In 2000, the Ordnance Survey formally announced that it was abandoning the traditional BMs in favour of global positioning systems (GPS) plus a datum conversion model (OSGM02). With the national mapping agency of Great Britain no longer recognising BMs, their use ceases to be best practice for height referencing for general geospatial engineering and civil engineering work. An exception could be for very minor surveys that have limited extent, are self contained and have no impact on other projects.

Best practice since 2000 is that site-survey ground heights should be obtained by using survey-quality dual-frequency GNSS equipment to bring one or more Ordnance Survey datum height(s) into a job. The GPS position is then combined with a height correction modal (geoid model) to derive the final Ordnance Survey datum height. Spirit levelling is then usually used to promulgate that height around the site. GPS, combined with a geoid model, has developed sufficiently to provide more consistent and accurate heighting across the country than spirit levelling. That is not to say that, over short distances, relative heights can be determined to a much higher accuracy with spirit levelling; it is a combination of approaches. To obtain levelling measurements using GPS, two pieces of information need to be combined: Briefing sheets are provided free of charge to help increase knowledge and awareness. They may be freely copied. Care is taken to ensure information is correct, however readers are advised to consult source documents for authoritative information. Institution of Civil Engineers, One Great George Street, Westminster, London SW1P 3AA Registered Charity No. 210252

Briefing Sheet

• A GPS coordinate in the European Terrestrial Reference Frame 1989 (ETRF89). This is easily achieved either instantaneously through using a real-time GPS technique (such as Real-Time Kinematic: RTK) or through post-processing GPS data collected at the point to be heighted and at known base stations in the ETRS89 coordinate system. Data from OS base stations is the freely available ( http://gps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/active.asp ). RTK and active stations are monitored daily unlike BMs, which were usually only observed once in their lifetime.

• Secondly, a transformation (currently OSGM02) is needed to convert the GPS ellipsoidal ‘altitude’ to a height above either Ordnance Survey Datum Newlyn for mainland Great Britain or one of the local Ordnance survey datums. This file is available for GPS500, GPS1200 & Viva GNSS instruments from http://www.leica-geosystems.co.uk/en/Support-Service-Customer-Downloads_25742.htm .

Source: ‘Ordnance Survey Benchmarks: Their very limited use for civil engineering survey work’, Prepared by ICE/ICES Geospatial Engineering Panel, Information note

When using the camera on the TS11/15 imaging total stations, it is now possible to view points, lines and areas stored within the job in the Camera page tab within apps – a true 3D data overlay.

As the total station is turned the points, lines and areas are correctly positioned over the camera image. Points which are further away from the total station are shown smaller (in the correct perspective) than points closer to the total station.

All points can be shown – total station measured points, GNSS measured points, control points and so on. The symbol shape with which the point is displayed depends on the class of the point. For example, control points are shown as triangles and measured points are shown as spheres. The 3D data overlay is shown when working onboard the total station but also when working robotically with a CS Field Controller.

There are a number of settings which can help optimize the viewing of the points, lines and areas within the Camera page tab.

The distance sliders

The distance sliders can be activated by pressing the distance slider toolbar button on the toolbar. The bottom slider allows the “minimum distance” to be set. The minimum distance means that only points, lines and areas which are further away from the than this distance are shown. The top slider allows the “maximum distance” to be set. The maximum distance means that only points, lines and areas which are closer to the than this distance are shown. It can be useful to filter what is viewed in this way when there are many points in a job.

Points, Lines and Areas display The display of points, lines and areas from a job can be configured in the Camera View Settings panel, Points display and Lines / areas display page tabs.

It is now possible to directly combine the imaging functionality of your TS11i or TS15i and ‘Eclovision’ software to output photogrammetric deliverables.

For the ‘OVC camera calibration certificate’ specific to each instrument please contact SCCS Survey.

“PMS AG is a company specialized on photogrammetric measurement systems. Their headquarters are located in Switzerland. For details about the use of TS11i and TS15i imaging total stations with the PMS Elcovision software see information on the PMS homepage http://www.elcovision.com/e_elco_viva.html . With ELCOVISION 10 for Leica Viva you can easily adjust your photogrammetric measurements from the images taken by the TS11i TS15i camera.”

Workflow on Site:

To do 3D evaluations with ELCOVSION 10, you need to take images from at least 2 different point of view with at least 75% image overlap. The panorama image function of the TS15i is ideally suited for this work.

The total station is then used normally for doing EDM measurements. We recommend measuring at least a few points, because they can be used as control points which will speed up the drawing process back in the office.

Workflow in the office:

The measurement job is exported from the total station by the supplied ELCOVISION 10 “.FRT” format files.

The format file “ElcoPro_xxxxx.FRT” exports the image orientation done by the Leica Viva as an ELCOVISION 10 project file, the point measurements are exported by the “ElcoCoo.FRT” format file.

These two ELCOVISION 10 files are used together with the pictures taken by the total station You just copy all these files in any directory on your computer.

Evaluation Options:

The drawing can be created in several ways: You can create pure line drawings, or parts or the whole object can be textured automatically::
The drawing could also be superimposed into the images: This is a useful means to check for drawing accuracy and completeness of the drawing:

The measurement job is exported from the total station by the supplied ELCOVISION 10 “.FRT” format files.

The format file “ElcoPro_xxxxx.FRT” exports the image orientation done by the Leica Viva as an ELCOVISION 10 project file, the point measurements are exported by the “ElcoCoo.FRT” format file.

These two ELCOVISION 10 files are used together with the pictures taken by the total station You just copy all these files in any directory on your computer.

This firmware update is part of the Leica ScanStation C10 life cycle process to improve existing features and to add new functionality to the system. It is available with immediate effect for all Leica ScanStation C10 and C5 scanners with a valid CCP maintenance contract and addresses known issues since the release of firmware 2.61 as well as feature requests from our customers.

The most important new features and changes are:

 External camera solution

New external camera kit to replace the standard handle with a special bracket to hold a Canon EOS 60D camera with a Sigma fish eye lense on top of the scanner.

 Image acquisition with external camera

Full control of external camera via scanner onboard user interface for image acquisition.

 Camera calibration of external camera

Camera calibration of external camera via onboard user interface.

 Standard setup configuration

New tab StdSetup in Setup Configuration screen.

 Reminder for new station in standard setup

Reminder to create a new station by standard setup when the scanner has been moved to a new position.

 Rename station and enter instrument height for standard setup

Direct Phone: E-Mail: 2/2 Option for user-defined station ID and instrument height in standard station setup.

 Virtual keyboard with unit calculator

Unit converter for instrument and target height in ft or fi.

 Changing of naming convention for ScanWorlds

Unique ScanWorld names in a project for easier identification in Cyclone registration.

 Easier to use slider in manual exposure adjustment

More precise slider movement for bright sunlight.

 Minimum/maximum distance measurements for range filters

Probe distance measurements for the minimum and maximum range filters.

 Target ID information in target viewer

Display of target ID in target viewer.

For details about the content and where to download the firmware update please refer to the attached
documents.

Firmware 2.70 is accompanied by the new Cyclone 7.4 release for full feature support.

Please contact hds@sccssurvey.co.uk or 01480 404888 for more information.

Tutorial Videos can viewed on our YouTube channel…  http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL90C5CC4914439A5F&feature=plcp

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SCCS HDS is pleased to announce the availability of Leica Cyclone 7.4

The new Leica Cyclone v7.4 software introduces support for the new Leica External Camera Kit for the Leica ScanStation C10 and C5 scanners. In addition it introduces a new option to use gradient display backgrounds for better visualization.

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Companion Office Software for New Leica ScanStation C10 & C5 Firmware v2.70

Leica Cyclone 7.4 enables users of Leica ScanStation C10/C5 to take advantage of several new capabilities via the v2.7 firmware. The new firmware supports an external camera to be mounted on top of the scanner. Leica Cyclone 7.4 can import images of this camera and use them for point cloud coloring. In addition such a camera can be operated by Leica Cyclone SCAN control.

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Gradient Background Display

Leica Cyclone 7.4 offers a new option to use gradient display backgrounds. A predefined set of sky\ground backgrounds is provided to emulate various real-world environments.

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Other Improvements

Various reported issues have been resolved such as ScanWorld naming after ZFS or PTX file import, correct intensity settings for imported Faro files and correct image transformation for E57 file transfer.

Click here to download the latest release notes… Release Notes – Cyclone 7.4

Please contact hds@sccssurvey.co.uk or 01480 404888 for more information.

The Reshaper 3D viewer allows you to:

• import point clouds, 3D meshes, polylines and CAD files in various file formats,
• visualize these elements in orthographic or perspective view,
• make 3D measurement and display the information,
• view and edit a 3D comparison between 2 objects performed by Reshaper (create new inspection labels, export the deviation data as a file or as a customizable report).

RESHAPER 7 -BETA VERSION

Before the upcoming release of the Reshaper version 7.0, I invite you to try out the beta version. The V7 contains new functions and new displaying modes of the 3D objects. More information will come at the “official” release; but I remind you that you can refer to the download page, the Reshaper forum or use the help file for more details and explanation.

Please contact hds@sccssurvey.co.uk or 01480 404888 for more information.

At a glance…

• Intel® Core™ i7 quad core™ extreme processor
• 16GB RAM
• Genuine Windows® 7 Professional
• Lenovo Enhanced Experience 2.0 for Windows® 7, with RapidBoot
• Up to 10 hours with 9-cell battery
• 15.6″ HD panel
• W520 tech specs

Workstation-class performance…

Features for power users…

Performance like this should include the most advanced features — and it does. Powerful graphics require a display that lives up to what they have to show; feast your eyes on our 95-percent color gamut LED display in HD, HD+ or FHD. For the most accurate color workflow, opt for the industry’s first embedded X-Rite Color Calibrator. Transfer files 10x faster with USB 3.0, depend on the 34mm ExpressCard and MMC slot or optional Smart Card reader, avail yourself of the multiburner combo drive and enjoy our best-in-class, ergonomic keyboard and Ultranav™ with our TrackPoint and touchpad. And when you’re ready to talk about all the work you’ve done, you’ll get superior Web conferencing and VoIP, thanks to full-duplex voice transmission support, dual digital microphone modes with advanced noise-cancellation technology, optimized speakers and a light-adaptive, 720p, HD webcam.

These are supplied with all the latest laser scanning software installed and fully licensed. Please email hds@sccssurvey.co.uk for more deatils.

There are now 2 license keys which allow the full functionality of SmartWorx Viva to be used within SmartWorx Viva LT. These additional licenses are aimed at the “TS12/CS10 1-man Robotics” package and the “GS08 Network Rover” solution, both of which run SmartWorx Viva LT.

These are:

-       the Extended Config license key (for TS Total Station; for CS Field Controller)

-       the Extended Apps license key (for TS Total Station; for CS Field Controller)

To see a comprehensive description of the ‘unlocked’ functionality, please click on the link below to the TS12 and GS08 pages on our website.

http://www.sccssurvey.co.uk/product/show/1209

http://www.sccssurvey.co.uk/product/show/1118

GPS Resection step-by-step

1. Start the Program

• Type in a Name for the resection (grid), select a Job and continue (CONT (F1)).

2. Measuring the local points

• Select Point ID of the known local point and occupy it. Hold the GPS real-time rover steady.

• Start measuring the point (OCUPY (F1)).

• End measuring the point (STOP (F1)).

• Store the measured point (STORE (F1)).

3. Matching the local points to WGS84 coordinates for position and/or height

• Select the type of match between the measured WGS84 and the known local point (MATCH (F5)).

• Survey another WGS84 point (ADD (F2)).

• Confirm the selections and compute the transformation (CALC (F1)).

4. Checking the calculated residuals

• Check the calculated residuals.

• Press MORE (F5) to display information about height residuals.

• If the residuals are unacceptable, return to Step 2 (ESC )where you can edit, delete or temporarily points from the list and recalculate the transformation.

• Save the coordinate system and attach it to the active job (STORE (F1)).