GPS World

Tag: GIS

  • LizardTech Announces GeoGofer at 2014 Esri User Conference

    LizardTech_GeoGofer-W

    LizardTech, a provider of software solutions for managing and distributing geospatial content,  is announcing the newest addition to its product line at the 2014 Esri International User Conference this week. LizardTech GeoGofer is a software solution for finding geospatial imagery quickly and efficiently and will be available later this summer.

    The conference takes place in San Diego, California, where LizardTech will demonstrate GeoGofer in booth #1516.

    GeoGofer was designed to streamline the process of finding, organizing, and tracking geospatial imagery. GeoGofer comes with powerful search and filter features to find imagery by keyword, by projection, by file format and more, LizardTech said. With GeoGofer, users can browse all of their imagery on a single map, tag images for later use, and perform powerful queries using simple tools. Users can search by modification date, by number of bands, or by resolution to find the imagery they need.

    GeoGofer integrates fully with Esri technology. GeoGofer uses an existing ArcGIS Online subscription to store and query image information. If users have ArcMap installed on the same machine that runs GeoGofer, they can open images directly in ArcMap.

    Those interested in GeoGofer can enter their names at www.lizardtech.com/geogofer to be notified of the product launch later this summer.

  • Scene Sharp Unveils Fuze Go Plugin for ENVI at Esri User Conference

    Scene Sharp USA has introduced its Fuze Go Plugin for ENVI this week at the Esri User Conference in San Diego. The plugin gives ENVI software users access to Fuze Go MS Sharp, an automated multispectral image fusion software that can simultaneously fuse up to 30 spectral bands of data from inside the ENVI geospatial processing package.

    “The Exelis ENVI software is widely known for its multi- and hyperspectral image processing capabilities and is an ideal platform for geospatial information users to access the automated Fuze Go MS Sharp image fusion software,” said Ian Lucas, President and CEO of Scene Sharp Technologies Incorporated.

    Scene Sharp is demonstrating the Fuze Go plugin along with the full line of Fuze Go software products in booth #410 at the Esri User Conference being held July 14-18 in San Diego.

    The plugin gives users the option of accessing the Fuze Go MS Sharp software either within the ENVI workflow or outside of it so that fusion can be performed as a stand-alone application. This frees up the ENVI software license for other image processing activities. No GIS or image processing experience is needed to utilize the Fuze Go tools.

    Fuze Go is a fully automated technology that enables users to quickly and easily fuse data sets to add color to non-colorized satellite and aerial imagery with just a few mouse clicks. One of its most common applications is pan-sharpening. By colorizing image data, GIS users can visualize and extract richer information content from remotely sensed data to make better informed decisions.

    Also at the 2014 Esri UC, Scene Sharp USA is demonstrating the processing capabilities in its Fuze Go SAR Sharp application, which was designed for more effective exploitation of data captured by satellite-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors. Fuze Go SAR Sharp fuses gray-scale radar data with optical multispectral bands to colorize the SAR data set. The Dynamic Reader allows pre-process on-the-fly viewing of SAR imagery with real-time adjustment of color intensity being added to the scene.

    Fuze Go MS Sharp and SAR Sharp are available for purchase for an annual license fee. Batch processing versions of the software packages are also offered to perform automatic fusion of multiple optical or SAR scenes.

  • Icaros to Unveil Oblique Image Viewer, Measuring Tool for ArcGIS at Esri UC

    Icaros Inc., a provider of advanced aerial remote sensing and 3D visualization solutions, will introduce its Icaros Measurement Tool (IMT), a simple but powerful photogrammetric visualization application based on ArcGIS technologies, at the 2014 Esri User Conference. The 2014 Esri User Conference will be held July 14-18 in the San Diego, California, Convention Center.

    The IMT enables customers working within Esri’s GIS environment to view and measure structures in oblique aerial imagery captured by any commercial oblique sensor system, including those from Pictometry, Vexcel/Microsoft, IGI, Leica, Midas, as well as oblique sensors mounted on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).

    “Icaros is opening the oblique imagery market to all GIS users by building our IMT’s coming functionality upon Esri’s Arc Engine,” said Richard Baumgartner, vice president of business development at Icaros. “IMT lets users unlock the full potential of their imagery by combining 3D analysis capabilities with their GIS data.”

    IMT is specifically designed to make highly accurate vertical and horizontal 3D measurements of structures and surfaces, including calculating distances, areas, slopes and azimuths in complex 3D features.

    For too long, Baumgartner explained, oblique imagery has been limited by proprietary collection systems and metadata formats. Usage beyond tax assessment and public safety applications is very rare. The Icaros vision is to expand the use, visualization and analysis of oblique aerial images into the entire spectrum of the GIS market with special focus on local and state government segments.

    Beyond tax assessment and public safety, oblique analysis of structures can be beneficial to a host of new applications such as facility management, pipeline corridor infrastructure monitoring, energy audits, economic development, and asset management. In addition, as Esri users continue the move to 3D, oblique imagery will be critical for constructing accurate image-based realistic 3D models.

    “Icaros has done a terrific job designing easy to use, yet highly sophisticated, measurement tools for any client wanting to do 3D oblique measurements. Not only are these tools well developed, but they are integrated completely within Esri’s ArcGIS platform, which is a critical advantage for our clients,” said Paige Parker, Vice President at Control Cam, an Icaros distributer serving the state and local markets.

    IMT enables users to manipulate and view oblique imagery while leveraging other geospatial data layers within their GIS environment. This capability allows users to navigate multi-image scenes in three dimensions while zooming and panning. The software also provides an optional Icaros Digitizer Tool (IDT).

    “IDT provides additional tools to extract physical building structures and digitize them into open format models, such as Collada, Obj, and Ply, textured from the source imagery,” said Baumgartner. “Automated 3D model generation from oblique imagery is at the intersection between imagery and GIS.”

    To view a demonstration of the Icaros Oblique Viewer, visit Icaros in booth #619 at the conference.

     

  • CoreLogic Identifies 6.5M U.S. Homes at Risk of Hurricane Storm Damage

    CoreLogic — a global property information, analytics and data-enabled services provider — has released its 2014 storm surge analysis featuring estimates on both the number and reconstruction value of single-family homes exposed to hurricane-driven storm surge risk within the United States.

    According to the findings, more than 6.5 million homes along the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coasts are at risk of storm surge inundation, representing nearly $1.5 trillion in total potential reconstruction costs. More than $986 billion of that risk is concentrated within 15 major metro areas. This exposure could constitute significant risk for homeowners and financial services companies, as many at-risk homes lack protection from insurance coverage. 

    The analysis examined homes along the coastlines of 19 states and the District of Columbia in the Gulf and Atlantic regions, extending as far west as Texas and as far north as Maine. Florida ranks number one for the highest number of homes at risk of storm surge damage, with nearly 2.5 million homes at various risk levels and $490 billion in total potential exposure to damage.  At the local level, the New York metropolitan area, which encompasses northern New Jersey and Long Island as well, contains not only the highest number of homes at risk for potential storm surge damage (687,412), but also the highest total reconstruction value of homes exposed, at more than $251 billion.

    To enhance accuracy, the 2014 CoreLogic storm surge analysis has been expanded from prior years’ reports to encompass additional categories of single-family residential structures including mobile homes, duplexes, manufactured homes and cabins, among other non-traditional home types. The addition of these categories, along with new construction, contributed to a higher number of total homes identified within potential surge areas. The values represent estimates of reconstruction costs, taking into account labor and materials, and are based on 100-percent or total destruction of the residential structure. Depending on the amount of surge water from a given storm, there may be less than 100 percent damage to the residence, which would result in a lower realized reconstruction cost.

    While scientific predictions are pointing to lower-than-normal storm activity for 2014, the risk of significant damage to homes is a constant threat. “Though the 2013 hurricane season will be remembered for the fact that no storms made landfall along the U.S. coast, this reprieve from hurricane-related damage should not lead to complacency in preparing for future storms and the potential life-threatening conditions they can bring,” said Dr. Thomas Jeffery, senior hazard scientist for CoreLogic Spatial Solutions. “This year’s season is projected to be slightly below normal in hurricane activity, but the early arrival of Hurricane Arthur on July 3 is an important reminder that even a low-category hurricane or strong tropical storm can create powerful riptides, modest flooding and cause significant destruction of property.”

    The 2014 analysis shows that total exposure varies significantly from state to state given differences in population, trends in residential development, geographic risk factors, length of coastline and other distinguishing factors. Florida and Texas, for example, are within the top five states for number of properties at risk primarily because of their extensive coastlines. Louisiana and New Jersey, on the other hand, have a smaller coastal area overall, yet are included in the top five list as a result of relatively low elevation that allows storm surge inundation to extend farther inland and affect more homes. 

    The concepts in this analysis also complement Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood zone information to provide a snapshot of potential damage exposure at the property level, as many properties located outside designated FEMA flood zones are still at risk for storm surge damage. The standard FEMA flood zones are designed to identify areas at risk for both freshwater flooding as well as storm surge based on the likelihood of either a 100-year or a 500-year flood event. They do not differentiate risk based on storm severity, and as a result, do not effectively define the total extent of the risk possible along coastal areas.

    To illustrate varying degrees of flood risk exposure, Table 6 compares homes that are not located within FEMA 100-year floodplains against the number of homes located in surge inundation zones, as well as those located in both surge and FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA). Homeowners who live outside the FEMA flood zones typically do not carry flood insurance, given that there is no mandate to do so, and therefore may not be aware of the potential risk storm surge poses to their properties.

    Among select major metro areas, Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC, has the highest percentage of homes (86 percent) at risk of storm surge, but not designated in a FEMA flood zone. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD and Jacksonville, Florida, also top the list at 85 percent and 76 percent, respectively. Even in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA, 68 percent of homeowners at risk of flood or surge inundation would not be required to carry flood insurance because they are not located within a designated FEMA 100-year floodplain.

    Additional findings in the CoreLogic storm surge analysis include:

    • The five states with the highest total number of properties at risk include: Florida (2,488,277), Louisiana (738,165), New York (466,919), New Jersey (445,928) and Texas (434,421).
    • The five states (including the District of Columbia) with the lowest total number of properties at risk include: the District of Columbia (3,895), New Hampshire (10,853), Maine (23,439), Rhode Island (26,558) and Delaware (48,534).
    • The five states with the highest value of reconstruction costs for homes at risk include: Florida ($490,403,653,377), New York ($182,474,294,695), Louisiana ($161,062,467,382) New Jersey ($134,194,963,314) and Virginia ($92,001,482,217).
    • The five states with the lowest value of reconstruction costs for homes at risk include: District of Columbia ($394,437,173), New Hampshire ($2,649,086,294), Maine ($6,629,856,369), Rhode Island ($7,389,384,876) and Alabama ($10,333,310,460).     
    • The reconstruction value of the homes exposed to storm surge damage in the Gulf is much less than the reconstruction value of homes in the Atlantic region, as indicated in Table 2. The total reconstruction cost value of homes along the Atlantic coast is nearly $951 billion, which is approximately double the value of at-risk properties in the Gulf region at just over $545 billion. 

    CoreLogic releases storm surge data to enhance understanding of the risk that hurricane-driven storm surge poses to homes, institutions and economies that are prone to tropical storms. Fully understanding the number of homes and financial impact of sustaining storm surge damage is critically important for financial institutions, corporate entities and local governments to make better informed risk management decisions. Storm surge data is highly useful for insurance providers and financial services companies, as it enhances the understanding of potential exposure to water damage for homes, including those that do not fall within the designated FEMA flood zones. Recent regulatory guidelines are compelling financial services companies subject to federal stress testing to understand under-insured or uninsured risks like storm surge flooding, since exposed properties have a significant risk for default following an event. More granular insight into storm surge impact is necessary for preparation and mitigation efforts that can help reduce the amount of damage and loss, and also improve safety and disaster response. 

  • Esri Introduces ArcGIS Explorer for Apple Mac

    Esri has released Explorer for ArcGIS on the Mac, a native OS X application to discover, view, and share maps. The ready-to-use app joins Esri’s family of mapping apps, including Collector for ArcGIS, Dashboard for ArcGIS, and Explorer for ArcGIS on iOS. It can be downloaded from the Mac App Store and Esri ArcGIS Marketplace.

    Explorer for ArcGIS running on OSX
    Explorer for ArcGIS running on OSX

    According to the announcement, with Explorer for ArcGIS, users can access maps, search for and visualize data, and brief stakeholders. In the new Mac version, users also have the ability to open and view multiple maps at once, dock and undock pop-up windows, and go full screen — taking advantage of Apple’s Retina technology on MacBook and Thunderbolt displays.

    Esri reports that Explorer for ArcGIS is one of many ready-to-use apps to access maps authored by users or others within their organizations, and share them from Macs or iOS devices. The app is designed for anyone who needs to explore data in a geographic context and use maps to make more informed decisions. With an elegant and intuitive interface, it requires no GIS experience to operate.

    Anyone using a Mac desktop or iOS device can download and try the sample maps included in the app. ArcGIS Online subscribers, trial users, and those with a Portal for ArcGIS account can simply download the app, sign in, and begin exploring their maps and data. An Android version of the Explorer for ArcGIS app will be available in a later release.

  • CoreLogic Releases Natural Catastrophe Platform and Risk Models

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    Historical earthquakes across Australia.

    CoreLogic, a  global property information, analytics and data-enabled services provider, has released a new version of its EQECAT natural catastrophe modeling platform, which contains three new proprietary risk models that quantify and analyze the potential financial impact of catastrophic natural hazards in peak exposure regions across the globe. The expansion of natural catastrophe risk analysis includes modeling for earthquake and tsunami events in Japan and earthquake events in Singapore, as well as for European windstorms, including a North European offshore wind farm risk model.

    EQECAT, which was acquired by CoreLogic in December 2013, first introduced its natural catastrophe risk modeling platform RQE (Risk Quantification & Engineering) in January 2013 that includes more than 180 natural hazard models for 96 countries and territories spanning six continents. Loss calculations simulate 300,000 years of losses to provide comprehensive and highly credible estimates of risk exposure to earthquakes, tropical cyclones and windstorms, severe convective storms, brushfires, winter storms and flooding.

    “This release of the RQE v15.0 platform not only advances the innovative and industry-leading science that is the hallmark of EQECAT risk models, but also demonstrates the commitment CoreLogic has to delivering timely enhancements and new platform features to our clients,” said Paul Little, head of EQECAT.

    The additional catastrophe risk modeling delivered through the new RQE v15.0 platform includes:

    • The European Windstorm Model, which introduces the ability to analyze offshore wind farm turbines that are rapidly expanding in Europe as a result of major investments in alternative energy. The “Eurowind” model extends over the North Sea, Irish Sea, Baltic Sea and Atlantic Ocean, and gives insight into loss caused by wind storms. In addition, the windstorm model includes two views of frequencies — the empirical model based on the historical record from 1960 to present, and the analytic model with a continuous 1200-year simulation of an Earth System Model (ESM) driven by climatic background conditions to characterize the frequency and severity of European windstorms. The European Windstorm Model also now incorporates Spain and Portugal, extending the existing coverage to 24 countries and provides analysis of extratropical cyclone risk. Expanded capabilities also include access to Global Climate Model research used to help determine the frequency and scale of European windstorms.
    • The Japan Earthquake Model, which provides the most current view of earthquake risk across the country based on December 2013 research released by the Japanese government and national research organizations. This model accounts for previously un-modeled very large magnitude events with updated seismic source zones and increased maximum magnitudes. New damage and loss data from the 2011 Great East Japan (Tōhoku-oki) earthquake prompted a complete review and update to model vulnerability functions, including major changes to performance -based effects of deep building foundations and base isolation. For the first time, CoreLogic introduces tsunami as a sub-peril, offering both a fully probabilistic and a scenario-based tsunami risk model, using 30-meter digital elevation maps for more granular and precise risk evaluations for a complete view of earthquake and tsunami risk across Japan.
    • The Singapore Earthquake Model, which accounts for the increased probability of a near-term large-magnitude earthquake on the Sunda (Java) megathrust fault. This fault zone is one of the most active on Earth and largely influences earthquake risk in Singapore. This new model accounts for seismic risk factors specific to Singapore, such as soft soils that amplify intermediate-period ground motions from distant large earthquakes and the existence of reinforced concrete high-rise buildings.

    “Combining more than 30 years of collected data from CoreLogic with EQECAT natural catastrophe models allows us to deliver a more comprehensive, highly credible analysis of key drivers of hazard risk at various levels of exposure around the globe, from across regional borders to individual site levels,” said Mahmoud Khater, chief science officer for catastrophe modeling.

    The updated EQECAT RQE v15.0 platform also offers significant enhancements to user interface, reporting options and workflow management tools. Enhancements include a more comprehensive view of exposure data with expanded filter options, event-specific hazard intensity reports for individual locations, and analysis of annual exceedance probability refined by region and sub-peril to show drivers of portfolio losses, among other capabilities.

  • Esri Conference Speaker to Share Insights into Polio Fight

    Dr. Bruce Aylward from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Dr. Vincent Seaman from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will share their stories with an audience of more than 16,000 attendees at the Opening Session of the 2014 Esri User Conference (Esri UC) on July 14. As experts in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, they will describe the challenges and opportunities involved in bringing fundamental healthcare to impoverished regions. They’ll also talk about the importance maps have in pinpointing where help is needed most around the world.

    “Polio, a terrible disease, is almost completely eradicated, but ‘almost’ isn’t good enough with a disease slated for complete eradication,” said Aylward.

    Most of the world hardly remembers polio, which has been reduced by over 99 percent in the past generation by vaccination. However, the disease survives in parts of just a few countries, and has repeatedly spread back from these places to polio-free areas worldwide. The urgency of preventing such spread and protecting the polio-free world led the WHO Director-General to declare a public health emergency of international concern on May 5, 2014.

    “The polio eradication program is an international effort to reach the most vulnerable people in the world, irrespective of geography, poverty, culture, and conflict,” said Aylward.

    The Esri UC, to be held July 14–18, will bring together thousands of people from more than 90 countries, all unified by their use of Esri’s geographic information system (GIS) technology. Of particular interest to Esri UC attendees will be the use of GIS in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Aylward will explain how the people working at WHO identify where there are new outbreaks in the world, how the disease spreads, and where it has been eradicated. Seaman will share how the polio program uses GIS-based maps and analyses in high-risk areas to plan vaccination campaigns targeting every child under the age of five and to provide better tools to assess the effectiveness of these efforts.

    “At the Esri UC Plenary Session, we like to feature innovative people doing important work around the world,” said Esri president Jack Dangermond. “Dr. Aylward and Dr. Seaman certainly qualify. We are honored to welcome them and excited that GIS can help fulfill the mission of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative as the teams of humanitarians use maps to understand and solve problems.”

  • CoreLogic Makes Available Land Records Management Solution

    CoreLogic, a global property information, analytics and data-enabled services provider, has introduced a new land records management solution to provide a single source of location information and property characteristics data for the oil & gas, utilities and telecommunications industries. SpatialRecord by CoreLogic integrates CoreLogic parcel-level spatial data with the company’s vast property-level database to provide expanded data analysis and more granular information.

    The patented technology used to create SpatialRecord technology converts raw data into easily digestible information that can be leveraged to make more informed exploration, planning, serviceability and compliance process decisions. SpatialRecord, appends and normalizes location information and property characteristic data that is often otherwise dispersed across a variety of sources so that it’s ready for client use quickly and without further analysis required.

    “Whether managing field infrastructure, planning the path of a new transmission line, or managing legal compliance and risk, it’s vital for oil & gas, utility and telecommunications companies to have access to complete information to make critical decisions quickly and accurately,” said Jay Kingsley, senior vice president for CoreLogic Spatial Solutions. “This integration of location information and property-specific data, combined with the quick turnaround and comprehensive front-end analysis, puts crucial information at a users’ fingertips, reducing the time and resources required and allowing a greater focus on core business activities.”

    SpatialRecord provides highly granular data that is updated daily from more than 4,700 sources on 99 percent of properties throughout the U.S. In addition to combining the data sets into a single, ready-to-use resource, the expanded integration of CoreLogic spatial and property-level data includes:

    • Land property use, as well as the actual and effective year a structure was built on the property
    • Land, structure and property valuation and tax information
    • Property and structure area
    • Construction and structure details, including specifics on the type of foundation, roof covering used, the number of bathrooms and the number of fixtures in each
    • Mailing addresses that coincide with site addresses, which can help prevent delays and mistakes in compliance processes and communications
    • Both first and last names of primary property owners, as well as first and last names of secondary property owners to increase accuracy in identifying and communicating with land owners

    “Combining the most granular property characteristics with parcel-level accuracy not only saves time and money, but also improves efficiencies in the complex processes of planning, exploration and compliance,” said Kingsley. “And the benefits extend to land and property owners as well. With a more comprehensive record of a property in hand, these companies are better positioned to work more effectively, minimize errors or disruptions and provide a higher level of service to individual land owners.”

  • Rand McNally Releases Digital World Atlas for Education

    Rand McNally has launched a new online educational tool that delivers dynamic maps with social studies, history and geography content as well as reading programs and writing lesson plans. The online service, Rand McNally World Atlas, was designed to be cross-curricular and intuitive for both educators and students.

    At the heart of World Atlas is an engine that allows educators to annotate and share maps. The flexible, easy-to-use tool lets teachers access historical maps, boundaries and demographics on present day maps; create custom maps; and easily share maps back and forth with students, teachers and other classes. Educators can print out a fully populated or outline map of any place in the world.

    “Rand McNally World Atlas harnesses technology to help students understand the world around them,” said Stephen Fletcher, CEO of Rand McNally. “Not only does World Atlas illustrate and support topics across curricula, but the interface allows teachers and students to easily share ideas and assignments.”

    World Atlas includes a variety of thematic maps and data layers including population density, climate, historical boundaries, and natural hazards. Maps can be annotated and customized, and then downloaded, printed and shared with other educators and students.

    With World Atlas, it’s possible to:

    • Customize maps with a wide range of thematic overlays.
    • Use dozens of lesson plans and resources to help build presentations.
    • Access world event articles for reading and writing connections.
    • Print or download custom maps anywhere in the world.
    • Create individual accounts for students allowing them to customize and save their own maps.
    • Access from anywhere with an internet connection, from the classroom or from home.
    • Use one intuitive, easy-to-use tool for a wide variety of purposes.

    World Atlas is aligned with state and the Common Core standards. The product is available via annual subscription from Rand McNally. For more information on World Atlas, or to sign up for a free online demo, visit World Atlas.

  • Pegasus:Two Mobile Mapping Contest Deadline Extended

    Because of overwhelming interest in the Pegasus:Two Mobile Mapping Contest, the Leica Geosystems Mobile Mapping team has announced an extension of the contest deadline. Entrants now have until August 31, 2014, to submit their detailed proposals and project timelines.

    “We are very excited about the interest shown in the Pegasus:Two mobile mapping solution and the resulting enquiries into the contest,” says Stuart Woods, project manager at Leica Geosystems. “Extending the contest deadline provides potential entrants with more time to create and prepare their entries. There are many fantastic ideas developing throughout the world and we’re extremely curious to learn about them.”

    The winner of this contest, who will receive free use of a Leica Geosystems’ Pegasus:Two mobile mapping system for six months plus $10,000 USD to spend on the project, will be announced on September 8.

  • Trimble Demonstrates Concept Applications for Google’s Project Tango

    Trimble showcased today two concept apps running on the latest tablet platform of Google’s Project Tango program, an initiative to give mobile devices a human-scale understanding of space and motion. The Trimble concept applications, SketchUp Scan and Trimble Through The Wall, demonstrate potential new ways construction professionals could use their Google tablets for greater efficiency and insight on the job in the future.

    The concept apps were demonstrated at the Google I/O Developer Conference.

    Trimble's SketchUp Scan allows Tango users to create as-built SketchUp models of rooms using a simple scanning process.
    Trimble’s SketchUp Scan allows Tango users to create as-built SketchUp models of rooms using a simple scanning process.

    Using depth sensors on the Tango device, SketchUp Scan enables users to quickly capture a room, apartment or entire floor in 3D and automatically create an editable model. This model can be shared by email or on a variety of social networks, including Google+, Facebook and Twitter. The model also can be uploaded from the Tango device to the 3D Warehouse, Trimble’s platform for posting and sharing 3D models.

    “Many 3D applications for smartphones and tablets attempt to capture the full scope of a room, but SketchUp Scan has the unique ability to create an editable 3D SketchUp model,” said Omar-Pierre Soubra, director of Collaboration at Trimble. “Having the ability to edit the 3D model of the space right after the image capture enables users to add features—from windows and doors, to furniture, office equipment or nearly anything else—using millions of 3D models available in the 3D Warehouse.”

    Trimble's Through the Wall application gives building operators the ability to see what's behind the wall.
    Trimble’s Through the Wall application gives building operators the ability to see what’s behind the wall.

    Trimble Through The Wall leverages the tracking capabilities of Tango devices to reveal what is located inside walls and other structures. Using data from Computer-Aided Design (CAD) or 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM) software, such as Tekla Structures, Trimble Through The Wall can display and overlay pipes, electrical wires and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) infrastructure on top of walls, at their correct location.

    “Trimble’s leadership in technologies for building design, construction and renovation—as well as our portfolio of positioning, modeling and visualization software—made it only natural for us to develop a Tango concept application that tracks and displays what is behind a wall,” said Bryn Fosburgh, vice president responsible for Trimble’s Construction Technology Divisions. “Since Tango devices are designed to be aware of their environment and location, they provide an excellent complement to our strategy of making construction more efficient and transparent.”

    SketchUp Scan and Trimble Through The Wall are concept applications running on the Project Tango Tablet development kits. These development kits are provided by Google only to professional developers, providing a “sandbox” in which developers can experiment with various concept applications. The final functionality of Trimble’s concept applications are still under design.

  • Mercury Rising: When to Expect the Warmest Day of the Year

    US-Warmest-Day-of-the-Year-Map

    Following the first official day of summer, many areas in the United States are approaching their highest temperatures for the year. To give people a better idea of the warmest time of year for their area, the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) has created a new “Warmest Day of the Year” map for the contiguous United States.

    The map is derived from the 1981–2010 U.S. Climate Normals, NCDC’s 30-year averages of climatological variables including the average high temperature for every day. From these values scientists can identify which day of the year, on average, has the highest maximum temperature, referred to here as the “warmest day.”

    Although the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth peaked at the summer solstice on June 21 in the Northern Hemisphere, temperatures for most of the United States tend to keep increasing into July. The temperature increase after the solstice occurs because the rate of heat input from the sun during the day continues to be greater than the cooling at night for several weeks, until temperatures start to descend in late July and early August.

    But, this isn’t the case everywhere. The “Warmest Day of the Year” map shows just how variable the climate of the United States can be. For instance, the June values in New Mexico and Arizona reflect the North American Monsoon, a period of increased rainfall affecting the Southwest United States. Because these areas tend to be cloudier and wetter from July through September, the temperature is highest on average in June. Similarly, the persistence of the marine layer along the Pacific Coast leads to cool temperatures in early summer with the warmest days on average later in the season.

    Temperature Normals are important indicators that are used in forecasting and monitoring by many U.S. economic sectors. Knowing the probability of high temperatures can help energy companies to prepare for rising electricity demand and farmers to monitor heat-sensitive crops. They are also useful planning tools for the healthcare, construction, and tourism industries. You may want to check the Normals before planning your next event or vacation.

    While the map shows warmest days of the year on average throughout the United States, this year’s actual conditions may vary widely based on weather and climate patterns. For prediction of your actual local daily temperature, and to see how it matches up with the Climate Normals, check out a local forecast at Weather.gov.