Author Topic: Getting and Using Hi-Res Imagery Best Practices (Read 8748 times)

Rob... · « **on:** April 13, 2016, 07:45:11 AM »

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 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 13, 2016, 08:02:50 AM »

*cough* Infraworks *cough*

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

ChrisCarlson · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2016, 08:04:08 AM »

Quote from: M@yhem on April 13, 2016, 08:02:50 AM

*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... · « **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2016, 08:29:12 AM »

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

Matt__W · « **Reply #4 on:** April 13, 2016, 08:33:05 AM »

Quote from: Rob... on April 13, 2016, 08:29:12 AM

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... · « **Reply #5 on:** April 13, 2016, 08:37:50 AM »

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 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 13, 2016, 08:41:08 AM »

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

mjfarrell · « **Reply #7 on:** April 13, 2016, 08:47:19 AM »

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 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 15, 2016, 04:24:57 PM »

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... · « **Reply #9 on:** April 15, 2016, 05:32:18 PM »

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 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 15, 2016, 05:49:59 PM »

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 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 16, 2016, 06:12:39 AM »

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... · « **Reply #12 on:** April 18, 2016, 07:32:53 AM »

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... · « **Reply #13 on:** April 18, 2016, 08:06:24 AM »

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 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 18, 2016, 08:17:56 AM »

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.

Rob... · « **Reply #15 on:** April 18, 2016, 08:20:11 AM »

Thanks Matt, that should help.

Rob... · « **Reply #16 on:** April 18, 2016, 08:29:42 AM »

He is saying that the last version that was installed locally was 2015. He is opening a ticket, we'll see how this shakes out.

Matt__W · « **Reply #17 on:** April 18, 2016, 08:59:35 AM »

FYI... I just noticed that 2017 is available for download.

lamarn · « **Reply #18 on:** April 18, 2016, 03:02:48 PM »

Trails are free, yes indeed. Sometimes thirt party addons turn out to work on newer AutoCAD functions. Will do some testing myself and i am waiting for an answer from ESRI it will be updated.

Personally You seem to have have own reasons that you not like AutoCAD workflow. Thats all up to you,.. Rob.. But About,

Quote

'd rather go with something that is more flexible than AutoCAD for this type of thing.

I was wondering what would be more flexible in your opinion, and why think of it that way?

Without the editing
Hans

lamarn · « **Reply #19 on:** April 18, 2016, 05:06:03 PM »

ArcGis for AutoCAD 350 seems to work fine in AutoCAD 2016 and 2017 beta.
I can load GIS 'rest' services and underlay without much trouble. Just asign your national Grid
Esri does a wonderful job with AutoCAD software

This is Amserdam central, The Netherlands, mixed with some rail information coming from the autorities.
https://mapservices.prorail.nl/arcgis/rest/services
Without aligning / copy pasting anything... just loading data in coordinats..

(@Rob, yes because you do fail to answer or give a reaction in a normal way ..)

Matt__W · « **Reply #20 on:** April 19, 2016, 07:09:53 AM »

Quote from: lamarn on April 18, 2016, 05:06:03 PM

ArcGis for AutoCAD 350 seems to work fine in AutoCAD 2016 and 2017 beta.

Is this what you're using? Because it only lists 2013, 2014 and 2015.
http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcgis-for-autocad/download

Rob... · « **Reply #21 on:** April 19, 2016, 07:28:47 AM »

InfraWorks is slated to be installed on my machine today. The response to the ticket was a "private install link". Not sure what that really means but I'll be happy to try it out.

Any pointers to get me going?

Matt__W · « **Reply #22 on:** April 19, 2016, 07:40:18 AM »

Quote from: Rob... on April 19, 2016, 07:28:47 AM

InfraWorks is slated to be installed on my machine today. The response to the ticket was a "private install link". Not sure what that really means but I'll be happy to try it out.

Any pointers to get me going?

Besides watching some tutorial videos? Check out the Autodesk Infraworks forums. I'm over there a lot.

lamarn · « **Reply #23 on:** April 19, 2016, 10:36:10 AM »

Quote from: M@yhem on April 19, 2016, 07:09:53 AM

Quote from: lamarn on April 18, 2016, 05:06:03 PM
ArcGis for AutoCAD 350 seems to work fine in AutoCAD 2016 and 2017 beta.
Is this what you're using? Because it only lists 2013, 2014 and 2015.
http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcgis-for-autocad/download

Use netload.. to load the .dll file in newer version of AutoCAD. I don't have any release earlier than 2016. As states, it works fine..

Rob... · « **Reply #24 on:** April 27, 2016, 07:46:01 PM »

Nice demonstration of InfraWorks at the BIM Council Meeting tonight, M@yhem! It was great how you brought multiple platforms together at the end. Good job!

Matt__W · « **Reply #25 on:** April 28, 2016, 07:17:36 AM »

Quote from: Rob... on April 27, 2016, 07:46:01 PM

Nice demonstration of InfraWorks at the BIM Council Meeting tonight, M@yhem! It was great how you brought multiple platforms together at the end. Good job!

Glad you enjoyed it. Too bad you couldn't join us for the beer as well.

Just out of curiosity, how was the sound?

Rob... · « **Reply #26 on:** April 28, 2016, 07:20:05 AM »

The sound sucked. Video was worse. Instead of FPS, it was SPF like watching a fast slide show.

Matt__W · « **Reply #27 on:** April 28, 2016, 07:28:27 AM »

Quote from: Rob... on April 28, 2016, 07:20:05 AM

The sound sucked. Video was worse. Instead of FPS, it was SPF like watching a fast slide show.

There was a single space phone in the middle of the [large] room and I heard from another person at the presentation that had also logged in (just to check the display) that the connection was slow. That's what you get for doing a Webex over someone else's WiFi. :/

Rob... · « **Reply #28 on:** April 28, 2016, 07:30:07 AM »

I figured as much. How many people were there?

Matt__W · « **Reply #29 on:** April 28, 2016, 07:44:52 AM »

About 20

Rob... · « **Reply #30 on:** May 06, 2016, 08:43:11 AM »

Okay, finally got back to this and started fumbling around with InfraWorks. I have not been able to find any basic tutorials. AutoDesk's "Getting Started" guide is out of date and only a little help.

I was able to get everything I needed for the below from the national map, terrain, roads, and imagery as directed in the getting started guide but would like to change the imagery source to Bing. It looks like it has 3D building data but I'm having trouble getting it into my model. I think I might be classifying it wrong or missing a step.

Also, Matt, in your presentation you mentioned getting site piping information. How would one go about getting that information?

mjfarrell · « **Reply #31 on:** May 06, 2016, 08:51:25 AM »

IF you get information from NED (National Elevation Dataset) some of those aerials will
have elevation data, you just have to tell infraworks that that image IS topo/terrain
information and then you will have your 3d surface data.

mjfarrell · « **Reply #32 on:** May 06, 2016, 08:52:46 AM »

for the 'site piping' unless they have a database (shp file) you will have to create it...
If they do have the data then it's just a matter of importing it

Rob... · « **Reply #33 on:** May 06, 2016, 08:54:35 AM »

Quote from: mjfarrell on May 06, 2016, 08:51:25 AM

IF you get information from NED (National Elevation Dataset) some of those aerials will
have elevation data, you just have to tell infraworks that that image IS topo/terrain
information and then you will have your 3d surface data.

Keep up here. I already have the terrain data. I am asking about Bing imagery.

mjfarrell · « **Reply #34 on:** May 06, 2016, 08:59:14 AM »

Quote from: Rob... on May 06, 2016, 08:54:35 AM

Quote from: mjfarrell on May 06, 2016, 08:51:25 AM
IF you get information from NED (National Elevation Dataset) some of those aerials will
have elevation data, you just have to tell infraworks that that image IS topo/terrain
information and then you will have your 3d surface data.

Keep up here. I already have the terrain data. I am asking about Bing imagery.

Your post wast that clear...

try this

http://fromthegroundup.typepad.com/from_the_ground_up/2015/04/infraworks-360-how-to-improve-the-quality-of-your-aerial-photos.html

VovKa · « **Reply #35 on:** May 15, 2016, 02:36:07 PM »

guys, what do you think about us.nearmap.com?
the resolution is pretty good but is their imagery properly georeferenced?

Matt__W · « **Reply #36 on:** May 16, 2016, 07:02:24 AM »

Quote from: Rob... on May 06, 2016, 08:43:11 AM

Okay, finally got back to this and started fumbling around with InfraWorks. I have not been able to find any basic tutorials. AutoDesk's "Getting Started" guide is out of date and only a little help.

I was able to get everything I needed for the below from the national map, terrain, roads, and imagery as directed in the getting started guide but would like to change the imagery source to Bing.

The source by default IS Bing. But if you created your model the manual way (not using Model Builder) you can specify Bing maps as the data source

http://www.futuregroup.fi/en/add-aerial-imagery-from-bing-service-in-infraworks-360/

Rob... · « **Reply #37 on:** May 16, 2016, 07:16:15 AM »

I'm on LT and Model Builder is not available and as it turns out, neither is Bing imagery.

Quote

It is not possible to add Bing imagery in InfraWorks 360 LT.

Matt__W · « **Reply #38 on:** May 16, 2016, 08:53:01 AM »

Quote from: Rob... on May 16, 2016, 07:16:15 AM

I'm on LT and Model Builder is not available and as it turns out, neither is Bing imagery.

Quote
It is not possible to add Bing imagery in InfraWorks 360 LT.

LT?? Might as well take screenshots of Google Maps and stitch them together in MS Paint. It's like your IT department is saying "You can have a Corvette, but you can't have the engine."

Rob... · « **Reply #39 on:** May 16, 2016, 08:57:09 AM »

Not really, as I am the first one to take advantage of InfraWorks. We have one license for the full version and I will have to use that now that LT is actually not good enough. I got by without the Model Builder and kind of glad I did. I now know what is going on with that in the background.

Matt__W · « **Reply #40 on:** May 16, 2016, 08:58:25 AM »

And how long did it take you to create that model? With Model Builder you'd be done in under 10 minutes. Time is money.

Rob... · « **Reply #41 on:** May 16, 2016, 09:04:36 AM »

I was fumbling around for a long time, but, once I got the procedure correct, it really didn't take long at all. I will definitely use it in the future, though. I still feel like learning to build it myself was a valuable learning experience. I feel the same way about any automation, I like to know what is going on behind the scenes, in case the automation breaks.

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Author Topic: Getting and Using Hi-Res Imagery Best Practices (Read 8748 times)

ChrisCarlson