The Turn of the Spatial Translator #1: We have point clouds. But we don't know how to use them.

When is it the Spatial Translator's turn to step in?

In this series, "The Turn of the Spatial Translator," we will introduce its role through four scenarios that frequently occur on-site.

#1 We have point clouds. But we don't know how to use them.
#2 BIM is there. But what we see is different.
#3 Why does rework happen?
#4 The role of the Spatial Translator

The first installment is the scenario: "We have point clouds. But we don't know how to use them."

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"We have acquired point clouds."

Recently, I have had more opportunities to hear this phrase.

Point cloud data acquired via laser scanners, drones, or iPhone LiDAR is beginning to be widely used as a technology that can record sites with high precision.

However, beyond that, I also hear voices saying things like this:

"We have point clouds. But we don't know what to do next."

This is by no means a rare story.

Point clouds are data that record the current situation very accurately.

However, they are not necessarily ready for designers, contractors, and clients to use immediately as they are.

Some people want to use them in Revit.

Some people want to overlay them with CAD drawings for verification.

Some people want to share a vision of the finished product.

Some people want to make safe decisions on-site.

Even with the same point cloud data, the "information needed" varies completely depending on one's position.

That is why I believe that "acquiring point clouds" and "utilizing point clouds" are different jobs.

There are companies that convert point clouds into BIM models.

There are companies that analyze point clouds.

Both are important jobs.

On the other hand, there is still work that has not been filled between acquiring point clouds and connecting them to design, construction, and maintenance.

"Who uses this data, and how?"

Organizing data from that perspective and bringing stakeholders closer to a state where they can judge the same space with the same understanding.

That is the role of "spatial translation" as I see it.

The Spatial Translator is neither a surveying company nor a BIM modeling company.

It translates point cloud data into spatial information that people can judge.

It supports the organization, conversion, and alignment of understanding necessary for that purpose.

That is when it is the Spatial Translator's turn.

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What I introduced this time is an example of a situation where the Spatial Translator is involved.

The concept of the Spatial Translator itself is introduced in this article.

" We don't make drawings. We create spaces that can be judged. —What the Spatial Translator will start doing from now on— "

Also, what the Spatial Translator "dares not to do" is summarized here.

" [Important] What the Spatial Translator 'does not do'—BIMThe reason why we do not deliver modeling "