IMAGINiT Civil Solutions Blog

BaseJump Rerelease

By: Brian Allen

Back in April I wrote about a Labs Technology Preview called BaseJump. It was a brief lived tool that allowed the user to connect to Microsoft Bing maps using the WMS Data Connect with Map 3D and Civil 3D, both 2013 versions.

Well, its been Re-Released. Check it out at http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/basejump/

How to install and use:

• Download the installation from the link above (both 32 and 64 bit version are included)
• Close any running versions of Civil 3D and Map 3D.
• Run the install file for the OS version you're running
• Select the applications you wish to install/link the tool with then choose Next

• Once the install finishes, you can then start Map 3D 2013 or Civil 3D 2013

Now to access the Maps

• If not viewable, turn on the Map Task Pane
• Define the Coordinate System if its not already set
• Select Data to Access the Data Connect Palette
  • Notice the newly added Add Basemap Services Connection

• Name your connection then select next Connect.
• You'll have three options to choose from. Choose one or all to connect to different maps.

• Now, select Add to Map and you will see the Maps that correspond to the coordinate system that was defined for the drawing. Here I chose the Texas-North Central Zone Foot (83).

• This is the really cool part. If you zoom into an area the refresh rate is impressive and responds rather quickly. The image below is a zoomed in area of the Dallas Cowboys Stadium and The Rangers Ballpark. Labels and all update like annotative text. Resolution is very nice as well. I for one think its much better than the aerials inserted from Google. The down side? There are no terrains (surfaces) using the Bing Connection.

 

 

 

Are You Scanning?

Part 1 --

By: Brian Allen

With more and more firms downsizing some may be experiencing a shortage of jobs. A few companies have resorted to looking for other revenue streams and HD Scanning may be just the ticket!

What is HD Surveying? Well, in short its High Definition Scanning…with a laser that can accurately give you a point cloud model, with imagery within hours instead of days or in some cases, minutes depending on the density you’re after. Think of Superman’s Laser Vision being used for Surveying instead of slicing cars in half and that’s HD Surveying…without the vulnerability to kryptonite. I’m guessing on the kryptonite thing, I really have no idea.

Civil 3D is great for smaller point clouds but its just not the end all tool for handling large amounts of data. One great application is Leica’s Cyclone. I’m amazed about how many points can be manipulated in this software. Below is a capture of a corner of a new hospital being built. This was scanned using the Leica ScanStation C10. With the C10 you also have the option to take images during the scanning process.

 

So how many points are in this scan and log did it take? Oh well, there’s only 27,741,935 in this scan and it only took about 45 to 50 minutes. What about imagery you ask? That’s below as well. It even picked up the ropes for the scaffolding. Cool!

 

 

And yes! We can place this point cloud in AutoCAD or Civil 3D, with all 27million-plus points. I’ve installed Leica’s Cloudworx add on for Civil 3D. Lets take a look at it. Different view here, but it’s the same model.

 

So you’re probably thinking “that’s great but I survey parking lots and highways.” Well, we can do that too. Below is a scan of a parking lot.

 

Now you get the idea? Depending on your particular project and the data you need, HD Scanning could be the answer. For more information on HD Scanning check out these links:

• Software: Leica Cyclone
• Software: Leica Cyclone II Topo
• Scanner: Leica HDS7000
• Scanner: Leica ScanStation C10
• Revit Add-in Scan to BIM.

Stay tuned for more info!