Photogrammetry

Photogrammetry

The company is equipped for both aerial survey and close-range or ‘terrestrial’ photogrammetry using a suite of precision digital and analytical instrumentation.

Digital photogrammetric workstations with advanced software for vector data capture, digital ground modelling and orthophoto creation forms the backbone of the division, along with skilled personnel working to exacting specifications, turning aerial photography into a host of geographic information products for national mapping and environmental agencies as well as major road and rail clients.

Processing of lidar data is a more recent development within this division, often used in association with aerial imagery, to generate ground models and vector mapping using industry-leading Terrasolid software for modelling.

Close range photogrammetry projects such as building facades, internal facades and roof plans using metric cameras as well as our photogrammetric workstations and analytical instruments to obtain detailed measurements of buildings and industrial environments. Typical projects include recording heritage structures for conservation, measuring buildings for redevelopment and 3D model asset inventories, where high resolution imagery to record fine detail is important.

Our Activities

• Aerial Survey
• Architectural / Industrial Photogrammetry
• Orthophoto Production
• High Resolution Film Scanning
• Engineering / Asset Inventory
• As Built Capture
• Change of Use Mapping
• Viewshed generation for transmitter masts and wind turbines.

Photogrammetry At Mason

Mason was one of the first commercial companies in the UK to invest in Digital Photogrammetric Workstations and now have one of the largest installations of its kind.

The generation and updating of geographic information on behalf of National Mapping Agencies forms the majority of the photogrammetric survey work undertaken. Ordnance Survey (UK National Mapping organization) has been a major client for over 20 years and recent work undertaken for British Central Government Agencies has included mapping for London’s 2012 Olympics for London Development Agency and the Olympic Delivery Authority.

In the private sector, mapping using Lidar data has supplied for new road and rail routes and for existing routes where upgrading is being considered. For onshore wind-farm developers and operators across Great Britain detailed ground models and vector mapping is provided together with “Zones of Theoretical Visibility” (ZTV) plans based on Ordnance Survey base mapping illustrating predicted mast visibility.

For European government bodies, recent work has included national mapping for Kort & Matrikelstyrelsen in Denmark , creating and upgrading data to the FOT4 specification.

Architectural and Industrial measurements are obtained using one or more of our range of 8 metric cameras (including those manufactured by Zeiss, Linhof and Hasselblad), photogrammetric instruments, software and experienced personnel. In the field of historic building measurement the Company is a framework partner with English Heritage and Historic Scotland and provides services to other agencies including Historic Royal Palaces.

Mason has carried out photogrammetric surveys on the interior of Hampton Court Palace, Dover Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Stirling Castle and The Parliament House in Edinburgh. Numerous surveys have been undertaken on behalf of local architects and other heritage bodies both for conservation, restoration and redevelopment projects.

A speciality of Mason is the use of photogrammetric methods to provide survey information for elevated structures where access is restricted.

The use of aerial platforms, including the Company’s 30m high mobile mast unit, can be used to record plant and architectural features in locations where other survey techniques are limited by the lack of a suitable stable platform at high level. Photogrammetric recording can provide dimensional information and 3D modelling of these structures.