3D Scanning.... wow

[sfaust]

We just got done watching a demonstration of a 3D laser scanner, WOW, talk about COOL TOYS! the guy set up the machine and in about 5 minutes had essentially a point cloud of 3d data of everything in the room, including our faces, pictures on the wall, etc . It also included color data from each point that can be exported to a material map to use for rendering . He showed us an example of a 1 mile x 1/2 mile site that he did in about 2 days. All I can say is SWEET! And it's not really all that expensive either.

His website is www.3dlaserimaging.net

[Wanderer]

We just got done watching a demonstration of a 3D laser scanner, WOW, talk about COOL TOYS! the guy set up the machine and in about 5 minutes had essentially a point cloud of 3d data of everything in the room, including our faces, pictures on the wall, etc . It also included color data from each point that can be exported to a material map to use for rendering . He showed us an example of a 1 mile x 1/2 mile site that he did in about 2 days. All I can say is SWEET! And it's not really all that expensive either.

His website is www.3dlaserimaging.net

http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=9797

very cool stuff, we just had a lug meeting where we saw a demo of this. very, very awesome...

[Andre Baros]

Does anyone have any idea about the cost of these systems or how they play with Revit. Can you run the point cloud through AutoCAD to clean it up and not end up with too much data to be used. We'll be surveying an existing building which we have no documents for soon and have toyed with idea in the past but are now looking more seriously. We had a demo a few years ago and know the cost of the service but are wondering if the cost of the systems has come down at all.

[greg.mcdowell]

We've had the same demonstration... probably from the same guy (I'm in Phoenix).

Everyone was very excited about... except me. I think it's cool from a technology perspective but I'm not sure I really see the benefit of it other than as a way to get contextual information or as a means to get a background that you can build a new model on top of. My impression was that everyone got caught up in how cool it was and didn't stop to think how they would really benefit from it.

As to Andre's questions... we just got a proposal for just under $10,000 and he takes the point cloud and converts it into 3D-Faces using the software he has.

[Andre Baros]

We're interested in it to give you a more accurate model than going out with a tape measure (or laser measure) and hoping that the ceiling is the same height everywhere and that the floor is mostly level and that the walls are mostly straight. We've had a few situations lately where existing conditions were just 2" off in one area, but to fit duct, pipe, and space in, we needed those 2" everywhere. It's nice to know before you start building that things won't fit everywhere.

I curious about people's results because I've heard (and logic would agree) that Revit would have a hard time with a point cloud.

[Wanderer]

I saw two demos by two different companies, and they were using some type of software to turn the point clouds into some sort of 3d faces. One of the demos was actually a case study of the local brewery. Their buildings are pretty old (just like mine ), and they had to move some new equipment and pipe it with VERY little room to spare. They knew their drawings weren't as accurate as they would need to be, so used one of these so they could engineer the equipment up front. Most of us oohing and ahhing over there really wouldn't have a use for it in our jobs... but, it's still cool.

We're interested in it to give you a more accurate model than going out with a tape measure (or laser measure) and hoping that the ceiling is the same height everywhere and that the floor is mostly level and that the walls are mostly straight. We've had a few situations lately where existing conditions were just 2" off in one area, but to fit duct, pipe, and space in, we needed those 2" everywhere. It's nice to know before you start building that things won't fit everywhere.

I curious about people's results because I've heard (and logic would agree) that Revit would have a hard time with a point cloud.

[crarchitect]

I looked into the 3D point cloud data a few years back. I suppose it must have come a long way. Back in 2001 the major bust was point-cloud-to-usable geometry. Sure, taking scans of an exposed piping oil derrick was a snap, AND, the software could make piping solids out of that scan data In a jiffy. But turning flat areas into walls and or roofs, and/or joining walls and roofs was a total nightmare using their software.

I would really enjoy being shut down on this opinion. Anyone have a working method- or product? The point cloud to REVIT link is what should be scrutinized.

So, five years later is two lifetimes in software cycles. The drawings probably draw themselves by now, right? Hope so!

[narlee]

the guy set up the machine and in about 5 minutes had essentially a point cloud of 3d data of everything in the room, including our faces, pictures on the wall, etc . It also included color data from each point that can be exported to a material map to use for rendering .

Do you know how big the file was?

[narlee]

We're interested in it to give you a more accurate model than going out with a tape measure (or laser measure)...

Anyone know of a laser measurer that works? I tried an inexpensive one by Straight-Line and it was a joke and didn't work for me. Saw a $350 one by Hilti, but haven't ventured to throw the bucks at it.

[Andre Baros]

Regarding laser measures, we've got the PLS-number number something and the only issue is that it doesn't always work for very large distances on very sunny days. For everything else it's great, though some of our contractors prefer the Dewalt because they say it's more durable.

Regarding the point clouds. I'm also checking back after 5 years, because it seams like at some point that will be the way to capture data about existing conditions and bring it into Revit. Also, I don't need to make the whole thing adjustable, the whole point is to document things which can't move while giving me the ability to block out areas of change and then lay my new work on top. But I need to make sure that bringing the model in won't kill the system and that the cost of the unit makes it practical for every project, not just the occasional nuclear plant or oil rig.

I'll report back on my other results.