Archivo etiqueta Point to Point Laser Technology
Survey Angled Walls in Revit with a Disto and PKNail
Por Jim Foster - Point to Point Laser Technology, Revit - August 4, 2010
One of the tougher issues and part of any surveyors work flow is to capture non-orthogonal (i.e. angled) geometry correctly the first time. This increases in importance if the angles are played throughout the building and especially if they are part of the exterior. In order to help users capture a building’s geometry in Revit while in the field PointKnown has incorporated triangulation and a close room function as part of our PKNail Building Surveying Software. Having the Disto drive Revit allows quicker data capture and increased accuracy. And while many of us might want to be watching videos of the beach in August I still included the process here as well.
Revit As Built : Field BIM : Existing Conditions
Por Jim Foster - BIM, New Technologies, Revit, Uncategorized - June 29, 2010
While I don’t usually take the time to pump my own gas with this blog I wanted to share the complete reversal in our deliverables over the last year. It used to be, way back at the end of 2008 that we delivered most of our building surveys in 2D AutoCAD format, now we would build in 3D, normally in ADT but our clients wanted 2D AutoCAD. From a surveying perspective a 3D object oriented universe worked better for us because essentially all the views were coordinated, that is build it in the floorplan directly, it is represented in elevation correctly. Anyone who has keyed up a plan in 2D knows where I am coming from, which if you are here reading this, means you know what I am talking about. Now, however, the bulk of what we do is deliver as-builts in Revit. The GSA requiring BIM has a lot to do with it, I believe, and Autodesk being the biggest player in the US means Revit becomes the default. Whether you like that or not does not matter, that’s the reality.
Recently we have performed as built surveys at Phillips Exeter and Emmanuel College and we were field testing our laser to BIM technology, PKNail. It was created to capture typical conditions quickly and accurately. If you wanted to capture the Capitol Dome, I would suggest laser scanning, for capturing most situations Point to Point Laser Scanning (PPLT) should work just fine. PKNail converts measurements directly into a Revit workstation-wirelessly, measure a wall that wall is entered into Revit, encounter a door, window, Fire Extinguisher Cabinet, sink, if you can measure it, it can be placed quickly and easily into the model.
Lastly, if the deliverable is 2D CAD, exporting views from Revit to AutoCAD sheets is a snap. Here’s a long winded Autodesk treatise on the subject or well, it looks like I will need to update with a screen capture video the quick process but the resulting CAD contains some of the meta information collected in 3D, such as 30″ Door, rather than creating anonymous objects. Next post will follow in short order with a sneak peak of some of the features and the connectivity between Revit and a Leica Disto enabled by PointKnown surveying software.
Thanks for tolerating some self promotion.
Public Beta Open in January : Capture as builts in Revit in the field: #Revit #BIM #asbuilt #laser #pplt
Por Jim Foster - As Builts, BIM, Built Environment, Existing Conditions, Laser BIM, Laser Scanning - December 16, 2009
We will be opening up our beta to public testing in January and we are asking for volunteers. Our product PKNail allows a user to use a hand held laser, Disto D8, and measure and build Revit models in the field. The measurements are transmitted via bluetooth to a mobile workstation which allows the user to quickly and accurately captures a building geometry and features. On board intelligence allows users to determine wall thicknesses, wall angles, toggle accuracy, attach notes to objects and more.
PKNail was developed by field surveyors and software engineers to help the AEC Community quickly and accurately capture a building’s geometry in Revit. This tool used alone of in conjunction with HDLS (High Definition Laser Scanning) can let you start any project in BIM / Revit. Proven ROI in as little as one project, and speed gains from measuring to model of over 200%.
With the majority of construction projects happening in the built environment, and in cities like Boston almost 80% done in the built environment start them in BIM and help everyone downstream.
This a powerful tool in capturing as builts in Revit and beta testers will be eligible for a substantial discount when purchasing.
info@pointknown.com
BIM As Built : Laser Technology
Por Jim Foster - As Builts, BIM, Laser Scanning, New Technologies, Revit - December 1, 2009
Speaking to a colleague from Europe who moved to the US because he stated, ‘there’s a survey shop on every corner in the UK, I could only find a handful here.’ However, that’s changing. HDLS, high definition laser scanning is starting to take off, especially now that the GSA issued the laser scanning awards. Additionally, more and more people are reworking existing assets / adaptive reuse projects so it is becoming more and more important to get the existing conditions data. While everyone is waiting for the day we can walk around with a magic wand and wave it around the room we have to build a bridge from here to there. HDLS in creating a 3D database is an excellent start. I believe HDLS, from firms like Leica and FARO, performs fantastically in certain circumstances such as inaccessible or difficult geometry, exposed MEP intensive projects, however, for typical conditions especially the interior of buildings it might be akin to using a sledgehammer rather when you need a fly swatter. We, PointKnown, have been developing a product that bolts on to Revit and takes laser range finder data and builds objects as you measure. This has been defined as PPLT (Point to Point Laser Technology). It allows a surveyor to move quickly and accurately from room to room or object to object. We do not intend for it to usurp laser scanning but rather augment current surveying teams, allowing them the most flexibility depending on the situation.
Most importantly is to define the deliverable and type of model needed for the project. This can start at the basic architectural model using generic library items to, well , anything goes but most of our clients want dimensionally correct space and then they apply the material and details they need as that is what they want to control.
We are now accepting people and firms into our public beta that starts January 2010, if you have any interest please feel free to contact us at info@pointknown.com and put beta in the subject line.
Revit and Rockband
Por Jim Foster - BIM, Built Environment, GSA, Revit - September 16, 2009
No the two do not have anything to do with each other but just describing my day. It started to get on the road early to get to a site an hour away where we are creating a Revit model of an existing building. The building has 5 structures inter-joined over the years with the oldest dating to 1761 and the youngest being a large addition in 1984. Multiple construction methods, floor levels, etc. make it a challenge but utilizing our PPLT (Point to Point Laser Technology) made the base model creation pretty quick, considering. I then realized I signed myself up for two engagements, one was the Boston Revit User Group meetup hosted by Shepley Bullfinch and the other other was a Tech Tuesday hosted at Microsoft’s NERD (New England Research Development) Center, clever, no?
I was impressed with the meetup group because you had a large amount of people from different companies and disciplines discussing Revit and best practices. While I was only able to stay for one of three presentations everyone was open in discussing the project and how they went about it, how to set up projects for programming and even rendering tips were coming out of the audience. I think any environment where people are freely sharing ideas a great place, and it seems Revit and BIM requires this kind of collaboration and it was refreshing. I then hustled across the river to Cambridge and the NERD center to see what was up, collect my free drink ticket and take part of the free pizza. Harmonix was there and had set up Rock Band- Beatles on the main part of the floor which was being displayed on a huge screen, I would recommend playing rock band in this format if you can swing it. Lively crew and I saw some gray beards walking around which I believe were some of the original engineers at BBN.
Also found out the first project from GSA award should be out by Friday. I feel fortunate to be part of the team that won one of the awards but its going to be interesting to see how the multi-disciplinary jigsaw puzzle is going to be put together. And got a call from Australia, at my house, from a person about PointKnown, the pencil scratched note from my wife mentioned ‘distribution.’ Saddle up.
GM Embraces BIM
Por Jim Foster - BIM, Built Environment, Point to Point Laser Technology - June 15, 2009
So I am reading this article on ‘GM Embraces BIM‘, and wondering if I should post it, becuase, well, GM has had better days, but the points they made such as “…GM estimates that they are able to construct a building 25% faster, saving 10-15% of construction cost. And they can do this much safer than in the past, setting industry records on safety.” Is worth mentioning.
I have been reading a variety of articles recently that mention laser scanning, including this one, matter of factly, on how to capture the built environment in BIM, when in fact it can be a time intensive and laborious practice. While we are looking forward to the day when anyone can walk into a room and wave a wand and have a BIM pop out you need to look at the technologies available today, they type of project and what your deliverable needs to be to make the most informed decisions. Many times using PPLT (Point to Point Laser Technology) can be the most cost effective option.
IT Spending down at Design Firms except for BIM
Por Jim Foster - BIM, Revit - June 12, 2009
Recently posted by Jeff Yoders and available at Zweigwhite form their 2009 Industry Survey it stated that while most design firms are cutting their budgest an IT investments, upto 65% will be increasing their use of BIM in 2009. Autodesk had the lion’sshare of CAD users with 81% penetration and Revit leads BIm with 61%.
Huge BIM Solicitation by the GSA
Por Jim Foster - BIM - May 31, 2009
The GSA (Government Services Association) perhaps the biggest landlord in the world recently released 2 solicitations for BIM creation of existing properties and Laser Scanning. 5 years, $10 million per year.
So while there may be a lack of tools in capturing the built environment there is a building demand for these types of services. And with GSA on board this is akin to McDonald’s asking that all their chicken be fed corn and named ‘Albert’, which is to say a lot of companies will be getting on board to offer these types of services, which will help differentiate them, which will force everyone to catch up, which will shift the target of services to BIM.
FMJ Article: BIM How It Has Changed FM
Por Jim Foster - BIM, Built Environment - May 28, 2009
Methods to Capture the Built Environment
Por Jim Foster - BIM, Built Environment, Laser BIM, Point to Point Laser Technology - May 28, 2009
It is estimated that the world wide construction industry is $4.6 trillion dollars, over $1 trillion in the US alone. However, upto 80% of that construction is performed in the built environment. Adaptive reuse, tenant improvements, renovations and the like dominate especially in older cities and especially in Europe. The big question is how to take advantage of all the benefits of BIM in the built environment. There are different technologies at use that I believe are more complimentary than competitive.
Graph Paper and Pencil
Graph paper and pencil is still the most used technology today. Why? There is little or no technology to learn much like going out for a run where all you have to do is put on your sneakers and head out the door. The problem is it is time intensive. The process involves drawing the building and then placing measurements on each architectural feature. When thatis completed you have to translate all of that onto a CAD workstation. Inevitably there are missed measurements and the surveyor/drafter will need to revisit the site, or make an educated guess at what is happening inside the building making it time intensive or error prone. More often than not these as-builts get a VIF (Verify In Field) stamp which then puts the onus on the construction manager to get it right in the field causing work delays as they repeat work that has already been done.
Point to Point Laser Technology (PPLT)
This technology translates laser range finder data directly into a CAD or BIM enabled work stations. This allows the user to build models or capture a building geometry in real time while in the field. By building in real time the user knows if the building is being captured correctly. With real time feedback they know if a room is dimensioned correctly simply by looking at the model, and an incorrectly drawn room will not close. The relationships between rooms are captured and the envelope of the building is determined and drawing on site. Additionally, the user walks out of a building with a model that is close to complete needing much less post processing than other methods.
Laser Scanning
Equipment exists today that will scan buildings creating a dimensionally correct point cloud of a building. Users can query the model to develop features and their relationships. While we dream of the day when these scans can be converted instantaneously into a BIM model the reality today is that intensive post processing is needed to turn them into a model than can be used inside a BIM package. After collecting the data the operator needs to take cross sections of the building in multiple views to bring into a BIM program. They use these sections as backgrounds to build a model so a lot fo tracing needs to be done, inserting another user intensive process into BIM creation. Uses for this technology can be excellent where data collection is difficult or MEP intensive projects. There is excellent case studies (I will find them later and post them) where when using this technology to capture an MEP intensive project like an oil rig retrofit minimized or even eliminated reworking on the site. That all the piping and equipment was designed and engineered off site and fit perfectly. The ROI can be immense when you imagine a full construction crew on site, and the as-builts pay for themselves, many times over.
The Right Tool for the Job
When starting a job a surveyor, architect, engineer, etc. must decide what technology to use based on the job. Many times what is needed is the correct geometry of the building is needed, in this case, PPLT might be best employed other cases laser scanning is needed and in smaller jobs even graph paper and pencil might be best employed. Most importantly is to create dimensionally correct data so everyone working downstream can work more effectively and problems or any other issues are solved digitally rather than on site.
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