We have started using point cloud data on an experimental basis. So far I am unimpressed with the ability of vendors to pount us to a good product for data extraction.
Does anyone have recommendations for software to extract or generate precise breaklines and other linework? Feel free to send lengthy replies to the email in my profile. Vendors are welcome.
Thanks, Tom
Talk to?ÿspledeus. He shared some information with me, and it appears that he uses this type of data on a regular basis.
As far as I know there is no application that automatically extracts "true" breaklines from a point cloud.
Carlson Point Cloud claims to do this automated process more than most. Other apps like Context Capture and TopoDot require a lot of human interaction?ÿ yet these apps make it easier to create true breaklines.
Haven't used it myself but saw some really sweet demonstrations of 3DReshaper. Might be worth a look.
Hi,
I have been using a few programs. What sort of cloud data are you using? Aerial, Static, Mobile, Drone? I am using it all (just getting into drone). My route was not as direct as I would recommend:
Global Mapper - This software is heading towards something amazing and they still have it at the low cost. They just released the beta for point cloud from drone imagery (wow, game changer). The software will handle millions or billions of points, works well with LAS/LAZ and I have some awesome workflows. It is great with aerial clouds.
Quick Terrain Modeler - This software is a tool in the toolbox that I use for videos, QAQC and major transformations. You can do these in Global Mapper too, but I went in this direction for some reasons.
FARO Scene - This will extract some stuff but I just use it for registrations.
Carlson Point Cloud - I chose this because of the support Carlson gives. I have had Dave Carlson and Paul Nixon (lead programmer for cloud) watching me like some animal in a zoo as I work through their program. They gave pointers and took notes. Once you get away from the aerial and into the extraction of your own data, it is a great choice for the surveyor. You can import your Field to Finish codes and you virtually survey the cloud. I have a few recommendations for the .FLD file and I do need to modify my own as some codes are too long. One tip is to increase the vertical scale by 4 to really see the breaks as you are extracting.
Certainty 3d TopoDot - This is a premier software that requires MicroStation. I have it in my office and others are trained on it. It is great for mobile clouds.
Send an e-mail if you want more information thadd @ ese-llc.com
Any surveyor running ancient boundaries (walls, ridges, old roads) will be thrilled with the surface model from Global Mapper. Want to see it for free? Try Fugro Viewer (or the Global Mapper demo). This past year I sent a KMZ (google earth) file from Global Mapper to a title examiner. He was working with a 93 year old surveyor who came out of retirement to complete the jobs his son had left when he passed away. They had a nasty ancient boundary underneath thick vegetation and they were up against a Big survey outfit with a dozen PLSs registered in a dozen states. They used the surface model to find the ancient boundaries and took the other side by complete surprise. They may have won the case before heading to court.
