Sounds like a nice project to get your teeth into? Are you a designer or project manager who also does the designs? Did you also use tekla?
This is just one of many examples of how I use my iPhone for scanning and SketchUp for delivering project schemes. The installations typically align well with the designs, which is why I handle them myself. Some project engineers I work with often face challenges onsite due to a lack of detail or information, as they tend to focus more on coordinating rather than design work.
While the phone isnāt highly accurate, I always ensure a proper site measurement using a tape measure or laser. Iām hoping to hire a 3D scanner for a project soon to take things to the next level. I enjoy a lot of freedom in my job, and because most of my schemes are successful, Iām usually trusted to get on with my work independentlyāwhich is always good. The example i showed is a smaller scheme but i do get involved with much larger schemes up to 1mill etc. I try to use SU where i can for this even its for planning work to be done in a confined space, ill model the confined space and show where the rescue teams need to be and gas monitors etc which is good as most H&S manager will never go down into a hole so providing a multi level confined space as a 3D model helps in planning to iron out some risks.
1 Like
Thatās great! What do you use with the iPhone? Polycam?
Hi there, yes using polycam but you need an iphone with the lidar on. I have the iphone 15 pro max. When im scanning i use a hand mount with does help with accuracy.
Here is an example of what i use it for also, a scan during an excavation showing the bosses and the client we are carrying out safe excavation onsite. If you click on the numbers there is some narrative.
3 Likes
How long does this take to produce? I have tested point cloud deliverables using iPhone but could never get close to an acceptable result for the work I do. I have used Trimble scanners for a number of years and find they are easy to use and the point clouds generated are ideal for my use cases.
The mesh looks pretty good. Iād be interested to know more about your workflow for that.
Hereās another example from an excavation project I worked on. I used a small scan section and a topographical survey in SketchUp (SU) to map out a below-ground asbestos pipe. From this, I was able to estimate the pipeās depth, as it had a 6-meter static head spanning the site. This allowed me to calculate the materials required for the chamber and refine the project processes.
Knowing the depth was critical, as excavations deeper than 2.1 meters are classified as deep excavations, which under CDM regulations typically escalate the project to a high-complexity category I believe. This process not only helped with accurate project pricing but also ensured compliance and helped the client properly classify the projectās complexity.
1 Like
The scans can be hit and miss somtimes, I just plan my route start the scan and try go slow as possible and try not to double back on myself. Using a hand help camera mount helps.
Looks like a nice climbing gym - love seeing more engineering applications/workflows
1 Like
Have you thought about investing in an ipad with Lidar. Being able to scan with and work directly in Sketchup is really helpful. It also helps with doing some of the snagging work on site a reduces the amount of site visits you might have to make. I use it for demolition projects and its becoming a really interesting work flow.
Hi Taz,
Yes i have but cant afford it at the moment, I was thinking of getting on in the next month or so as my mini6 is coming out of contract.
Do you have any examples of this application?
I unfortunately cant show you any of my examples as they are confidential but there should be plenty on the web. Another cost benefit is not having to pay for a Polycam licence as its all done with the Sketchup Pro licence. I would also factor in the cost of an apple pencil as using Sketchup on the ipad without it can be tricky.
ok fair enough, so you can scan directly into SU on ipad? interesting, i didnt know you can do that.
This video should give you an idea of the features.
2 Likes
The video is great, thanks for sharing. It looks like an interesting workflow. Do you find the workflow with iPad useful? I havenāt explored using a tablet at all with SU
Thatās cool. I may try this when i get a pro ipad. The future is pretty exciting wuth this type of technology. Its surprising how many people are not up to speed with it etc.
The scanning is a great feature for rapidly gathering details on a space and saves a lot of time measuring and taking lots of extra photos. and then you get to see the scan generated while you are still on site so thatās a massive bonus as you can then make tweaks and fix any snags/re-do if needed. With the apple pencil its then passable to put together some dimensions and simple modelling but its no way near as fast as working with mouse and keyboard so I take this scan data and work on it when Iām back at my desk.
1 Like
I had no idea the scan option had ben added to the ipad when I first started using it. I was originally going to use polycam but its saved having to get the subscription and did the processing all in one place.
I am expecting a lot more to come with Sketchup and using the iPad as a means of collecting data. I do hope that Microsoft bring out a tablet with Lidar then hopefully the prices of these devises can come down.
1 Like