Points & Pixels

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BIMRAY Introduces Customized 3D Interactive Tool to View and Update Physical Assets
BIMRAY has introduced to the BIM, Reality Capture and Asset Management industries their customized 3D interactive tool to view and update critical physical Assets in real-time from remote locations. BIMRAY displays an interactive 3D environment of Assets and location, with the ability to not only walk thru, but also to open and edit multiple data sources effectively. All delivered in an integrated, web deployed solution with customized functionality to suit asset manager’s needs. From data collection thru completion, BIMRAY works in partnership with asset managers to extract the maximum value from their Assets.

Why BIMRAY?
Remote Visualization & Data Editing of Physical Assets … All in a Web-Deployed, Realistic 3D Environment "BIMRAY displays a 3D visual environment of assets on location to update, add and append field inspection information directly to the asset, including pictures and videos delivered as an integrated web-deployed solution, with customized functionality to suit your needs" said Ken Cummings, BIMRAY founder. "From data collection through publishing the application, our team works in partnership with you to extract the maximum value from your data. Additionally, we provide interactive location emergency management training simulations–tablet, desktop and VR headset versions using the same technologies."

BIMRAY is not a viewer – It’s a realistic world of interactive assets … Greater access, ease and efficiency from any angle

BIMRAY supports information and data ranging from critical infrastructure, detailed design or as-built BIM models. If you can build it you can visualize it, and BIMRAY is the unique tool combining realistic visualization and data with client drivenfunctionality. The tools support VR simulations using your best "real world " datasets for what ifs, change management and interactive training scenarios.

Features, Benefits, Ease of Use
Full 360 degree movement including walk / fly / hover / instant travel
Interactive realistic environment and assets view BIM data without BIM skills
Digital assets can be color coded by class, each asset can be isolated
Selectable assets link to custom data, remote database
Edit and save asset attribute data, spreadsheets and reports in real time
Fully web deployable from your server or ours, PC, Mac, Linux, VR headset
Allow any authorized personnel to virtually access the project site
Improve communication by sharing existing conditions with contractors and asset managers
Increase team productivity
Easily answer challenging questions
Increase accuracy in designs
Decrease project errors
Unlimited 24-hour access

What Industries Benefit from BIMRAY?
Communications Infrastructure
Electrical Infrastructure
Urban Planning & Development
Water Infrastructure
Transportation Infrastructure
Facilities Management
Real Estate Development
Emergency Planning & Training
Historical Preservation
Hotels / Resorts / Casinos / Conventions
Oil and Gas
Construction

How Does the Process Work?
The process includes four simple phases of production starting with Data Collection followed by BIM production, then 3D Modeling and Optimization, then programming the customized Interactivity and finally Application Deployment.

Costs are estimated in advance by the BIMRAY team when the following parameters are established:
Project location and size
Description of assets
Provided data/models vs data that needs to be collected/created
Customized functionality requirements
Estimated number of users

Now, your projects and assets can literally be at your fingertips–without revisiting the physical site or mobilizing crews. Asset managers can access their projects at the click of a button.

Check out the BIMRAY website for more information about the BIMRAY Customized 3D Interactive Asset Tool at: URL: www.bim-ray.com EMAIL: info@bim-ray.com Phone: 720-934-2482

Combining Data from Multiple Platforms Provides Accurate Deliverables
Maser Consulting’s Static Laser Scanning department was tasked with scanning and modeling an electrical substation located in the US Northeast. The field scanning portion of this job required set-ups at 34 individual locations. The client was provided with a deliverable that included a model in AutoDesk Civil3D format. The cleaned and unified point cloud consisted of approximately 3.4 billion points contained within a roughly 63 GB database. CJ used Leica Cyclone to model all the substation components, while Dan Palmer used Edgewise from ClearEdge 3D to model all of the steelwork.

In our experience, we have found that utilizing multiple software applications and taking advantage of many programs’ individual strengths enables us to create a comprehensive model deliverable while providing an affordable price. We’ve used similar strategies with Autodesk Revit and Cyclone in the past to produce other forms of modeling. Above all, laser scanning provides us with a method of obtaining accurate 3D object spatial data from challenging and potentially hazardous environments from a safe, remote distance.

The final model consists of over 25,000 individual Cyclone primitives and EdgeWise Steel objects. The individual Cyclone primitives are used as subunits, combined in a way to accurately represent the components found on this site. Everything, from the insulators to the largest substation components, can be modeled to provide a visually relevant, fully measurable and geo-referenced model that can be used for object placement conflicts, inventory and emergency management.

For more information, contact: Maser Consulting P.A. 331 Newman Springs Road | Suite 203 | Red Bank, NJ 07701 P: 877-627-3772 www.maserconsulting.com

Improving the Security in Quebec Mines Using VisionLiDAR
SNC Lavalin Stavibel, founded in 1911, is one of the leading engineering and construction groups in the world. Their mining and metallurgy team provide solutions for projects of any size in the aluminum, gold, copper, iron ore, nickel, fertilizers, and Sulfur product sectors.

Since 2016, the worldwide company has been using VisionLiDAR, a Geo-Plus Inc. software, to improve the work of their Land Surveying department. Before getting the software solution, the team used to survey using an ordinary total station. Now, thanks to the acquisition of a terrestrial LiDAR scanner, Geo-Plus’s Point Cloud processing software can help them detect different surface movements, and focus their work in mines and other industrial projects.

Jean-Franois Belzil, former Land Surveyor with the firm, and VisionLiDAR user, has been quite impressed by all the time he saved thanks to the software. "VisionLiDAR 2017 and its online visualization feature is a big step forward for us. In fact, it facilitates the data and Point Cloud sharing process between us and our clients who don’t necessarily have a software capable of viewing and allowing them to add dimensions and information directly into the Point Cloud just by using a Web browser." Mr. Belzil can now use more credible and precise data, as well as offering his services to a larger range of industrial businesses.

"Each month, we have to maintain an update of the data concerning a mine in northern Quebec. Thanks to VisionLiDAR, we can compare reports and analyze the differences between one surface and another," says Mr. Belzil.

The Land Surveyor’s goal has been to improve the security in Quebec’s mines. "By using LiDAR technology, we can now know more precisely if the surface is moving and at what speed it’s moving. Many workers die each year due to a lack of information on soil and mines surfaces. Today, thanks to LiDAR technology, we are hoping to save lives." Jean-Franois Belzil is currently working on registering two Point Clouds to compare the movements in time of a mine’s surface.

Viametris Introduces New Mobile Scanning System vMS3D for Vehicles
Viametris, a leader in mobile scanning technology, announced the introduction of their new Mobile Scanning System for Vehicles–vMS3D. The Mobile Mapping system is dedicated to outdoors, roads and urban areas utilizing unique technology for localization not dependent upon GNSS receivers and poor GNSS reception quality is no longer a problem.

This technology is no longer tightly dependent on GNSS receivers. Based on unique technology, and years of expertise in indoor mobile scanning, VIAMETRIS has become the leading expert in mobile scanning in GNSS-denied environments. Mobile Mapping Systems allow rapid measurements, faster than any other technologies. But one main issue remains: what happens in urban canyons and poor GNSS cover areas. Thanks to post-processing software PPiMMS and improved trajectory using Simultaneous Localization And Mapping (SLAM) technology, Viametris has addressed the issues of poor or no GNSS coverage.

"SLAM is an algorithm developed for the robotics industry however it became evident that it can be applied to other disciplines. The principle uses either image or LiDAR based localization to determine the distance between the sensor and surrounding objects. Feature based SLAM uses corners or particular shapes to calculate the position of the sensor however in areas without feature to locate such as land fields or wide open area this approach falls short," said Jerome Ninot, president and founder of Viametris. "LiDAR based SLAM uses all points from the LiDAR point cloud and finds the best position of the sensor by minimizing the difference from frame to frame. The advantage of this approach is the ability to scan any type of environment. Moreover it is easier to merge it with other approaches such as integrating IMU’s or DMI’s and ground control points to achieve greater accuracy in areas not suited to SLAM."

PPiMMS post processing software manages the dataset coming from the system. Its mission is to calculate, control and improve the trajectories. The user can manually add GCPs to constrain the result when GNSS reception is poor. But, in most cases, the user will be able to include postprocessed global positions using GNSS Post-Processing Software. Additionally, the panoramic camera can be used to colorize the point cloud using PPiMMS.

Benefits of the vMS3D from Viametris
Urban Canyon and Poor GNSS reception
Panoramic Images and High Definition 360 scanners
Absolute accuracy using GCPs or GNSS
Easy to use … Fast setup and initialization

The vMS 3D is designed for surveys in any condition including Urban Canyons with poor GNSS signal, Highways and Freeways, Large scale areas with open-skies, Construction site with open-sky areas, and Optimal GNSS reception.

Applications
Traditional land surveys: Topometric measurement for as-built or Construction progress
Autonomous vehicle advanced maps: Knowledge road database to help robots to relocalize themselves on the road
Mapping and Navigation: To create itineraries of trucks or special vehicles, measuring outages and localizing POI
Road Inventory: Knowledge of road features need efficient tools to collect them efficiently

About Viametris
Viametris was created in 2007 in Laval, France to capitalize on the results of its founder’s, Jerome Ninot, doctoral thesis, (Recognition and Automatic Image Analysis for Road Environment Scanning). Their challenge to find solutions to improve acquisition processes and data management for Lidar based mapping, point cloud management, and integration of subsequent data collection.

In addition to the new vMS3D outdoor mobile mapping system, in 2011 Viametris developed an indoor mapping system using 3 lasers and a panoramic camera. One of the three laser scanners are oriented to continuously measure its surroundings. Viametris proprietary trajectory software calculates the scanner’s motion using the data from the continuous measurement.

The iMS3D is a hand push cart mounted with sensors that generates point clouds and images with centimeter accuracy at walking speed. The iMS3D captures up to 500,000 SQ FT per day and calibrates imagery with point cloud data even in GNSS-denied areas using SLAM technology. In 2015 Viametris released the second version of the iMS3D as well as the iMS2D, a portable handheld 2D interior scanner.

For more information, contact: VIAMETRIS–Mobile Scanning Technology Phone: +33 243 497 791 Email: contact@viametris.com Web: www.viametris.com

Welcome to the Hotel Colorado
DWP Live had the opportunity to laser scan the historic Hotel Colorado in the small mountain town of Glenwood Springs, two and a half hours west of Denver. Adjacent to the famous Glenwood Hot Springs, Hotel Colorado has been a mountain getaway since the days of the Wild West. Historically renowned people such as President Theodore Roosevelt, the unsinkable Molly Brown, and Al Capone, as well as, thousands of hot springs junkies for the last 123 years have enjoyed the beautiful setting and grand hotel.

Denver-based Architectural firm, Johnson Nathan Strohe, specializes in the rehabilitation of historic hospitality structures like Hotel Colorado. Last fall, JNS hired DWP Live to perform a laser scan and quickly deliver a 3D Revit model so their team could create accurate schematic design drawings for renovation.

DWP Live scanned Hotel Colorado in three days using the Leica ScanStation P30. The rumored resident ghosts did not reveal themselves to us even after hours of taunting them in the hallways. However, on the third floor on the second night, the scanner’s level compensator continually went out of range causing a re-scan at every setup for a period of about two hours. Later after checking the data, it revealed nothing out of the ordinary (to our curiosity’s dismay) but the staff confirmed the next day that strange things happen there after sundown.

The entire project–scan to final deliverable–took about three weeks. We delivered floors one at a time until the whole model was complete. The finishing touch included creating custom window families in Revit for each window type. The roof, with its intricacies, would have been difficult to model accurately and quickly without the benefit of laser scan data.

The owner of Hotel Colorado and JNS will continue to reap the benefits from the laser scan data throughout the renovation. As more and more stakeholders are involved and construction starts, the scan and model will provide an excellent tool for collaboration and will aid in avoiding project killers such as RFI’s, field detected clashes, and all other problems caused by a lack of accurate existing condition information. View 3D fly-through video at https://vimeo.com/199196428.

For more information, contact Ryan Darling, DWP Live, rdarling@dwplive.com, dwplivescanning.com, 406.780.0798

A 8.212Mb PDF of this article as it appeared in the magazine complete with images is available by clicking HERE