Introduction

Any referenced datasets can be downloaded from "Module downloads" in the module overview.

Transcript

00:01

LUCY KUHNS: This course is Creating Surfaces from Point

00:03

Cloud Data in Civil 3D.

00:06

Point cloud data is an important data source

00:08

for capturing existing surface conditions.

00:12

And the three objectives in this course

00:14

show the methods used in Civil 3D

00:16

to create surface objects from point cloud data.

00:19

The first objective is data import and validation.

00:23

The second is creating surfaces from non-classified data.

00:27

And the third is creating surfaces from classified data.

00:32

The workflow steps used in Civil 3D are as follows.

00:36

We begin by attaching the point cloud data.

00:39

Then, we must review it to make sure it's

00:41

the right size, scale, and orientation.

00:44

And then, we check to see if the data is classified.

00:48

Based on the classification, the next step,

00:51

we will either generate a TIN surface directly

00:55

or we will use a process to create raster data and then

00:59

a DEM surface.

01:01

In this course, we cover the first three steps

01:04

of this workflow.

01:06

And the final step for clean-up and simplification

01:09

is the topic of a subsequent course in this series.

01:14

When we attach point cloud data in Civil 3D,

01:17

we must validate its location.

01:19

We can do that using the Bing aerial imagery

01:22

if the data is geolocated.

01:24

Then, we must check both horizontal

01:27

and vertical distance measurements.

01:29

We do this to validate the scale of the point cloud.

01:33

And we have to do it in both the horizontal and the vertical.

01:42

There are also other ways to validate the point cloud.

01:45

Here is an example showing how a point cloud can be

01:49

sliced along any cutting plane.

01:51

And the resulting section view will

01:53

allow us to see close-up details in this example, where

01:58

we can see tree canopy and even the roofs of buildings.

02:03

Now we must make the important check of the point cloud

02:05

for feature classification.

02:07

This is so we know which method will be used

02:10

to create the Civil 3D surface.

02:13

This point cloud is classified, so we

02:15

apply the filters to the data and create a raster file first.

02:20

Then, use that to create a DEM grid surface.

02:24

We can compare both surface creation methods.

02:27

To do this, we use a quick profile.

02:30

And it's easy to see the difference

02:32

as the non-classified data surface includes the buildings

02:36

and the vegetation.

02:38

And the classified data shows the clean ground surface.

02:42

It's easy to see the different surfaces created

02:45

from point cloud data.

02:46

Using filtered classified data, we

02:49

get an accurate representation of the existing surface

02:52

topography.

02:54

Now, you can get started with the three course objectives.

02:58

Each will only take you about 10 minutes or less.

03:01

And each objective has an exercise

03:03

so that you can practice what you've just learned.

03:06

So have fun seeing what you can do with point cloud

03:09

data in Civil 3D.

Video transcript

00:01

LUCY KUHNS: This course is Creating Surfaces from Point

00:03

Cloud Data in Civil 3D.

00:06

Point cloud data is an important data source

00:08

for capturing existing surface conditions.

00:12

And the three objectives in this course

00:14

show the methods used in Civil 3D

00:16

to create surface objects from point cloud data.

00:19

The first objective is data import and validation.

00:23

The second is creating surfaces from non-classified data.

00:27

And the third is creating surfaces from classified data.

00:32

The workflow steps used in Civil 3D are as follows.

00:36

We begin by attaching the point cloud data.

00:39

Then, we must review it to make sure it's

00:41

the right size, scale, and orientation.

00:44

And then, we check to see if the data is classified.

00:48

Based on the classification, the next step,

00:51

we will either generate a TIN surface directly

00:55

or we will use a process to create raster data and then

00:59

a DEM surface.

01:01

In this course, we cover the first three steps

01:04

of this workflow.

01:06

And the final step for clean-up and simplification

01:09

is the topic of a subsequent course in this series.

01:14

When we attach point cloud data in Civil 3D,

01:17

we must validate its location.

01:19

We can do that using the Bing aerial imagery

01:22

if the data is geolocated.

01:24

Then, we must check both horizontal

01:27

and vertical distance measurements.

01:29

We do this to validate the scale of the point cloud.

01:33

And we have to do it in both the horizontal and the vertical.

01:42

There are also other ways to validate the point cloud.

01:45

Here is an example showing how a point cloud can be

01:49

sliced along any cutting plane.

01:51

And the resulting section view will

01:53

allow us to see close-up details in this example, where

01:58

we can see tree canopy and even the roofs of buildings.

02:03

Now we must make the important check of the point cloud

02:05

for feature classification.

02:07

This is so we know which method will be used

02:10

to create the Civil 3D surface.

02:13

This point cloud is classified, so we

02:15

apply the filters to the data and create a raster file first.

02:20

Then, use that to create a DEM grid surface.

02:24

We can compare both surface creation methods.

02:27

To do this, we use a quick profile.

02:30

And it's easy to see the difference

02:32

as the non-classified data surface includes the buildings

02:36

and the vegetation.

02:38

And the classified data shows the clean ground surface.

02:42

It's easy to see the different surfaces created

02:45

from point cloud data.

02:46

Using filtered classified data, we

02:49

get an accurate representation of the existing surface

02:52

topography.

02:54

Now, you can get started with the three course objectives.

02:58

Each will only take you about 10 minutes or less.

03:01

And each objective has an exercise

03:03

so that you can practice what you've just learned.

03:06

So have fun seeing what you can do with point cloud

03:09

data in Civil 3D.

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