LiDAR Webinars

Expanding Terrasolid Workflows Using LP360

TerraScan? LP360? Both?

  • TerraScan and LP360 have overlapping toolsets and some unique differences
  • When does it make sense to use one over the other; when does it make sense to use both?

Business Case

  • Offloading appropriate work to LP360 will reduce the overall software stack cost per user.
  • LP360 (Standard) (Pool) $4,800
  • TScan + TMod Bundle (5+) $6,100
  • MicroStation PowerDraft $2,500

= $8,600

  • Taking advantage of each package’s unique strengths appropriately will increase efficiency and throughput.

Staffing

  • A well-trained user can produce a quality product in either package.
  • An experienced MicroStation/Terrasolid user will be hard to convince to switch just for basic tools such as editing
  • For inexperienced users, learning curve for LP360 is much lower than for MicroStation/Terrasolid.
  • Generally, CAD-based technicians are harder to recruit and cost more per hour than GIS-based technicians.
  • Core team of experienced MicroStation/Terrasolid users – power users- supported by technicians using LP360 for routine editing is one way to lower overall labor costs

Technical Differences

  • TerraScan architecture is based on reading all points into memory, providing 100% availability, but requires a file-based approach to project management (only one file open at a time for editing).
  • LP360 architecture is based on using pyramiding to provide point cloud overviews of entire project. % availability can vary, but single file-based editing is not required.
  • TerraScan can be supplemented with tools for calibration (TerraMatch) and orthophoto production (TerraPhoto).
  • TerraPhoto supports oblique imagery for mobile mapping.
  • LP360 has built-in QA/QC reviewing tools and more powerful tools for performing LAS file verification and correction (LAS File Analyst).
  • Feature editing/ compilation can be very user-preference driven, but there are noticeable differences between the two toolsets.
  • Comparing LP360 Feature Analyst tools to MicroStation:
    • Breakline compilation for hydro-enforcement is streamlined in LP360.
    • Tools are more user-friendly (subjective).
    • More options for controlling the conflation process.
    • More QA/QC tools that work directly on the features themselves.
Capability Terrasolid LP360
MicroStation Integration Yes (Required) No
ArcGIS Integration No Yes (Optional)
Manual Editing Yes Yes
Automatic Classification (Macros) Yes Yes
Calibration Yes (TMatch) No
Orthophoto Production Yes (TPhoto) No
Oblique Viewing Yes (TPhoto) No
Feature Creation/Editing Yes Yes
Multi-File Editing No Yes
LAS File Verification/Repair No Yes
For more information with one of our LiDAR experts.