Prior to the introduction of laser scanners in 1998, Palm Springs architects firms relied on traditional surveying methods that had two corollary drawbacks: they were time consuming and expensive, often pushing back start dates and exceeding survey budgets. But with laser scanners came the ability to complete what were once multi day surveys in as little as one survey session, and a reduction in survey costs due to the surveyor’s decreased involvement and the elimination of 2D and 3D drawings. Surveyors’ decreased involvement and the elimination of drawing were accomplished by the same thing: the ability to translate a scanner’s scan data into three types of computer data models that contain several sub types: polygon mesh, surface, and CAD.
The Data Models Used for Architecture Laser Surveying
The three data expressions produced by 3D scanning have broad applications in architecture, beginning with the conceptual phase for building projects and ending with final installations. Depending on the project, architects may use only one type of expression or use all three types in conjunction.
1. Polygon Mesh Model
Due to their essentially un-editable data ability to mirror evolving design intent, architects that create original buildings that feature organic or artistic shapes commonly use Polygon mesh models for visualization purposes, but they are also useful in the initial phases of more traditional projects. Polygon mesh varieties are almost always used in conjunction with other model types.
2. Surface Model
Due to their editable surface, surface models are also helpful to projects that feature artistic and organic shapes, allowing architects to model them in relation to their surrounding environment and in relation to a building’s other elements. Most original building projects involve some degree of surface modeling.
3. CAD Model
CAD models-also known as solid CADs-are editable at their surface and also in terms of design intent, a valuable feature for the finalization of various building design aspects, from solariums to boiler rooms. CADs are also valuable for developing presentations of planned buildings, such as fly-through video presentations and interior decoration modeling.
Other Uses for Architectural Laser Surveying
In addition to helping architects create buildings from the ground up, High tech surveying also has some practical applications for the architectural maintenance process, such as: remodeling of surrounding terrain, building security improvements, environmental metrics for analysis and modeling, and isolating necessary areas of building repair, such as damage to roofs and facades. Whatever its application, architecture laser surveying delivers the same benefits to each user: an abbreviated surveying process, lower surveying cost, and supreme flexibility of survey data. To learn more about the benefits of scanning to the architectural planning and maintenance processes, contact a provider of architectural scanning services today.
