3D Point cloud data helps designers visualizing objects and spaces.
A major advantage of using laser scanners in the construction process is the possibility of using point clouds directly in the design process, BES has been tasked with producing point clouds for Datum Group Ltd to assist the design process of stairs, balustrades, rails, balconies, and other steel elements. With the traditional method, all design was made based on a limited number of points surveyed during site visits, without the possibility to cross-check the information received. When an issue was spotted during the design process, another survey had to be requested to confirm the data, increasing the overall cost of the project and causing a delay. By using point clouds, designers can choose which information to use and always have redundant measurements to check their work. This method almost eliminates the need to re-visit and add confidence to the design process.
The Challenge of using PC:
The information collected during a single site visit can be overwhelming and potentially difficult to manage, especially if the site is not clear from materials and people working around. It is also important to know which type of deliverable is needed for the task, as not all design software works with the same point cloud input format.
BES Approach:
To ease the design process, the point clouds have been classified to remove redundant and unwanted points and keep only the relevant information for the designer. This allowed us to provide lighter and cleaner clouds that are easy to interrogate and use. Point clouds have been produced in the client-required format so there were no issues with working with them and no data was lost in the process.
