Shepperton Studios, UK, 18 April 2017 – Swanton Consulting has transformed the design of temporary works – such as façade and basement retention – using a software innovation that creates instant 3D models from laser scanner data. Processing of the millions of individual 3D laser scan measurements, known collectively as point clouds, used to take Swanton up to two weeks. However, since introducing Pointfuse V2 point cloud processing software, Swanton can now produce highly accurate vector models, suitable for immediate use by design engineers, in less than a day.
Swanton Consulting specializes in the design of temporary works, deep basements, façade retentions, retaining walls, specialist structural elements and contractor delegated design elements. Working alongside design teams and contractors, Swanton is one of the leading providers of façade retention engineering solutions in London.
“One of the first projects we tested Pointfuse on was the design of steel structure to support the façade of two Grade II listed structures in London’s prestigious Mayfair,” commented Pearse McMahon, Senior Technician at Swanton Consulting. “The façade scheme was developed and coordinated with the permanent works, with the layout driven heavily by the use of 3D modeling from point cloud surveys.”
Data to support the design of the façade steel work was collected by Swanton’s Testing and Monitoring division using a Leica ScanStation laser scanner. Originally, the vast point cloud was imported into the 3D construction modeling software Tekla Structures, produced by Trimble. The 1.5 Gb DXF CAD file, comprising more the six million cross hair points, then took the best part of two weeks to process into a usable model onto which the steel structure framework could be positioned.
Following the acquisition of Pointfuse V2 software, the original point cloud was reprocessed to create a 3D model of the façade in the open IFC format for onward use in a variety of software packages, including Trimble’s Tekla and AutoCAD Revit. However, rather than taking two weeks to create usable models, the Pointfuse output was ready for use by the steel work designers in less than a day.
“Pointfuse will transform our use of laser scanned data,” continued McMahon. “With highly accurate vector models available for use by design teams in hours rather than days, we are more efficient and more effective. Savings we can pass on to construction partners and end clients.”
About Pointfuse
Pointfuse V2 is a powerful modeling engine that delivers a fast, precise and flexible way of converting the vast point cloud datasets generated by laser scanners or photogrammetry into high fidelity vector models. Designed for anyone capturing or using point cloud data, Pointfuse V2 uses advanced statistical techniques to create vector models which can then be manipulated using any industry-standard CAD system. The launch of Pointfuse V2 in 2016 demonstrated a new paradigm in the processing of laser scanned point cloud data. Now with a simple ‘one touch one button’ approach, the new techniques in Pointfuse V2 not only convert point clouds into 3D vector models with accurate geometry but also enable discrete surfaces in these models to be isolated and manipulated in third party software to a greater extent than ever before. To try Pointfuse before you buy visit http://pointfuse.com/pointfuse-free-download/
About Arithmetica
Arithmetica is an innovator in 360-degree imaging solutions and automated laser scanning data processing software. Located at the world famous Shepperton Studios near London, Arithmetica is the company behind SphereVision and Pointfuse. Arithmetica develops groundbreaking software solutions to solve real world scientific, medical and engineering problems. Arithmetica builds on more than thirty years of television and film production to develop software for clients around the world. Arithmetica solutions handle complex data-rich information and are simple and easy to use. Arithmetica’s wide-ranging experience and capabilities include: image analysis and computer vision for industrial and biomedical fields; massively parallel computation; multimedia data compression; data mining and machine learning; Monte-Carlo methods; traffic simulation; mathematical optimization used in conceptual aircraft design; statistical estimation; computational fluid dynamics applied to aerofoil optimization; nonlinear variable demand economic models involving millions of variables; finite element electromagnetic analysis; spherical image processing, and 360-degree video presentation. www.arithmetica.com
About Swanton
Swanton Consulting was formed in 2010 and has been at the forefront of the temporary works industry ever since. Working alongside its parent company, The Erith Group, Swanton has provide essential services to ensure safe and practical methods of demolition and retention, etc. Swanton specializes in the design of temporary works, deep basements, façade retentions, retaining walls, specialist structural elements and contractor delegated design elements. Swanton can provide this service both to the design team and to the contractor employing a team of structural and geotechnical engineers to provide client-specific solutions. Each project is run and managed by a chartered and senior engineer, which provides a wealth of experience within the contracting and consulting practice. Swanton takes pride in providing a flexible, responsive and innovative design service. www.swantonconsulting.co.uk