Topic outline

  • Surveying with Terrestrial 3D Laser Scanners

    Credits: 1 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    This course provides an overview of 3D laser scanners used for detailed mapping of facilities, structures, utilities, and ground planes. High-precision/high-definition tripod mounted laser scanners are covered. Laser scanners operate similarly to reflectorless total stations.  However, instead of a single shot point being observed, a full field-of-view scan is performed--at a speed upwards of 500,000 points per second. Unlike a total station, the location of the scanner is not usually a required input-resulting in points that are spatially referenced to the instrument and not real-world coordinates.  This is somewhat analogous to an uncontrolled photogrammetric model.  (Newer models allow input of the scanner coordinates from which all observed pixels may be directly georeferenced). The resultant imagery from a scan (termed a “point cloud”) provides a full 3D model of the facility, utility, or terrain that was scanned.

    Topics:

    • Background of Terrestrial 3D Laser Scanners
    • Manufacturers, Cost, Accuracy
    • Density of scanned points
    • Field-of-View and Range
    • Beam footprint size
    • Scanner Operation and Data Processing
    • Project Applications (Examples)

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: This course is intended for surveying and engineering professionals whose job description may require an intermediate knowledge of control and topographical surveying practices and principles.
    Publication Source: USACE (Corp of Engineers)

    Donald Parnell, PE

    • Topic 1