Topic: Getting and Using Hi-Res Imagery Best Practices

[Rob...]

I have been using site imagery grabbed from Google Earth or Bing Maps for some campus type distribution piping drawings. These drawings are little more than a picture with some lines and text for modifying existing systems. This methodology just looks and feels like I'm hacking my way through it.

I'm looking for tips to make a better quality drawing.

[Matt__W]

*cough* Infraworks *cough*   
You should REALLY register for the BIM & Beer session on the 27th and see me present on Infraworks.

[ChrisCarlson]

*cough* Infraworks *cough*   
You should REALLY register for the BIM & Beer session on the 27th and see me present on Infraworks.

Show it off tomorrow at the event in Chicago 

[Rob...]

I do have access to InfraWorks but I need something today. I'm going to try to fumble my way through it.

[Matt__W]

I do have access to InfraWorks but I need something today. I'm going to try to fumble my way through it.

You could easily create a snapshot from Infraworks and then edit the image in a basic photo editor if it's faster that way.

[Rob...]

I was told I have access but I can't figure out how to access it. Is it web based or do I need software installed?

[Matt__W]

You need it installed to be able to export a snapshot.

[mjfarrell]

Or take advantage of FREE imagery from National Map Viewer....

load as per normal image..draw over the top...



Said imagery will also load into Infraworks...

[cadtag]

If accurate location matters, avoid Google and Bing.... their mapping a location functions are a far cry from 'survey quality', good enough to get you in the neighborhood, but 20 ft to 20 meter errors are pretty common.  Heck, I've even had multiple _mile_ location errors in Geomaps (Bing)

Remember they were primarily developed for gps navigation.  If locations matters, try to source decent Georeferenced imagery.  FDOT in Florida is usully pretty good,  dunno about most other states, but Georgia blows like Michael's internet speed

[Rob...]

Due to technical difficulties couldn't get InfraWorks running, so I couldn't even give it a shot. Ended up using Google Pro for an image. Got very high res. Much more than I needed. Hated it. Very dark. Building lines were close to parallel but the view was not top down. Plot scale I used was an approximated 1" = 100', but I didn't label it as such. At this point, we are just showing existing steam piping running through tunnels and the main distribution through the building(s). Extremely sketchy in nature, so the image quality was more than adequate. I just think we can do much better with less effort and InfraWorks looks like the ticket.

[mjfarrell]

Again I suggest National Map Viewer....very good imagery
very easy to download

Also lots of other good data and all for FREE and all properly Georeferenced

[lamarn]

I have two options for you. One I the esri plugin http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcgis-for-AutoCAD. This has WFS and WMS ability. To get static aerial photography into AutoCAD you can use IRT.vlx (elsewhere on the forum)

I am not into Infraworks. Can't see how this can be used with AutoCAD workflow. I believe there is not a free version to get acquainted and heared it is expensive to use..

[Rob...]

Not sure where you got that it needed to be AutoCAD. ESRI is only compatible up 2015. With 2017 just around the corner for us that is a non-starter. Personally, I'd rather go with something that is more flexible than AutoCAD for this type of thing.

I'm also not sure where you are getting your information from. InfraWorks does have a free trial but that's not even an issue, I'm supposed to have access to it anyway as mentioned previously.

Did you not even look it up before sharing your misinformed opinion?

[Rob...]

IT is telling me that InfraWorks is now cloud based and needs to be launched from AutoDesk 360 but it is not launching, it is going to the web help pages. Supposedly this was the way he used it before. (He also said that we may have an older version that can be installed.)

Can anyone (Matt) verify this?

[Matt__W]

The latest version of IW 360 is still installed locally (C:\Program Files\Autodesk\InfraWorks 360\InfraWorks.exe) but uses the cloud for various commands & processes.