3D Modelling for Construction

When it comes to 3D modelling for construction, what are the advantages and disadvantages of photogrammetry versus Lidar in terms of accuracy, complexity and cost? Breaking away from laser measurement in construction is a taboo subject, perhaps hampering the use of photogrammetry. In construction, aerial survey has enormous time-saving benefits for measuring groundwork areas. Data can be used for asset classification, construction validation as well as health and safety. In particular, regular scans provide a time series of work in progress to detect new issues, managing risk rather than responding to it. This article looks at the state of the... (read more)

2019-10-15 03:28:52

New Partnership to Accelerate Growth of Indoor 3D Modelling

Flyability and Pix4D recently announced a partnership agreement to offer bundled Flyability and Pix4D products. The bundle will be sold in the form of a photogrammetry add-on that can be purchased on top of Elios 2 drone packages. This offer is meant to facilitate access to a coherent and complete product offering for those who want to tackle indoor 3D modelling using photogrammetry. Flyability is a Swiss company building solutions for the inspection and exploration of indoor, inaccessible and confined spaces. By allowing drones to be used safely inside buildings, it enables industrial companies and inspection professionals to reduce downtime,... (read more)

2020-02-07 03:33:25

ISG Transforms 3D Model Delivery to Boost BIM Capabilities

Global construction services company ISG is using the latest 3D modelling technology to stimulate its building information modelling (BIM) capabilities. By introducing Pointfuse laser scanning software, ISG has speeded up workflows with rapid scan-to-BIM modelling whilst maintaining high levels of accuracy. Traditionally this laser data processing could take up to three days to 3D model a single floor. However, using Pointfuse, ISG has reduced this to a matter of hours. The use of Pointfuse has also increased the range of the point cloud outputs with applications including clash detection and visualization. “Scan-to-BIM modelling was previously seen as undesirable by the... (read more)

2019-05-10 12:54:24

Dutch Partnership Designs "World's First" 3D Printed FPR Bridge

Royal HaskoningDHV, CEAD and DSM have announced that they have designed the first lightweight 3D printed FRP pedestrian bridge prototype using a composite material. It consists of a glass filled thermoplastic PET (Arnite®) and is combined with continuous glass fibres which are added in the 3D printing process. This unique combination offers high strength with extreme versatility and sustainability. Together, the three companies are leading a revolution in bridge construction and design. To build a 3D printed bridge Royal HaskoningDHV, an international engineering and project management consultancy, wanted and partnered with DSM, a global science-based company in nutrition, health and... (read more)

2019-09-11 09:03:25

FARO Introduces 3D Lidar Solutions for AEC Industry

FARO, one of the leading companies in 3D imaging solutions for construction BIM, has showcased an innovative set of 3D solutions specifically developed for AEC professionals at Intergeo 2019 in Stuttgart, Both solutions will be formally announced and available soon. As 3D laser scanning – also known as Lidar – becomes more ubiquitous across various industries, there is an ever increasing need to make the scanning process and data processing more efficient. Conventionally, this has been addressed with a variety of mobile mapping solutions. However, these solutions typically have limitations in terms of accuracy and data fidelity. Kinematic 3D scans According... (read more)

2019-09-24 10:20:50

3D Repo Secures Major £2.3m Investment

UK-based 3D Repo, a pioneering company in cloud-based design collaboration in building information modelling (BIM), has received another major vote of confidence and financial boost for its digital construction services business. Ingenious, through its Infrastructure Ventures EIS Service, led a £2.3 million Series-A investment round in 3D Repo, completing yet another successful year for the innovative start-up. Innovative technology by 3D Repo has been successfully deployed on some of the largest and most prestigious construction projects across the United Kingdom, with companies such as Atkins, Balfour Beatty, Bryden Wood, BuroHappold, Canary Wharf Contractors and Crossrail, among others. Its multi-award-winning digital platform for... (read more)

2020-02-06 11:39:12

British Partnership to Deliver Detailed BIM-ready 3D models

Landmark Information has announced a partnership agreement with AccuCities, a 3D city models expert, to provide its 3D terrain and mapping models as part of a new subscription service. This will extend Landmark’s flagship mapping and location data service, Promap. The partnership enables architects, planners and developers to access highly detailed BIM-ready 3D models of UK-wide locations via a new 3D subscription service. The AccuCities 3D models are available in five layers – from a base model that offers an affordable option that is accurate to 200cm in all axes. This includes the main roof shapes of buildings in addition to... (read more)

2019-11-26 09:34:08

Rebuild Ready: 3D Mapping a Quake-damaged Cathedral

Surveying a damaged building can be dangerous. Mapping using drones reduces risk to staff and costs to the community. This case study on the iconic cathedral of Christchurch, New Zealand, severely hit by an earthquake, demonstrates how drones and advanced photogrammetry software delivered the orthomosaic map enabling the accurate spatial planning needed in order to rebuild the cathedral. In February 2011, New Zealand’s second-most populous city was rocked by an earthquake. The iconic Christchurch Cathedral was shattered in the shake, and the clean-up is still ongoing. Christchurch's central city and eastern suburbs were badly affected. Before the cathedral can be rebuilt and the... (read more)

2020-01-21 11:03:54

Bluesky 3D Model Helps AECOM Create Blueprint for Huddersfield

A detailed 3D computer model from Bluesky is being used to communicate a £250 million transformation of the town centre of Huddersfield, UK. Created from the most up to date, nationwide coverage of aerial photography, the model forms part of AECOM’s visualization of plans prepared for Kirklees Council. Including a 3D fly-through and realistic animations, the AECOM presentation will form part of an online platform used to consult and engage with the community. “Working with Kirklees Council we have been able to develop a strategy to transform Huddersfield town centre and identify specific projects to achieve this,” said Becky Mather,... (read more)

2019-07-12 10:44:08

Home Renovation Made Easy with Handheld 3D Scanning

As residential real estate prices continue to climb in many parts of the United States, property owners are increasingly investing in renovations and additions to their existing homes. To meet the demand, architects seek digital as-built documentation of the structures, so they can design the new construction. Many are asking for mobile 3D scanning by name as the technology they prefer to quickly capture the accurate, comprehensive as-built detail needed to start the design work. Business is booming for Precision Property Measurements (PPM), a Long Beach, California, firm that has provided as-built documentation services to Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC)... (read more)

2019-09-10 09:59:42