Rockin’ Remote Sensing: Aerotec Provides 3D LIDAR Models for Ground-Breaking Music Video
Written by Aerotec
22 July 2008
For Immediate Release, July 22, 2008 - Picayune, MS – Aerotec, LLC recently provided airborne color 3D LIDAR models (large outdoor scenes) to ZOO Films for the production of a new and innovative music video featuring the alternative British rock group RADIOHEAD and their new release, "House of Cards".
The music video, which is the first ever to be premiered by Google,
also achieved another first by being the first live action music video to be
shot without the use of any cameras or lights, but instead only using lasers and
scanners.
Two different types of technologies (from three vendors) were utilized
for the video to produce the scenes:
1) Aerotec, LLC
The Aerotec system is an airborne LIDAR (remote sensing) instrument that uses
a scanning laser to capture detailed 3D images at longer ranges in an exterior
environment. Aerotec’s LIDAR system uses a single laser and scans in an
elliptical pattern looking 20 degrees forward, 20 degrees side-to-side, and 14
degrees aft to completely scan three sides of each object over which it is
flown. Approximately 200,000 LIDAR points per second are captured, thus
producing a very detailed image of the scanned exterior scenes.
2) Geometric Informatics
The Geometric system scanner uses structured light to capture detailed 3D
images at close proximity. In this video, the scanner was used to produce all
the performance scenes.
3) Velodyne HD Lidar
The Velodyne system is a ground-based LIDAR (light detection and ranging) and
has 64 lasers that rotate and capture in 360-degrees 900 times per minute. The
LIDAR instrument is a laser-scan system that scans exterior and indoor
environments in 3D and produced certain shots of the exterior and interior
scenes.
Aerotec’s Jim Dow, William Wallace, and Casey Scott were pleased to be
able to contribute to this ground-breaking, innovative work. “I’ve always
thought of the geospatial industry as cutting-edge and innovative, but this
brings it to a whole new level,” stated Jim Dow, Aerotec’s Chief Executive
Officer. “It is great to see the technology being used so creatively and
in a way that will reach a whole new audience.”
Directed by Hollywood-based Zoo Films director James Frost, "House of
Cards" was shot over two days across Palm Beach County in Florida. Certain
shots of the exterior scenes came from other parts of the US. "The whole
video was a challenge since it's never been done before," says Frost. "We had to
go in knowing this was a rather expensive experiment, but we also knew what was
capable from the technologies as we’d done enough research to know we would get
an image for sure, but exactly what kind of image was still up for debate," adds
Frost.
The music video as well as a “making-of-the-video” and an interactive
component where you can manipulate the technology used to create the video are
posted at Google.com (http://code.google.com/radiohead).
Aerotec, LLC is a value-added services company that uses state-of-the-art
airborne remote sensing (data capture) and data analysis technologies to provide
topographic maps and models to its customers throughout North America. Aerotec's
primary technologies include Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR/laser-scan),
digital photography, proprietary and commercial (off-the-shelf) software, and
specialized engineering analysis packages. For more information, visit www.aerotecusa.com.
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