Use of 3D LiDAR Scanning Technology for Documentation of Historic Buildings

Advancement in technologies is opening new ways of data capture, processing, and representation of information. Digital tools such as 3D scanning are providing increasingly detailed and accurate information within a relatively shorter time span. The workshop focused on the technical and practical aspects of the 3D LiDAR Scanning technology. The workshop gave participants, a fundamental knowledge of the latest ground-based LiDAR technology with a focus on pre-requisites of the usage of the technology and practical demonstrations.  

At the end of the workshop, the participants were enabled to the working principle of LiDAR scanning and how the technology can be exercised to capture the 3D of historic buildings. The topics included the basics of LiDAR operations, prerequisites for site preparation, an overview of data collection and post-processing.  Additionally, the workshop featured live demonstrations of the FARO x330 scanner by the experts. Participants were enabled to understand the possibilities, limitations and resources required for the use of this technology.

This is the first of the series of workshops planned at the Conservation Site School - an initiative by the Center for Heritage Conservation in the historic city of Ahmedabad. The workshop was organised in collaboration with Shayona Management Services Pvt. Ltd. - a specialised agency in Building Information Modelling (BIM) and LiDAR Scanning. The workshop started on 12th March 2021 with an online presentation and a discussion.  

It covered: Introduction to the principles of documentation and recording; Introduction to the technology of 3D LiDAR Scanning Application of the technology for documentation of historic buildings and understanding the pre-requisites of the scanning process. During the onsite workshop, it covered scanning interior of the site exploring and understanding the historic building; retrospection of manual documentation; understanding the objectives of the digital methods of documentation; and introduction to the 3D scanner and allied equipment.  The workshop also enabled participants to identification, selection and setting of the scanning points.