low Resolution (12.5mm)
  • Standard Resolution (6.3mm)
  • High Resolution (3.1mm)
  • Extra High Resolution (1.6mm)
  • Ultra High Resolution (0.8mm)

 

Image Resolution:

(If color information is required, maps RGB color values onto point cloud)

  • 640 x 640
  • 960 x 960
  • 1920 x 1920

 

HDR Imaging:

(High Dynamic Range imaging for high contrast lighting conditions)

  • On
  • Off

 

Registration Method:

(From most accurate to least accurate)

  • Target Registration
  • Cloud to Cloud
  • Visual Registration

 

File Format:

  • Autodesk RCP
  • Autodesk RCS
  • Leica PTS
  • Leica PTX
  • Text SVY
  • Text XYZ
  • Text TXT

INFO

Pricing for 3D Laser Scanning Services

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Our top of the line equipment allows us to capture more data in less time at further distances than many of our competitors.  This means that we are always able to offer competitive pricing.  Tell us what your budget is and we will tailor our services and deliverables to suite your specific needs and objectives.

 

We strive to provide our clients with the information they need for a price they can afford.

INFO

REQUEST MORE INFO

3D Laser Scanning Forum

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An online hub for dialogue, discussion, and knowledge sharing on 3D scanning and point cloud processing

 

LINK

LINK TO FORUM

Scanning Reports

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All of our scanning projects include a detailed report outlining: general project information, scope, site conditions, methodology, field notes, key plans, registration diagnostics, and interpretation.

 

INFO

Evaluating Scanning Trade-offs

 

High Resolutions

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Pros:

more points, more detail, more information

Cons:

increased data storage requirements, increased field time, increased processing time, reduced computer performance

 

 

Images & HDR Imaging

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Pros:

additional layer of data (RGB color values), color info helps with legibility of data, HDR offers better quality imaging in high contrast lighting conditions

Cons:

significantly increased field time, slightly increased processing time, increased file sizes

 

 

Registration

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TARGET REGISTRATION

Pros:

increased accuracy, faster registration

Cons:

more time in field to capture targets

 

* We strongly recommend target registration for all of our projects.  Why?  Slightly more capture time in the field but far less processing time in the office; with increased accuracy and more reliable results.

 

VISUAL / CLOUD TO CLOUD REGISTRATION

Pros:

No targets required in field, less time in field

Cons:

Reduced level of accuracy

INFO

Scan Resolution Guide

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This PDF document lists equipment capabilities and explains the various factors that determine scan resolution.

INFO

DOWNLOAD PDF

INFO

What makes the Leica ScanStation so Special?

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Follow the links below to download various Leica White Papers describing some of the key details and features that distinguish their P-series scanners from others on the market.

INFO

DETAILS THAT MATTER

P-SERIES HDR

TILT COMPENSATION

Parametric Revit Family for Scan Planning

DECEMBER 9, 2016

 

We use a customized parametric Revit Family in our planning process to map out approximate scanner locations and to determine optimal data capture settings.  Once we have determined the number and locations of ScanStations, we then use Revit's built-in scheduling capabilities to accurately estimate the amount of field time required.

REQUEST RFA FILE

Typical Workflow for 3D Laser Scanning

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Although our workflow will vary to suite the specific needs and requirements of our clients, our process for 3D Laser Scanning typically includes the following activities:

 

PLANNING

     Collect Requirements & Define Scope

     Review Site & Plan Field Work

     Coordinate Site Visit

 

TRAVEL

          Travel to and from site (no charge for travel within Ottawa)

 

FIELD WORK

     Data Capture

          3D Laser Scanning

          HDR Imaging (for colour point clouds with photographic clarity)

          Digital Photography (for reference, documentation and/or photogrammetry)

 

OFFICE WORK

     Data Processing

          Data Registration (stitching together of multiple point clouds)

          Data Cleanup & Noise Removal (removing poor quality or unwanted data)

          Data Organization (layering or separating data into more manageable pieces)

     Data Extraction

          Extract Key Information (ie, key points or vertices, 2D linework, 3D shapes,

          objects, or volumes, etc.)

     Data Export

          Decimate Data (reduce point count and file size as required)

          Export Data to a more Manageable and/or Usable File Format(s)

     Reporting

          Prepare Report Outlining Processes, Techniques, and Equipment Used

     Delivery

          Save Data to USB Flash Drive, Print Reports, Package and Ship Deliverables

INFO

Leica *.pts Format _________________________________________________________ For each point cloud, the total number of points is printed to the first line followed by a stream of XYZ coordinates, an intensity value, and RGB color values. If color values were not captured in scans, files will not contain RGB color information and will therefore have an 'xyzi' file structure. If color values were captured in some scans but not others, the file will have an 'xyziRGB' file structure with missing RGB values printed as 0 0 0. PTS example (xyziRGB): 79671 -1.566056 2.856369 -0.002777 -1923 0 0 0 -0.137424 2.781885 -0.025299 -1687 12 12 10 -0.052707 2.769763 -0.026733 -1624 21 20 18 -0.069615 2.770889 -0.026611 -1718 15 14 12 -0.008666 2.641528 -0.026489 -1823 0 0 0 -0.000083 2.652561 -0.000946 -1977 65 65 65 -0.009968 2.614379 -0.011475 -1804 102 94 92 -0.006843 2.739134 -0.010681 -1791 136 124 110 0.000046 2.729477 0.004822 -1837 126 118 107 0.001188 2.756365 0.004364 -1882 0 0 0 . . . PTS example (xyzi): 2191565 -1.905489 5.623060 -1.852905 1040 -2.096995 1.130192 -1.855103 -444 -1.439391 -0.407376 -1.921448 -1207 -0.712171 -1.136189 -2.103729 145 -0.414039 -1.133108 -2.102844 -120 -0.407591 -1.133628 -2.103058 272 -0.407859 -1.113473 -2.229706 -1508 -0.404883 -1.110347 -2.224640 -467 -0.370193 -1.110819 -2.233826 -1521 -0.362817 -1.105455 -2.226929 -748 . . . Text Survey *.svy Format _________________________________________________________ Point clouds, vertices, and sphere centers are described as 3D point coordinate data with column headings Northing, Easting, Elevation. Optional annotations TargetID and Comment are also be exported with each coordinate. SV Y example: Point# Northing Easting Elevation Comment , 61.256319, -46.178799, 14.632597, , 61.250624, -46.063480, 14.599790, , 61.238854, -47.314091, 15.035795, , 61.235259, -47.196680, 15.016386, , 61.239085, -47.121311, 14.980741, , 61.258557, -47.404452, 15.123167, , 61.261455, -47.436382, 15.252622, , 61.260325, -47.603262, 15.135008, , 61.260692, -47.491626, 15.133451, , 61.260712, -47.548223, 15.269651, . . . Text XYZ *.xyz Format _________________________________________________________ For each point cloud, XYZ coordinates are printed with space delimited values. XYZ example: -1.566056 2.856369 -0.002777 -0.137424 2.781885 -0.025299 -0.052707 2.769763 -0.026733 -0.069615 2.770889 -0.026611 -0.008666 2.641528 -0.026489 -0.000083 2.652561 -0.000946 -0.009968 2.614379 -0.011475 -0.006843 2.739134 -0.010681 0.000046 2.729477 0.004822 0.001188 2.756365 0.004364 -0.006458 2.732565 -0.007202 -0.001327 2.697177 -0.01062 -0.004904 2.686335 -0.007446 -0.013825 2.699023 -0.023071 0 2.716575 -0.011597 . . .

INFO

© 2018 IF THEN ARCHITECTURE INC.

T: (613) 680-4820

4 Florence Street, Suite 209, Ottawa, ON K2P 0W7 Canada