A quick set of sketches for the revitalisation of some local public space.
Increasing the viability/sustainability of a much loved local resource with some additional covered (both permanent and temporary) external space.
This development along with three new sites, a selection of small works and ongoing projects means January (and 2019) is set to be a busy one.
‘Laser Scanning’ & ‘3D Surveying’ read as though they’re from an Isaac Asimov novel, and tend to invoke images similar to those seen in the film Prometheus, of a floating ball firing lasers in all directions.
Although technology isn’t quite there yet, I think those who aren’t already familiar with the discipline might be surprised to know how close imagination is to reality.
In very simple terms, the majority of today’s laser scanning instruments work similarly to a total station or a high end disto, in that they use a laser and some clever maths to judge distance, direction and elevation to identify a point in 3D space.
Where the laser scanner really takes the lead is in the sheer amount of points it can record in a relatively short time frame. This mass points allows for the creation of point clouds, where several individual scans are stitched together to create an accurate model of the scan target and it’s surroundings. These point clouds can (amongst other things) then be used to take measurements, generate renderings and create very high accuracy drawings.
So why would you want to use one?
The reasons (in my perhaps bias opinion) are extensive, but two key selling points are; if used correctly, these instruments capture the world in 3D accurately and effectively. It’s almost like bringing the site back to the office with you, almost.
Here are just a few things I use ours for:
So…. sold on 3D Scanning yet? Wait a moment. As with anything, these instruments do have their drawbacks. The top four for me being; weather resistance, mirrors, range and cost.
Firstly, weather resistance, or lack thereof dependent on the model. Although it is definitely possible to conduct a laser survey in the rain, I would recommend waiting for the weather to clear up. As amongst other things, point data can become degraded, as the wet reflective surfaces can interfere with the laser.
Which brings us neatly on to mirrors. Laser scanners hate mirrors. As the measurement of each point is reliant on the accurate calculation of a laser beams flight, mirrors pose a bit of a challenge. As when the laser is reflected off a mirror, the instrument can return some very ‘interesting’ results. For example, I’ve seen large areas replicated ‘through’ a mirror and positioned several meters down the road, just because it wasn’t covered correctly.
Next, range. It’s a little ‘apples say hi to oranges’ and is completely dependent on the instrument. But as a rule of thumb, a scanner’s effective range will not match that of a total station’s. Particularly one in the same price bracket. For example, the X330 scanner from Faro boasts an extra-long range of 330m, but a FlexLine TS06plus total station from Leica at less than a quarter of the price can survey in excess of 1000m.
Finally, cost. Yes, I’m sure you’ve guessed it by now, these instruments aren’t cheap. For example, at the time of writing this article the previously mentioned X330 laser scanner from Faro would set you back over £41,000 (inc. VAT) and this doesn’t include all of the ancillary kit/software required to start scanning.
So, in conclusion. Laser scanning may not be a replacement for the more traditional measuring techniques and instruments in all situations, but it is an extremely effective way to measure at very accurate levels.
If you have any questions regarding this article, or have a project in mind that you think the Laser Scanning team at CLOCKWORKLIME.com could help you with. Please feel free to get in touch.
Thank you for taking the time to read this piece, but please note, this article has been written form experience and is in no way infallible. I would be happy to hear and learn from others experience if offered.
Its been a while since i put together an architectural render, so i thought to myself ‘Steve, you should really get some practice in’. So while my better half is on a night shift i decided to put this together.
Now, its not perfect, as this is more a practice piece and experiment than a clients work, but to build the model, render and finish via image editing this took about 7 hours in total. And to be pretty honest, i wasn’t in much of a rush. But still, i think thats a pretty respectable time.
The model is loosely based off of the Stradthaus building in Hackney, which is a personal favourite of mine. So much so it will more than likely feature quite heavily in my Hons dissertation. For anyone interested, the Stradhaus is the tallest timber building in the UK and is a very interesting construction when looked at from not only an aesthetic view point but also an engineering one too.
Heres the photo i used as the basic back/foreground
So heres how it was done, first i build a pretty simple rough and ready model in sketchup. Apart from the ground each floor is an identical component simply rotated to provide the desired layout.
From there i simply added a few very basic colours, notice i haven’t added any textures, this could have added a little extra detail but on a model like this i didn’t feel it was necessary. Although a little superfluous, there is one material which is used for the windows.
Now the sketch up model is ready for a speedy render (+alpha render) in indigo RT. Heres the result.
This is where i now import everything into my image editing software. Up till now only 2 or so hours have gone by, editing the image into something useful takes by far the longest amount of time. And there you have it, the ‘finished’ piece.
If you would like a break down of any particular techniques or a run through of what i get up to in the image editing software please leave a comment below or drop me an email, i would be glad to help out (thats if i can), and on the flip of that, i would appreciate any critique, so if this is your bread and butter i would love to hear from you.
Thanks for reading!
Just a quick post this time, continuing on from yesterdays about shipping containers. Iv had some time free this morning so also drew up/modelled a 20ft iso container. This will give me the option to use both 20’s and 40’s in my future designs.
For quite sometime iv been interested in the concept of reusing shipping containers as a construction material. Now im not going to try and claim any originality as there has been a lot of development over the years, but still, i’m going to have a little explore.
My main inspiration for starting this little side project is the ‘pop up mall’ BOXPARK in Shoreditch, it a great use of containers and space, generating a completely original concept. Haver a google, theres some great images and info out there all about it.
Well to start with I’ve spent quite a bit of time not only looking through existing projects and development. but also getting to the basics of it all by sitting down and researching as much information about the construction.manufacture and use of shipping containers. Now, don’t get me wrong, this wasn’t fun, it was extremely dry, but i didn’t want to jump in and start cutting up containers (virtually) without understanding their construction and the possible consequences.
Once i felt that i had a reasonable understanding i decided to get started and find an accurate model of a iso shipping container, but surprise surprise, non were really up to the standard i was looking for. So i set about finding the construction/manufacturing details for a standardised container.
and heres what I’ve come up with:
Now on to the fun part, actually creating something with it.
So, as mentioned in the last post, Greenfield Prestige commissioned extensive advertisement and campaign materials after the completion of the companies new logo and branding. But be for i continue, i think i should explain what Greenfield Prestige actually does. I mentioned in the last post that the parent company (Greenfieldcreations.co.uk) designs and manufactures cardboard coffins, but what i didm’t say was that there new product line is of such a high quality that its pretty difficult to tell the difference between it (a cardboard product) and the real thing. Now, I’m pretty sure i know what your thinking, honestly having visited the factory and seeing the finished article, they are fantastic.
The brief for the show and advertisement materials was reasonably simple, using the new logo and colour scheme design materials that portray the new companies existing history (Greenfield Creations) but also create a standalone line that depicts the development and quality of the new product.
First off on this list was a 4 meter wide by 2.2 meter tall poster stand, along with a podium wrap. This was/is for use at trade shows etc.
As you can see the lower half of the banner’s main are has been left pretty much empty. The reasoning behind this should be made clear from the following photos.
Next up came an A4 leaflet, these were placed in every bag handed out at the National Funeral Exhibition, that somewhere in the region of 6000 printed just for the show. The plane was to spot UV the coffins, giving them an extra shine and helping them stand out even more, but unfortunately time was against the project and this did not get to be realised. instead they were printed on a semi gloss heavy weight paper. As you’ll see below, I’ve uploaded the two options that were put together for the client. One contains on 3D visuals, while the other is made up of photos from a shoot. We went with the photo shoot option.
Following the success at the national Funeral Exhibition Greenfield Prestige has been keeping clockworklime pretty busy, with advertising campaigns and other branding related commissions. All of which i will endeavour to post once they have been sent to print.
Thanks for reading and don’t forget to keep an eye on the site for new content.
Heres a small commission for a magazine called C21, which is all about “Understanding & Coping with Cancer in the 21st Century”.
The brief was to create a simple magazine stand from limited art work. The time frame for this was, lets say, ‘limited’ i was given the brief and had to have it completed by the next morning, including an ‘un-rendered’ video.
As far as i understand it, the plan for these stands is/was to have them in every Morrisons in the UK.
Heres what i came up with.
Towards the end of last year i took on what started as a small commission to visualise a few potential packaging options and display units for Babyglow. For those of you who haven’t heard of Babyglow, the brand was featured on the BBC’s apprentice a few seasons ago and produces heat sensitive/colour changing baby clothing.
At first i was asked to produce some basic visualisations. These included a gift box/carton, a character standee, a cieling drop sign and a CDU.
Below is an idea of what was produced. Since then i have been asked to take on more and more for Babyglow, keep an eye on the site for more updates!
And heres a short video of the concepts
Architectural Design and Measured Surveying Services 