3D Laser Scanning: Different Type of Scanners

Hi this is Eugene A. O’Day, IX, an application Specialist with Ideate, Inc.

Did you know that 3D laser scanning is as much about precise measurement as it is about stunning visualization?  Are you intrigued with the concept of Scan-to-BIM?  Wait I might be getting ahead of myself.  Are you unfamiliar with the terms; 3D laser scanning, LiDAR, and point clouds?  If you are, then this blog might interest you.  Today’s blog will focus on the very basic of scanning terms and the different types of 3D laser scanners. 

Scanning Terms 101
 
3D Scanners:
Devices that analyzes a real-world object or environment to collect data on its shape and possibly its appearance i.e. color. The purpose of a 3D scanner is usually to create a point cloud of geometric samples on the surface of the subject.  The collected data can then be used to construct digital, three dimensional models. 
 
3D Object Scanning:
Allows enhancing the design process, speeds up and reduces data collection errors, saves time and money, and thus makes it an attractive alternative to traditional data collection techniques such as tap measure with pencil and paper. 3D scanning is also used for mobile mapping, surveying, scanning of buildings and building interiors, and in archaeology.

LiDAR:
Is a remote sensing technology that measures distance by illuminating a target with a laser and analyzing the reflected light. The term LiDAR comes from combining the words light and radar.

Point Cloud:
A large group of 3D points that spatially represent the environment around the laser scanner.
 
Types of Scanners

There a handful of different types of scanners on the market; each type comes with its own limitations, advantages and costs.
 
Airborne:
Airborne laser scanning is a scanning technique for a data capture of the earth surface.  It’s an important data source for environmental applications, being able to map topographic height, and the height of surface objects, to high vertical and horizontal accuracy over large areas.

Ideal Usage:

• Exterior mapping
• Corridor
• Large scale mapping

Accuracy and Range:
• Accuracy +/- 10 CM Depending on conditions.
• Range 3.000 feet (typically flown at about 3,000 FT).
 

Mobile:
Mobile mapping is a non-invasive, state-of-the-art solution that incorporates the most advanced ground-based LiDAR sensors, cameras, and an inertial measuring unit to collect survey-quality point data quickly and accurately.
 

Ideal Usage:
• Rapid exterior mapping for corridors w/imaging.
• Mapping, Asset Management, Utilities, Planning,
Disaster Management, Tunnel, FAA airport design and layout. 

 
Accuracy and Range (Topcon IPS-2)
• Accuracy +/- 3 to 5 CM Depending on conditions.
• Range 30 to 100 meters depending on conditions.
 Think Google maps
 

Phased Based:Constant waves of varying length are projected. Upon contact with an object, they are reflected back to the scanner. The distance from the scanner to the object is accurately measured by measuring the phase shifts in the waves of infrared light.
 

Ideal Usage:

• Exterior high accuracy longer range scans
• (Architectural Reconstruction, Surveying, Engineering, Planning, Forensics).

Accuracy and Range (Topcon GLS-1500)
•    Accuracy +/-2MM
•   Range 150 to 330 meters depending on conditions.
 

Time of Flight:
An active scanner that uses laser light to probe the subject(s).  At the meat and potatoes of this type of scanner is a time-of-flight “laser rangefinder”. The laser rangefinder finds the distance of a surface by timing the round-trip time of a pulse of light. A laser is used to emit a pulse of light and the amount of time before the reflected light is seen by a detector, is measured.
 

Ideal Usage:

• Interior high density high accuracy scans (MEP, Architectural, Structural, Facilities Management, and Forensics).

Accuracy and Range (FARO Focus3D)
•    Accuracy +/-2MM
•   Range 60 to 120 meters depending on conditions.

Stay tune for more Scanning definitions…

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Eugene . O’Day, IX
AEC Application Specialist
Eugene A. O’Day, IX, with more than 25 years of architectural and mechanical experience, offers a trained focus on all things Revit and BIM. Teaching is a passion of his. Eugene has been an instructor in undergraduate degree programs, has traveled worldwide teaching Autodesk solutions to major corporations, has taught at accredited ATCs throughout the Northwestern region, and is a frequent and popular instructor, speaker, and presenter for AUGI® CAD Camps, Revit – and related product user groups. He has also been a trusted public school district advisor on new drafting instructor hires. At Ideate, Eugene provides training and support for Revit Architecture, Revit Structure and AutoCAD. Eugene is also a Revit Architecture Autodesk Certified Professional.

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New in 2014: Autodesk ReCap Part 2 – Key Features

In Part 1 of our ReCap posts, we discussed how this new application processes and combines laser scan files into a ReCap Project. Now we’re looking at some of the Key Features available once the projects are launched. 
 
Along with standard navigational tools like pan, zoom, orbit, look, and fly-through, ReCap also has the capability of editing point cloud data; something that has not been a part of Autodesk software in the past.

Selection Tools

Annotation Tools

The bottom-center of the screen includes annotation tools for notes, distances, angles and faces, as well as selection tools for editing. Window and Fence tools can be used to easily crop or delete selected sections of the point cloud, quickly removing unwanted data and reducing file size.

Display Tools

The upper-left of the screen includes display options to control how the point cloud data appears in the application. The Project Navigator, Limit Box and Display Settings allow users to control which files from the dataset are displayed, how much of the data is displayed, point color, point size, background data, and lighting and shading effects.
 
With functionality similar to point cloud review and processing tools from Trimble and Leica, Autodesk customers now have access to a program that can process and edit point cloud data prior to being used in Autodesk design software like AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Revit, Navisworks and Autodesk InfraWorks. Best of all, it’s included in the 2014 Autodesk Design Suites and available now on Subscription Center.

For a video of Autodesk ReCap in action and other great features our Ideate Technical Team has found in the new Autodesk 2014 releases, visit: ideateinc.com/2014 
Ideate Note: If you are experiencing a Fatal Error issue when trying to launch a ReCap project this is most likely based on system hardware rather than an issue with the application. For more information about this issue and Ideate’s solution, read our recent blog post titled: Help! Autodesk ReCap is Crashing.

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Matt Miyamoto, P.E.
Ideate AEC Application Specialist
Matt is a licensed Civil Engineer in the state of Hawaii. Matt obtained a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and has 7 years of private sector design experience which he applies in his role as an application specialist with Ideate, Inc. His project experience includes residential and commercial site development, private and public sewer, water and drainage systems, harbors improvements, and roadway improvements. While in Hawaii, Matt was involved in multidisciplinary projects for City and County agencies, State Departments, the Army COE and private developers. @MattM_PE

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New in 2014: Autodesk ReCap Point Cloud Review and Processing (Part 1)

Here at Ideate, we try to take advantage of all opportunities to test and work with any new Autodesk product that might be useful to our customers. This year, Autodesk released a new point cloud processing application called Autodesk ReCap. 
 
With functionality similar to point cloud review and processing tools from Trimble and Leica, Autodesk customers now have access to a program that can process and edit point cloud data prior to being used in Autodesk design software like AutoCad, AutoCad Civil 3D, Revit and Autodesk InfraWorks. And best of all, it’s included in the 2014 Autodesk Design Suites.
 
This is a great opportunity for end users to now review and process large lidar datasets in an application made specifically for that task, without having to purchase additional software. Additionally, Autodesk ReCap (.RCP) projects and (.RCS) files can be directly imported into 2014 Autodesk applications.
 
Autodesk ReCap includes a processing engine that allows users to select multiple data files at once, and produces a single (.RCP) Project file that links back to the processed data. Each original data file becomes a (.RCS) file that is part of the project. Process time is dependent on the size and amount of files selected, and during our testing a 1.5 GB dataset with eight original files took about an hour to complete. A convenient timer also provides an estimate on how long each file and the entire project will take to process.
 
Once processed, the ReCap project can be launched directly, and the composite point cloud appears in the application. Here’s a screenshot of the completed point cloud in ReCap (file provided by Surface and Edge 3D Laser Scanning).

For a video of Autodesk ReCap in action and other great features our Ideate Technical Team has found in the new Autodesk 2014 releases, visit: ideateinc.com/2014 
Ideate Note: If you are experiencing a Fatal Error issue when trying to launch a ReCap project this is most likely based on system hardware rather than an issue with the application. For more information about this issue and Ideate’s solution, read our recent blog post titled: Help! Autodesk ReCap is Crashing.

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Matt Miyamoto, P.E.
Ideate AEC Application Specialist
Matt is a licensed Civil Engineer in the state of Hawaii. Matt obtained a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and has 7 years of private sector design experience which he applies in his role as an application specialist with Ideate, Inc. His project experience includes residential and commercial site development, private and public sewer, water and drainage systems, harbors improvements, and roadway improvements. While in Hawaii, Matt was involved in multidisciplinary projects for City and County agencies, State Departments, the Army COE and private developers. @MattM_PE

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Ideate Tech Team – Top Tier Experts from Ideate Present at Autodesk University 2011

Ideate tech team leader and veteran AU presenter David Haynes says of the AU experience, “Presenting is a privilege. Preparing is a challenge. It is very competitive to speak. In fact, about three times as many apply as are accepted. Once you are accepted, you have five months to prepare.”

As a veteran, Haynes understands what his team experiences. “Anxiety sets in for presenters during the last month prior to AU,” he explains. “The team, in spite of their vast experience and technical expertise, begins self-questioning, ‘Am I ready?’ Speaking in front of hundreds of people can be intimidating, and the post-presentation surveys hold another opportunity for anxiety or relief. The comments can boost your sense of accomplishment or the opposite.”

Haynes would not trade the experience for anything. As he says, “There is simply nothing else like AU in the world. The diversity of attendees from many nations is vast. There is a wide breadth of experience in attendees. There is a lot to talk about and a lot to learn.”

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Multiple Facets of Ground-mounted LiDAR Scanning Process Revealed

The lecture class, “LiDAR Data and Point Clouds: From Scan to Plan with AutoCAD Civil 3D,” presented by Matt Miyamoto, PE, Ideate Infrastructure Application Specialist, was designed for surveyors, engineers or planners who wonder where their data comes from and who want to find out more about the ground-mounted LiDAR scanning process.

The session took a look at tools for LiDAR data collection, presented a discussion on how ground-mounted data is collected, processed, and incorporated into a Civil 3D drawing via AutoCAD Civil 3D Point Cloud functionality, and explored how a Civil 3D Point Cloud object can be used to create an existing ground model for use in design and can be further evaluated in Autodesk Navisworks®. 

Participation was far livelier than Miyamoto anticipated. As an example, one attendee, a university instructor, expressed the intention to – after the session– “scan and model my 640 acre campus.” Another attendee from Canada offered to retrieve a laser scanner from his hotel room so that participants could delve even more deeply into the topic.

Miyamoto noticed that during the question and answer period there were many questions that were topic related but not product related. In other words, attendees were interested in both the cross-functionality of the products and the over-arching technology.

The post-class surveys revealed how the presentation would affect participants going forward and what they anticipated next:

“Consider this technology more in my work.”
“Incorporate LiDAR into all my projects.”
“Not become so intimidated by LiDAR survey.”
“Start using point clouds for large surface data sets.”
“I learned the different workflows and capabilities of Civil 3D that I will explore once I get home.”
“Promote using point clouds to my clients (I am a reseller).”
“Present to the office another method of accurate data collection to think about.”

Among the roughly two dozen completed surveys, three indicated they felt that the session was targeted to students on a level lower than their current expertise. The majority indicated that the class was right in line with what they hoped to learn.

“Matt was very well prepared and his presentation really showed the capabilities the class was advertised to show.”
“Good presenter, knowledgeable and professional.”
“The speaker did an excellent job of covering the material and demoing the workflows.”
“Best and most useful class I attended at AU. Speaker obviously has a passion for the subject and used the time allotted well.”

Courses Taught at Ideate: Civil 3D Fundamentals, AutoCAD Fundamentals, AutoCAD Beyond the Basics, AutoCAD Update, Navisworks Fundamentals

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Ideate AEC Application Specialist Ron Palma presented two classes. One class, “Shop Drawings in Revit: What? It Can Do That?” focused on helping attendees create shop drawings of their designs using the new Parts, Assemblies, and Assembly drawing tools in Revit Architecture and Revit Structure 2012. The other, “2D to 3D: Transitioning Documentation from AutoCAD to Revit,” a special AU Unconference Session, provided an open discussion on moving documentation from the 2D AutoCAD realm to the 3D Revit world.

Parts and Assemblies Class Fills Lecture Hall

The Parts and Assemblies class was designed for AU attendees who need to create shop or assembly drawings of building materials within Revit Architecture or Revit Structure. Attendees included architects, designers, interior designers, engineers, detailers, contractors, and construction modelers. The class focused on the new Part and Assemblies tools, and covered how the tools work with practical applications in various scenarios. Initial signups included 190 students, and attendance exceeded that number with nearly 200 on hand for the presentation. Attendee survey comments tell the story:

“Great job. Loved that the material in Revit was presented real time. Great speaker and easy to follow along.”
“Great presenter. Solid information.”
“I loved this class. Presenter is gold. Where was he all this time???”
“I was only taking this class because there wasn’t anything that sounded better. After attending, this turned out to be the most important and informative class I’ve had. Great presenter.”
“The speaker did a great job illustrating many avenues to utilize the new tool.”
“Very good class, with lots of questions and interaction with the participating class members.”

Animated Unconference Session Provides Ample Individual Attention

Within the open discussion “unconference” format – only introduced to Autodesk University in very recent years – Palma served as moderator and discussion director. The smaller, highly interactive session focused on the transitions required in the move from 2D documentation to 3D documentation. Additional topics included making use of BIM in the structural engineering documentation process, presenting designs and documents in new ways beyond the traditional 2D views, and involving other BIM team members in the integrated project delivery (IPD) process.

About 20 participants arrived ready for a lively discussion, engaged Palma’s expertise and left survey reports with comments such as:

“I enjoyed the interaction with other professionals in the industry with similar problems.”
“Great Class/Discussion!!!”
“I love this format. Best class.”

Courses Taught at Ideate: Revit Architecture Fundamentals, Revit Architecture Beyond the Basics, Revit Architecture Families, Revit Architecture for Project Managers Workshop, AutoCAD Fundamentals, AutoCAD Update, AutoCAD Architecture Fundamentals

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Cross-Utilization Strikes a Chord in How Suite It is!

Up for discussion in the presentation of Ideate Senior Application Specialist Teresa Martin were Autodesk Revit, 3ds Max Design, Navisworks, and Quantity Takeoff. The session, entitled “How Suite It is! Leveraging Autodesk Design Suites from Schematic Design to Construction,” focused on using Autodesk Design Suites to leverage workflow processes from the humble napkin-sketch beginning to a construction model through post-occupancy.

By its very nature, suites was a complex teaching assignment in the tightly constrained format of AU. Martin adhered to the topic by focusing on the reasons behind the bundling and pointed out the advantages inherent in having design suites.

The class was scheduled at an eye-opening 8:00 a.m. on day two of AU, and about 90 showed up ready to explore suites. During the question and answer period which lasted about 15 minutes, attendees had a range of queries including “What classes should I attend next,” “How can I find out more about Autodesk Sketchbook designer and/or Showcase,” and “Is the Sketchbook designer available on the IPad?” Additional questions pertained specifically to Navisworks and its interface with Revit. Teresa answered all, and regarding Navisworks she discussed the switchback feature along with some other settings to answer specific questions.

The survey comments summarize the responses of attendees:

“As a general overview of the purpose and value of the multiple platforms that a Design Suite offers, the presentation did a superior job demonstrating the viability of the cross-utilization of each.”
“…small video glitch. Otherwise great show.”
“Excellent topic and well taught.”
“Good to think about using some of these tools in smaller bites to help ease people into Revit.”
“Interesting and informative! Thanks Teresa!”
“Presenter was very good.”
“She gave me insight as to why the suite packages are offered. She sold me the value to my firm. Thank you.”
“Showed me how I can use other programs effectively. This is what I/we need to enter the wonderful world of BIM. Well done!!!!”

Courses Taught at Ideate: Revit Architecture Fundamentals, Revit Architecture Beyond the Basics, Revit Architecture Families, Revit Architecture for Project Managers Workshop, Navisworks Fundamentals, Green BIM Basics, Ecotect Fundamentals, BIM for Contractors
 

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Lean Processes Session Challenges Industry Pros to Rethink Next Steps

David Haynes, AIA, LEED AP, and Ideate Director of Consulting, approached his session, “Adopting Lean Processes in BIM,” with a goal to present the leading edge of an industry wave and provoke thought. While many AU presentations address hot topics such as new solutions and new case uses for familiar solutions, Haynes prefers to peer just over the horizon and explore emerging industry ideas and trends. Spirited controversy and animated discussions result, and the Lean session was no exception.

Haynes’ session posed a number of premises. One is that the contemporary recession has changed and will continue to change the AEC industry. Haynes contends about the emerging economy, “The way you went into the recession is not the way you will come out. AEC design teams who go Lean will make headway. Those who do not are in greater danger of falling behind and not catching up.”

In the past, according to Haynes, “Architects only wanted to create designs so glorious that their customers would weep. Now, design no longer entails the Building Information Modeling (BIM) luxury of ‘we did it because could.’ Architects are charged with designing what the customer wants and is willing to pay for.” Haynes adds, “As Architects, many of us were educated to believe that architecture is a solitary vision. Then we encounter Lean practices and the need for collaboration. Lean Design’s premise is that no one mind is better, that the consensus brings together what the best of the collective mind can devise.”

Since BIM has given architects, engineers, and contractors new tools and revised workflow processes, it is easy to imagine that higher profits naturally result. In truth, some firms readily realize gains with BIM while others find gains elusive.

The session, designed for business owners and firm principals, explored ways the success of Lean practices, primarily from the manufacturing world, can translate to the service-oriented world of architecture and engineering for increased profitability, greater efficiency, and a better total “design and build” experience for the client.

Haynes fully anticipated that his session would be perceived as edgy. What surprised him was how many among the healthy turnout – 120 or so attendees on the final day of AU – acknowledged a sense of change underway in the industry. Some wanted even greater depth of discussion than the session format allowed. One attendee left a post-class comment related to having hoped for more exploration into Six Sigma, a specific aspect of Lean practices in which stable and predictable process results are achieved, and quantifiable financial returns can be measured.

Another attendee also indicated a desire to delve deeper into the topic by saying, “Like many seminars there is an assumption a project is very straightforward. I would like to see how Disney might attempt this.”

The question and answer period extended for a full 20 to 25 minutes, with participants entering into their own cross-discussions facilitated and moderated by Haynes. As Haynes says, “There was no snoozing. And afterward, people stayed to talk.”

Survey comments indicate how engaging the session turned out to be:

“Good and timely presentation.”
“Great class.”
“Have David back!”
“A good reality check on our profession.”
“I have decided the speaker is my new mentor.”
“…the speaker was compelling and knowledgeable.”
“This was of great value to me.”
“Thoroughly enjoyed it.”
“One of the best explanations of implementation and practical Lean process I’ve heard. Many only talk about construction and manufacturing side benefits and processes. Thank you.”
“This is the best class I have ever attended at AU.”

Consulting Services with David and Ideate: to architects, engineers, contractors and owners in transforming design technology solutions. David is the Ideate Technical Team leader.

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Hand Pick from the Best and Brightest Tech Experts

Ideate Speakers to Present at Autodesk University 2011

This year, Ideate technical team is providing interesting and informative presentations at Autodesk University.  AU 2011 will be held from November 29 to December 1, 2011 at The Venetian in Las Vegas (http://au.autodesk.com).  

Ideate speakers will be highlighted in such diverse topics as LIDAR and Point clouds, 2D to 3D transitioning, shop drawing creation in Revit, process integration of Autodesk Design Suites, and Lean Business Practices in BIM.  This diversity of topics, and depth of knowledge, is a tradition at Ideate, Inc. and highlights the high technical expertise of the Ideate technical staff. 
Autodesk University is known for showcasing the ‘best and brightest’ as presenters, and Ideate is proud of providing some interesting and informative sessions to AU 2011.

Here is a brief overview of each of the sessions:

LIDAR Data and Point Clouds: From Scan to Plan with AutoCAD Civil 3D: Session ID: CI3853

Matt Miyamoto, PE, Ideate Infrastructure Application Specialist

This lecture class is designed for the surveyor, engineer or planner who is interested in finding out more about the ground-mounted LiDAR scanning process.  Technological advancements have made it much easier for engineers and developers to gain access to LiDAR data.  In this class, we will take a look at some of the tools for LiDAR data collection, and discuss how ground-mounted data is collected, processed, and incorporated into a Civil 3D drawing via AutoCAD ® Civil 3D Point Cloud functionality.  Additionally, we will see how a Civil 3D Point Cloud object can be used to create an existing ground model for use in design or further evaluated in Autodesk Navisworks®.  If you’re interested in LiDAR technology, or have been working with LiDAR data and wonder where your data comes from, this class is for you. 

Shop Drawings in Revit: What? It Can Do That?: Session ID: SE2745

Ron Palma, Ideate AEC Application Specialist

Do you have a need to create shop or assembly drawings of building materials within Revit Architecture or Revit Structure? Have you been drawing 2D shop drawings in drafting views without the benefit of live views in the building model? Or have you created “live” views of your model and then resorted to visibility graphic manipulation to isolate what it is you are trying to document? If so, this class is for you. The class focuses on helping you create shop drawings of your designs using the new Parts, Assemblies, and Assembly drawing tools in Revit Architecture and Revit Structure 2012. 

2D to 3D: Transitioning Documentation from AutoCAD to Revit: Session ID: SE7280 –U (Part of AU 2011 Unconference Sessions)

Ron Palma, Ideate AEC Application Specialist

This unconference session will be focused on the transitions you must consider when moving from 2D documentation to 3D documentation. Additional topics will include making use of BIM in the structural engineering documentation process, how we may consider presenting designs and documents in new ways beyond the traditional 2D views, and considerations in getting other BIM team members involved in the integrated project delivery (IPD) process. 

How Suite It is! Leveraging Autodesk Design Suites from Schematic Design to Construction: Session ID: AB4384-P

Teresa Martin, Ideate Senior Application Specialist

This class will focus on using Autodesk Design Suites to leverage your workflow process from its humble napkin-sketch beginning to a means and method construction model as well as post-occupancy usage. We will discuss Autodesk Revit, 3ds Max Design, Navisworks, and Quantity Takeoff.

Adopting Lean Processes in BIM: Session ID: BO2507

David Haynes, AIA, LEED AP, Ideate Director of Consulting

This session is aimed at Business Owners, and Firm Principals to highlight the next step in BIM Business Transition

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has given architects, engineers, and contractors new tools and revised workflow processes that should translate to higher profits. Some firms are realizing gains and some are finding them elusive. This class will explore the issues involved and discuss how adopting Lean processes can increase profitability and efficiency, decrease issues, and create a better total “design and build” experience for the client. The class will explore how to translate success in Lean practices (mostly in the manufacturing world) to the service-oriented world of architecture and engineering. These changes in workflow and business practices require a new look at how we do project design and documentation.

Congratulations to these Ideate presenters to Autodesk University 2011. See you at AU2011 in Las Vegas. See Ideate at its Ideate BIMLink booth (#806).

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Lidar and Points Clouds – Are You Up in the Air?

During support at Ideate, there are a lot of questions and a little bit of confusion over this topic, so I decided to blog about it. More and more customers have been requesting information on how they can work with Point Cloud or Lidar data within their Autodesk products. Depending on which application you’re using, the Point Cloud and Lidar functionality may be completely different. And, Point Clouds and Lidar Data are two different things.

LIDAR DATA

1. Lidar data is collected by Laser Scanners (sometimes referred to as Laser Scan data).
2. There are many different types of scanners and scanning methods available. The most common these days are Aerial, Ground Mounted and Vehicular Mounted scanners.
3. Lidar data files are generally raw data (lots and lots of numbers) that need to be processed or indexed before they will appear in a drawing file
4. Lidar Data files are usually very large and contain thousands, or millions, or billions of points.
5. There are many different file formats for Lidar Data. Not all formats work with all programs.
6. Lidar data files sometimes include more data than necessary. Different applications can be used to filter the data before importing it into your file.  Trimble RealWorks has the ability to process raw data from Trimble scanners and output a Point Cloud file format for direct import.
7. Scanners on today’s market now include color sensitive lasers. Color information can be included with a scan to assign a color to each point, creating a more realistic appearance for the point cloud.

POINT CLOUDS

1. Point Clouds are created from Lidar and other point data sources, and are usually in database format for Autodesk applications.
2. The common Point Cloud files used in Autodesk products are .PCG and .ISD (ISD files also have associated PRMD and IATI files) but there are others out there.
3. The latest releases of AutoCAD Civil 3D will process raw Lidar data, allowing users to create a point cloud database (ISD format). AutoCAD based products, Revit products and Navisworks can also process some forms of raw data.
4. Civil 3D works on a different processing engine from the rest of the applications, so the results will vary depending on what application is used, even if the same source file is used.
5. Civil 3D Surfaces can be created from Point Cloud data
6. Point Clouds may appear in color IF the scanned data included color readings.

Here’s an overview of what you can expect from the different 2012 Autodesk Applications. You may be surprised by how many of the current Autodesk products include Point Cloud and Lidar functionality.

 

The screenshots below are some samples of what you may see when opening or processing point cloud and laser scanned data in some of the Autodesk applications. The source file is 760MB, in PTS format and includes roughly 18 Million points. This file took just under 20 minutes to process on a 64-bit Windows 7 machine with 8 GB of RAM.

In these examples the PTS file was used to create a Point Cloud (ISD) database in Civil 3D. The resulting ISD database was then opened in the respective applications. In Navisworks, the Civil 3D drawing (DWG) was opened directly rather than the ISD database.

Because Revit products do not support ISD format files, a PCG created from a laser scan of a parking lot was used.

Civil 3D 2012 used to “create” a Point Cloud (ISD)
from PTS file

ISD File (created by Civil 3D) Opened in AutoCAD 2012

Civil 3D DWG file (with saved Point Cloud)
opened in Navisworks Manage 2012

PCG (ISD Files are not supported in Revit) file
inserted into Revit Architecture

As you can see, the results of importing and processing Point Cloud or Lidar data will vary depending on what application is used. For best results, identify the type of data you are working with ahead of time to make sure it’s compatible with your application of choice.

Happy Scanning! 

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Matt Miyamoto, P.E.
Infrastructure Solutions Application Specialist
Matt is a licensed Civil Engineer in the state of Hawaii. Matt obtained a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and has 7 years of private sector design experience which he applies in his role as an application specialist with Ideate, Inc. His project experience includes residential and commercial site development, private and public sewer, water and drainage systems, harbors improvements, and roadway improvements. While in Hawaii, Matt was involved in multidisciplinary projects for City and County agencies, State Departments, the Army COE and private developers. @MattM_PE

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