3D BIM Models for Heritage Asset Management

Moving beyond the Field of Data Capture for Digital Preservation

Research undertaken under a collaborative doctoral partnership between Historic England and the University of Reading, UK, is moving beyond the field of 3D data capture for digital preservation. It considers how critical information for the conservation, repair and maintenance of historic buildings can be visualized in 3D BIM models and how BIM processes can be used for the management of structured datasets that inform conservation and repair programmes. A pilot study has been conducted using the work of the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust and historic British research base ‘E’ on Stonington Island, Antarctica, to consider this potential. Building information modelling... (read more)

2020-01-16 09:49:50

Indoor Mobile Mapping Goes Mainstream

In his previous column about the future of indoor mobile mapping, Felix Reinshagen made the case for why this technology was on the brink of widespread adoption. That was just over a year ago, and a lot has changed since then: brisk expansion of the products and services on offer, together with a widening field of applications. So after another incredible year, Reinshagen has written a new column outlining why he believes that mobile mapping is well past the tipping point and is about to go mainstream. The emphasis now is on assessing data quality and establishing universal standards in... (read more)

2020-01-16 09:27:27

How Geospatial Data Supports a Digital Railway Project

Linking Nations, People and Places

The scope of the Rail Baltica Global Project comprises 870km of tracks, 25km of major structures and more than 400 bridge structures (bridge, overpasses, viaducts, pedestrian crossings and animal crossings), as well as three freight terminals and seven international passenger stations. Besides that there are rolling stock maintenance facilities, an energy subsystem and signaling. This article zooms in on the pivotal role geospatial technology plays in the BIM strategy that underpins the digital version of Rail Baltica. When it comes to modelling this highly ambitious project in a digital environment, in order to manage Rail Baltica as a single asset,... (read more)

2020-01-07 01:40:22

New Platform Connects Construction and Surveying Professionals

Publishing company Geomares, the name behind the leading international geomatics magazine 'GIM International' and the product platform for surveying, positioning and machine guidance 'Geo-matching', is launching 'Geo4Construction'. This new online platform brings together construction engineers and geospatial professionals in order to disseminate surveying knowledge in the Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC) industry and pave the way for the digital future. The AEC industry cannot escape the digital transformation, which is creating a growing need for geospatial knowledge. Highly accurate measurements are crucial throughout the built-environment life cycle, and that is precisely where surveying skills come into play. However, a surveyor’s... (read more)

2019-12-11 11:53:54

Leica Geosystems Enhances Construction Collaboration with Launch of BLK3D Web

Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, has launched BLK3D Web, an online collaboration workflow that extends the Leica BLK3D imager by enabling users to share 3D measurable images with anyone, anywhere online. The BLK3D device allows users to take precise, 3D measurements directly in the images it creates. Now, with a BLK3D Publisher license, those 3D image files can be easily and securely uploaded to the cloud. Once published, the 3D image files can be viewed and measured with BLK3D Web via a shared link, a simple and powerful tool used across major collaboration platforms today. “BLK3D Web in-picture measurements make... (read more)

2019-11-22 09:09:01

The Rotterdam 3D City Model

3D Digital Twin: Urban IT Crossover of Interconnections

If 3D is becoming the new normal in spatial data infrastructures, how can it be used in an urban environment? The Dutch city of Rotterdam, known as home to the largest port in Europe, is preparing for that next step by developing a digital twin of the physical city. The primary aim of ‘Digital City Rotterdam’ is to improve the efficiency of urban planning and management. But at the same time the city council is on the lookout for applications that will help people integrate the digital world into their real one – or will it be the other way around... (read more)

2019-11-21 11:39:31

Pointfuse Showcases New Scan-to-BIM Workflow at Digital Construction Week

At this year's Digital Construction Week, Pointfuse demonstrated a new scan-to-BIM workflow, aimed at bringing reality capture to building information modelling (BIM) and virtual design and construction (VDC) practitioners. Pointfuse software converts the millions of individual measurements captured by laser scanning and photogrammetry into usable 3D mesh models. The ability to classify objects within Pointfuse, both automatically and manually, has had a huge impact on how as-built data is used within the construction workflow. New features also on show at Digital Construction Week, which took place from 16-17 October at Excel, London, included streamlined classification to ensure maximum efficiency and... (read more)

2019-10-22 01:03:28

How Can Establishing a UAV Fleet Help Your Business Take off?

Best Practices in Drone Mapping

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or 'drones') are increasingly becoming the solution of choice and have indeed proven to be a disruptive force across a multitude of industries in the past decade, including for the geospatial surveying profession. But will drones really provide all the answers to your mapping challenges? We interviewed five pioneers in the field to take us beyond the hype, explaining the lessons they have learned from the frontline and sharing their insights on the best ways to introduce UAVs into your business model. What type of work can UAVs be used for? UAVs can serve mapping and... (read more)

2019-09-05 09:59:05

Six Facts You Need to Know about 3D Reality Capture

Rapid changes in technology and computing power are affecting almost every aspect of our lives – from democratization and information access to communication and how we visualize the world around us. As technology becomes smaller, more affordable and more automated, 3D reality capture is becoming more accessible to a wide range of applications and everyday users, not just specialists. Whether you are a savvy user or new to 3D reality capture, Jürgen Mayer, president of Hexagon Geosystems’ Reality Capture Division, explores six facts in this interview. 3D reality capture solutions form the bridge to transform the real world into mirrored... (read more)

2019-10-07 08:52:33

The Role of Surveyors in the Evolution of BIM

Building information modelling (BIM) is becoming more commonplace within construction sectors globally, combining technology with improved collaboration to better manage projects and give them the best chance of complying with time and budget constraints. However, the BIM life cycle and efforts to espouse it are almost futile if surveying is taken out of the equation or, more realistically, brought in too late. It can be good to have a structure that is successfully using BIM to be delivered on time and within budget, but if it or any of its components are in the wrong position, the consequences can be... (read more)

2019-10-02 10:25:44