Laser Scanning to learn and preserve

While working on his Bachelor of Urban Development with a major in Spatial Science, Chris Gottardo undertook the replication of cultural heritage using a laser scanner and a 3D printer. With the aim of preserving cultural history for future generations to ‘see how our ancestors viewed and existed in the world’ Chris selected the Walter Hill Fountain in the Brisbane City Botanical Gardens. The fountain has historical relevance, as it ‘served as part of the first reticulated water system in Brisbane’.

With the help of UPG staff Troy Pastorella and Paul Seifert, Chris used a TrimbleTX5 laser scanner to scan the fountain and Trimble RealWorks to register the point clouds and create the model. Before printing Chris had to save the model through another program and then he was able to print the replica using the university’s 3D printer.

Congratulations to Chris, who successfully graduated in December with an outstanding mark of a distinction for this assignment.

You can read Chris’s full assignment here. If you would like to find out more about how you can use the Trimble TX5 and Trimble RealWorks for your own scanning projects give us a call.