All posts by Nicholas Duggan FRGS Cgeog (GIS)

Container 42: So Smart it Knows All the Answers

Container 42 and digital twins: the answer to life, the universe and how the Port of Rotterdam is transforming infrastructure management and operations. Editor’s Note: If you think the term “digital twin” is yet another high concept being foisted on surveyors and geospatial professionals in AEC, then you are not alone. But you are hearing...

Unity Reveals Reflect

Reflect by Unity is like … the gamification of BIM? Imagine you get an email message that reads, “We’re reviewing the Alderson building model. See you in 10 mins?” Seeing this, you take a large slurp of hazelnut latte and put on your VR goggles and hand grips. Suddenly, you are transported (digitally) inside a...

Using Real Road Signs in GIS

At the moment, I am doing a little work with the construction industry that requires road signs and markings placed on a map to show where signs need to move as the site(s) moves through different phases. Now, a real cartographer nerd would say that good graphics and symbolization would negate the need for placing...

What Is PostGIS Day?

For the last 20 years, we have celebrated GIS day along with Esri. It is a great opportunity to get people who haven’t used GIS or mapping before in your office to have a look at what you do and maybe share a map cake (Note: It is traditional for GIS professionals to make a...

First Look at a New Scanner

Above: xyHt publisher Neil Sandler checks out Trimble’s X7 at INTERGEO. With the Trimble X7, there’s no going back (for calibration).  About a month before INTERGEO 2019, I started to hear rumblings about a new device from Trimble. Some said it was a laser scanner, some a new total station, but no one was ready...

hero md4-3000 mdMapper3000DuoG VHR 0330_Microdrones22

Mandatory Drone Registration for the UK Looms

Operator ID Is Coming to the UK (Above is the mdMapper3000DµoG from Microdrones.) In the UK, starting  November 30th, it will be mandatory for all drone owners [and model aircraft owners of drones/planes weighing more than 250g (8.8oz) up to 20kg (44lbs)] to register their details with the CAA (this is called an OperatorID). Owners of...