Modern surveyors utilizing 3D reality capture to map facilities and sites during builds and for ongoing maintenance need the right tools for the job to stay competitive and up to date. In addition to the right scanning hardware like aerial drones or terrestrial scanners, there are three crucial types of software programs for surveyors. These programs for 3D reality capture are the critical tools surveyors need to get the job done and interface with clients efficiently. Here, we’ll go over each stage of the process and the software you need to optimize your workflow.
Point Cloud Processing Software
Since scanners can only record data for physical objects within their line of sight, most surveys involve multiple scans from different perspectives. This means when a scan is finished, you’ll have multiple point clouds, even from both terrestrial and aerial scanners, that need to get stitched together into one coherent data set representing the entire site as one. Point cloud processing software does just this.
Point cloud processing software such as Leica Cyclone or Z+F LaserControl can do this job, processing multiple point clouds into one model, making sure everything is put together seamlessly. Just make sure your point cloud processing software interfaces properly with your hardware.
Point Cloud Cleaning Software
Once a unified point cloud is created, a little tweaking may be required to optimize the data for client use. This could mean removing temporary or unwanted objects like people, animals, cars, reflections, or other anomalies that are superfluous or distracting in the final 3D model. Some point cloud processing software can also help with cleaning, but not all. If your point cloud processing package can’t help you optimize this data, you’ll need a third-party package to help clean up your point clouds for final production use.
Examples of software that can clean up point clouds include MeshLab and Geomagic.
Visualization Software
Once your point cloud is integrated, clean, and ready to go, the pièce de résistance for any surveyor is a robust visualization package. You’ll need a place to visualize all your point clouds in one place, share with clients seamlessly, and connect all pertinent facility information to actual components on site.
This is where JP Interactive Viewer (JPIV) comes in. JPIV turns your optimized point cloud into a true digital twin, stored in the cloud and accessible in any web browser. Surveyors, engineers, and facility owners can view the same model at the same time, along with all pertinent data including as-is documentation, facility changes, as-designed and as-built CAD models, operational data, maintenance records, operational and business KPIs (key performance indicators), and more.
Make the Most of Your 3D Reality Captures
Modern surveyors need the best toolkit to make the most out of 3D scanning technology, and these three types of programs for 3D reality capture are crucial for any competitive surveyor. If you’re ready to see how JP Interactive Viewer can change your survey game, contact JP Global Digital today for a free trial.
