Definitions
What is a Virtual Tour?
A virtual tour is an interactive simulation of an existing location, typically composed of a sequence of videos or still images. It can include other multimedia elements such as sound effects, music, narration, and text. It's designed to give viewers an immersive experience, often used in real estate to showcase properties. In the realm of Virtual Design and Construction (VDC), virtual tours facilitate a deeper understanding of a project by enabling stakeholders to explore the 3D representations of a building or infrastructure before it's physically constructed or renovated.
The Role of Virtual Tours in Virtual Design and Construction
Virtual tours have become a vital tool within the VDC framework, promoting better collaboration and communication among project participants. They offer a preview of the planned work in a controlled and interactive environment. This visualization is key in identifying design conflicts, improving decision-making, and enhancing stakeholder engagement. It enables teams to pinpoint and address potential issues at an early stage, reducing the need for costly changes during construction.
How to Create a Virtual Tour for Your VDC Project
1. Define Project-Specific Virtual Tour Goals:
- Establish clear objectives for the virtual tour that align with VDC strategies, such as enhancing stakeholder communication or augmenting BIM data visualization.
- Tailor complexity and interactivity levels to fit the expertise and needs of the target audience, optimizing the tour for decision-making or educational purposes.
- Set measurable outcomes for post-implementation review to ensure the virtual tour delivers on its intended purpose.
2. Determine Optimal Scanning Solutions:
- Evaluate the project scale, complexity, and precision requirements to choose the most suitable scanning method, whether terrestrial (e.g., Matterport for detailed static captures) or mobile (e.g., Navvis VLX for efficient spatial mapping).
- Analyze the tradeoffs between point cloud resolution and processing time to select hardware that meets scan-to-BIM expectations without unnecessary overhead.
3. Strategize and Schedule On-Site Scanning:
- Devise a detailed plan for site capture, considering optimal scanning sequences and timing to minimize site disruption and maximize data quality.
- Coordinate scanning activities with the construction schedule to ensure the most current and relevant data is captured for BIM integration.
4. Implement High-Fidelity Spatial Data Capture:
- Execute the scanning process with precision, adhering to best practices for the chosen technology to obtain high-resolution data of the physical environment.
- Address any site-specific challenges (e.g., accessibility, lighting conditions) that could affect scan quality.
5. Process and Align Point Cloud Data (if needed):
- Use robust software tools to clean, denoise, and accurately register multiple point cloud datasets, creating a cohesive digital representation of the site.
- Employ techniques like target-based or cloud-to-cloud registration to maintain stringent accuracy standards across all captured data.
6. Optimize Point Clouds for BIM Workflow:
- Refine and convert point cloud data to BIM-friendly formats, maintaining a balance between model detail and system performance.
- Streamline the integration process by extracting essential geometries and architectural features for incorporation into BIM models.
7. Craft Detailed BIM Models from Scans:
- Construct precise and structured BIM models that reflect current site conditions, adhering to predefined LOD and information accuracy parameters.
- Validate the virtual construction against scan data to ensure fidelity and correct any discrepancies between the physical site and the BIM environment.
8. Deliver and Manage Stakeholder Access to the Virtual Tour:
- Optimize the final virtual tour for seamless use across various devices, prioritizing ease of access and user-friendly navigation.
- Roll out the virtual tour via a secure platform like IPX, providing stakeholders with custom views and permissions.
- Gather stakeholder feedback for iterative improvement and keep the virtual tour updated to reflect ongoing project progress and revisions.
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Leveraging Virtual Tours for Competitive Advantage in VDC
Virtual tours in VDC can be a game-changer for A/E/C firms looking to edge out the competition. They serve as a powerful marketing tool, enhancing client pitches with their interactive and engaging format. Additionally, they aid in better risk management by allowing teams to foresee and mitigate potential problems. Virtual tours can also streamline the design approval process, as they provide a clearer depiction of what is being proposed, leading to faster client buy-in.
Assessing Impact on Project Timelines
Incorporating virtual tours early in the VDC process can significantly accelerate project timelines. By allowing for remote site visits, reducing the number of physical prototypes, and improving decision speed, virtual tours can shorten the overall construction schedule.
Cost Saving Potential
While there is an initial investment in creating virtual tours, the potential cost savings are substantial. By reducing travel costs, physical model expenses, and minimizing delays due to unforeseen issues, virtual tours can reduce the total cost of construction projects.
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FAQ
Q1: What technology is used to create virtual tours?
Virtual tours are created using a combination of photography, scanning hardware, and specialized software. Several types of technology are often leveraged to capture imagery and spatial data required to produce an immersive virtual environment. Here are some examples of hardware used for creating virtual tours:
360-Degree Cameras:
- Consumer-Grade: Ricoh Theta Z1, GoPro MAX, Samsung Gear 360.
- Professional-Grade: Insta360 Pro 2, Matterport Pro2, NCTech iSTAR Pulsar, Cupix.
3D Laser Scanners:
- Terrestrial Laser Scanners: Leica BLK360, Faro Focus series.
- Mobile Laser Scanners: GeoSLAM ZEB-REVO, Leica BLK2GO.
Drone Technology (for aerial tours):
- DJI Phantom 4 RTK for precision capture.
- DJI Mavic 2 Pro for high-quality imaging.
Mobile Mapping Systems:
- Wheeled/Portable Systems: Navvis VLX, Leica Pegasus:Backpack.
- SLAM-based Handheld Scanners: Matterport Pro2 and Pro3 Camera with Matterport Capture.
- Phone-based Software: Dot3D
The images and data gathered from these devices are then processed using software, such as Matterport Capture, Autodesk ReCap, or Navvis IndoorViewer, to stitch together the imagery, align and clean point clouds, and generate the interactive tour platform where users can navigate through the space. This combination of hardware and software can be tailored according to the required level of detail, the features of the space, and the specifics of the virtual tour's purpose.
Q2: What is the level of interactivity in a virtual tour?
The level of interactivity can vary. Basic tours may only allow for jumping from point to point, while more advanced ones can include embedded information, multimedia elements, and live data integration from BIM.
Q3: Are virtual tours accessible on various devices?
Modern virtual tours are designed to be compatible across a range of devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
Q4: Where can I host virtual tours online?
Virtual tours can be hosted on dedicated platforms for real estate and AEC teams like IPX, embedded on company websites, or integrated into project management systems like Procore.
With the VDC industry continually advancing, the adoption of virtual tours is becoming not just a novelty, but a necessity. By understanding and implementing these powerful tools, professionals within this space can ensure their project's success from conception to completion, and beyond.
