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Geoinformatics_06-2009
article (left) laser scan of building structure. image courtesy: mabat 3d technologies e57.01 terminology currently chaired by gerry choek, nist tasked to develop terms commonly used in describing 3d imaging systems. terminology is essential to reduce confusion and to enable the testing, specification, and fair comparison of instruments. the terms are a mix of definitions that are specific to 3d imaging and those that have already been defined by other standards and are relevant to 3d imaging. to date, e57.01 had a standard, e2544, approved in 2007. since then two ballots a year have been submitted to add additional terms to the standard. the latest edition e2544-09 has 23 terms in it. e57.02 test methods currently chaired by darin ingimarson, quantapoint tasked to develop standard protocols, i.e. methods and apparatus for testing that will be used to characterize 3d imaging system performance. the current focus is on completion of protocols for separable device characteristics such as range measurement error over distance. ultimately, system performance protocols that represent 3d measurement capabilities using data from multiple points of view will also be incorporated into the set of available protocols. within this sub-committee a short range task group has also been initiated headed by dr. steven phillips, nist. e57.03 best practices current chair: ted knaak, riegl usa. tasked to develop methodology that leads to enhanced project performance. the focus is on the application of 3d imaging technology and best practice guidelines that end users can use to help specify application requirements and that practitioners can use to specify instrumentation, quality control processes and procedures, and provide deliverables traceable to accepted standards. the intent is to provide a common framework facilitating communication between service providers and their customers. e57.04 data interoperability current chair: gene roe, lidarnews.com tasked to develop and promote standard open data exchange mechanisms for 3d imaging systems. the subcommittee s goal is to provide a data exchange software specification and an open-source implementation which will enable 3d imaging hardware and software vendors to develop readers and writers of standard data exchange formats. currently, e57.04 is working diligently to finalize their design document. they are working on the data field definitions, abstract model design, low level encoding and extensions. the application programming interface (api) is also being discussed and an outline for the actual specification has been developed. the goal is to present a draft of the standard, along with a reference implementation by the end of the year. it is worth noting that many digital technologies that have standardized on a data exchange format have accelerated growth and acceptance. e57.05 strategic planning and marketing current chair: alan aindow, leica geosystems hds (laser scanning products) tasked to provide industry feedback and identify ongoing membership needs. currently, e57.91 is working on identifying and targeting membership needs, anticipating and resolving any areas of controversy, unblocking negative votes, and help ensuring e57 remains relevant to the industry and open to future trends. in actuality, the sub-committees depend upon each other with feedback latest news? visit www.geoinformatics.com 3d imaging standards development activities that are underway include guidelines for creating high-quality deliverables, such as this one for a road survey done with a laser scanner. image courtesy: ground solutions inc. between terminology, test methods and best practices. sub-committee chairs are also co-members of the e57.90 executive committee chaired by alan lytle, nist, for membership, central coordination and direction. benefits the potential benefits of the standards being developed in these subcommittees are many including: o equipment buyers, service providers and consumers of 3d imaging data can make more meaningful comparisons and better informed choices based upon standard tests and common terminology o 3d imaging data transfer facilitated between software applications and hardware o deliverable quality improved by providing practice guidance o clear conditions provided for post purchase warranty o competition and technological improvements driven based upon meaningful metrological characteristics o barriers to adoption lowered by providing expert information and specifications the entire industry can benefit as user understanding, confidence and acceptance in this important technology continues to grow. membership and participation current e57 membership is around 125. sub-committees generally meet via weekly or bi-weekly conference calls or web-enabled meetings. full committee meetings have been held in each january and june with approximately 40 members attending three days of technical meetings. the next conference meeting is at the grand hyatt, san antonio, texas, january 25 27, 2010. i would like to urge those in the industry to be a pro-active supporter of e57, its mission, and its members who are working hard to create these standards. if your time permits, new members are very welcome. for further details, please see our web site: www.astm.org/commit/ committee/e57.htm if you have new 3d imaging scope in mind and have time to take on organization, do make contact to see how your needs may be met under the e57 umbrella. alan m. aindow, vice chair, e57 executive committee, chair e57 strategic planning and marketing committee. he has a ph.d in laser physics, and joined the 3d imaging industry in 2001 after a career in astronomy and industrial laser design and applications. presently, he is lidar scientist for leica geosystems hds. 11 september 2009
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