10 ways 3D scanner technology leads to efficiencies in surveying

3D scanner technology is changing the world of surveying

In the surveying space, the start of the year is a good time to evaluate new, more efficient methods of surveying, mapping, and inspecting sites. This not only includes human resources, but also the technology and processes you envision your staff adopting. Yearly assessments of surveying processes and tools are essential, given the pace of transformation in the industry.  

Reality capture is the process of using a 3D scanner to produce a digital 3D model of a built asset or site. Scanning a space using static, mobile, or aerial laser-scanning, and/or photogrammetry techniques produces the high-resolution, textured, and geometrically spot-on 3D model.

Surveying professionals are using 3D scanners in both construction and infrastructure sectors to generate a 3D model by scanning sites, uploading the captured data to the cloud for processing, and sharing walk-through models, point clouds, or floor plans with their teams.  

Here’s a glimpse of the top 10 ways reality capture accelerates surveying efficiency:

1. Improve staff safety in the field. Streamlining the pre-construction risk assessment process improves the safety of your staff before construction begins.  Scanning 5,000 square feet (464 square meters) typically takes under an hour. This speed makes it easy to schedule your scanning when fewer people are on site.  Because 3D capture solutions auto-stitches scans into an immersive 3D model, you can measure, assess, and revisit conditions from your computer as needed.  

2. Create faster and more accurate building condition surveys. You can accurately measure areas, volumes, and distances of existing buildings and assets to produce orthophoto projections, georeferenced 3D models, and distributed shared memory.

3. Streamline creation of 3D models. Accurately describe interior and exterior conditions throughout a construction journey.  You can create data-rich deliverables, such as digital maps or 3D models and share a link for stakeholders to explore and revisit.  This eases project transitions, verification, and completion. You can also supply stakeholders with the files they need for long-term facilities operation. 

4. Safeguard data with comprehensive archive creation. Safeguard 3D models, point clouds, and floor plans by digitally archiving milestone documents throughout the construction process.  Provide facility management professionals and stakeholders with the information needed for long-term asset management.

5. Enable fast, complete topographical surveys. Complete your digital topographical surveys faster using mobile mapping processes and reality capture technology. You can capture the site through as series of scans and tag issues, such as inaccessible terrain.

6. Consolidate and share 3D images and videos in one location. With the Matterport Cloud, you can import your videos and photos obtained from unmanned aerial vehicles, such as drones. You can combine these files with 3D models, floor plans, and point clouds for faster data retrieval and team collaboration.

7. Facilitate safe, non-invasive archaeological, geophysical, land, and utility surveys. You can reduce risk to groundworkers and excavators, as well as minimal disruption to the public through archaeological, geophysical, land, and utility surveys.  

8. Provide immersive walkthroughs for risk assessment. With 3D capture solutions you have access to more information about the site without having to be there. Tag information, including exit routes, access paths, drop zones, overhead power lines, lifting and lowering operations, and other conditions.  Improve site-to-office collaboration and resolve issues faster using clear, contextual 3D visualizations.

9. Facilitate defect management. Comprehensive digital records help mitigate the risk of a claim against defective work.  Create and share virtual defect lists, tagging issues with information, such as MEP details beneath drywall.  You can use the 3D model to identify punchlist work or review site conditions to manage issues or provide approvals.

10. Annotate, share, and measure. Scanning 5,000 square feet (464 square meters) typically takes under an hour.  No leveling, registration markers, or manual alignment required. Scans are automatically registered and stitched into a textured mesh in hours.  You can gather distance data for all your inspection, mapping or survey operations, in just a few hours using IR structured light.

Everyone involved in a construction project can benefit from efficient survey techniques, processes, and technology. As stated at the outset, technology is continuously evolving to make reality capture accessible. Watch the Matterport 3D Capture Video for more insight into capturing measurement and visual documentation to keep track of survey information and assess site conditions faster.

To maintain your efficiency during surveying operations, stay informed through Matterport on the progress of reality capture.