How to Align SLAM Data

Aligning SLAM data with Aerial Data or GCP's on the ROCK Cloud is fast and easy!

The ROCK Cloud makes aligning SLAM data to Aerial data fast and simple.

Prerequisite:

Make sure you have an aerial dataset and a SLAM dataset where there is at least some overlap of the data collection area.

In this example we have an aerial dataset and a SLAM dataset of this building:

Step 1:

Create a project for your Aerial dataset. Our example dataset is in WGS 84 / UTM zone 10N. 

Step 2:

Create a project for your SLAM dataset and ensure that your "Defined CRS" is a SLAM CRS (e.g. SLAM Meters) and that your "Reprojection" is in the CRS of the aerial dataset (in this example WGS84 / UTM Zone 10N)

 

Step 3:

Create a Folder in the Rock Cloud and put both of your projects in that folder. 

All Projects

Step 4:

Click the "Compare" link and switch to the LiDAR view. You will notice what appears to be a blank screen. This is normal:

The default for the visualizer is to attempt to fit all of the datasets onto the screen. SLAM data is zero based and your Aerial data is already in a projection. Zero based simply means the place where the SLAM device was first turned on will be coordinate 0, 0, 0 (x, y, z) and it will go up / down from there as you move. Whereas the aerial data is in a defined CRS. In my case the center of the aerial data is roughly 561109.84, 4182576.13, -31.06.

Our job now is to move the SLAM data so it aligns with the Aerial data.

Select:

1. "Quick Tools"

2. "Auto-align"

3. Move Project: SLAM Project name --> To Project: Aerial Project name and select NEXT

Now you will be selecting a point on your SLAM dataset that corresponds to your Aerial dataset. Once you have selected all of the pairs of points, then click Align.

 

Your two datasets should now be very closely aligned. If you need to make minor adjustments use the advanced toolbar to translate and rotate the dataset to perfection. Once you are satisfied, click "SAVE TO PROJECT". The rotation and translation of the SLAM dataset will now be written to the file!

The following message will show up on your SLAM dataset. Once the translations are complete, you will be ready to merge your datasets!

Voila!

How to process SLAM to GCP's (No Aerial Data) 

 

Step 1: 

Create a project for your SLAM dataset and ensure that your "Defined CRS" is a SLAM CRS (e.g. SLAM Meters) and that your "Reprojection" is set to the coordinate system of your final deliverables. This can be SLAM meters or State PLane, etc. In this example, it is NAD83 / Florida West. 

Note: This CRS does not have to be the same as your GCPs CRS. 

Step 2: Order your SLAM Deliverable

• Upload your .data files to your Project Data.
• Make sure to select the Aerial projection as "Reprojection" (in this example WGS84)
  
• Click Process and Order SLAM Processing
• You'll get an email when processing is complete! 

Step 3: Upload your GCP's to the Cloud

• Enter at least 3 GCPs If you want to be able to align your SLAM Data to GCPs

Step 4: Align your reprojected data to your GCP's

Step 5: Save and order deliverables!