Reality Capture Glossary: LiDAR, Drone Mapping & 3D Scanning Terms Explained​

A

3D Laser Scanning

3D laser scanning uses laser pulses to capture millions of measurements and create detailed 3D records of buildings, infrastructure, and environments. It is one of the most common LiDAR scanning methods used in engineering, construction, and asset documentation.

3D Model

A 3D model is a digital representation of a physical object, structure, or environment. Models may be created from point clouds, meshes, imagery, or CAD workflows depending on project requirements.

3D Walkthrough

A 3D walkthrough allows users to virtually move through a captured environment for remote review, planning, visualization, and documentation.

Aerial LiDAR

Aerial LiDAR uses drones or aircraft equipped with laser scanners to capture large areas quickly and accurately. Learn more about reality capture services for aerial mapping and infrastructure projects.

Aerial Mapping

Aerial mapping creates maps, terrain models, and geospatial datasets using sensors mounted on drones or aircraft.

Aerial Photogrammetry

Aerial photogrammetry uses overlapping aerial images to generate maps, orthophotos, meshes, and 3D models.

Asset Extraction

Asset extraction is the process of identifying and measuring objects from point clouds, imagery, or LiDAR data. Extracted information may include locations, dimensions, IDs, and infrastructure attributes.

Asset Inventory

An asset inventory is a structured GIS or database record of physical infrastructure assets and their associated information.

Asset Management

Asset management involves tracking, maintaining, and analyzing physical infrastructure over time. Reality capture enables more accurate asset management workflows by providing reliable spatial data for decision-making.

AutoCAD

AutoCAD is a widely used CAD software platform for creating technical drawings and models from survey, LiDAR, and reality capture data.

B

BIM (Building Information Modeling)

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a process used to create and manage digital building and infrastructure models. Reality capture data is commonly used in scan-to-BIM workflows.

Boresight Calibration

Boresight calibration aligns LiDAR sensors, cameras, IMUs, and positioning systems so captured data matches correctly in space.

Breaklines

Breaklines are linear features extracted from LiDAR data that define edges such as curbs, ditches, slopes, retaining walls, and road crowns.

C

CAD (Computer-Aided Design)

CAD software is used to create technical drawings and 3D models from point clouds, survey information, and field data. Many deliverables generated from reality capture workflows are provided in CAD formats.

Clash Detection

Clash detection identifies conflicts between existing conditions and proposed infrastructure before construction or installation.

Condition Assessment

Condition assessment uses LiDAR, imagery, and field data to evaluate the current state of infrastructure assets. Eagle provides condition assessment services for infrastructure planning and maintenance.

Coordinate System

A coordinate system defines how positions are represented in space using numerical values such as X, Y, and Z coordinates.

Control Point (GCP)

Ground control points are known reference locations used to improve the accuracy of drone mapping, LiDAR, and photogrammetry workflows.

Cross Section

A cross section is a sliced view through a point cloud or terrain model used to analyze elevations, slopes, clearances, and roadway geometry.

D

Data Registration

Data registration is the process of aligning multiple scans, images, or point clouds into a single coordinate system.

DEM (Digital Elevation Model)

A Digital Elevation Model represents bare-earth ground elevations without buildings or vegetation.

Digital Surface Model (DSM)

A Digital Surface Model includes visible features such as buildings, vegetation, and infrastructure in addition to the terrain surface.

Digital Twin

A digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical asset created using real-world data. It allows teams to analyze, simulate, and manage infrastructure digitally using reality capture technologies.

Drone Mapping

Drone mapping uses UAVs equipped with cameras or LiDAR sensors to collect aerial imagery and geospatial data.

G

Gaussian Splat

Gaussian splatting is a visualization technique that creates immersive 3D environments using imagery and captured spatial data.

Georeferencing

Georeferencing is the process of aligning captured data with real-world coordinates. This ensures scans, maps, and models are positioned accurately.

GIS

A Geographic Information System (GIS) stores, analyzes, and visualizes spatial data. Reality capture data often feeds into GIS workflows for asset management and infrastructure planning.

GNSS

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology is used to determine precise positioning during mapping and survey workflows.

Ground Classification

Ground classification separates terrain points from buildings, vegetation, and other non-ground objects within a point cloud.

L

Laser Scanning

Laser scanning is the process of collecting spatial measurements using LiDAR or similar technologies to create highly detailed point clouds.

LiDAR

LiDAR is a laser-based technology used to capture highly accurate 3D measurements of physical environments. Learn more about LiDAR scanning services.

LiDAR Intensity Mapping

LiDAR intensity mapping uses return signal strength values to help identify materials, pavement markings, and surface variations.

Linework

Linework refers to CAD or GIS vector lines created from point clouds, survey data, or imagery.

M

Mesh

A mesh is a 3D surface model made of connected vertices and polygons used for visualization and modeling.

Mobile Mapping

Mobile mapping involves collecting geospatial data while moving through an environment using vehicle-mounted or wearable sensors. It is widely used in telecom field data collection, roadway mapping, and infrastructure projects.

Multi-Return LiDAR

Multi-return LiDAR captures more than one return from a single laser pulse, helping identify vegetation, overhead objects, and terrain beneath light cover.

P

Photogrammetry

Photogrammetry creates 3D models and measurements from overlapping images. It is commonly used alongside reality capture workflows.

Point Cloud

A point cloud is a dataset made up of millions of 3D points representing physical space. Point clouds are generated using technologies like LiDAR scanning.

Point Density

Point density refers to the number of captured points within a given area. Higher densities generally provide more detail.

POS (Position and Orientation System)

A POS combines location and motion information to accurately position mobile and aerial LiDAR data.

PPK (Post-Process Kinematic)

PPK is a GNSS positioning method that improves spatial accuracy after field collection.

R

Reality Capture

Reality capture is the process of digitally documenting real-world environments using LiDAR, photogrammetry, mobile mapping, drones, and scanning systems.

Registration Error

Registration error measures the difference between overlapping datasets after alignment. Lower error values generally indicate better dataset alignment.

RTK / PPK

RTK and PPK are positioning methods used to improve GPS and GNSS accuracy in drone mapping and survey workflows.

Return

In LiDAR, a return is the signal reflected back to the sensor after a laser pulse hits a surface.

S

Scan Density

Scan density refers to how many points are captured within a given area. Higher density produces more detailed models and measurements.

Scan Position

A scan position is the physical location where a terrestrial laser scanner is set up to collect data.

Scan-to-BIM

Scan-to-BIM converts point cloud data into structured BIM models for design, renovation, and facility management.

SLAM

Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) allows scanners to map environments while determining their own position in real time.

Survey Control

Survey control refers to known reference points used to maintain measurement accuracy and consistency throughout a project.

T

Terrestrial Laser Scanning

Terrestrial laser scanning uses stationary ground-based scanners to capture detailed 3D data of buildings, industrial facilities, and infrastructure.

Topographic Map

A topographic map shows terrain, elevation, and physical features generated from survey, LiDAR, or reality capture data.

Trajectory

Trajectory data records the movement path of a mobile or aerial mapping system during data collection.

U

UAV / UAS

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Unmanned Aircraft Systems are drones used for aerial mapping, inspection, imagery, and LiDAR collection.

Utility Mapping

Utility mapping captures the location of infrastructure such as poles, conduits, cables, pipes, and utilities for planning and asset management.

V

Vertical Accuracy

Vertical accuracy describes how closely elevation values in a dataset match real-world height measurements.

Volumetrics

Volumetrics uses 3D data to calculate material quantities, stockpile volumes, earthworks, and excavation measurements.

Z

Z-Value

The Z-value is the elevation component of a coordinate representing height above a reference surface.

Zenith Angle

The zenith angle is the angle between a vertical reference and a measured line, commonly used in surveying and scanning.