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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => Audio Measurement and Testing => Topic started by: Jason Raboin on June 05, 2018, 09:39:45 AM

Title: Survey scanner for venue mapping
Post by: Jason Raboin on June 05, 2018, 09:39:45 AM
Hi,

Has anyone used a survey scanner like a Leica BLK360 to map out room dimensions?  Seen or heard of this being done?  While expensive, sticking a unit on a stand at the downstage edge, pressing a button, and getting a detailed map of a venue would be a very useful tool.  Especially for Martin MLA or EAW Anya users.

Of course you still have to get the map into the array calculation software of choice, but there is probably some file compatibility.
Title: Re: Survey scanner for venue mapping
Post by: Tim McCulloch on June 05, 2018, 02:17:08 PM
Hi,

Has anyone used a survey scanner like a Leica BLK360 to map out room dimensions?  Seen or heard of this being done?  While expensive, sticking a unit on a stand at the downstage edge, pressing a button, and getting a detailed map of a venue would be a very useful tool.  Especially for Martin MLA or EAW Anya users.

Of course you still have to get the map into the array calculation software of choice, but there is probably some file compatibility.

The BLK360 interfaces with Autodesk's "ReCap" software, putting it in the AutoCad family which opens other doors...

I'm guessing we're looking at around US$12k+ to get started.  If it means tour audio can cut local hands on the load in at 4 hours instead of 5 it will pay for itself in one tour.  The side benefit of greater accuracy and fewer 'educated guesses' hopefully translates into a better listener experience.

I think this would be brilliant for a shops installation dept, too.
Title: Re: Survey scanner for venue mapping
Post by: Rick Earl on June 06, 2018, 09:18:11 AM
Hi,

Has anyone used a survey scanner like a Leica BLK360 to map out room dimensions?  Seen or heard of this being done?  While expensive, sticking a unit on a stand at the downstage edge, pressing a button, and getting a detailed map of a venue would be a very useful tool.  Especially for Martin MLA or EAW Anya users.

Of course you still have to get the map into the array calculation software of choice, but there is probably some file compatibility.

We did some early prototype testing in a venue, the machine then was much slower, the biggest issue we had was the number of scans needed to get an accurate picture.  Any obstruction obscures what it behind it.  A room with a balcony (what we were dealing with) can be difficult.  The software did a great job of knitting the images together and the model was useful.
 I am waiting for drone swarms that you can release when you arrive, go get your coffee and then have a nice detailed map when they all come back "home".