CyArk Knowledgebase

Surveying techniques range from simple manual methods to remote sensing instruments capable of millimeter precision. The choice of survey device depends on the type of information needed and the corresponding degree of accuracy that is required.

Primary Sources: Wikipedia: GPS and Wikipedia: GNSS The Global Positioning System, usually called GPS (the US military refers to it as NAVSTAR GPS - Navigation Signal Timing and Ranging Global Positioning System), is a fully operational satellite navigation system as of 2006.

Primary Source: Wikipedia: Remote Sensing In the broadest sense, remote sensing is the measurement or acquisition of information of an object or phenomenon, by a recording device that is not in physical ontact with the object.

For most endangered heritage sites, the first tool required for preservation and restoration is a reliable, accurate site survey. Terrestrial LiDAR (aka 3D Laser Scanning, aka High Definition Survey) technologies provide 3D survey data that is more accurate and more economically produced than information from surveys using traditional techniques.

In computer graphics and cinematography, high dynamic range imaging or photography (HDR for short) is a set of techniques that allow a far greater dynamic range of exposures than normal digital imaging techniques.

Primary Source: Wikipedia: Panoramic Photography Panoramic photography is a style of photography that aims to create images with exceptionally wide fields of view, but has also come to refer to any photograph that is cropped to a relatively wide aspect ratio.

The CyArk 3D Point Cloud Viewer is a powerful tool that allows you, the user, to interact within a 3D model space. This enables anyone to view our 3D point cloud data in true 3D. This application has been available on our site for some time now, and comes in two versions.

Conceptual Data Capture In 1997, Paul Debevec published a paper about how to digitally create high dynamic range images for rendering surfaces. This paper is very technical and includes the algorithm equations used to recover the film/camera response curve used to nonlinearly map pixel values found in standard images in order to produce true, absolute radiance values in HDRI.

It is often difficult to capture the beauty of a site with drawings and photographs alone. This is why animations are often helpful for viewers to get a sense of the space and relation of objects to one another.

High Dynamic Range Imaging (HDRI) is a process which involves taking multiple photographs, each exposed differently (eg, ‘bracketing’), and then using special computer software to combine these photos into a new, composite image which has a greater ‘tonal range’ than any of the individuals photographs are capable of having due to the limitations of film or digital sensors.

The abstract puts it best when it says, "Although terrestrial 3D laser scanning is being used increasingly for a wide range of applications, no laser scanning system on the market is suitable for all applications.

The International council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) has an international committee dedicated to the documentation of cultural heritage; named CIPA (the International Committee for Documentation of Cultural Heritage), it was created in collaboration with the International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS).

The International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) is an NGO dedicated to helping the advancement of knowledge and research in remote sensing, photogrammetry, and spatial technologies whilst harboring these technologies' abilities to promote human and environmental sustainability.

English Heritage's Heritage 3D project researched and collected information and data from workshops and case studies while participating in steering committees to produce this beginner's guidance manual for architects and archaeologists wishing to employ 3D technologies as a data collection tool.

In conjunction with the Heritage 3D "Advice and guidance to users on laser scanning in archaeology and architecture" beginner's guide, this more-detailed publication outlines specific standards for clients and contractors using 3D terrestrial laser scanning as a data capture tool with English Heritage projects.

Caltrans (California Department of Transportation) partners with the University of California at Davis' AHMCT department for various projects. Together, they conducted an equipment test of multiple time-of-flight scanners with their own vendor-neutral, independently developed testing methods.

The following link will take you to the case studies contributed to the Heritage3D project by associates. Each case study is individually available in PDF format. The multitude of case studies include a wide range of scanning subjects, from rock art and graffiti, to Classical and Egyptian statues, landscapes, artifacts, eartworks, and underground sites.

This paper investigates the accuracy of multiple laser scanning systems and was conducted in 2003 by i3mainz (the Institute for Spatial Information and Surveying Technology at the University of Applied Sciences, Mainz, Germany).

HafenCity University Hamburg's Department of Geomatics investigated the quality of measurements obtained with multiple laser scanners. For the time-of-flight scanner test, they employed the: Trimble GX Leica ScanStation For the the phase scanner test they employed the: Z+F IMAGER 5006 Faro LS880 HE The study tested the scanners distance accuracies, accuracy of inclination, the laser's angle of incidence's effect on 3D accuracy, an investigation of scanner noise, and an investigation of an object's color's affect on distance.

This is the short promotional brochure for the Leica ScanStation 2 terrestrial laser scanner (in US English). It does not provide technical specifications of the equipment; for this, please see the data sheet.

Data Sheet (technical specifications, etc.) for the Leica ScanStation 2 terrestrial laser scanner (in US English). This data sheet will provide all the specs such as laser range, speed, density/resolution, equipment tolerances (eg, weather), physical dimensions, etc.

Data Sheet (technical specifications, etc.) for the Leica ScanStation terrestrial laser scanner (in US English). This data sheet will provide all the specs such as laser range, speed, density/resolution, equipment tolerances (eg, weather), physical dimensions, etc.

Data Sheet (technical specifications, etc.) for the Leica HDS6000 terrestrial laser scanner (in US English). This data sheet will provide all the specs such as laser range, speed, density/resolution, equipment tolerances (eg, weather), physical dimensions, etc.

Promotional brochure for the Leica HDS6100 terrestrial laser scanner (in US English). It does not provide technical specifications of the equipment; for this, please see the data sheet. For other language options, go here: http://www.

Data Sheet (technical specifications, etc.) for the Leica HDS6100 terrestrial laser scanner (in US English). This data sheet will provide all the specs such as laser range, speed, density/resolution, equipment tolerances (eg, weather), physical dimensions, etc.

The Archaeological Data Service (hosted by the University of York) investigated the current problems associated with storing, using, and disseminating large (and increasingly larger) data sets generated by the cultural heritage field (researchers, archaeologists, and CRM).

the 3D laser Scanning Forum is dedicated to attracting members of the laser scanning community from all over the world to discuss the topic of 3d laser scanning and all it has to offer. Currently you must be a user to join the forum (in order to post/comment), but all the topics are freely accessible for non-members.

An equipment catalog for the multiple FARO scanners available with a brief description of what comes with them (eg, software bundles and software licenses) as well as accessory items such as tripod mounts and warranty information.

A two-page brochure complete with technical specifications (data sheet) for the new FARO Photo 80/20 laser scanning system, providing range, speed, size, and even laser power/wavelength information.

Data Sheet and informational brochure for the Optech ILRIS-3D laser scanning system providing information such as speed, range, physical size, operating conditions (eg operational weather conditions), sampling rate, etc.