In the last part of this series, we discussed in some detail how a Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) can be constrained by features external to the point cloud model such as lines, points and polygons. In this month’s edition, we will look at contours and how LP360, our advanced LIDAR and point cloud processing software, can extract elevation information from point cloud data for assigning to the Z component of feature vertices. Read more...

A recent USGS addendum to the LIDAR Base Specification has stated that “User-defined entities will not be allowed for capturing specific geoid information in the WKT”. Read more...

Learn how to import control and/or check points in text format into LP360 for use in accuracy assessment. Read more...

Updates from our President, Lewis Graham, for August 2018. Read more...

This article is a continuation of the discussion of breaklines in the standalone version of LP360, our advanced LIDAR and point cloud processing software. In last month’s installment we discussed the overall concept of data modeling, especially the Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN). In this installment, I will discuss the general concept of adding constraints in the form of breaklines to these models. Read more...

Structure from Motion (SfM) algorithms used by image -to-point cloud applications require strong overlap to create an accurate 3D model. Missions should be planned to include both forward overlap, and side overlap. Read more...

The answer to this question will depend on the Structure from Motion software being used. The two primary components are the ability to use high-accuracy geotags and the ability to incorporate a camera calibration based on Brown’s Distortion Model. Read more...

Many sites have large-scale projected systems defined just over the local site, which does not match existing national and state grids. We refer to these as local coordinate systems, and while local easting and northing image locations can be input to PhotoScan, Pix4D, etc., those applications do not support converting geographic coordinates to local projected coordinates. Learn how to use the new Local Coordinate System Manager tool in AirGon's ASPSuite. Read more...

Updates from our President, Lewis Graham, for July 2018. Read more...

This document is extracted and heavily revised from a series of articles that I wrote in 2013. The big change is that, at that time, we only had enforcement in the standalone version of LP360, which is our advanced LIDAR and point cloud processing software. Now, we are essentially feature-complete with new tools in standalone LP360. Not only are all of the breakline creation tools present, but we also have a very rich set of 3D feature edit tools. Read more...

Find out how to download the DJI log file (DAT file) from your drone in a few easy steps. Read more...

Updates from our President, Lewis Graham, for June 2018. Read more...

AirGon’s Reckon is a cloud-hosted data management system that brings ease to the complicated process of data delivery. Read more...

In this first of a two-part series, I am going to present some information that will allow you to make an informed choice between LIDAR or dense image matching in regards to high accuracy drone mapping. Read more...

The “Find Poles” tool was introduced to the Railroad Tool Box with the release of TerraScan v017.018. While originally intended to automatically detect pole type objects along roads and railroads, this tool is designed in a manner where it can be used to detect a variety of objects that can be defined. Read more...

Learn how long Wilson and Company has been using UAVs, what attracted them to begin using the technology, and what kind of projects they conduct using UAVs. Read more...

Updates from our President, Lewis Graham, for May 2018. Read more...

A Point Cloud Task (PCT) is a function (Extract ground, Conflate Line) that operates on points and/or vectors. A task can be a filter and/or an extractor. The Point Cloud Tasks are accessible on the Point Cloud Task tab of the Table of Contents in Arc (when using the LP360 for ArcGIS extension) or in LP360. Read more...

This article will discuss how you can attain 3D point samples in DXF format of a stockpile using a combination of LP360 feature tools. Read more...

Updates from our President, Lewis Graham, for March 2018. Read more...