In recent years, advancements in technology have revolutionized various industries, and the roofing
sector is no exception. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, have emerged
as invaluable tools for roof surveys, offering unprecedented precision, efficiency, and safety. In this
blog post, we will explore the numerous benefits of utilizing UAVs in surveying roofs and how this
innovative approach is transforming the way we maintain and assess the structural integrity of
buildings.

Enhanced Efficiency and Speed

Traditional roof surveys often involve manual inspections that are time-consuming and labor-
intensive. Climbing ladders, setting up safety equipment, and manually examining every nook and
cranny of a roof can take hours, if not days. UAVs significantly expedite this process. Equipped with
high-resolution cameras and advanced sensors, drones can swiftly capture detailed images of roofs
from various angles. This speed not only saves time but also allows roofing professionals to assess
multiple properties in a single day.

Accuracy and Precision

UAVs are equipped with cutting-edge technology, including GPS and LiDAR systems, ensuring
accurate measurements and precise data collection. Roof inspections require meticulous attention to
detail, and UAVs can capture images with remarkable clarity. This high-resolution imagery aids in
identifying even the smallest cracks, leaks, or other potential issues, enabling roofers to make
informed decisions about repairs or replacements.

Improved Safety

Safety is paramount in any roofing project. Climbing ladders and working at heights pose significant
risks to workers. By utilizing UAVs, companies can mitigate these risks and enhance overall safety.
Pilots can operate drones from the ground, eliminating the need for personnel to access hazardous
areas. This not only protects workers but also reduces the likelihood of accidents and injuries,
creating a safer work environment.

Cost-Effectiveness

Traditional roof surveys can be costly, especially when considering the expenses associated with
manual labor, safety equipment, and potential repairs due to overlooked issues. UAVs offer a cost-
effective alternative. By reducing the time, manpower, and resources required for inspections,
businesses can significantly cut down on operational costs. Additionally, the early detection of
problems through UAV surveys can prevent minor issues from escalating into major, expensive
repairs.

Environmental Friendliness

Compared to traditional survey methods involving heavy machinery and transportation, drones have
a minimal environmental impact. They operate on electricity and produce zero emissions, making
them an eco-friendly choice for roof inspections. By opting for UAVs, businesses contribute to
environmental conservation and sustainability efforts.

M3S’ Approach to Roof Surveys

Over recent years we have gained good amount of experience in utilising drones to capture high
resolution imagery and process it to generate accurate point clouds and photomaps. Our qualified
operators are using light weight drones, advanced mission planning and ground based survey
techniques to acquire dataset which will produce best possible output.

Our clients frequently ask for orthophotoplans:

CAD drawings:

Unlocking Precision and Safety: Utilizing UAVs to Survey Roofs

3D models:

https://autode.sk/3PSyNOQ

Conclusion:

The integration of UAV technology into the roofing industry has ushered in a new era of efficiency,
precision, and safety. Roof surveys, once time-consuming and potentially risky, have become
streamlined processes, thanks to the capabilities of drones. By embracing this innovative approach,
businesses not only improve their operational efficiency and bottom line but also prioritize the well-
being of their employees and contribute to a greener planet. As UAV technology continues to
advance, the future of roof surveys looks promising, offering endless possibilities for further
enhancing the way we maintain and care for our built environment.

Measured Building Surveys – Happy Halloween allow our scanning teams to access some rather interesting and spooky places. With basements, attics to abandoned factories the team at M3S have all enjoyed exploring these areas while scanning to allow for a complete survey to aid the creation of plans and models.

Measured Building Surveying Using Laser Scanning

M3S use both a Leica RTC360 and Leica P40 laser scanner to capture the as built conditions on site. These scanners can capture data at rates of up to 2 million points per second on the RTC and up to 1 million points per second on the P40. To allow for a complete survey the team are often in basements, attics, abandoned buildings etc.  With such good coverage the CAD team can accurately draw and model all areas of the building.

Captured Data LIDAR From Measured Surveys  – Cyclone Register 360 / Cyclone Core

Once the data has been captured on site, the data is imported to Leica Cyclone.  If the RTC360 has been used with VIS is gets imported to Register 360 for an initial registration before being imported to Cyclone Core where full registration and further QC takes place. Once the registration, quality control and any additional survey control is added the registration is locked and the data exported to allow it to carry on to the production stage of the project.

“Spooky” Scenes From Previous Measured Building Surveys

The following scenes are snapshots from the point clouds that the scan team at M3S has captured this year…. with a little bit of “Photoshop” to help out!!

A haunting rural scene at a measured building survey with topo earlier this year a short drive outside Krakow. #MeasuredSurvey #LaserScanning #Topo #Halloween

Down in the deep, dark basements of an abandoned building in Eastern Europe for a scan to Revit model. Cyclone Core didnt quite manage to clean out the ghosts. #Haunted #Scan2BIM #CycloneCore #EveryDetailMatters

Our Scan Team were not so lucky when they surveyed this former factory – we have enough scan data for the crime scene team to investigate. #CrimeScene #Halloween2021 #EveryDetailMatters #JasonVoorhees #RTC360

More information  can be found on the official Leica Geosystems website  – click here

M3S Surveys Ltd – Laser Scanning, CAD, REVIT, Surveying and Photogrammetry Services:

Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/terrestrial-laser-scanning/

Topographic Surveys – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/topographic-surveys/

Photogrammetry – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/photogrammetry/

Aerial Surveys – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/aerial-surveys/

Spatial Data Analysis & Processing – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/spatial-data-analysis-processing/

Registration Tutorials For Leica Cyclone

Well 2021 so far has been busy, carried on from the busy end of 2020 in to 2021 with plenty of laser scanning in the UK and Poland.  The last 12 months with Covid have been a real roller coaster but thankfully due to the nature of many surveys taking place either out doors or in empty buildings many jobs have still managed to continue.  At M3S Surveys we are seeing an increase in demmand for laser scanning on smaller sites such as residential proprties that require detailed elevations, cross sections along with floor plans. All of our clients also recieve TruViews in the LGS format to allow them to view each scan station which can be shared with all the professional services involved in the project. One other advantage of the TruView LGS Viewer is that IFC can be load in and viewed against the point cloud.

Laser Scanning – TruView LGS Point Cloud Viewer & IFC File

Surveying Tools & Deliverable Files

Laser Scanning  – fast, accurate collection of all the visible points that is registered together to create a point cloud of your project.

Photography – we can capture standard high resolution imagery and a range of 360 images depending on the job specification.

UAV Photography – our partners in the UK & Poland are fully liscenced and insured to fly. The M3S team have years of experience on UAV projects including flying fixed wing and processing data.

Photogrammetry – the imagery captured with the UAV and terrestrial photography can be merged in specialist software and combined with laser scan data  and/or points surveyed using a total station for scale to produce high resolution ortho photos and models.

Land Surveying – survey control and topographical data captured.

2D & 3D Drawings – supply both 2D and 3D drawings and topos.

3D Revit Model – 3D model of as built conditions in various formats including Revit.

M3S Surveys Ltd – Laser Scanning, CAD, REVIT, Surveying and Photogrammetry Services:

Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/terrestrial-laser-scanning/

Building Surveys (MBS) – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/measured-building-surveys/

Topographic Surveys – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/topographic-surveys/

Photogrammetry – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/photogrammetry/

Aerial Surveys – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/aerial-surveys/

Spatial Data Analysis & Processing – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/spatial-data-analysis-processing/

Links:

3D Revit Model – https://www.autodesk.co.uk/products/revit/overview?plc=RVT&term=1-YEAR&support=ADVANCED&quantity=1

Leica P40 Laser Scanner – https://leica-geosystems.com/en-gb/products/laser-scanners/scanners/leica-scanstation-p40–p30

Leica RTC360 Laser Scanner – https://leica-geosystems.com/products/laser-scanners/scanners/leica-rtc360

Capturing Reality (Photogrammetry) – https://www.capturingreality.com/

2D Cad Drawing – https://www.autodesk.co.uk/products/autocad/overview?plc=ACDIST&term=1-YEAR&support=ADVANCED&quantity=1

Over the last year the M3S Surveys Ltd team have been involved in several Survey For Renovation Projects – Engineers, Planning Consultant, Interior Designer, Quantity Surveyor & Architect. The majority of the sites have been large homes and outbuildings, all in various different conditions and states of repair.  Using a wide range of the latest technologies including laser scanners, total station, GNSS, cameras and UAV we are able to capture the as built conditions on site. This allows the team to then create a range products the client can use themself, share with their engineer, planning consultant, architect and interior designer. Our Survey For Renovation Projects – Engineers, Planning Consultant, Interior Designer, Quantity Surveyor & Architect , allow the data to be captured safely and quickly on site with the various products being delivered and shared with various professional services.  The LGS TruView has continued to prove very popular allowing anyone with a PC to install free to use software called Leica JetStream Viewer. This software then allows the LGS file to be attached and you can navigate through each scan station and take measurements and mark up areas.

Survey For Renovation Projects – Services & Products

Laser Scanning  – fast, accurate collection of all the visible points that is registered together to create a point cloud of your project.

Photography – we can capture standard high resolution imagery and a range of 360 images depending on the job specification.

UAV Photography – our partners in the UK & Poland are fully liscenced and insured to fly. The M3S team have years of experience on UAV projects including flying fixed wing and processing data.

Photogrammetry – the imagery captured with the UAV and terrestrial photography can be merged in specialist software and combined with laser scan data  and/or points surveyed using a total station for scale to produce high resolution ortho photos and models.

Land Surveying – survey control and topographical data captured.

2D & 3D Drawings – supply both 2D and 3D drawings and topos.

3D Revit Model – 3D model of as built conditions in various formats including Revit.

M3S Surveys Ltd – Laser Scanning, CAD, REVIT, Surveying and Photogrammetry Services:

Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/terrestrial-laser-scanning/

Building Surveys (MBS) – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/measured-building-surveys/

Topographic Surveys – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/topographic-surveys/

Photogrammetry – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/photogrammetry/

Aerial Surveys – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/aerial-surveys/

Spatial Data Analysis & Processing – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/spatial-data-analysis-processing/

Links:

3D Revit Model – https://www.autodesk.co.uk/products/revit/overview?plc=RVT&term=1-YEAR&support=ADVANCED&quantity=1

Leica P40 Laser Scanner – https://leica-geosystems.com/en-gb/products/laser-scanners/scanners/leica-scanstation-p40–p30

Leica RTC360 Laser Scanner – https://leica-geosystems.com/products/laser-scanners/scanners/leica-rtc360

Capturing Reality (Photogrammetry) – https://www.capturingreality.com/

2D Cad Drawing – https://www.autodesk.co.uk/products/autocad/overview?plc=ACDIST&term=1-YEAR&support=ADVANCED&quantity=1

Swan Engineering specialise in a range of manufacturing and repair of farm & factory equipment. They also carry out bespoke fabrication with complex electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic installations. Swan Engineering also have a large portfolio and experience in line installation, relocation, on-site and in-field repairs. As projects increase in size, the time taken to measure and survey increases dramatically. With using laser scanning large warehouses full of machinery and equipment can now be surveyed far quicker, more accurately and with the data being registered as a point cloud then exported to LGS the team can now use the data in the workshop and office.  From the point cloud we can also have 3D models produced of the site,  view 360 photos and take quick additional measurements.  The point cloud and model can also be used to avoid clashes.

Services

• Fabrication
• Machining
• Onsite Engineering
• Process Machinery

engineering and fabrication laser scanning

Recent Investment in Auchtermuchty, Fife:

Towards the end of 2019, the company also made a further large investment to the local area of over £400,000.

Swan Engineering plans £400,000 investment in Auchtermuchty site

Contact Details

Website http://swanengineering.co.uk/ 

Address:

Station Road Business Park,
Auchtermuchty, Fife, KY14 7DP
Tel: 01337 827 777
Email: enquiries@swanengineering.co.uk

M3S Surveys Ltd – Laser Scanning, CAD, REVIT, Surveying and Photogrammetry Services:

Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/terrestrial-laser-scanning/

Building Surveys (MBS) – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/measured-building-surveys/

Topographic Surveys – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/topographic-surveys/

Photogrammetry – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/photogrammetry/

Aerial Surveys – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/aerial-surveys/

Spatial Data Analysis & Processing – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/spatial-data-analysis-processing/

Links:

3D Revit Model – https://www.autodesk.co.uk/products/revit/overview?plc=RVT&term=1-YEAR&support=ADVANCED&quantity=1

Leica P40 Laser Scanner – https://leica-geosystems.com/en-gb/products/laser-scanners/scanners/leica-scanstation-p40–p30

2D Cad Drawing – https://www.autodesk.co.uk/products/autocad/overview?plc=ACDIST&term=1-YEAR&support=ADVANCED&quantity=1

Laser scanning has been proven extremely helpful within large industrial sites. Often large, complex sites with pipes, tanks and support structures that are almost impossible to survey using traditional methods. High quality laser scanners such as the Leica P40 along with survey control can be used to create high quality, accurate point clouds of sites. These point clouds can be modelled in various software such as Leica Cyclone Model, Edgwise, Revit, AVEVA.  

Once the data is in the software suite of choice it can be modelled directly from the point cloud. This gives the user an as built model off all the pipes, tanks and structures that were surveyed. The model & point cloud can then be used for retrofitting, redesign and clash detection. As well as an asset register of as built conditions.

3D Laser Scanning For Pipes – Industrial Site Laser Scanning (full resolution image here – www.flickr.com/

Laser Scanning Services By M3S Surveys Ltd

The M3S team have spent years using and improving our work flows for laser scanning & measured surveying. From on site, registration software, QC to production for plans, elevations, cross sections, topo and Revit models. In addition to these products the laser scanning data can also be used for the following:

• Point Cloud (view / import to 3rd party software)
• Jet Stream Viewer (desktop viewer that allows the client to visit the site and each scan location with the ability to measure etc)
• Ortho from Point Cloud (high resolution ortho image can be generated and underlaid in CAD)
• LGS (a Leica Geosystems file that can be used in Jet Stream and CloudWorx)

The video below is a screen recording from point cloud data (LGS format) in the free to use Leica Jet Stream viewer. It can be used on your local machine or hosted online* (depending on data size this can be costly).

Desk Top Site Visit – Jet Stream Viewer

Revit Model From Point Cloud – Laser Scanning & Measured Surveying

Once of the products that be produced from the successful data capture from laser scanning is a Revit model. This is produced from modeling the point cloud. The following video shows what can be produced:

Measured Building Survey – 3D Laser Scanning For Revit Model

Surveying Services

Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/terrestrial-laser-scanning/

Building Surveys (MBS) – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/measured-building-surveys/

Topographic Surveys – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/topographic-surveys/

Photogrammetry – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/photogrammetry/

Aerial Surveys – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/aerial-surveys/

Spatial Data Analysis & Processing – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/spatial-data-analysis-processing/

Links:

3D Revit Model – https://www.autodesk.co.uk/products/revit/overview?plc=RVT&term=1-YEAR&support=ADVANCED&quantity=1

Leica P40 Laser Scanner – https://leica-geosystems.com/en-gb/products/laser-scanners/scanners/leica-scanstation-p40–p30

2D Cad Drawing – https://www.autodesk.co.uk/products/autocad/overview?plc=ACDIST&term=1-YEAR&support=ADVANCED&quantity=1

The M3S team have spent years using and improving our work flows for laser scanning & measured surveying. From on site, registration software, QC to production for plans, elevations, cross sections, topo and Revit models. In addition to these products the laser scanning data can also be used for the following:

• Point Cloud (view / import to 3rd party software)
• Jet Stream Viewer (desktop viewer that allows the client to visit the site and each scan location with the ability to measure etc)
• Ortho from Point Cloud (high resolution ortho image can be generated and underlaid in CAD)
• LGS (a Leica Geosystems file that can be used in Jet Stream and CloudWorx)

The video below is a screen recording from point cloud data (LGS format) in the free to use Leica Jet Stream viewer.  It can be used on your local machine or hosted online* (depending on data size this can be costly).

Desk Top Site Visit – Jet Stream Viewer

Revit Model From Point Cloud – Laser Scanning & Measured Surveying

Once of the products that be produced from the successful data capture from laser scanning is a Revit model. This is produced from modeling the point cloud. The following video shows what can be produced:

Measured Building Survey – 3D Laser Scanning For Revit Model

Surveying Services

Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/terrestrial-laser-scanning/

Building Surveys (MBS) – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/measured-building-surveys/

Topographic Surveys – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/topographic-surveys/

Photogrammetry – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/photogrammetry/

Aerial Surveys – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/aerial-surveys/

Spatial Data Analysis & Processing – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/spatial-data-analysis-processing/

Links:

3D Revit Model – https://www.autodesk.co.uk/products/revit/overview?plc=RVT&term=1-YEAR&support=ADVANCED&quantity=1

Leica P40 Laser Scanner – https://leica-geosystems.com/en-gb/products/laser-scanners/scanners/leica-scanstation-p40–p30

2D Cad Drawing – https://www.autodesk.co.uk/products/autocad/overview?plc=ACDIST&term=1-YEAR&support=ADVANCED&quantity=1

The M3S team have spent years using and improving our work flows with for laser scanning, 3D Survey – Laser Scanning Point Cloud for Revit Model. From on site, registration software, QC to production for plans, elevations, cross sections, topo and Revit models. In addition to these products the laser scanning data can also be used for the following:

• Point Cloud (view / import to 3rd party software)
• Jet Stream Viewer (desktop viewer that allows the client to visit the site and each scan location with the ability to measure etc)
• Ortho from Point Cloud (high resolution ortho image can be generated and underlaid in CAD)
• LGS (a Leica Geosystems file that can be used in Jet Stream and CloudWorx)

3D Survey – Laser Scanning Point Cloud For Revit Model

Measured Building Survey – 3D Laser Scanning For Revit Model

Surveying Services

Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/terrestrial-laser-scanning/

Building Surveys (MBS) – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/measured-building-surveys/

Topographic Surveys – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/topographic-surveys/

Photogrammetry – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/photogrammetry/

Aerial Surveys – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/aerial-surveys/

Spatial Data Analysis & Processing – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/spatial-data-analysis-processing/

Links:

3D Revit Model – https://www.autodesk.co.uk/products/revit/overview?plc=RVT&term=1-YEAR&support=ADVANCED&quantity=1

Leica P40 Laser Scanner – https://leica-geosystems.com/en-gb/products/laser-scanners/scanners/leica-scanstation-p40–p30

2D Cad Drawing – https://www.autodesk.co.uk/products/autocad/overview?plc=ACDIST&term=1-YEAR&support=ADVANCED&quantity=1

Desk Top Site Visit – Jet Stream Viewer:

The following image and video are a quick snap shot of how many of our clients are using the point cloud data on their local machines – with out the need of a fancy PC or expensive software they can view, measure and take snap shots from the point cloud. This has proven extremely valuable with in the planning process.

Jet Stream Viewer

The M3S Surveys Ltd team have been utlising laser scanners for the last 10+ years. With rapid advances in technology and software with both instruments and computing power the team have always kept up to date with this. While constantly reviewing and improving workflows in the field and within the software. There are a range of poducts that can be produced and delivered from laser scanned point cloud data, these include 2D drawings & 3D Revit Models (“as built survey”), TruViews, LGS JetStream, Topo Survey, Ortho Images.

Please check out our laser scanning page for more information – https://www.m3s-surveys.com/services/laser-scanning/

3D Revit Model From Laser Scan Point Cloud Data

Leic P40 Laser Scanner

2D CAD Drawing From Laser Scanned Data

If you need any Laser Scanning related tasks mentioned on this page or require some further information on the range of CAD, Topographical and Measured Building Surveys that M3S carry out, please feel free to contact us directly via the form on the contact page or via our social media channels on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

 

Desk top site visit from As Buillt Survey – Jet Stream Viewer:

The following image and video are a quick snap shot of how many of our clients are using the point cloud data on their local machines – with out the need of a fancy PC or expensive software they can view, measure and take snap shots from the point cloud. This has proven extremely valuable with in the planning process.

Jet Stream Viewer

As Built Survey – Laser Scanning & Photogrammetry (Reality Capture)

Services for As Built Survey

Links:

3D Revit Model – https://www.autodesk.co.uk/products/revit/overview?plc=RVT&term=1-YEAR&support=ADVANCED&quantity=1

Leica P40 Laser Scanner – https://leica-geosystems.com/en-gb/products/laser-scanners/scanners/leica-scanstation-p40–p30

2D Cad Drawing – https://www.autodesk.co.uk/products/autocad/overview?plc=ACDIST&term=1-YEAR&support=ADVANCED&quantity=1