SurveyorPro Tools Guide and Breakdown #
This pop-up is only available to users with a SurveyorPro license, activated in the PCMasterProGL Licensing menu. The license provides access to features like ground/non-ground classification, accuracy assessments, debiasing, and DEM generation.
Pop-Up Window Field Entries #
Field entries can be configured to how the user would like. If only wishing to run an Accuracy Assessment, the user can decide to only check this box and skip other features. After configuring the window to the users processing liking, the Run button may be pressed to processed the selected cloud file.
All field entries are in the units of the units related to the cloud file input (ft or m). Ensure all fields are properly entered to account for these changes. GCP’s and cloud files but be in the same vertical and horizontal coordinate frame to ensure a proper assessment. Below shows the configuration menu pop-up when the user selects “SurveyorPro Tools” within PCMasterPro.
- Load Las file – opens File Explorer to allow the user to select the las file that’s being used for processing. This is necessary for running any of the SurveyorPro features.
- Ground Classifications Options – checkbox for ground/non-ground classification
- Presets – contains 3 preset profiles for different cloud sceneries or custom option for user defined settings
- Cell Size – defines the size of the grid used to process the point cloud. A smaller value will result in a more detailed classification but will require higher-resolution data and take longer to process. It is a fundamental parameter that determines the overall resolution of your classification.
- Max Window Size – the maximum size of the search area the algorithm uses to look for initial ground points. It should be larger than the largest non-ground object in your point cloud (e.g., the largest building). If this value is too small, the flat roofs of buildings may be mistaken for the ground, resulting in an incorrect classification.
- Slope – maximum slope of the terrain shown in the point cloud. This parameter can determine whether the points near the ground points belong to the ground or not. It is important to set this value to an appropriate angle for your terrain.
- Elevation Threshold – maximum vertical distance a point can be from the ground to still be classified as ground. This is the main parameter that controls how many points are classified into the ground class. The smaller the value, the less willing the algorithm is to follow variations in the ground level, such as small undulations in terrain or low vegetation.
- Elevation Scalar – scale factor for the elevation
- Accuracy Assessment – checkbox for accuracy assessment
- Load GCPs – this button opens File Explorer for the selection of GCP coordinates
- Registration/Debiasing – checkbox for registration and debiasing in relation to local values or GCPs
- DEM/DSM/DTM Generation – checkbox for generation of elevation, surface and terrain models
- Resolution Size – defines the size of each pixel in the generated DEM, DSM, or DTM. A smaller resolution creates a more detailed model, while a larger one results in a more generalized representation of the terrain.
- DEM Type – choose between a DSM or DTM
- Save – saves the current configuration to allow the user to close the window and return at a later time. Saving this window and closing out of PCMasterPro software will result in a lost save. This save is local to memory until the closing of the program.
- Run – Runs all selected processes and shows current progress in the status window of PCMasterPro
- Cancel – closes the window without saving or running
Example Outputs #
As previously explained, this feature set allows for access to ground/non-ground classification, accuracy assessments, debiasing, and DEM generation. Below are examples of these outputs that are currently supported.
