As a result of one of Taiwan’s largest landslides, more than 130 million cubic meters of rock and debris blocked the Chingshui Channel and formed a landslide-dammed lake. Continuous environmental changes and geomorphic evolution in the landslide area, combined with water hazards, required significant security measures to ensure the safety of people and property. The project team needed comprehensive reality modeling technology to periodically survey and monitor the dammed lake. 

NTUT selected ContextCapture to process drone-captured images captured over eight aerial missions and established high-resolution digital terrain and reality models to provide a visual impression of the changes in the area over the years. Using Bentley’s application, they determined that the area continues to deform, so they developed a web-based digital twin accessible to researchers and stakeholders to continually evaluate the site and determine potential measures for ensuring public safety. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture

Set to be a landmark for Sejong City, the Geumgang Pedestrian Bridge has a total length of 1,638 meters and spans a width between 12 meters and 30 meters. To ensure the design intent and construction process were aligned, the project team wanted to compare the BIM design data with the on-site works. They tried using third-party software to capture and monitor the project site, but they lacked accuracy and clear visibility.

They selected ContextCapture to generate a 3D reality mesh from images taken of the construction site, including the collapsed slope surface, to determine the restoration works required. Using the models, they were able to quickly identify the exact location of the damaged areas at the site, guiding construction accordingly and resolving the damages. The models can be used for similar works in the future. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture, Descartes

Kimchi, made from salted and fermented vegetables, is a staple food of South Korea. Much of the cabbage for kimchi is grown in the Gangwon province. Recently, the Korea Rural Economic Institute determined that there was not enough cabbage produced in the area to meet demand, resulting in unstable prices. SISTECH was tasked with creating a model of the farming areas to assess their current state and measure cabbage production, though the sloped, alpine farms made accurate modeling a challenge.

SISTECH chose ContextCapture to quickly process images captured by drones, then create an accurate, detailed 3D model of the cabbage farms. The clear visualization allowed them to easily analyze the area, determine farm sizes, identify the types and number of cabbages grown, and calculate the number of cabbages shipped. The information gave local officials a full understanding of the current state of cabbage production in Gangwon for the first time. Allocating workers to where they were needed led to cabbage prices falling by 20%. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture

To gain a better understanding of the location of public assets and manage safety issues, SISTECH needed to generate a digital twin map of the Incheon city area. The models were difficult to share due to the very large file sizes, as well as were often inaccurate or lacking the required level of detail. They needed a comprehensive application to develop an accurate digital twin.

They selected ContextCapture to process drone-captured images of the city and created a web-based digital twin, optimizing communication and collaboration among the on-site surveyors, the office, and the client. Using Bentley’s application, they were able to create a realistic digital twin map of the city. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture

A project in northeast South Korea required SISTECH to create a realistic digital twin of the mountain areas of Daegwallyeong to understand current forest resources and mitigate disaster-related damages. It presented challenging topography requiring an integrated digital solution to capture area site data and generate a 3D reality mesh.

The project team selected ContextCapture to process high-altitude, 10-centimeter resolution imaging from drones into a 3D reality model. Using Bentley’s application, SISTECH generated a digital twin map that accurately reflects the topography and elevation of the mountainous region. They can use the 3D model to analyze mountain roads and reservoirs, as well as to simulate flood and natural disaster conditions aimed at preventing disaster-related damage. The digital solution accelerates adaptation to geographical changes that may occur in the future, simplifying and streamlining management of the mountain area. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture

After the slope of a highway area rest stop in Moongyeong collapsed due to an extended rainy season, the project team at Geospatial Information needed to obtain time-lapsed video footage and create 3D models to obtain the current landslide situation and monitor on site restoration works to aid construction. They tried using third-party software to generate 3D meshes, but the results lacked accuracy and visibility.

Geospatial Information selected ContextCapture to generate accurate reality meshes of the real landslide conditions and damage restoration works to effectively guide the construction process. Using the 3D models, they effectively planned on-site construction and improved decision-making. The models can be used for similar restoration works in the future. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture

Gochang-Eupseong is an historic fortress in South Korea. To determine the status of the cultural asset, assess damages, determine repairs, and manage its preservation, the project team at Geospatial Information wanted to generate a 3D digital model of the infrastructure. They needed comprehensive reality modeling technology to ensure an accurate digital representation of the heritage site.

Geospatial Information selected ContextCapture to process images of the north gate and fortress into accurate 3D reality models. Using the models, they were able to easily locate areas of damage and points that required repair. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture

Taiwan Provincial Highway 18 Alishan Highway experienced sporadic rockfalls along its slope because of a five-day fire. To label the location a disaster region and estimate the fire-burned area to provide relevant post-disaster data for mitigation purposes, Chung Hsing Surveying needed to survey the site. They used airborne and ground-based LiDAR scanning on prior survey projects, but given the high costs, insufficient maneuverability, and limited viewing capabilities, they sought comprehensive reality modeling technology.

They used ContextCapture to process drone-captured aerial photos into a 3D reality mesh, modeling the disaster range of the upper and lower slopes of the area to provide a reference for subsequent slope cleaning and renovation projects. Bentley’s reality modeling application enabled immediate visualization and analysis, reducing on-site survey time by 30 resource days and costs by TWD 500,000. By comparing the model with various pre-disaster aerial telemetry and terrain data, they could determine the scope of the fire’s impact. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture

A KRW 190 billion project involves demolishing two existing purification plants at Bisan and Poil, as well as designing a new facility in Bisan. Kunhwa faced challenges implementing the plant shutdowns, compounded by existing facilities that made it difficult to design the new plant’s entryway. They tried using traditional methods to capture and model the existing site, but they were too slow and lacked detailed measurement information needed for real-time design. 

They selected ContextCapture and Bentley’s open modeling applications, capturing and processing precise site information and performing real-time design. By integrating design data and drone-capture data, they could more efficiently perform design reviews. The solution allowed them to maintain smooth operation of the purifications plants and simultaneously develop an economical civil engineering plan, reduce interference of nearby facilities with the entryway, and generate an optimal design for the entryway to the new plant. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture, LumenRT, OpenRoads Designer, OpenSite Designer

Ko-Mapper was tasked with developing a digital system to manage and maintain road slope surfaces. Traditional methods required on-site safety inspections and manual recording of damages. They needed a comprehensive reality modeling application to develop a digital twin and provide a real-time visual representation of the surface conditions.

They selected ContextCapture to process 3,000 aerial images captured over a five-day period and laser-scanned point clouds into a 3D reality model that includes location information and general conditions, streamlining the inspection process so that investigators can quickly gain an understanding of the slope surfaces. Using the model, they can directly enter and visualize any damages, optimizing assessment and diagnosis. The digital twin solution allows for remote quantitative and objective assessment and slope surface management by synchronizing the models with investigators’ mobile devices. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture

This project involved surveying both sides of the Fuchun River to create a model for a nearly 300-kilometer river course and establish a digital platform for flood prevention and disaster mitigation. The survey area spanned a total of 330 square-kilometers across four types of terrain, including mountains, plains, urban centers, and suburban areas. Traditional methods were insufficient to capture 3D geographic information of urban buildings and Shanghai Kanrong Information Technology required a flexible 3D reality modeling application to accommodate the diverse operating environments.

They selected ContextCapture to process oblique photography and quickly build a city-scale, 3D GIS-based reality mesh. Using Bentley’s reality modeling technology, they accurately captured 3D data along both sides of the river. The mapping level accuracy and real-time measurements within the model provide technical support for management and decision-making in terms of urban planning, land and resource management, emergency command, and environmental information needed for construction planning and disaster mitigation. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture

To ensure infrastructure safety and improve maintenance management methods of large railway bridges along lines A and B, Ko-Mapper performed aerial drone surveys and laser scanning to capture point clouds and images of the bridges. They realized that using some commercial software to transform the high-definition point clouds into 3D models took too long. They needed advanced 3D reality modeling technology to process the captured data.

They selected ContextCapture to process 2,500 aerial images and low-density point clouds into a 3D reality mesh of the structures. Compared to prior time-consuming survey methods, the reality modeling solution minimized on-site visits, reduced resources, and saved costs. Using Bentley’s application, they created a high-quality 3D reality model, allowing accurate visibility into the actual situations required for operational and maintenance decisions. The 3D digitalization will enable continuous management of the structure’s history. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture

Part of the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority’s project development and environmental study of the East Selmon Expressway, WGI was tasked with performing a design survey for widening a nine-mile highway section. The complex roadway features a four-lane limited access highway and a three-lane raised toll expressway, 46 bridges, and 34 ramps, making it challenging to survey. WGI needed an integrated technology solution to survey and process multisourced captured data into a 3D digital model to share with the client.

They selected MicroStation and Orbit 3DM to integrate and merge the point clouds into a 3D model and create a digital database. Using Bentley’s integrated applications provided a unified environment to combine feature extracted data from MicroStation with data from different LiDAR technology to generate a digital twin accessible to the client. The digital solution reduced staff survey time on site during COVID-19, improving safety and reducing labor costs associated with site visits. 

Project Playbook: MicroStation, Orbit 3DM, ProjectWise

A new circular intersection is being proposed in a residential area of Hampyeong. Geospatial Information wanted to survey the site and generate a 3D model to conduct simulations before construction began to ensure design feasibility, as well as present animated visualizations to help residents understand the design intent.

They used ContextCapture to generate a reality mesh of the existing terrain and created a virtual circular interchange based on the design data to help visualize what the intersection would look like upon completion. They used the accurate 3D model to conduct design reviews and simulate construction. Using LumenRT, they provided residents with a dynamic visualization to help them better understand the project and its impact. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture, LumenRT

To help facilitate development of the Yangtze River Delta, efforts are being made to accelerate building the Hongqiao Business District into an international open hub, creating a world-class business environment. To help plan the project, Shanghai Kanrong Information Technology needed to demonstrate the area of integration of the Yangtze River Delta. They realized that they needed reality modeling technology to upgrade the existing large-scale digital maps.

Shanghai Kanrong Information Technology selected holographic surveying and mapping methods along with ContextCapture to capture and process 3D data, improving the data processing efficiency. The reality mesh will provide an accurate digital representation of the area, upgrading the 1:1,000 scale topographic maps. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture

The four brick chimneys at Kamotsuru Sake Brewing are regional sake-brewing symbols recently designated as a registered cultural structure. More than 100 years old, these chimneys have deteriorated and present structural safety issues. To ensure structural integrity, prevent collapse, and establish preservation policies, Nagoya City University needed to ascertain the current conditions of the brick chimneys and evaluate seismic performance. They needed a comprehensive reality modeling application to generate accurate 3D meshes.

Nagoya City University imported hundreds of drone-captured images and ground photography into ContextCapture to create a reality model of the relevant area, reducing labor hours and costs, eliminating the need to separately model the existing buildings. Using the model provided highly accurate digital site information, enabling them to perform vibration experiments and structural analysis to develop a preservation plan. The reality mesh also allows them to map the location and degree of points of deterioration to be able to compare with current conditions
in the future. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture

Shizuoka University sought to investigate group disease control measures in a school environment from an epidemiological perspective by determining high-risk situations. The study required developing technology for determining contact and measuring positions of communication between smartphones and devices within the school, as well as providing an accurate understanding of the space. The team needed to create a 3D reality model of the school to perform disease control simulations in a digital twin environment.

They selected ContextCapture to process images of the entire interior and exterior of the school into a 3D reality mesh in a virtual space. They overlapped behavioral data, collected via a smartphone application measuring individual contact, with the reality model and used Hamamatsu City’s data integration platform to perform disease control simulation. Using the digital twin, they analyzed the results, identifying high-risk situations, and investigated measures for disease control, providing advice at the regional municipality level to develop appropriate disease mitigation policies. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture

To accommodate rising urban population and to reduce traffic congestion between Jakarta and Bandung, the Indonesian government initiated the Jakarta-Cikampek II Seletan toll road project. The project is divided into three packages, and PT Waskita Karya is the main contractor for the third package spanning a total length of 29.55 kilometers. They faced topography and technical challenges calculating earthworks volume, and when they tried using conventional methods, they were unsuccessful. Instead, they needed an open modeling solution to generate a reality mesh and digital twin. 

They selected ContextCapture to produce a 3D reality mesh of the 5.73-square-kilometer site in only four days, and integrated Bentley’s open modeling applications to develop a digital twin. Using ContextCapture provided volume calculations that were 93% accurate, reducing earthworks volume by 16 cubic meters compared to manual methods. Using the digital twin improved collaboration and decision-making among the team and with the client to control project costs. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture, OpenBridge Modeler, OpenRoads Designer

Wofo Temple is a cultural scenic spot built within a natural grotto on the side of a 100-meter-high cliff. The temple buildings are in the shape of a three-level platform along the mountain and are enshrined with religious statues and holy relics. To protect the historical site, the team at Shanghai Kanrong Information Technology wanted to generate a reality mesh; however, they lacked GPS access in the cave and faced challenges given the dim light and stark contrast in brightness, both internally and externally.

After considering their options, Shanghai Kanrong Information Technology selected ContextCapture for data processing and modeling the complex terrain and structures. The solution enabled successful digital archiving of the temple structures and cultural relics that will facilitate later repairs. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture

A Belgian project involved mapping the city of Turnhout to install fiber-to-the-home (FttH) network cables. Beexact is working with the building contractor and needed to collect the data using their own mobile mapping systems. They faced challenges managing the large number of addresses, trenches, and pavements to construct the FttH networks. Therefore, they needed a flexible mapping application to manage, analyze, and share the massive amount of data.

Beexact selected Orbit 3DM to integrate with their engineering FttH software and generate highly detailed design images with accurate GPS information. Using Bentley’s application, they improved productivity by 100 times, processing hundreds of thousands of addresses annually, compared to a few thousand using prior methods. The 3D mobile mapping solution reduced the price per address by 40%. 

Project Playbook: Orbit 3DM

To alleviate traffic bottlenecks, improve connecting roads, and optimize regional traffic operation efficiency in the Taichung District of Taiwan, the Freeway Bureau initiated construction of an interchange connection platform between National Freeway No.1 and Expressway 74. The project consisted primarily of bridge works. Environmental engineering firm EARTH POWER was retained to perform BIM and reality modeling to identify potential construction obstacles and implement preventive measures.

They previously used third-party software but switched to ContextCapture to process the aerial-captured photos into a 3D reality mesh. Integrating the mesh with their BIM model, they generated an executable file to share with other disciplines on the project team to compare and determine any on-site construction issues. Upon completion, the new roadway connection will help complete the high-speed network and uplift regional express transportation services. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture

Shanghai-Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Anhui Expressway will reduce the driving distance between Huzhou and Shanghai by 30 kilometers, shortening travel time to one hour. The large-scale project spans 260 kilometers, featuring a 15-kilometer bridge, 11-kilometer tunnel, 22 total interchanges, and two service areas. To validate accuracy of the conceptual design, Shanghai Kanrong Information Technology needed comprehensive reality modeling technology.

They used aerial drones and laser scanners to survey the project area and selected ContextCapture to process the oblique photography and point clouds into a 3D reality mesh. Using Bentley’s application accelerated data processing time and improved survey efficiency and accuracy to ensure precise conceptual designs. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture

Known for their spectacular beauty, coral reefs are a vital component of ocean life. Yet, threats such as climate change and damage from marine construction can kill them or cause them to lose their color. Entire coral reefs can be saved by relocating them, though it requires long-term observation to monitor their health. GHD joined a project to determine how relocated corals in the Persian Gulf could be monitored without needing to send highly trained environmental experts to manually assess them.

GHD learned that they could use ContextCapture to create a 3D model of the coral reef and its surroundings to monitor the project remotely. The process allows any team member to capture images and update the model, regardless of skill level. The application helped them create a striking 360-degree time lapse visualization of the coral, which was shared with stakeholders. As a result, stakeholders can measure the success of the coral relocation, as well as raise awareness of the importance of coral mitigation measures. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture

KCI Technologies is developing roadway conceptual designs for the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) Big Indian Creek Bridge replacement. They needed to minimize impact to park resources and avoid utility conflicts, coordinating between the client, utility owners, and stakeholders. KCI wanted to pilot reality modeling as a QA/QC tool for roadway, drainage, and utility models to communicate and optimize the roadway design concept.

They selected ContextCapture to process drone-captured aerial photos into a reality mesh of the project site. Using MicroStation, KCI integrated the mesh with the BIM models created in OpenRoads, producing a transparent digital view to determine any conflicts between the design models and the existing on-site conditions. The 3D mesh enhanced general constructability reviews and put design concerns in context, providing instant insight and fostering communication among all stakeholders and the client. They expect to extend the use of the reality model into final design, construction stages, and beyond.  

Project Playbook: ContextCapture, MicroStation, OpenRoads Designer

A project in Shanghai involved surveying five areas of the Xiong’an New District, including the Rongdong Waterworks and Xiong’an high-speed railway station. The data capture area extended 50 meters from the roadway sidelines and 50 meters from the utility and rail station. It covered a total area of 14 square kilometers, spanning four types of terrain, including vegetation, fields, construction sites, and urban areas. The large east-west span and diverse surveying environments presented data capture and modeling challenges requiring advanced reality modeling technology.

The project team at Shanghai Kanrong Information Technology selected ContextCapture due to its reliability and 3D data processing capabilities. Using the software, they improved data processing efficiency of the oblique photography into an accurate 3D reality mesh. The model enables monitoring of the roadway network operations to help plan for and meet future transportation demands. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture

As part of renovation at a university hospital, a refrigeration machine would be removed from a basement to make room for a new heating system. The project required a site survey, presenting data capture challenges on a short timeline. DAI-DAN wanted to perform a 3D recording of the existing basement area and equipment but found that large 3D laser scanners lacked the portability and mobility to work in the narrow space.

DAI-DAN determined that omnidirectional cameras, combined with ContextCapture to process the captured video files, would shorten the survey time from 12 hours to two hours. Using the 3D reality model to calculate the potential for equipment removal, they avoided the disassembly of a concrete wall, reducing associated construction costs by 20% and CO2 emissions by 972 kilograms, resulting in a 434% return on investment. They plan to use 3D digitalization to enable intelligent construction and lifecycle building operations. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture

A TWD 18.750 million project in Taiwan involved updating and improving 1,251 meters of deteriorating sidewalks in the Qidu district of Keelung City. As the engineering consultants, Huaiban Engineering Consulting faced design, planning, and construction challenges. They originally used third-party 3D design software; however, it had resulted in time-consuming efforts to draw the surroundings into the models. They realized that they needed to digitally capture the existing site and generate a 3D reality mesh to effectively plan the redesign of the sidewalks.

Huaiban Engineering Consulting selected ContextCapture to generate 3D models of the surrounding area, visualizing differences in road elevation, and overlaid the reality meshes with the design model. Using Bentley’s reality modeling software shortened modeling time, enabling them to quickly identify current conditions and design issues to improve upcoming construction works and material quantity calculations. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture

A project in South Korea’s Ulsan region involved the reverse engineering of a plant to assess its construction quality. The client previously used laser scanning and conventional software to generate and process point clouds, but the point cloud data was too large for the program to handle, slowing the project’s progression. The project team at Prime Tech realized that they needed interoperable 3D reality modeling technology to generate a digital twin of the plant.

They selected ContextCapture and OpenPlant to create the 3D model and perform reverse engineering. Using the digital twin, Prime Tech discovered discrepancies between the design data and the actual data that could have led to potentially dangerous situations and costly rework during construction, reducing costs by 30%. Performing repeated virtual simulations provided a better visual understanding of the potential dangers, preventing safety incidents during dismantling and construction. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture, OpenPlant

To determine traffic and pedestrian safety in a newly constructed area, the project owner needed a clear visual to present to the impacted property owners and perform comparative investigations. The project team at Nissin realized that they needed comprehensive reality modeling technology to generate a model of the existing site and create driving animations from the driver’s perspective.

They selected ContextCapture to create a reality mesh of the area and imported that into OpenRoads to integrate road design data, including sidewalks. To create a simulated driving environment, Nissin used LumenRT, incorporating passenger cars, buses, and pedestrians. Using Bentley’s applications, they eliminated the need for modeling buildings, saving significant associated resource hours and costs. Through dynamic modeling and visualization, they generated a highly realistic driving simulation enabling comparative investigation of the safety and driving convenience with a high degree of accuracy.  

Project Playbook: ContextCapture, LumenRT, OpenRoads Designer

Abandoned farmland in Shizuoka, Japan is being redesigned, enabling increased production of high-profit crops like olives and fruit trees. The redesign required that the area be evaluated in terms of traffic safety. Therefore, Nissin sought comprehensive reality modeling technology to generate a model of the existing site and create driving animations from the driver’s perspective.

To create a reality mesh of the area, Nissin selected ContextCapture, importing it into OpenRoads to integrate the planned farm road design model. They used LumenRT to simulate a farm road driving environment by incorporating pedestrians and automobiles, eliminating the need for modeling buildings and saving resource hours and costs. By using the applications’ dynamic modeling and visualization, they generated a highly realistic driving simulation for comparative investigation of the safety and driving convenience with a high degree of accuracy. The reality mesh can be updated through regular surveys for continued use throughout delivery and operations of the project. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture, LumenRT, OpenRoads Designer

The Borratino Viaduct is 1,300 meters long, made of reinforced concrete, and features approximately 50 spans. Italferr was tasked with surveying and modeling the structure but faced technical and coordination challenges given its sheer size and shape, requiring numerous technologies to effectively capture and model it. They needed a flexible reality modeling application and a connected data environment.

Italferr selected ContextCapture to process the voluminous amount of multisourced data, point clouds, and photos into an accurate reality mesh, and ProjectWise to enable intelligent exchange of all survey data and models. The flexibility and interoperability of ContextCapture enabled them to work dynamically and digitally, reducing processing times for a large quantity of data that was not possible with other software. OpenRail facilitated integration of BIM information with the reality model to generate a digital twin of the structure that they expect to use for real-time monitoring, maintenance, and asset management in the future. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture, iTwin, OpenRail Designer, ProjectWise

The Eastern Transit Expressway is a 31.1-kilometer route featuring a tunnel, viaduct, and subgrade section, with the main line passing through villages, urban areas, industrial parks, and other environmental landforms. The project presented technical, engineering, and coordination challenges integrating existing infrastructure, relocating 13 electric power supplies, and obtaining environmental approvals. Traditional survey and manual measurement methods were insufficient to accommodate the project's complexities and organizational scheduling.

China Tiesiju Civil Engineering selected ContextCapture, MicroStation, and OpenRoads to integrate BIM and GIS data and generate a 3D reality mesh of the project site to simulate engineering and construction works and traffic dispersion, as well as evaluate boundary lines. Using Bentley’s cloud-based technology, they reduced difficulties managing the construction process, optimizing control of the project schedule. Through digitalization and visualization, they improved communication and collaboration, enhancing decision-making, accelerating approvals, and reducing costs. They plan to use the 3D model for asset information management and equipment maintenance during operations. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture, MicroStation, OpenRoads Designer

Genesys International Corporation initiated this proof-of-concept project, collecting data across small areas of Mumbai using multiple mapping platforms to drive generation of a countrywide, scalable digital twin and platform that can seamlessly host all the data. Traditionally, 3D geospatial data could only be used on a certain set of desktop applications requiring huge computational power. While they evaluated numerous software applications, they needed a flexible, integrated digital platform to publish high-quality models from data sets captured from various sources.

They selected ContextCapture, MicroStation, and Pointools, enabling seamless integration of aerial and street-view data, all hosted over the Orbit 3DM platform, providing direct access to data relating to tens of thousands of square miles. The open-source digital twin provides strong visualization, 3D measurements, and basic simulations without any storage requirements on the client’s end. Using Bentley’s open and integrated software, they completed the project on time and within budget. 

Project Playbook:  ContextCapture, MicroStation, Orbit 3DM, Pointools

Miike Coal Mine is registered as a world cultural heritage site. Miyanohara Pit is one of the mine’s architectural components that is part of the urban landscape, serving as a tourism resource. To formulate an effective preservation policy for the pit, Nagoya City University needed to survey and model the site. To ensure accurate results, they sought a comprehensive reality modeling application.

They selected ContextCapture to process 204 drone-captured photos and generated a 3D reality mesh of the area, eliminating the need to model the individual existing buildings, significantly reducing resource hours and costs. Using Bentley’s application enabled Nagoya City University to accurately digitalize the captured data for further investigation and analysis in terms of safety, maintenance, and preservation. The 3D digital model can be updated periodically to continually represent the real-world scenario and be used for restoration in the event of a building collapse or disaster, providing a sustainable solution for preserving the site. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture

To assist in developing detailed technical designs for the maintenance and installation of a hydroelectric power plant, it was necessary to survey the entire existing infrastructure and surrounding area, especially to create a new access road to the area. The project site was vast, including a penstock and riverbed, and presented unique topography features that made it difficult to access. Studio Pancrazi needed advanced reality modeling technology to obtain a high-resolution mesh to facilitate the design process and help determine along which riverbank they should build the roadway.

They selected ContextCapture to create a detailed 3D reality model that helped reconstruct the penstock and the entire existing infrastructure to accommodate the roadway. Using Bentley’s application, Studio Pancrazi enhanced survey safety while compressing the survey times to reduce project costs. The design studio used the accurate 3D model to better assess the current on-site situation and determine the optimal riverbank to construct the roadway. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture

A CNY 150,000 project in eastern China aims to provide basic data for developing a smart agricultural platform. Meshdynamics participated in the construction of the project and needed integrated modeling applications to develop a digital twin that could enable remote monitoring and control of the agricultural production environment.

They selected Bentley’s open BIM and reality modeling applications to generate a reality mesh of the farmland and associated facilities, creating a digital twin that integrated IoT and agricultural data in a cloud-based platform. The solution enabled Meshdynamics to provide accurate remote monitoring, improved construction and management, and digitally guides the agricultural production environment, providing precise planting, visual management, and intelligent decision-making. Smart Agriculture improves capabilities for addressing natural environmental risks and transforms traditional agriculture into a modern, highly efficient industry. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture, MicroStation

The hidden structure in Singapore is an underground tunnel built in 1888 for battery ammunition storage. Maek Consulting was tasked with performing an initial assessment and documenting the existing layout and condition to share with the client and stakeholders. They faced schedule challenges amid COVID-19 and survey difficulties given that there was no electricity in the tunnel. They needed 3D reality capture and modeling technology to generate an accurate geo-referenced model in a cloud-based environment.

Maek Consulting used drones with unique lighting to overcome the electricity issues and capture detailed photos, and they selected ContextCapture to process the images into an accurate 3D reality mesh. Using Bentley’s interoperable technology, they exported the model to a web-based application for viewing and sharing by the client and stakeholders for site planning. The solution eliminated the need for on-site activity during the pandemic and better documented the profile and geometry of the structure. Project 

Playbook: ContextCapture

Hanam Gyosan is one of Korea’s new city development areas, covering almost 6.5 million square meters in the Gyeonggi province. It aims to create 32,000 residential houses, critical to helping the country overcome its housing issue. Previous large-scale development projects used 2D drawings and conventional methods to generate digital topographic and land registration maps, and capture survey data. These strategies provided inaccurate results, making it difficult to incorporate changes in the communities.

For this project, the team used drone photography and ContextCapture to survey the development site and generate a 3D topographic reality model that was compatible with Bentley’s BIM applications, enabling effective utilization of the model and data. The solution resulted in the generation of accurate digital twins while saving time and costs for the design, while also providing a visual digital representation to support and enhance decision-making. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture

Aligned with efforts to preserve and study historical heritage, Fotometr was tasked with digitalizing the Cathedral of Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God located in Moscow in the village of Bykovo. The cathedral presents a unique oval architectural shape. Therefore, the project required processing large amounts of multisourced data to create a high-resolution reality model and digital twin prior to restoration work.

Fotometr selected ContextCapture to process images and laser-scanned data into an accurate digital reality mesh of the site to be used for reconstruction and restoration. Using Bentley’s reality modeling software accelerated survey and processing time and minimized errors, creating a digital twin that will improve design accuracy and save resources during restoration work. The digital twin solution can be used for future cultural preservation projects. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture, OpenRoads Designer

Baekje World Heritage Center wanted to create a digital system for their world heritage sites that integrates maintenance and management of the cultural area and assets with marketing and promotion to improve tourism, enhance social standing, and create cooperative relationships. SISTECH was hired to generate a detailed 3D reality mesh. Located in a mountainous area, the project presented topography challenges limiting site access.

They selected ContextCapture to process images captured via aerial drones and ground cameras into 3D models, offering detailed views of the interior and exterior of 13 buildings and the surrounding cultural site spanning an 80-square-kilometer area. Using Bentley’s application reduced processing time to transform the images into 3D models by 30%. By digitalizing the entire historic area, SISTECH reduced the number of on-site maintenance visits. They made the reality models available online to the public to virtually visit the cultural heritage site. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture

Ko-Mapper was tasked with modeling a water and sewerage structure to investigate the cause of the sinkage of the two-lane road above it and verify movement of the underground infrastructure. They previously used traditional methods for surveying structural displacement. However, given the limited accessibility to the survey area, these strategies decreased data reliability. They needed a comprehensive reality modeling solution to accurately capture and process the data and images into a high-resolution reality mesh.

Ko-Mapper selected ContextCapture to reconstruct 1,200 aerial images and laser-scanned point clouds into an accurate digital twin, which they delivered to the owner for managing the structure. Using Bentley’s application resulted in a 1-millimeter accurate model of the water system structure and surrounding area that will be used to perform an objective assessment of the exterior condition and displacement, as well as manage the structure’s shape. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture