data,” he said. “This information is critical to ensure that all teams are working in the same coordinate space. We don’t have that issue now that we have access to an aerial imagery MapBrowser.” Workflow Broadly, the HNTB visualization team’s imagery workflow looks like the following: Locate — Using vertical imagery, team members get acquainted with the project site. This is especially useful when the project is out of state. Process — The team has access to the same accurate, georeferenced data through MapBrowser. They can view and compare historical imagery to current, see time stamps, and export the imagery with gridded tiles for better integration into 3ds Max. “Access to exact, precise data is critical because bad input equals bad output,” Reed said. Integrate — Users generate a DSM from aerial imagery. The 3D representation from a DSM allows professionals to detect variation in terrain, which helps them provide more precise estimates for the client. Oblique images are imported into programs such as 3ds Max, Map3d, Recap, InfraWorks, and Civil 3D to create a 3D point cloud, which uses thousands of points to depict surfaces in a 3D space. A point cloud
can then be used to create a 3D mesh, which connects the points with triangles to form a realistic-looking 3D diagram of the area. In 3ds Max, team members can align imagery to 3ds Max origin; trace and texture terrain, curbs, sidewalks, and buildings; and match the lighting and shadows to the exact time of day to create the most realistic rendering possible. When finished, the visualization technician can export it into AutoCAD for other engineering teams. Present — With lifelike, high-definition-quality visuals, clients are impressed and can clearly envision the result. The detailed models are also used to educate surrounding property owners. Project managers can use the models as visual aids to illustrate different project stages, staging areas, and equipment so local business owners and residents are informed and can plan accordingly. Over time, the challenges that face the engineering industry will change. What does not change is how engineers can solve problems — through the use of the right tools and information. Aerial imagery has elevated design tools and software, empowering engineers to make intelligent and collaborative choices.
ERIN JEPPERSON is technical sales engineer at Nearmap (www.nearmap.com).
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july 2018
csengineermag.com
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