Reality Capture Services

Reality Capture is the process of digitally documenting a real-world site, structure, or facility using technologies such as aerial LiDAR, drone photogrammetry, terrestrial laser scanning, 360° imagery, and aerial thermal sensors. Depending on the method, deliverables may include LiDAR or laser-scanning point clouds, photogrammetric orthomosaics and 3D models, terrain or surface models, CAD-ready information, time-stamped visual documentation, and thermal imagery for engineering, construction, industrial, infrastructure, and development work.

Eagle Surveying provides Aerial LiDAR Mapping, Aerial Photogrammetry, Terrestrial Laser Scanning, 360° Site Documentation and Virtual Walkthroughs, Aerial Thermal Imagery, Construction Progress Monitoring and Documentation, and Volumetric and Stockpile Analysis. The appropriate method depends on the site conditions, intended use, accuracy requirements, and deliverables needed by the engineer, contractor, developer, architect, owner, or public agency.

Depending on the agreed scope and collection method, aerial LiDAR deliverables may include classified point clouds, LAS or LAZ files, digital terrain models, contours, breaklines, and CAD-ready surfaces. Photogrammetry deliverables may include georeferenced orthomosaics, digital surface models, 3D photogrammetric models, and, on relatively open and unobstructed sites, scope-defined surface data or contours. Volumetric reports may be produced from the appropriate measured surface. Eagle Surveying establishes the coordinate system, accuracy, file formats, and final deliverables before collection begins.

A point cloud is a digital collection of measured X, Y, and Z coordinates representing surfaces and features within a site, building, structure, or object. Point clouds may also include intensity values and color imagery. Eagle’s public point-cloud deliverables are produced through aerial LiDAR or terrestrial laser scanning and are used for existing-condition documentation, surface modeling, CAD production, BIM workflows, dimensional review, as-built documentation, and engineering design.

Drone-survey costs depend on acreage, site access, terrain, vegetation, airspace, required accuracy, survey control, collection method, processing requirements, travel, and final deliverables. Aerial LiDAR and photogrammetry have different production requirements, and other Reality Capture services are scoped separately. Eagle Surveying prices commercial and industrial projects from the actual scope rather than using a one-size-fits-all rate.

The schedule depends on project acreage, weather, airspace, terrain, vegetation, site access, control requirements, and the complexity of the deliverables. Aerial collection can cover large areas efficiently, but flight planning, control, processing, classification, quality review, and final production still require time. Eagle Surveying confirms the anticipated field and delivery schedule at proposal, after reviewing the site and project requirements.

Eagle Surveying combines a dedicated Reality Capture practice with the control, field procedures, and professional oversight of a Texas land surveying firm. Our capabilities include multiple UAS platforms, aerial LiDAR, photogrammetry, terrestrial laser scanning, 360° documentation, thermal capture, GNSS control, DroneDeploy, LP360, YellowScan, Trimble Business Center, and Carlson workflows. We support projects throughout Texas and select Reality Capture assignments nationwide.