NavVis has announced the release of NavVis IndoorViewer 2.6, a 3D building visualization software. This software release includes a measurement tool that lets users take measurements based on point clouds in realistic browser-based digital buildings. This release also makes additional features available to structured e57 point cloud files, including automatically generating floorplans and routing.
NavVis IndoorViewer is a popular deliverable among building stakeholders without the technical expertise to work with point clouds and modeling software. One of the features that has proven to be useful among users across multiple industries is the measurement tool. It enables users to take measurements remotely on any device, saving time otherwise spent traveling to the site.
The release of version 2.6 of the NavVis IndoorViewer marks an advance in the accuracy of virtual measurement tools. The tool has been redesigned to overcome two problems with virtual measurement tools, accuracy and usability. On the one hand, point cloud measurements are accurate. But often these software tools are not accessible or even usable for a range of building stakeholders who lack the expertise in working with point clouds. If, on the other hand, the tool uses images or even meshes, which are more user-friendly than point clouds, the tools are usually not reliable enough to produce accurate results.
The measurement tool in the NavVis IndoorViewer combines the best of both worlds, thanks to a patent-pending magnifying feature that appears when taking measurements in the 360 degree view. The magnifying feature reveals the exact section of the point cloud behind the image and lets users pick the point cloud point as the basis for a measurement while benefiting from the interface of the fully immersive walkthrough.
In addition to improving the accuracy of remote measurements, the interface of the tool has also been redesigned. This includes a new slider function that lets users view the 2D floorplan and 3D walkthrough side-by-side or move from one view to the other. The dual view provides an overview of the entire building so that users can locate an asset or area while also viewing the location in the 360 degree view. The walkthrough makes it possible to virtually move through the area being measured or inspect the asset, as if the user were on site. Measurements being taken show up in both views.
The release of NavVis IndoorViewer 2.6 also introduces feature support for e57 point cloud files captured by static scanners. Previous NavVis IndoorViewer releases have included a feature that lets laser scanning professionals upload structured e57 point cloud files and automatically generate 360 degree walkthroughs that can be published and shared with clients as a web-based link.
With the release of NavVis IndoorViewer 2.6, two features that were previously only compatible with scan data captured by NavVis hardware are now available for point clouds uploaded as structured e57 files. The first is the generation of a navigation graph, which makes it possible to turn static scans into a fully immersive indoor routing tool. The second is the automatic generation of detailed floorplans. Now point cloud files uploaded as structured e57 files can be turned into digital floorplans in a few clicks.
Version 2.6 of NavVis IndoorViewer is now available. Users can find out more about the release and how to register for a trial.