Topcon Positioning Group’s DS-200i direct-aiming motorized imaging station is now compatible with the new Autodesk BIM 360 Layout app for the Apple iPad.
The DS-200i is the second total station solution that Autodesk and Topcon have collaborated on for contractors, following the Topcon LN-100 Layout Navigator.
The DS-200i has an electronic distance measurement (EDM) range of up to 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) without the need of a prism, and 5,000 meters (26,240 feet) with one. The built-in wireless WLAN connects the iPad with the BIM (building information modeling) 360 Layout app.
The collaboration provides contractors the ability to connect a coordinated model to the field layout process, helping to increase job-site productivity while improving the accuracy of staked or installed building components, according to a Topcon news release.
Additionally, the DS-200i offers an excellent reflectorless solution for quality assurance and quality control workflows — verifying items in the field are installed correctly as compared to models.
The DS-200i features real-time video imaging with a 5 MP camera. The controller’s touchscreen video and arrow keys are designed to let remote operators view what is being measured, Topcon said, similar to looking through the telescope.
The Autodesk BIM 360 Layout app is available through the Apple App Store.
Trimble has introduced its next-generation Trimble Indoor Mobile Mapping Solution (TIMMS) that produces fast and accurate maps of difficult-to-navigate indoor spaces and translates them directly into 2D and 3D models of structured interiors.
TIMMS 2 is a fusion of technologies for capturing spatial data of indoor and other GNSS denied areas, the company said. It provides both lidar and spherical video, enabling the creation of accurate, real-life representations of interior spaces and all of their contents. The maps are geo-located, meaning that the real world positions of each area of the building and its contents are known and can be easily placed and oriented in a wide area model.
TIMMS 2 is smaller, lighter and more easily maneuverable than its predecessor. It can negotiate tight corners, closets and catwalks, and can be carried up and down staircases where no elevator is available for travel between building levels.
“The new Trimble Indoor Mobile Mapping Solution has been designed with greater emphasis on ease of use. It is very easy to maneuver, lift, ship and operate,” said Louis Nastro, director of Land Products at Applanix, a Trimble Company. “Our extensive experience with a broad range of projects with the previous generation TIMMS has led to a number of enhancements in data collection, processing and workflow management — making an indoor mapping project a seamless experience for users both pre- and post-mission. Whatever the building type and shape, TIMMS 2 can deliver exceptional results, both in accuracy and ease-of-use.”
Building on the success of the first-generation solution, TIMMS 2 also provides improved software workflow to manage the complete process from collection through post-processing to model production. Fully compatible with POSPac MMS, Applanix’ post-processing suite, TIMMS data can be presented in a variety of ways, including integration into Trimble Business Center and other infrastructure management or CAD packages.
Because of its increased efficiency, speed and ease-of-use, TIMMS 2 is an effective and high-productivity indoor mapping solution for buildings and facilities of all shapes and sizes, according to Trimble, including large or small areas, multi-level, industrial or commercial spaces. Users can obtain holistic 3D indoor geospatial views of all kinds of infrastructure including public buildings (government offices, schools, hospitals); industrial facilities (factories, warehouses); transportation hubs (airports, train stations); retail spaces (malls, concourses); entertainment venues (theatres, auditoriums, sound stages); and residential property (especially multi-occupancy high-rise buildings).
Maps and models of these spaces can be used for activities including revenue management and space planning; emergency preparedness and disaster planning; and historical building conservation and preservation. In addition, the base map provides a platform on which building owners and managers can serve location-based services.
Manufactured and sold by Applanix, TIMMS 2 indoor mobile mapping solution is available in the first quarter of 2016.
Below, Eric Liberty of Applanix, a Trimble company, gives an overview of Applanix’s POS AV, POS AVX 210 and TIMMS indoor mobile mapping system at INTERGEO 2015, which was held Sept. 15-17 in Stuttgart, Germany.
The Capturing Reality Forum has issued a call or papers. The event will incorporate the best of SPAR Europe and European LiDAR Mapping Forum (ELMF). Taking place at the Salzburg Congress, Austria, November 23-25, the Capturing Reality Forum will focus on the technologies of laser scanning, LiDAR, 3D data capture and modeling to provide an inspiring platform for professionals to meet, learn and share ideas with industry’s best.
Industry leaders are invited to submit technical papers to be considered for presentation. Abstracts can be submitted online until August 11. “We welcome international papers which will address recent project examples and the key commercial and technical issues but most importantly those that highlight pioneering research and developments that will impact the future development of the industry. Each abstract will be peer reviewed and we will announce the final program in September,” said Conference Chairman Alastair MacDonald (director of TMS International).
Headed up by the Diversified UK team, the forum will include a conference featuring leaders from all sectors of the industry, with an international exhibition of the latest technologies running in parallel. The event management team headed by Versha Carter, group director, has previously managed the ELMF and ILMF events and successfully launched the GEO Business show. “We are excited to be involved with the rebranding of these two very established events, which has been received as a very positive next step for the industry,” Carter said. “SPAR Europe and ELMF co-located two years ago, but continued to have separate conference programs. By merging into one, the synergy between the two events and the shared interests, challenges and opportunities will be fully realized.”
“If you are interested in data capture and imaging on the inside or outside of facilities, the tracking of utilities and monitoring of transport, or modeling external effects on the national coastline or landmass, the Capturing Reality Forum has all the ingredients of a must-attend event,” MacDonald said. “Delegates will be in the company of colleagues from all sectors of the geospatial data capture, visualization and imaging industry. And this will all be happening over three days in the wonderful atmosphere of Salzburg.”
Papers could include reports on subjects such as: Building Information Modeling (BIM); 3D for asset and facilities management; 3D data capture for as-built conditions; point cloud processing; managing and sharing large data sets; 3D/intelligent modeling; augmented reality and visualization tools; airborne, terrestrial and bathymetric LiDAR; coastal zone, defense and flood plain LiDAR; corridor and utilities mapping; data classification, GIS, data modeling/management; mobile mapping; technology development and trends; and small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS).
Running alongside the Capturing Reality forum conference will be an exhibition of more than 50 stands displaying manufacturers, software developers and service providers of 3D imaging, laser scanning and LiDAR products. As an extra benefit to delegates, many of the exhibiting companies will host workshops, providing an opportunity for more in-depth discussion.
Centrally located in mainland Europe, Salzburg is easily accessible from northern, southern, eastern and western European countries. Salzburg Congress is situated in the center of the city and provides a special dimension socially with its seasonal events and Christmas markets.
“This is an outstanding venue, which has always earned a flood of positive feedback,” Carter said. “The move to Salzburg has been welcomed by the industry and we look forward to hosting the Capturing Reality Forum in the heart of such a beautiful historic city.”
ARCHIBUS, Inc., has announced the latest release of its ARCHIBUS software suite. Designed to streamline work processes through enhanced mobile apps, GIS, and building information modeling (BIM), now real estate, facilities, and asset management professionals will find in ARCHIBUS an intuitive business intelligence platform that will help reduce their total cost of ownership by connecting real estate, facilities, and asset management information with their corporate business organization and systems.
New productivity-enhancing capabilities of ARCHIBUS cover a wide range of organizational needs including the introduction of new features for the Mobile Framework Apps, the addition of GIS capabilities for geo-referencing everything from equipment to buildings, and integration of facilities information with BIM data for end-to-end, intelligent building lifecycle management. Capital project lifecycle management is streamlined with the new project management console that correlates and presents all information on a single screen.
In this product release, ARCHIBUS has simplified integration with other EAM and ERP systems via ARCHIBUS connectors that enable data sharing with Microsoft, Oracle, Sage, SAP, UFIDA, and other enterprise or point systems. Industry standard transfer formats, such as OSCRE, COBie, and buildingSmart IFC are also used.
New productivity-enhancing capabilities of ARCHIBUS cover a wide range of organizational needs including the introduction of new features for the Mobile Framework Apps, the addition of GIS capabilities for geo-referencing everything from equipment to buildings, and integration of facilities information with BIM data for end-to-end, intelligent building lifecycle management. Capital project lifecycle management is streamlined with the new project management console that correlates and presents all information on a single screen.
A new generation of workplace services offers self-service requests for repairs, reserving meeting rooms, along with booking support services from practically anywhere in the world. The new product release of ARCHIBUS enables users to achieve their organization’s objectives by providing business intelligence to real estate, facilities, and asset management information for immediate tactical actions and strategic, enterprise-wide decision-making.
“We are excited to bring this new release of ARCHIBUS to the marketplace. It is positioned to deliver to organizations worldwide greater operational efficiency and customer responsiveness through our expanding suite and the capabilities of our product offerings, management consoles, EAM and ERP integration, as well as many other enhancements and innovations,” said ARCHIBUS, Inc. President and CEO Bruce K. Forbes. “’Simplicity through Intelligence’ is a critical element for the success of ubiqitous infrastructure and facilities management solutions.”
u-blox has announced theODIN-W160, a rugged multiradio module for demanding industrial, vehicle, medical, and security applications.
“u-blox’ compact ODIN-W160 module is perfect for small sensor applications in rugged environments, where faultless operation 24/7 is a requirement,” says Herbert Blaser, vice president of short-range radio at u-blox. “With this module, u‑blox customers can shorten their product development cycle significantly by integrating a robust, certified communication solution in their IoT applications.”
ODIN-W160 supports dual-band Wi-Fi 2.4/5GHz (U-NII bands 1, 2, 2e, 3), as well as dual-mode Bluetooth v4.0, which includes Bluetooth low-energy and classic Bluetooth (Bluetooth “Smart Ready”).
The host-based module is designed for a long life cycle, which makes it ideal for infrastructure, building, and automotive implementations. In addition, it extends battery life operation due to its ultra-low power consumption.
Together with the open-source Linux host driver, the 15 x 22 x 3 mm module minimizes development time to implement short range wireless communications in end-devices. Also, no trimming or tuning is required during manufacturing of customer end-devices, since ODIN-W160 has pre-calibrated radio parameters and MAC address stored in on-board EEPROM.
ODIN-W160 is in a castellated package, improving visual inspection of end-devices, and comes with a u.fl antenna connector for a wide selection of certified antennas.
It provides modular radio type approvals for Europe, USA, and Canada (R&TTE, FCC, IC), EMC certification, and Bluetooth qualification.
u-blox will be atCTIA 2014 / Super Mobility Weekin Las Vegas September 9-11, at Stand 5229, 7611-A. u-blox will also be speaking about solutions for the Internet of Things on September 9, 12.00–12.15 at the Sands Expo — MobileCON Show Floor, stage 3.
Facebook has purchased Occulus, a virtual reality gaming startup, for $2 billion. “Today, we’re pleased to announce that we’ve joined forces with Facebook to create the best virtual reality platform in the world,” Occulus announced via a blog post.
“Facebook understands the potential for VR,” the blog said. “Mark [Zuckerberg] and his team share our vision for virtual reality’s potential to transform the way we learn, share, play, and communicate. Facebook is a company that believes that anything is possible with the right group of people, and we couldn’t agree more.”
Occulus demonstrated its most recent version of the Oculus Rift development kit at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, March 17-21. Occulus Rift is a virtual reality headset for 3D gaming.
The Oculus Rift DK2 prototype took home the award for Best in Show at January’s Consumer Electronics Show.
Facebook has purchased Occulus, a virtual reality gaming startup, for $2 billion. “Today, we’re pleased to announce that we’ve joined forces with Facebook to create the best virtual reality platform in the world,” Occulus announced via a blog post.
“Facebook understands the potential for VR,” the blog said. “Mark [Zuckerberg] and his team share our vision for virtual reality’s potential to transform the way we learn, share, play, and communicate. Facebook is a company that believes that anything is possible with the right group of people, and we couldn’t agree more.”
Occulus demonstrated its most recent version of the Oculus Rift development kit at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, March 17-21. Occulus Rift is a virtual reality headset for 3D gaming.
The Oculus Rift DK2 prototype took home the award for Best in Show at January’s Consumer Electronics Show.
The global market for location-based applications is poised for rapid growth, as the mass adoption of global positioning system (GPS)-enabled smartphones is encouraging developers to introduce numerous advanced applications, says market research agency Frost & Sullivan.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan finds that indoor connectivity, augmented reality, big data and wearable devices are the key technology trends likely to fuel the uptake of location-based applications. Location-based technology and data can then be combined to facilitate the development of smart spaces in every city and community.
“Location-based application developers have so far focused on the development of outdoor applications due to the adoption of GPS positioning in smartphones,” noted Frost & Sullivan Information & Communication Technologies Research Analyst Shuba Ramkumar. “However, as individuals spend more time indoors, there is a need to roll out indoor location-based applications that capitalise on various functionalities such as mapping, navigation and geo-fencing.”
According to the announcement, augmented reality technology could also be used to make location-based applications more interactive. Further, the widening ecosystem of wearable devices such as Google Glass and Samsung Galaxy Gear infuses technology into the daily lives of individuals, widening the scope of context-aware applications. However there are several challenges restricting the growth of the location-based applications market. The lack of standardisation in indoor positioning technologies such as Wi-Fi, sensors and Bluetooth is complicating the development of indoor applications. Location-based application providers will need to wait until wearable device manufacturers address the issues of limited battery life and dependence on smartphones for outdoor connectivity.
Frsot & Sullivan reports that market participants also find it difficult to monetise applications due to the absence of a clear business model. In this scenario, application developers should seek to identify new sources of revenue. They can expedite market expansion by establishing contracts with indoor venues to provide customised applications, and by working with wearable device manufacturers to create related applications.
“Stakeholders should work together to identify the most reliable and accurate indoor positioning technologies that can steer the indoor connectivity market forward,” said Ramkumar “The In-Location Alliance is one such initiative formed by market participants to discuss and resolve issues concerning indoor positioning technologies.”
For those of you who haven’t been looking over the cubicle wall, there is a quiet revolution occurring in the CAD world that is affecting the GIS community. That revolution is BIM (building information modeling). BIM was developed in the mid-90s by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) to bring building design into the 21st century, but BIM is much more than just a building design model. Very simply put, it combines the best capabilities of CAD software with the best capabilities of GIS in a 3D environment.
For years, many designers understood that the primary limitation of CAD software is that CAD drawings consist of points, lines, and polygons, with no topology and no link to a database — just object ID numbers. CAD traditionally focused on the quality and detail of the drawing, with a strong focus on 3D visualizations.
Conversely, GIS is a topological model of points, lines, and polygons that’s linked to a database. Because of topology, a GIS understands relationships and can perform analyses such as what object is next to another, what object is within another, and what object intersects another, and display the results graphically or within the linked database.
CAD drawings can look very good, because the software was designed to that end. GIS also draws points, lines, and polygons, but the tools were not designed to do sophisticated renderings. The best analogy I can think of is Microsoft Office. You could draft a letter in Excel, but it would be awkward and probably not look as good as one prepared in Word. Likewise, you could create a spreadsheet-style document in Word, but it wouldn’t have all the mathematical functionality of an Excel spreadsheet.
Family Factions
The CAD and GIS communities have, for the most part, lived separate lives, even in my own family. For years, while I was the GIS manager of the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), I taught ArcView classes. I offered to teach my son and daughter this entry-level GIS so they would have one more tool to put on their resume, but neither was interested in “that GIS stuff.” My son Alex was an electrical engineering major, and he learned CAD software as part of his program. Two years ago he received an internship with CH2MHILL doing CAD work. After he graduated, CH2MHILL grabbed him full-time, and he continued working on electrical design projects.
Six months ago I was chatting with Alex about his new job and budding career. He was excited, explaining that he was now doing much more sophisticated work. He described a new software program that permitted him to link the elements of CAD drawings with a database that could then be searched spatially or through the database. With a tilt of my head I asked, “Do you realize that you’ve just perfectly described a GIS?” He said, with a look of revelation, “Is that what you’ve been doing all these years!” We both laughed, realizing that — unknowingly — the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree.
My son “gets it” and understands the broad capability of BIM, but he’s in the minority. If you read some of the CAD blogs regarding BIM, most CAD people don’t get it yet. Many still view BIM as just a new kind of 3D model and miss the entire concept of topology and linked databases. This presents a huge opportunity for GIS professionals, since you already understand and have been performing spatial analysis in this topological environment.
BIM of a Pantex Plant during initial design phase. Note building components, conduit, piping. Image courtesy of CH2MHILL.Images courtesy of CH2MHILL.BIM showing complex system of piping, ventilation, electrical and other building and equipment components. Courtesy of CH2MHILL, Atlanta, GA.
John Przybyla of Woolpert, who has worked in both disciplines for years, cautions us GIS people not to underestimate or downplay CAD projects. He used a simple wall as an example. In a GIS a wall may be represented as one or two lines, but the detailed CAD drawing could contain more than six layers of data: paint, drywall, framing, blocking, fire stops, insulation, etc. So there will be a learning process on both sides as we evolve. On the other hand, Przybyla wishes that GIS had more robust 3D modeling.
Putting BIM to Work
The 500-pound gorilla in BIM software is Autodesk’s Revit. Bentley BIM and Oracle are big players, and ESRI is working hard to be a contender in the BIM environment too. At the ESRI International User Conference, the plenary session included a demo of work being done at M.I.T. Michael Parkin demonstrated a 3D GIS model of the Cambridge campus that he created. Using the model, he was able to spatially identify by horizontal and vertical location each laboratory that was sensitive to noise and vibration. Parkin then created an intersecting 3D sphere of influence that would result from a planned construction project. This would help campus officials minimize the interference by changing schedules, or even moving some labs.
Parkin also mapped, in 3D space, the location of campus parking spots and of the offices of assigned users. This helped the school assign spots closer to the users’ workplaces — something of a 3D trade area analysis for parking garage customers. Also at the conference were numerous presentations on building models and facility management (FM), even though most were not using the term BIM. ESRI has a team of people dedicated to all aspects of BIM, headed by Matt Davis of the Boston regional office and John Young of the Charlotte office. Both are good points of contact regarding BIM and GIS.
We must all understand that BIM is much bigger than just building models. The AIA designed BIM as a full life cycle management tool that captures and uses the continuous stream of data, from construction to day-to-day operations to ultimate demolition. It’s the in-between area that will affect so many more users than just architects and builders. That wealth of data will be a boon to new users who will also add to the database.
David Fouche of CH2MHILL worked on the development of early BIM software such as Bentley MicroStation and TriForma, as well as the more current Bentley BIM. He indicated that there is still much confusion and jockeying for position. He stated that use of BIM in design work is a given, but there is still much discussion as to where BIM will fit into the big picture of building life cycle management. Fouche indicated that when one considers the total cost of a facility, roughly 0.5 percent goes into design, 10 percent goes into construction, and the remaining cost is in life cycle management. Obviously there is a huge potential for efficiency and savings with the proper application of BIM tools.
Fouche also mentioned that complex facilities such as oil refineries and other processing plants have been using BIM-like models for years, combining CAD and GIS tools to manage the facilities in a 3D model. GIS software such as Network Analyst is a natural for this kind of work. I remember seeing a poster at an ESRI User Conference years ago that showed the human circulatory system built with ArcView and Network Analyst. This was an eye opener, and I thought to myself, “Of course — a network is a network whether it’s a highway, oil pipes, or the blood supply system.”
I remember that when ARC moved into a new facility in 2000, we took the building CAD drawings and brought them into ArcView 3.3. We then attached attributes to each room, including the occupant, furniture, computers, phone/data ports, etc. We then used ArcView to manage our facility, including the allocation of square footage to each department.
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
Large FM companies like ARCHIBUS, Woolpert, and Penobscot Bay Media “get it,” and have a foot in both the CAD and GIS communities. All were exhibitors and heavy participants at the ESRI User Conference this year. They see where the world is evolving and plan on being there.
But all is not rosy. On the federal side, the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) is involved with BIM in a big way, but has changed the name of its CADD/GIS Technology Center to the CAD/BIM Technology Center. (Some of us GIS people look at that as one step forward and two steps back.) Looking at the ACE CAD/BIM Web site, I was surprised by how little attention is devoted to GIS and spatial analysis tools. The majority of material seems focused on BIM and CAD drawings, with little or no mention of GIS and spatial analysis. (We GISPs have a lot of educating to do.)
ACE is working with all DOD agencies to establish standards and common data formats for BIM. A recent posting by ACE staff indicates that many military construction projects will require BIM models as a project deliverable. Most believe that BIM will become a nationwide federal requirement soon.
Keep in mind that BIM models are spatially searchable or database-searchable 3D models, not just pretty 3D renderings. Again, think of CAD drawings combined with GIS spatial capability in a 3D model. As one considers the potential uses, including links to traditional GIS tasks and even temporal models, the list grows significantly. Some are already using BIM models with traditional GIS for energy management based on interior usage and building loading, measurement of water runoff and impermeable surfaces, and even links to transportation demand models and visualizations.
An example of lifecycle management using GIS and BIMs. This shows Carbon Monoxide concentrations in one floor of a building. Courtesy of Penobscot Bay Media, New York.
The application of BIM models that could be especially critical is their potential use by first responders. Currently most fire departments maintain pre-plan data in the form of building blueprints and large paper ledgers that list hazardous materials, fire hose connections, etc. Imagine firefighters accessing BIM models that were created when a building was designed and updated throughout the life of a building. Additionally, picture how quickly they could view the complex systems as interactive 3D models, especially if they were presented as oblique views.
A map of hazardous materials inside a building, including both location and description for emergency responders. Image courtesy of George MacBeth and Brad Peterson of ARCHIBUS, Inc.
It was interesting to note that CH2MHILL also used 3D PDFs as a quick way of sharing the models with many staff members. This proved to be a valuable collaboration tool and way to get input from many designers involved in the project. Some users are even enhancing the BIM models with photo-accurate surfaces or photo-accurate 3D models.
A photo-accurate Precision Light Works 3D model using Pictometry oblique imagery. Image courtesy of Precision Light Works and Pictometry International.
The playing field is still very unsettled, with many groups pushing their own data standards, approaches, and naming conventions. The names BIM, CAD, and GIS could evolve, but the basic functionality will still be there and smell just as sweet. BIM is here to stay, along with its parents CAD and GIS. Look for BIM to become a requirement — and a huge opportunity — in your future work.
Topcon Positioning Group’s DS-200i direct-aiming motorized imaging station is now compatible with the new Autodesk BIM 360 Layout app for the Apple iPad.
