TLiD is an automatic data processing software designed to handle airborne LiDAR data by transforming geo-referenced point clouds into GIS layers and 3D models. Current solutions take a long time to process large quantities of data recorded using airborne LiDAR. The Tiltan Systems Engineering software presents an automatic solution for airborne LiDAR data processing. It has the capability to manage large quantities of data, process it and create DTM, DSM and SHP files that represent natural and man made shapes such as buildings and power lines. The solution automatically creates a 3D view of the mapped area.

Oodi Menaker, Marketing Product Manager: "TLiD is a standalone solution and a bold step forward in LiDAR technology. The system uses superior algorithms enabling automatic processing of more than 500 square kilometres per day on a standard PC, while other methods can barely handle 15 square kilometres per day. TLiD can handle the data without manual editing almost in real-time. There is no special training required anyone can use the software, allowing your professional team to focus on critical objects."

Complex Shapes
TLiD delivers fast accurate data processing of LiDAR point clouds, generating geographic information layers and providing highly optimized 3D models for real-time applications. The results are converted into the coordinate system of choice. Its feature-laden design provides extraction products ranging from bare earth (DTM) to complex roofs and building shapes, trees and power line corridor details. The trees are rendered from data like start, height and radius. There is no library of buildings but they are rendered in their real shape as it appears from the data.

TLiD’s output is ready for export to other systems, and also for display within its integrated 3D viewer, which allows full control of views, light state and atmospheric visual effects. TLiD can be used for the tree counting applications producing both tree height and size. Power line clearances can also be checked and the system can show lines of sight from a building or other observation point.

With the TLiD solution clients can process their LiDAR data on site or via a Tiltan partner. TLiD will be available in the first quarter of 2008 with processing services using TLiD already offered. Incorporation of terrestrial LiDAR will follow in the next releases. The LiDAR geo-referenced point cloud data is streamed in. TLiD translates the format into TLiD format, converts the coordinate system and checks the point density. It then divides the data into blocks and enables an area definition. After calculating the bare earth it extracts cultural features filtering all ‘earth points’, it calculates the roof shapes, trees, roads and more. In the end there is a reliable 3D reconstruction of the area.

Job van Haaften jvanhaaften@geoinformatics.comis editor of GeoInformatics. For more information about Tiltan Systems, have a look at www.tiltan-se.co.il