VrLiDAR

LiDAR data displayed in RGB

Overview

LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) is an optical sensing technology that can measure the distance to a target by illuminating the target with light, often using pulses from a laser.  The result of LiDAR point collection is georeferenced  XYZ points with attribute data for each point.

VrLiDAR is the integration of LiDAR data and processing into the Vr Mapping software, specifically VrOne and VrTwo.

VrLiDAR consists of:

An example of the integration of LiDAR into an existing Vr Mapping application is the Vr Mapping application Cut Polygon. Cut Polygon was designed to cut traditional map data such as lines, symbols and text, and now has the ability to cut LiDAR data.  Even a LiDAR specific application such as 3D ViewPoint, which is designed to display LiDAR points and collect and edit vector data on-top of LiDAR, has the ability to display vector data only.

Documentation for the individual applications can be found in the VrOne/VrTwo List Of Commands.

Viewing Environments

2D in VrOne

Very large amounts of LiDAR data can be displayed in this mode with the ability to optionally display rectified images as a backdrop.   This environment is useful for cutting and management applications.

Photogrammetric Stereo

LiDAR points can be displayed with traditional photo based photogrammetry using VrTwo in static or roaming modes.  Any of the Vr supported camera and sensor types may be used.

LiDARgrammetry

The use of synthetic stereo imagery derived from the LiDAR point intensity data using VrTwo in static or roaming modes.

3D ViewPoint

Point data is displayed in true three-dimensional stereo, and vectors, symbols and text may be collected on top of this data.   The data may be observed from any viewpoint, origin and scale.  Each viewing motion may be dynamically controlled by the user at any time.   Two cursor modes include Cursor Draping and Free Motion.  Cursor Draping holds the cursor to the LiDAR surface in the Z axis as it is moved in the three-dimensional viewing space.  Static and roaming modes are supported.  See Getting Started With 3D ViewPoint for more information

LiDAR data is opened in Vr Mapping as a standard VrOne file, and is displayed with corresponding vector map data in all environments.

The LiDAR Database

The VrOne database (.vr) file contains entities for mapping such as lines, symbols and text.  LiDAR point data with attributes is also contained in this database as VrPoints.  See VrOne Database Structure for more information about the database and see VrPoint (LiDAR) Entity for more information on the storage of LiDAR data in the VrOne database.  LiDAR data is opened in Vr Mapping as a standard VrOne file and is displayed with corresponding vector map data.

LiDAR Applications

VrLiDAR is the integration of LiDAR data into existing mapping applications and the implementation of LiDAR specific applications.  Following is a list of Vr Mapping applications that deal with LiDAR data.  More information on any of these applications can be found the VrOne/VrTwo List of Commands.

As of Vr Mapping version 05.05.00, work is ongoing on the integration of the VrPoint (LiDAR) portion of the data base into existing applications.  Applications with the '+' notation are integrated with the VrPoints database.