Introduction to Reality Capture
Reality capture equipment has become a game-changer for various industries in recent years. The use of 3D scanning, drones, and photogrammetry in capturing and processing real-world data has allowed professionals from surveying, architecture, engineering, construction, and manufacturing industries to work smarter, not harder. According to a recent study by MarketsandMarkets, the global reality capture market size is expected to reach $4.2 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 14.3% during the forecast period. This is a clear indication of the growing importance and adoption of reality capture technology in various industries. So, let’s explore how reality capture equipment is being used in each of these industries and recommend products from our website that can help enhance and drive efficiency.
Industry: Surveying
Reality capture equipment has greatly improved efficiency for the surveying industry by allowing professionals to quickly and accurately gather data on large or complex sites.
Example: With the use of 3D scanning, surveyors can capture millions of data points in just a few minutes. This allows them to create highly detailed, accurate surveys and 3D models that can be used for a variety of purposes like land development, infrastructure planning, and creating digital twins of assets. According to a study by the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, the use of 3D laser scanning technology in surveying can reduce the time required for fieldwork by up to 90%. For a growing surveying company, having the proper cutting-edge equipment can completely change how they operate and what process and measures they take to get the job done.
Another example is the use of laser scanning drones like the BLK2FLY. They can help to capture data from hard-to-reach areas, such as tall buildings or bridges. This eliminates the need for scaffolding or other equipment, which can be costly and time-consuming.
If you’re in the market for upgraded surveying equipment, we highly recommend the Pegasus TRK. By maintaining impeccable standards and committing to precise data, the Pegasus TRK can help you deliver amazing results to your clients.
Industry: Architecture
Visualizing a space and its dimensions is essential to the process of designing a new space. Through 3D reality capture, architects can invite clients to a shared view of a new building design or space allowing them to experience the possibilities and envision how it will suit their needs.
With direct and repeatable access, the review of a new build can be conducted from anywhere and in less time. Not only does reality capture and the virtual design experience save the architect time, it also affords the client greater control of their project; they can examine every corner before moving to the next phase.
The immersive and comprehensive nature of reality capture makes for a unique and efficient real estate customer experience. Clients feel more involved in the management of their projects as they accurately visualize pre-construction as-builts, each phase of construction on the way to a complete final as-built. Architects can save time and money by allowing a transparent and relatable understanding of project details, updates and even potential problems that can be difficult to communicate, or even identify, in the absence of a first-hand review.
Good products to check out in our reality capture lineup for architecture are the BLK3D. With these products, architects can easily document as-built conditions for retrofits and redesigns, which offers simple methods for reality capture.
Industry: Engineering
In a similar way to the architectural industry, reality capture equipment has greatly improved efficiency for engineers by allowing them to rapidly and accurately capture data on their project sites. According to a study by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the use of 3D scanning technology in engineering can reduce the time required for fieldwork by up to 85%.
Within minutes, engineers can capture millions of data points using 3D laser scanning technology. Using this method, they can create highly detailed, accurate 3D models of existing structures that can be used for remodels, additions, and digital twins. These advancements allow engineers to further improve important aspects of their workflow like design, safety and structural performance.
Take a look at our product: BLK2FLY. This autonomous aerial laser scanner can capture full exterior as-built site scans in a matter of minutes. We highly recommend this for the design, architectural and engineering industry.
Industry: Construction
Reality capture technologies provide unprecedented benefits to the construction industry. Creating a digital twin of the as-built environment allows the seamless integration of BIM models before, during, and after construction to identify discrepancies, make decisions, communicate changes, and avoid costly schedule disruptions. Increasing communication across all stakeholders and achieving superior results in construction projects of any scale can be effectively accomplished by combining data from multiple sources and encouraging swift and efficient cooperation.
Several of the scanners we’ve recommended for other industries can also serve the construction industry. In particular we suggest the P-Series scanners to minimize job delays and errors, as its dual-axis compensator is uniquely capable of guaranteeing millimeter accuracy at the longest-ranges in the industry.
Industry: Manufacturing
Reality capture technologies can help manufacturing plants to operate at never-before-seen levels of optimization and efficiency, both of which are naturally regarded as concerns in any plant environment. As-built 3D scans quickly and easily provide accurate and comprehensive data about your machinery inventory, providing location and specification data necessary for any retooling or optimization of your manufacturing set-up. Having an accurate digital twin enables you to quickly and easily calculate clearances for equipment or access to machinery, while optimizing your workflow and reducing safety hazards for your employees. Maintenance and emergency planning are made easy through simulations in 3D renderings of your environment, eliminating risk and planning for the future.
The RTC360 is the perfect solution for performing reality capture of complex structures and environments like manufacturing facilities and plants. Using Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) technology,, it simplifies registering the scan data of complex sites like plants and facilities.
Industry: Public Safety
3D data capture is being employed as a matter of course in the public safety arena. First responders and law enforcement can benefit from 3D information by documenting accident scenes and conducting forensic laser scanning to better understand how accidents and crimes occur. For example, in Memphis, Tennessee, there’s a project titled, “Map901: Building Rich Interior Hazard Maps for First Responder,” funded through the NIST Point Cloud City Initiative. Their goal is to work with the computer science department at the University of Memphis to capture the interiors of seven major buildings in the Memphis area, totaling to 1.8 million square feet. Their intention is for first responders to use these 3D indoor maps in the midst of an emergency.
Very large crowds gather at these buildings - with 3D mapping, the city hopes to increase the safety of first responders.
BLK ARC comes highly recommended for public safety jobs. With its autonomous laser scanning capabilities, the BLK ARC can adapt to any setting and is compatible with many robotic carriers.
Industry: Entertainment/VFX
Mesh together the digitally created virtual world with the physical location in which the experience takes place. 3D reality capture equipment goes beyond construction and facility needs. Over the past years, the entertainment industry critically relies on 3D scanning. Speaking at the recent Hexagon’s HxGN Live Conference in Vegas, Francois Chardavoine, VP of Technology at Lucasfilm & Industrial Light and Magic shared: “Historically LiDAR scanners have been large, they’ve been expensive, they’ve been a bit slow. It’s been a cumbersome process. For us, the best scanner is the BLK360. We’ve been using the BLK360 for a little over one year and a half. Since then it has become a standard part of arsenal that our crews can just throw in their backpack and go on location whenever needed” (Boeckem, LinkedIn 2020).
Over the next few years, we can expect to virtually attend performances from the comfort of our homes in a fully immersive environment thanks to 3D scanning. National Theatre in the UK proved this out in the industry by using a BLK360 laser scanner to create a 3D model of the Orpheum Theatre in Canada (Boeckem, LinkedIn 2020). They were able to virtually place the audience face to face on stage in the theatre with the protagonist, interacting with volumetrically captured performances to create a greater sense of empathy. For use cases in the entertainment industry, we certainly recommend the BLK360.
Work smarter by saving time, money, and effort with our reality capture solutions.
1. Are you concerned about the safety of your team on a specific job?
2. Are you frustrated by the double work you have to do on projects involving manual measurements?
3. Is reducing redundancy and eliminating rework important to you?
4. Isn't it time you invested in technology that provides you accurate and precise measurements in a fraction of the time?
Our goal is to provide you further information within the reality capture industry. Our experts keep up with the most cutting-edge technology and can help you navigate the decision-making process of selecting which equipment and software is right for you.
Book a demo with one of our EXPERTS@R-E-A-L.iT today.