FAQ's

Wikipedia defines a 3D scanner as “A 3D scanner is a device that analyzes a real-world object or environment to collect data on its shape and possibly its appearance (i.e. color). The collected data can then be used to construct digital, three dimensional models useful for a wide variety of applications.”  The 3D scanner collects a massive amount of data using an active method of collection.  It uses emitted light and reflective time of flight technology to capture remote objects.  This is the same technology as reflector less total stations.  Cameras are also implemented in 3D scanners to gather color information as well as developing a framework for each scan. With the use of the structured light and the data captured by the offset camera the scanner is capable of capturing dense point clouds very rapidly.

• Geospatial Imaging, data captured from airborne sensors, has seen an incredible boom in recent years driven by new business and consumer applications.  This rise in use has also expanded the need for rapid image and data capture on the ground.

• While Geospatial Imaging is going on overhead, 3-D Laser Scanning, Spatial Imaging, provides views and measurements from eye-level.  Airborne and ground views can then be fused for truly dynamic products and presentation.

• Through advanced positioning techniques scanners can capture, extract, and analyze ground perspective views for a wide variety applications very rapidly.

It really depends on the spatial density you want and the size of the area of course.  A typical stockpile takes around an hour, and a scan of one side of a large building also takes about an hour at a medium resolution.  Typically we scan around 400-600 points a second with our time-of-flight scanner, but the scanner is capable of thousands of points per second.

3D scanners can capture just about anything that occupies 3D space and that you can see with the onboard camera.  Common applications are large scale topographic data capture, roadway as-built surveys, architectural mapping, and construction material calculations. Other specialty scanning may include crime scene mapping for investigations, reverse engineering for industrial plants and manufacturing.  The possibilities are really only limited to the imagination.

The big advantage is the speed and the detail that can be captured.  The other is that measurements are done remotely, ie. Non-contact measurements, so personnel don’t have to be put in dangerous situations to get measurements. Any survey crew can attest to this after mapping a busy road.  With speed and detail comes the advantage of professionals being able to make more accurate and better informed decisions when it comes to their projects.

E-mail or call to discuss your project. A lot of times each project has its’ own intricacies, and we often like to make a sight visit to more accurately tailor a project proposal.  If an onsite visit is not possible; pictures, existing site plans/ surveys, and specific details about what you want captured and what type of deliverable you want.

Our deliverables are compatible with most all CAD programs used by engineers, surveyors, and architects.  We can export the data in most popular formats like dxf, dgn, land xml, txt, kmz, etc.

We can deliver full site plans that you typically would get from surveyors.  We can simply go in and feature code data sets, similar to what a traditional survey crew would do.  We call it virtual surveying, and we can send it out in a simple txt format with Point, Northing, Easting, Elevation, and Description.  Other possibilities include 3D models, and models exported in kmz format for google earth, simple volume reports, contours in dxf format, 3D line work, 2D plan view work, cross-section and profile extraction in dxf.  Reports of point cloud measurements can quickly be exported in a txt report for records.

It really depends on the project and the detail you are looking for.  More complicated tasks or specialized applications will obviously bill out differently, but generally scanning projects cost $3,000-$5,000 per day of field work.

Scan data gets big fast.  It is not uncommon to have a file well over 1 Gb and many are over 3 Gb.  Specialized software for managing point cloud data is used to extract only what you need for your project.  The deliverable is much more manageable for more common applications and software.