Detailed Reality Capture Projects

Capturing Reality with Drones

Drone reality capture has revolutionized the way we view and interact with virtual environments. Our approach employs high-resolution drones, which operate through pre-automated scripts to ensure maximum image quality. This technique not only enables efficient and detailed capture of the environment, but also integrates with an advanced production pipeline and optimization methodology, ensuring that the resulting 3D virtual asset is of exceptional fidelity and optimized for a variety of uses. Although our main focus is the use of drones, we also offer the option of capturing using laser scanners, providing flexibility and adaptability to the specific needs of each project.

A commitment to innovation and technological excellence is at the heart of our approach to reality capture. We utilize a 3D virtual asset production pipeline that incorporates the most advanced image capture, processing and real-world data tools available on the market. This meticulous process involves the use of cutting-edge equipment from DJI, virtualization technologies from Epic Games, and a range of industry-leading 3D modeling and manipulation software, including Meshlab, Meshroom, 3Ds Max, Blender, and Game Engine Unity. This combination of tools, recognized for its technological superiority, allows us to deliver virtual assets of incomparable quality and precision.

The synergy between these cutting-edge technologies completely transforms the potential of the digital products we offer. By integrating these tools into our workflow, we are able to create results that are faithful to their counterparts in the real world, thus enriching the Virtual Reality Environment with an unprecedented level of detail and realism. The end product of this innovative process are highly realistic 3D models, with textures and materials that accurately mimic their counterparts in the physical world, providing a truly immersive and unforgettable user experience. This approach not only redefines the user experience in virtual environments, but also establishes new paradigms in engineering, significantly impacting project production and decision making.

Technology and Inovation

Flight Planning: Before anything else, it is essential to plan the drone's flight. This includes defining the area to be mapped, identifying points of interest, and establishing the altitude and route that the drone will follow. Specific mapping tools and software can help optimize area coverage, ensuring all necessary parts are captured.

Drone Setup: The drone is equipped with high-resolution cameras and, depending on the project, additional sensors such as LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) for 3D data capture. Setup also involves adjusting camera settings such as exposure and image capture frequency to ensure the quality of the data collected.

Reality Capture Process

Stage 1:

Stage 2:

Flight Execution: During the flight, the drone follows the pre-established plan, capturing images and data according to defined intervals. This step can be fully automated with the drone following a programmed flight path or it can be monitored by an operator.

Supervision: Monitor the drone's progress through a remote control or ground station, observing its trajectory, altitude and battery.

Technical Tuning: Make adjustments to the route or drone settings as needed, responding to unexpected conditions or obstacles encountered during flight.

Stage 3:

Data Processing: The images and data collected are transferred from drones to computers for processing. This step generates a large amount of data, including aerial photos and, in some cases, 3D point cloud data.

3D Modeling and Analysis: This step transforms the processed images into a 3D model. Initially, this model might look like a sparse cloud of points. Gradually, these points are connected, and textures are applied, resulting in a detailed 3D representation of the original structure.

Optimization and Delivery: The optimization process is where raw data is transformed into usable 3D models. It includes cleaning unnecessary data, correcting errors, and improving the geometric and visual accuracy of models. For models intended for virtual reality (VR) applications or games, polygon reduction is performed to ensure the model is light enough to render in real time without losing essential details.

Reality Capture is revolutionizing practices in engineering, architecture and agronomy, serving as a bridge between the physical and digital worlds to improve the precision, efficiency and sustainability of projects. In engineering and architecture, this technology allows the creation of detailed three-dimensional digital models of existing structures and land, facilitating the planning and design of new construction, renovations and maintenance of buildings with a deep understanding of the physical context. In agronomy, Reality Capture transforms field management, enabling detailed terrain analysis, monitoring the health of plantations and optimizing the use of natural resources through precise models that guide agricultural decisions. In all of these areas, technology not only improves the quality and performance of projects, but also contributes to environmental sustainability, promoting more conscious and effective practices.

Applications of Reality Capture

In Electrical Power Engineering:

The application of Reality Capture in electrical engineering projects, especially in the area of power and substations, represents a significant advance in the way these critical infrastructures are designed, built and maintained. Through the use of advanced capture technologies, such as drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and sensors, it is possible to create accurate three-dimensional digital models of substations and power system components. This innovative approach brings unprecedented efficiency, accuracy and security to the industry.

At the planning and design stage, Reality Capture provides electrical engineers with a detailed understanding of the installation site, enabling the design of substations and power distribution systems that seamlessly integrate into the existing environment. This facilitates simulation and scenario analysis, helping to optimize the substation layout and location of equipment, such as transformers, circuit breakers and isolators, to maximize operational efficiency and minimize risks.

In the maintenance and operation of energy substations, Reality Capture transforms the way inspections and assessments are carried out. Up-to-date 3D models allow engineers and technicians to perform detailed virtual inspections, identifying issues such as equipment wear, faulty connections and potential points of failure without the need for shutdowns or dangerous physical access. This not only increases safety, but also enables more efficient predictive maintenance, reducing outages and extending equipment life.

Furthermore, the digital models generated through Reality Capture can be used to train new engineers and technicians, providing an interactive tool for familiarizing them with the structure and operation of substations. This significantly improves the quality of training, better preparing professionals to deal with the complexities of electrical power installations.

Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR):

By scanning environments, objects and people with stunning fidelity, Reality Capture enables the creation of extremely realistic VR and AR content, providing users with total immersion in virtual worlds that accurately mirror the physical world. Whether for training and education, where participants can practice in simulations that replicate real-life scenarios, for entertainment, through games and immersive virtual experiences, or for retail, enabling the visualization of products in AR in the consumer space, integration Reality Capture with VR and AR is redefining the human experience, offering new ways to learn, explore and connect.

Imagine building a large bridge or a public transportation system like a subway. Using Reality Capture, engineers and architects can create accurate digital models of existing terrain and surrounding areas. These models are then integrated into VR or AR platforms, allowing professionals and stakeholders to virtually walk through the project even before it is built. They can assess how the work will integrate with the environment, identify potential design, accessibility or environmental impact problems and make necessary adjustments in a more efficient and economical way. This process not only saves time and resources, but also increases safety, minimizes construction errors and improves communication between all parties involved, from the planning phase to project execution and maintenance.

Civil Engineering and Urban Architecture

Reality Capture in civil engineering and urban architecture has a transformative role, especially in the historic preservation of buildings. By using drones equipped with high-definition cameras and 3D scanners, we can recreate detailed digital models of historic buildings and structures with millimeter precision. This technology not only facilitates the exhaustive documentation of architectural heritage, essential for future restorations and academic studies, but also allows engineers and architects to assess the structural integrity of ancient buildings in a non-invasive way. This makes it possible to plan conservation interventions that respect the authenticity and historical value of buildings, ensuring their preservation for future generations. Furthermore, the integration of these models into augmented and virtual reality environments opens up new possibilities for education and cultural tourism, allowing people from all over the world to virtually explore historical heritage, understanding its importance and beauty without the need for physical travel.