LiDAR Reveals Hidden Mayan “Megalopolis” Blowing Minds and Old-School Thinking

Archeological surveys in untouched areas are tricky at the best of times. Vegetation and trees must be disturbed, heavy equipment is brought in, and the results can still prove inconclusive or fruitless.

But thanks to laser technology, that’s all changing. LiDAR (aka Light Detection and Ranging technology) is helping archeologists champion scientific research without disturbing the natural habitat.

10 Most Popular Blogs of 2013

Here we are again, another New Year, another opportunity to look back and plan ahead! Here at Acronym, it’s no exception. 2013 was an exciting year. From the astonishing success of our 2nd Annual Public Sector CAD Awards and Expo (hosted virtually in February and attended by nearly 1,000 people), the release of several new educational e-books, and the launch of our new website earlier this summer – 2013 has kept us busy!

How do you Process LiDAR Data?

LiDAR, a remote sensing system used for mapping the surface of the earth, has been around for decades, but it’s only in the past few years that it’s undergone a boom and is now at the heart of many government data gathering projects – from mapping desert terrain in Afghanistan to creating forest height maps.

How NYC Officials Are Using LiDAR to Prepare for Future Storms

With Sandy’s passing, LiDAR has again become the talk of the geospatial community. New York City officials plan on using LiDAR technology to accurately measure the city’s elevation. They’ll do so by flying aircrafts over the city and bounce lasers off the surface to determine changes and areas that need immediate attention. The data will then be used to prepare for future hurricanes.

Fusion of LiDAR 3D Features with Elevation Data Improves Mapping Applications

Engineers should be thrilled with the new LiDAR 3D technology that is being integrated to improve mapping applications. By fusing LiDAR 3D data with existing geospatial image analysis workflows, users can now create a more complete visual reference of geographical areas. With traditional geospatial data collection, users weren’t able to manipulate the images in a timely manner resulting in longer wait times to figure out how and why the data could be applied to present and future mapping projects.

What is LiDAR? How can you use it? Let us make it simple.

Light Detection and Ranging, or LiDAR (lie-dar) - you’ve heard of it, right? Then you should know that LiDAR uses light waves to collect data and provide 3D information for an area of interest or a project area. It’s great to use for surface and vegetation mapping, transportation corridor mapping, transmission route mapping and 3D building mapping. If you’re not in the know, don’t sweat it. DLT Solutions and Autodesk teamed together once again to provide a valuable guide entitled, LiDAR for Dummies. This free e-book is an essential resource for surveyors and agencies who are interested in LiDAR but aren’t necessarily familiar with how it works. It’s also a great refresher for those more experienced with the technology, but may want to broaden their knowledge.