Architects Using Point Clouds?

[crawfords]

I am curious as to the number of architecture firms that are using 3-D scanner point cloud data, particularly if they own/rent the scanning equipment and are doing the scanning themselves?

Anyone?

Thanks.

-Crawford

[crawfords]

I'll take that as a "no," then.

-C

[cdatechguy]

I work for an architect that uses them...we get the site done by a local surveyor that will split up ground and trees so that I can bring them into the model in the correct positions/heights. That way we have more precise demo plans and we build the house to match the site.

Haven't done any projects though for as-built purposes, but I heard a lot of GSA projects do them for new buildings.

[crawfords]

Well, the reason that I asked was that our firm recently obtained a Faro Focus scanner, as it is anticipated that a great deal of work in the immediate future will involve renovation of existing buildings. As we are trying to develop our designs with a greater amount of structural and MEP coordination (with Navisworks, etc.), having very accurate as-built conditions is highly desirable.

So we made the decision to purchase the scanner, and I am now in the process of developing the workflow to get the information from the scanner into the Revit model. This has been surprisingly tricky, and I have not had a great deal of luck finding information on AUGI & similar forums.

I didn't make it to AU this year, but I've heard that the Faro booth was a pretty busy place. Are any of you architects out there contemplating the purchase and use of a laser scanner?

Just curious.

-Crawford

[bbeck]

Just going to use my Xbox Kinetc mounted to a hard hat and walk-thru the building.:shock:

[Steve_Stafford]

Check out Kelly Cone's Autodesk University session (http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=event_class&session_id=9695&jid=1742888):

AB5602 - Laser Scanning to BIM: If You Look at It Long Enough You Might Model Something

Here's a few things I left the session with: He stressed having a licensed surveyor involved in the process, in his case on the scanning team. Their experience/credibility helps ensure the scanning is done aligned with the site/property correctly. Make an error there it's pretty costly to sort out later, possibly do over.

They (his company) could do it themselves but prefer to hire it out, at least for now. The scanning is just part of the "puzzle", the processing of the scans into a coherent "set" of scans is really important so that it all comes together properly.

If we think Revit is expensive check out some serious point cloud software, like 30k per seat and $2k plus for subscription/maintenance.

[SamuelAB]

Have a look at this presentation from my local Revit Chapter, perhaps you can apply it to your company:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/53991486/GORUG-Presentation-April-5th-Andre-Carvalho?secret_password=26sknd3lkl83qq5z3ek4

[crawfords]

For those of you who have entered into the wonderful world of 3-D laser scanning, or are just interested in learning more, there's a good forum at http://www.laserscanning.org.uk/forum/

-Crawford

[hworrell]

We have been hiring out this service to another company. The amount of work they do ahead of time just to do the survey itself is well worth the money we (the owner) ends up paying for their service.

I don't know if you have worked with one of the building surveyors in the past - but that might be a starting point -

Our first experience with the point clouds wasn't very good, we quickly learned what to expect from the comanies and the timeframe in which we were going to receive the information. (first time, we asked them to convert the information to Revit...not a good outcome)

The good news is, once you get it figured it out, you can start selling your services to other architecture firms.

[eviele]

Just going to use my Xbox Kinetc mounted to a hard hat and walk-thru the building.:shock:

One year ago I posted about the Xbox Kinect on our office blog.
In November I sent out the below information. If you look around on youtube you'll see even more advancements in the last two months. Things are progressing rapidly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-wLOfjVfVc&feature=player_embedded
(you may want to mute the music on this video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V11V9Peqpc&feature=player_embedded
(you may want to mute the music on this video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nQxRyfhen8&feature=player_embedded

What does this have to do with the AEC Industry?
Maybe everything:

http://www.cadlore.com/specialfeatures/softwarearticles/revit/15761-microsoft-unknowingly-revolutionizes-the-3d-imaging-industry-kinect--scanableorg-the-future-of-field-bim.html

http://kinect.dashhacks.com/kinect-hacks/2011/04/28/kinect-integration-autocad
(long video, skip to 4:00 minutes in and watch until 6:30 or so)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rm1JuukxhLQ


Seems crazy, no?
How about something helpful, like navigational aids for the visually impaired?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6QY-eb6NoQ&feature=player_embedded
(again with the music, but listen to hear the machine give directions to the user)

Or maybe something to help those with limited mobility?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vcacRA7O5g&feature=player_embedded
(more music you may want to mute, but a great concept)

All this from the humble little Microsoft Kinect, all this in one year and all this for $151.00

http://www.amazon.com/Kinect-Sensor-Adventures-Xbox-360/dp/B002BSA298

It seems that the cheap technology of the Kinect and the iPad could have a profound effect on our industry in the near future.

At least in how we interact with buildings, if not how we make them.

Here’s a quick glimpse of home control with the iPad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2STwMlsE9tA&feature=player_embedded

I've been following the point cloud and Microsoft kinect stuff with great interest for awhile now. It's nice to see Revit has even more point cloud tools on the lab.
http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/scan_to_bim/

When I was working with point clouds six months ago it was not so elegant. Excited to try the new tools...
Also, OP sorry for bombarding the post. I got a little carried away.

[crawfords]

Our first experience with the point clouds wasn't very good, we quickly learned what to expect from the comanies and the timeframe in which we were going to receive the information. (first time, we asked them to convert the information to Revit...not a good outcome)\

We've found that the main time-suck has been processing the and registering the scans after they have been taken. Getting them into Revit is also a challenge, but it seems that Autodesk is making progress in this regard.

There seems to be a disconnect in the availability and price of tools available to different users. That is, a lot of point-cloud processing stuff seems geared for super-high accuracy engineering types of applications, rather than larger-scale architectural applications.

-Crawford