Laser scanning: a new tool for plant measurement

Leica Geosystems is well known as an leading manufacturer of innovative surveying tools like electronic Total Stations or GPS receivers as they are used in surveying, construction, exploration and engineering tasks. Both tools deliver space information (coordinates, geometrical elements, description) of single points at the time.

A few years ago, laser scanning was introduced to measure thousands of points within one second of time. This new technology is used in airborne sensors as well in scanners for terrestrial measurements. In May this year, a new ScanStation was announced by Leica Geosystems, the first laser scanner to incorporate four fundamental total station features: full field-of view (FOV), survey-grade dual-axis compensation, survey-grade accuracy for each measurement and an excellent measuring range.

Terrestrial laser scanning is used to measure all kind of structural objects and offers great economical advantages compared to Total Stations, especially for complex plant measurements. Cloud Work and Cyclone Software transfer the millions of measured single points into precise geometrical elements of a 3D model. Terrestrial laser scanning has proven to be an important tool for the modern surveyor, with major surveying and engineering companies as well as universities around the world exploring the benefits of point cloud data and the route into real 3D deliverables.

Leica Cyclone is the companion software for ScanStation that enables resection, backsight, and traverse survey workflows. In addition, it features convenient new survey quality assurance (QA) checking tools and faster point loading for large data sets. The inherent completeness of 3D point clouds represents one of their major advantages over other sources of geometric information. Cyclone’s unique Object Database Client/Server software architecture provides the highest performance environment for laser scanning projects. Cyclone software makes it easy for users to manage data efficiently in databases. Users can work concurrently on databases, thereby reducing the need to copy and/or transmit large point cloud project files.

Cyclone 5.5 Modules for Flexible Configuration

Leica Cyclone 5.5 is comprised of individual software modules for different needs and for flexible product customisation.

Cyclone-SCAN 5.5
Cyclone-SCAN is the software interface for operating the HDS2500, HDS3000, and HDS4500 scanners. User-specified scan area and density, data filtering, scan scripting, and automatic recognition and extraction of both planar and spherical Leica Geosystems HDS targets all contribute to this easy-to-use, intelligent data capture application.

Cyclone-REGISTER 5.5
Cyclone-REGISTER provides the complete set of tools for aligning point clouds captured from different scanning positions, quickly and accurately. It supports the use of Leica Geosystems HDS targets to geo-reference scan data, as well as having the ability to align overlapping areas of point clouds – without the use of targets. This results in optimum registration and provides significant time and cost savings by reducing the need to place and extract targets.

Cyclone-MODEL 5.5
This versatile, powerful module enables professionals to use point clouds directly to process them into objects for robust export into and import of data from CAD and other applications. Cyclone-MODEL 5.5 has the industry’s largest, most complete and automated set of tools for accurately modelling 3D point clouds as CAD geometry or as meshes for engineering, surveying, construction, architectural and related applications.

Cyclone-SURVEY 5.5
Cyclone-SURVEY lets surveyors quickly extract relevant features and coordinate information from the point cloud data via the Cyclone Virtual Surveyor function. Powerful tools support complex topographic models, with intelligent mesh decimation that minimises file size while retaining accurate geometry. Cyclone-SURVEY is a subset of the Cyclone-MODEL product and is an ideal module for surveyors.

Cyclone-VIEWER 5.5
Cyclone-VIEWER is a view-only version of the Cyclone software. This product (which is free of charge) enables visualisation of Cyclone data on a desktop or portable PC without a full-featured Cyclone license, so you can share your Cyclone databases with non-Cyclone-MODEL users. The Cyclone-VIEWER provides full viewing capabilities to allow users to rotate, zoom and navigate through Cyclone data, including point clouds and 3D models.

Cyclone-SERVER 5.5
Cyclone-SERVER enables individual members of workgroups to simultaneously access 3D point cloud data sets and/or models. This provides a powerful environment for collaborative design on large, complex projects and can significantly reduce project execution time. Cyclone- SERVER supports the simultaneous connection of 1-10 ‘client’ users to the same data server in a network environment. These clients can be licensees of Cyclone-REGISTER, MODEL, SURVEY, VIEWER, or Cyclone CloudWorx for AutoCAD, and for MicroStation.

Immediate productivity gains

A number of American users tested both ScanStation and Cyclone version 5.5. These included companies involved in laser scanning, surveying, civil engineering and surveying, and plant engineering and 3D measurement services. Martin Dunn, PLS, principal of METCO Services, stated: “With ScanStation, the line between scanning and surveying is blurring … we’re now surveying as we are used to with the added benefits of scanning.” Based on field results from a closed traverse and radial survey, METCO’s John Brown added: “ScanStation will easily save us 20-25 minutes per setup. Leica Geosystems nailed it; now we are surveying.”

Robert Gardiner, principal of Gardiner Consulting and long-time scanning services expert, says: ”The incorporation of a ’dual-axis compensator’ within ScanStation is a gigantic step forward, especially with a ‘full dome’ laser scanner. It means that precise horizontal levels can be obtained productively on a small project without the use of a total station. Fewer targets are needed and ScanStation allows increased distances between setups because less point cloud overlap is needed. Now I can traverse productively through a narrow area and around a blind corner, and still ensure consistent orientation and levelling between ScanWorlds."

Mitchell Wimbush, PS, Midwestern Consulting, adds: "With automatic registration in the field (instead of having to post process scan data), I would now consider using scanning for real-time construction QA. This adds a potentially big, new application for the technology.”

Faster and still surveyor friendly

Surveyor friendliness was highlighted as a key benefit for Leica Cyclone 5.5 beta testers. "Using the new Recheck Targets feature is just like checking your backsight before breaking down," states Brown. While Patrick O'Leary, American Surveying Consultants, says: "We have been waiting for something like the new Elevation Check feature for fast, easy survey QA checks." Cyclone 5.5’s Elevation Check feature allows users to automatically check scan data against survey points collected conventionally in the same area. "The Elevation Check feature is very easy to learn and use – very simple and innovative," adds Mitchell Wimbush, Midwestern Consulting.

On the ability of Cyclone 5.5 to efficiently manage large, phased-based scan data sets collected with the Leica 4500 scanner, Frank Perricone, Prinicipal Engineer of VibroDynamics, stated: "Wow! The speed of data loading and the ability to quickly manipulate the viewpoints of large phase-based data sets within Cyclone 5.5 is outstanding."

Kurt Schibli has worked for Leica Geosystems since 1985 and is now Director for the Sales Region Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova. He is a surveying engineer graduate who has professional experience of surveying work in Switzerland, the Middle East, Central America, Germany and the US.

For more information, please contact: kurt.schibli@leica-geosystems.com