3D measuring describes a process in which real objects are converted into 3D coordinates be means of technical equipment and 3D measuring methods and surveyed three-dimensionally. The gained results are used for determining positions, lengths, distances, deviations and shapes.
3D measuring (3D measurement, 3D survey) can be used for various objects and applications. It is mostly used in the industrial sector and in medical engineering.
In the field of architecture, civil engineering and restoration, the process currently gains in importance.
Since many different objects are measured, several measurement systems are employed. For 3D measuring, computer tomographs, GPS, cameras, measuring arms, optical measuring systems (stripe-light scanners and laser scanners), total stations and tracker systems are employed.
Differentiation in 3D measuring
The measuring methods differ in the device class or in the number of measured points. Concerning the 3D measuring devices, a distinction is made between tactile measuring systems (touching measuring systems) and non-contact measuring systems. Tactile measuring systems are, for instance, measuring arms and laser trackers. Non-contact measuring systems are many optical measuring systems.
Results of 3D measuring
Results of 3D measuring are always measuring points with a 3D coordinate (X,Y,Z). Measuring arms and trackers generate single measuring points. Laser scanners and cameras provide numerous single measuring points, so-called point clouds, in a short time. Based on single measurements, you can determine positions, distances and lengths. Based on point clouds, shapes can be determined easily. Within the scope of 3D measuring, the gained point clouds are often compared with existing computer models (variance analysis).
