More capturing existing objects with 3D point clouds in the news. Capturing existing objects, places, specimens, and structures in digital 3D models help to preserve our history and cultures for preservation, restoration, and future study. A 3D model or point cloud is far more valuable and rich in data than a 2D photo or sketch with a descriptive text. The Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) was established in 1969 by the National Park Service, the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Library of Congress to document historic sites and structures related to engineering and industry. HAER and Autodesk partner kubit have been capturing sites and objects in 3D point clouds using laser scanning.

The Great Flight Cage at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. was built in 1963 and opened in 1965. The National Park Service used laser scanning technology from kubit to capture the Flight Cage as a point cloud that would then be imported into AutoCAD. 

A point cloud image of the Great Flight Cage at the National Zoo captured with kubit laser scanning technology.  kubit is a member of the Autodesk Developer Network.

The point cloud is then brought into AutoCAD software to create this 2D line drawing of the Great Flight Cage.

Read the press release here about Autodesk Partner Kubit and HAER and their work recording history in 3D point clouds.
http://yhoo.it/zIN0zH