News
GeoSLAM solution monitors construction progress
Nvidia unveils GPUs for SFF workstations vidia has launched a new family of lowprofile ‘Turing’ GPUs designed specifically for Small Form Factor workstations like the HP Z2 SFF. The new GPUs, which are very much focused on CAD and BIM workflows, include the Nvidia T1000 (4GB), Nvidia T600 (4GB) and Nvidia T400 (2GB). Meanwhile, turn to page WS28 for a review of the viz-focused Nvidia RTX A4000 / A5000.
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■ nvidia.com
ollowing an extensive pilot with UK construction and property service company, Willmott Dixon, GeoSLAM has launched a new solution designed to ‘quickly and easily’ measure the progress of a construction project. The GeoSLAM Construction Progress solution will help construction companies obtain ‘clear and objective visibility’ of progress, helping to avoid missed milestones in the build or costly delays. The solution works by streamlining the monitoring of projects through point cloud data automatically generated by the company’s handheld SLAM (simultaneous
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localisation and mapping) technology. Scans are then processed and compared against previous scans, or to CAD models. A PDF report is automatically generated and emailed to project participants or saved to a central file location. The PDF report will show the percentage of work complete or incomplete (compared to 3D model) and a simple visualisation of the site highlighting 3D change. Results can also be synced to collaboration tools including Dalux, Autodesk BIM 360 or Viewpoint 4projects. The data can also be exported to CAD or a CDE (common data environment). ■ geoslam.com
Unity Reflect Review gets annotations nity has added annotations and several other new features to its AEC-focused collaborative design review software Unity Reflect Review. Annotations are essential for design/ review but have been notably missing from the software for some time. Now comments can be appended to the 3D model and, with a single click, fellow collaborators can be teleported to their precise location. Users also have the option to comment on specific objects and BIM data. Since the annotation captures the camera view in which it was created, Unity says the tool is great for establishing a guided tour and can focus the meeting on particular areas of the model that need feedback.
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Visual fidelity has also been improved through support for Unity’s High Definition Render Pipeline (HDRP). Models can now be viewed with ‘polished physics-based lighting and shadows’. To ensure navigation is smooth when HDRP is enabled users will require a PC with a modern Nvidia or AMD GPU. General model performance can also be improved with new technology from 3D data preparation and optimisation firm Pixyz, which Unity acquired earlier this year. The new update ensures all models are ‘automatically optimised’ to improve performance and load times. Other features include a ‘follow mode’ that lets users see where others are in the model and easier model sharing via URLs. ■ unity.com/products/unity-reflect-review
■ pny.com
Survey data portal launches 3DUserNetVISION is a new online viewing and collaboration portal for survey data. It builds on 3DUserNet’s existing point cloud and model capabilities, adding support for imagery, 360 panoramics, textured meshes, orthographics, mapping and documentation.
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■ 3DUserNet.com
Faro acquires HoloBuilder eality capture specialist Faro has acquired HoloBuilder, a US developer of photogrammetry software designed to deliver hardware-agnostic image capture, registration and viewing for construction firms. With an initial focus on construction management, HoloBuilder’s platform is designed to provide general contractors with a solution to ‘efficiently capture and virtually manage’ construction progress using off-the-shelf 360° cameras.
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■ faro.com ■ holobuilder.com
www.AECmag.com
22/07/2021 15:48
