AEC TECH NEWS: Leica Geosystems, NCTech cooperate to streamline point cloud workflows

Heerbrugg, Weitzerland and Edinburgh, U.K. — Leica Geosystems teamed with NCTech, developer of reality imaging systems, to deliver automated, colorized 3D point clouds for enhanced usability and clarity. In Leica Cyclone, 3D point cloud processing software, users can now automatically import and align high-dynamic range (HDR) data from NCTech’s iSTAR camera database, producing enhanced deliverables quicker and easier.

“It is not only about attractive images but also the accuracy to which these images fit the 3D point cloud data that is paramount, and NCTech’s iSTAR camera produces high-quality HDR imaging at the accuracy everyone expects,” said Faheem Khan, vice president, business development for Leica Geosystems High-Definition Surveying (HDS). “Including this capability directly into Leica Cyclone provides fully optimized workflows for maximum productivity. This starts from data collection through to deliverable production that leverage new products, such as Leica TruView Global and JetStream to tackle the increasingly complex challenge of multi-platform, multi-device and multi-discipline project delivery.”

Previously, Leica Cyclone users accessed iSTAR imagery database through NCTech’s ColourCloud software application, which produced colorized point clouds in E57 format. With the new partnership, export and re-import of this highly-accurate data is eliminated, speeding up and simplifying the overall 3D point cloud creation process.

“We are excited to collaborate with Leica Geosystems on this development, which provides direct access for Leica Cyclone users across the world to colorize their point clouds using iSTAR’s panoramic HDR imaging,” said Cameron Ure, CEO, NCTech. “With our iSTAR products, we are focused on capturing the most accurate color data as rapidly as possible, and everyone benefits when that data is seamlessly integrated into our partners’ applications.”