TerraScan? LP360? Both?
- TerraScan and LP360 have overlapping toolsets and some unique differences
- When does it make sense to use one over the other; when does it make sense to use both?
Business Case
- Offloading appropriate work to LP360 will reduce the overall software stack cost per user.
- LP360 (Standard) (Pool) $4,800
- TScan + TMod Bundle (5+) $6,100
- MicroStation PowerDraft $2,500
= $8,600
- Taking advantage of each package’s unique strengths appropriately will increase efficiency and throughput.
Staffing
- A well-trained user can produce a quality product in either package.
- An experienced MicroStation/Terrasolid user will be hard to convince to switch just for basic tools such as editing
- For inexperienced users, learning curve for LP360 is much lower than for MicroStation/Terrasolid.
- Generally, CAD-based technicians are harder to recruit and cost more per hour than GIS-based technicians.
- Core team of experienced MicroStation/Terrasolid users – power users- supported by technicians using LP360 for routine editing is one way to lower overall labor costs
Technical Differences
- TerraScan architecture is based on reading all points into memory, providing 100% availability, but requires a file-based approach to project management (only one file open at a time for editing).
- LP360 architecture is based on using pyramiding to provide point cloud overviews of entire project. % availability can vary, but single file-based editing is not required.
- TerraScan can be supplemented with tools for calibration (TerraMatch) and orthophoto production (TerraPhoto).
- TerraPhoto supports oblique imagery for mobile mapping.
- LP360 has built-in QA/QC reviewing tools and more powerful tools for performing LAS file verification and correction (LAS File Analyst).
- Feature editing/ compilation can be very user-preference driven, but there are noticeable differences between the two toolsets.
- Comparing LP360 Feature Analyst tools to MicroStation:
- Breakline compilation for hydro-enforcement is streamlined in LP360.
- Tools are more user-friendly (subjective).
- More options for controlling the conflation process.
- More QA/QC tools that work directly on the features themselves.
Capability | Terrasolid | LP360 |
---|---|---|
MicroStation Integration | Yes (Required) | No |
ArcGIS Integration | No | Yes (Optional) |
Manual Editing | Yes | Yes |
Automatic Classification (Macros) | Yes | Yes |
Calibration | Yes (TMatch) | No |
Orthophoto Production | Yes (TPhoto) | No |
Oblique Viewing | Yes (TPhoto) | No |
Feature Creation/Editing | Yes | Yes |
Multi-File Editing | No | Yes |
LAS File Verification/Repair | No | Yes |