We use 3D data all the time. We combine laser scanning with imagery captured from the ground or drone to produce a range of different 3D deliverables. 3D visualisations can be produced of past, existing or proposed buildings, sites and artefacts. The results can be used for replicating sculpture by laser printing, as a BIM model for a major project or interpreting and displaying inaccessible areas.

Including:

Scan2BIM

3D Replication

3D Inspection Models

Some projects require that a record is made of a historic building or site, often using agreed recording standards such as Historic England Level 3 or 4. We are very experienced in providing such a record, which can capture the detail of a site before alterations are made and record its condition and appearance post any alteration and restoration works. A record survey is often a requirement for applications to support listed building consent, planning permission and scheduled monument consent. We can adjust the level of detail required depending upon the needs of your project. Previous work has included archival deposit to provide a permanent record of a site. 

Laser scanning is now the foundation for the majority of our data capture. It is accurate, fast, non-contact and has a wide range of applications. It provides a 3D snapshot in time and can be combined with imagery to produce textured models, BIM models and ortho images. It is also used as a monitoring tool as it records small or overall changes in fabric. It produced dense clouds of 3D points over visible surfaces. We combine data from each set up of the scanner to form large unified point clouds of whole buildings and sites. The data can be sliced in 3D.

Once we have done this we can produce as many drawings as you need, either now or years into the future, without having to go back to site.

We have extensive experience in producing floor plans, elevations, sections, topographic and utility surveys. These can be produced of any building or site, at any scale or accuracy, in 2D or as BIM models. We specialise in high detail and accuracy on historic buildings, structures and monuments. We can also provide underground services mapping and drone surveys.

Measured Surveys can include:

• Floorplans
• Elevations
• Sections
• Topographic Survey
• Utility/Underground Services Surveys

Drones and other UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) are a rapidly evolving solution for surveys and inspections. We are fully aware of the constraints associated with safely flying drones, particularly in urban areas, and can comply with these issues. We can produce video inspections, still photography and 3D inspection models to your requirements. We have trained UAV pilots, full insurance and CAA permission for commercial work.

We operate a number of different drones suitable for different situations and sites. We can provide high resolution 4K filming and still photography.

We use the latest medium format and DSLR cameras, high quality lens, masts, drones and software to produce high resolution photography. This can simply be as a record of an existing site or developed into rectified and orthographic photography or 3D textured models.

Rectifed Photography

Rectified photography provides scaled accurate photographic elevations of a building. This is ideal when, for example, recording a complex historic brick-built building – as all the bricks are shown on an elevation there is no need to draw each one. It saves a great deal of time, shows a vast amount of detail and individual bricks can be clearly marked up by an architect or surveyor to show areas for repair or repointing. These photographic elevations are much easier to read, by a wider range of users, than linework drawing. They are also very good for interpretation as they use photographs to show what the building looks like. This technique does have some limitations as the images are only usually scaled on one or two main planes and may need unwrapping for curved structures.

Photogrammetry

Photogrammetry provides measurements from photographs and means that accurate scaled photographic elevations of a building or monument can be provided. Photogrammetry is particularly useful for stone-by-stone records and drawings due to the quality and accuracy of the image. For very complex structures, photogrammetry is a more suitable technique than rectified photography.

3D texture models

A 3D textured model is a combination of photography and laser scanning. These are often merged together to produce an enhanced point cloud or mesh model. This can be used as a record, to inform repair and development proposals and in interpretation. They can be combined into BIM models to provide accurate representations of sculpture or more decorative, less repetitive detail that would be too costly or time consuming to model directly.

Record Photography

High quality photographs of a building’s interior and exterior can be required both before and after changes are made. The before images provide an accurate record of the condition and appearance of a place before (sometimes major) changes are carried out, and after images show the impact of those changes. We have carried out records such as this on many sites for a range of owners including the National Trust.