From Zero to Hero

How to train someone to produce surveys using point clouds? 

How fast can you train someone with little CAD skills to confidently produce measured surveys using point clouds? To unlock the value of geospatial technology, the profession needs the right people with the right skills and tools. Seminars at the Future of the Profession Theatre address diversity and inclusion within the geospatial workforce, how to enhance geospatial capabilities and create the profession for the future.

 

25th November | 10.00 - 10.30 AM.

Precision Air Surveys Case Study

A simple training programme review how to uplift those with little or no CAD Skills and train them to confidently produce measured surveys using point clouds within a CAD environment.

 25th November | 10.00 - 10.30 AM. image

Challenge

It is fast becoming the norm that many surveyors are turning to data collection platforms such as terrestrial laser scanners and unmanned aerial platforms to measure buildings and other similar assets. Days or even weeks of valuable time can be saved by using 3D laser scanning & unmanned aircraft to aid in developing as-built documentation.

These data collection methods can acquire millions of measured points that are then used to produce vast point clouds which help describe the measured survey being undertaken. However, once you have the complete point cloud, you must know what to do with it. This can pose a challenge for some surveyors who have little or no experience working with point clouds. To efficiently prepare 2D drawings based on point clouds it is not enough to just have the software itself. To convert the raw measured data into suitable CAD deliverables such as floorplans, elevations and topographic surveys, requires new analytical skills and drafting methods that allow the drafts person to make sense of the measured data. Moreover, a properly arranged drawing process and tools help to standardize work, speed up delivery, and reduce mistakes.

Solution

Based in Hove, England, Precision Air Surveys specializes in surveying and modelling the built environment, typically delivering CAD files to architects and engineers designing the restoration, refurbishment, or building additions for existing structures like schools, hospitals, and homes. Deliverables often include 3D building information models (BIMs), 2D floorplans and facades, and exterior terrain models.

With some of these skills being in short supply, Precision Air Surveys started a simple training programme to uplift those with little or no CAD Skills and train them to confidently produce measured surveys using point clouds within a CAD environment. The CAD platform chosen will be Ares Commander coupled with the point cloud plugin and web based data browser from Undet, both selected for their powerful, yet simple, workflow.

The training will be delivered by Simon Judd, Managing Director of Precision Air Surveys, a qualified surveyor, with many years’ experience working with point clouds in a CAD environment, and will follow a simple but structured programme starting with an introduction to both Ares Commander and Undet, working through key tools such as UCS management, file management, then how to navigate and work with the point clouds inside the CAD Environment to allow the trainee to confidently produce the measured surveys in a professional manner.

Simon Judd, Managing Director at Presicion Air Surveys

Simon Judd is the Managing Director of Precision Air Surveys and has been in the survey industry for over 25 years.  Over the last 10 years he has been utilising laser scanners and point cloud data to help measure assets within the built environment. He has an in-depth knowledge of working with point cloud data inside various CAD/BIM platforms, and how to derive the many deliverables needed by clients to describe the measured survey information. Simon has also recently qualified as a CAA approved Unmanned Aircraft Pilot and is regularly combining the large data sets acquired with these platforms to that of ground based laser scan data creating much larger point cloud datasets for use in the survey arena.

Result

A detailed evaluation of the courses will be undertaken during the seminar. Simon Judd, Managing Director of Precision Air Surveys will provide motivation and background information for 3D point cloud drafting methods along with the following details:

  • What are the challenges of training a new employee to confidently produce measured surveys using point clouds within a CAD environment and what knowledge needs to be transferred?
  • What workflows professionals use to process point cloud data efficiently?
  • How long does it take to train a new employee who has no experience with point cloud data?

Regardless of if you are a professional or new to point cloud processing it’s worth seeing how you can level up your 3D point cloud drafting skills or successfully start using point clouds to produce measured building surveys.

 

Sounds interesting? See you at GEO Business. 

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