Planning in harmony with the surrounding environment

One of the jobs of a planner is to present a renovation, new construction planning or building extension in a simple, fast and realistic way to his customers. Many planning models already exist in 3D and are stylistically prepared and embellished for presentation purposes. But what does the planning look like in the real world? Does the new building fit into an existing development area? How is the height development? What are the dimensions? Where are light and shadow conditions caused? And which building materials fit best into the surroundings? All these questions can be easily clarified and visualized with the combination of 3D model and as-built scan (point cloud).

View of existing building - bird's eye viewFig. 1: View of existing building

View with planning of scanhoch3 - bird's eye viewFig. 1a: View with planning of scanhoch3

One of our current customer projects is a good example to illustrate the process from data transfer to the final presentation. Our customers, Mr. Jörg Schwarzer of scanhoch3 and his business partner Mr. Gunnar Salomon, Salomon Bau, approached us with the idea of data combination. As a basis, the planned 3D model in IFC format, the materials of the facades, the geometric fit of the new building into the existing building (e.g. site plan for the building application, fit-in sketches, height reference, etc.) and a point cloud of the surroundings were handed over. Our job was to prepare the data for presentation in a relatively tight time frame.

Procedure

We have used Autodesk software for preparing the data. The 3D model and the point cloud were provided in different coordinate systems (local/georeferenced). The point cloud was created using terrestrial laser scanning (-> tip 1).

Data preparation in Autodesk Revit:

  • Import of the planned 3D model
  • Determination of a suitable reference point in the point cloud
  • Alignment of the 3D model using the reference point
  • Import of the point cloud

Data combination in Autodesk Navisworks Manage:

  • Creation of a new project
  • Import of the Revit model and the point cloud
  • Correction/modification (if necessary) of materials

Creation of the presentation in Autodesk Navisworks Manage:

  • Creation of viewpoints and perspectives (e.g. Fig.1/1a)

Transfer of the data for presentation in the free software Autodesk Navisworks Freedom:

  • Export of the Autodesk Navisworks Manage project as NWD file (-> Tip 2)

Tip

  1. The higher the resolution selected for the scan, the more realistic the point cloud results (but also the larger the amount of data). A good average value is recommended here.
  2. Working with point clouds usually results in large amounts of data, which can lead to long and annoying waiting times during presentations. In order to give a smooth and professional presentation, all viewpoints should be loaded before the presentation.

View of existing building - SouthFig. 2: View of existing building

View with planning of scanhoch3 - SouthFig. 2a: View with planning of scanhoch3

Conclusion

The combination of the actually scanned surroundings with the 3D model enables all parties involved to quickly view the planned construction project in consensus with the neighbourhood. The viewers receive a lively and realistic impression. They can judge the project perfectly, view the construction from any side and from any perspective, contribute ideas and change requests, critically examine tricky areas and develop further subsequent concepts (e.g. traffic development, management, green spaces, etc.).

View of existing building - WestFig. 3: View of existing building

View with planning of scanhoch3 - WestFig. 3a: View with planning of scanhoch3

logo scanhoch3 + logo Salomon Bau

 

Do you also need support with a project? Simply contact us!

Phone: +49 (0391) 6269960
E-mail: info@laserscanning-europe.com

> Enter contact form