TAVCO Construction Technology Blog

No doubt, the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic has completely transformed the landscape of how people live and work. Starting around April 2020, mandatory shutdowns required companies to instantly shift to a remote workforce.

This sudden change propelled the office environment in the future, forcing organizations to figure out how to get work done from remote/home offices, not for merely for convenience, but for necessity. Many were able to embrace this change easily but, not without some unique challenges.

Businesses across the country need ways to clearly communicate the current COVID-19 hygiene and social distancing policies. Custom signs and posters are a great way to do this. Although you can have a print shop or online provider make these for you, there are some constraints to consider. Quality control is out of your hands and turnaround times can be an issue.

Part four of our multi-part series on the Leica BLK3D Imager focuses on organizing and sharing 3D images. Previously, we covered how you can use the Leica BLK3D for taking stereo camera 3D pictures so you can take measurements directly from the image using sophisticated photogrammetry technology.

Besides being a reality capture device, the BLK3D is also a very competent DISTO unit that lets you to take accurate laser measurements. But, once the pictures and data are collected. How do you deal with them? How to you keep them organized and share them with others? 

When it comes to marking up and annotating PDF files, there are certainly a wide range of options to consider. Adobe is an obvious choice, but the platform that has skyrocketed in popularity is none other than Bluebeam Revu.

In fact, Bluebeam Revu is the go to software for many Architects, Engineers, Government, and Construction professionals. One of the reasons for this is the incredibly easy to use interface.

It's incredibly intuitive, but learning a few keyboard shortcuts can help speed up your work so that you can crush that looming deadline without breaking a sweat. 

Poster printing used to be a privilege reserved exclusively for high-end commercial print shops. Sure, they do good work, but it is expensive - especially if you are printing signs, book covers or posters on a regular basis.

But, changes in technology have not only made poster creation and poster printing much easier, it has made it more accessible to everyone.

Today, if you can click a mouse, you can print some amazing posters with Canon equipment and software. See how.

Part three of our multi-part series on the Leica BLK3D handheld Imager focuses on using the device for working with construction plans. To to maximize this functionality, users should certainly look into adding the optional Mobile Sketch and Document Software.

This upgrade opens up a whole new world of possibilities with the BLK3D. Users can import plans, sketch floor plans, create smart rooms, take point-to-point measurements, and even measure facades. Once you use it, this will become one of your favorite things about the BLK3D.

This is part two of our multi-part series regarding the mobile applications of the innovative Leica BLK3D Imager. Last time, we explored capturing reality via photogrammetry - the ability to take measurements from stereo image photos.

Now, we detail how to take extremely precise laser measurement distance readings with the BLK3D for general distance, verification, or point-to-point calculations.

It is important to point out that the Laser Measure function is included out of the box, in the basic version of the device - no software upgrades are needed. 

Due to the significant impact of the novel COVID-19 Coronavirus, businesses around the globe have essentially shut-down overnight. Many people are now facing the prospect of working from home as the only way to stay productive.

Swiss-based imaging manufacturer, Leica, recently introduced the first smartphone-sized device that allows users to instantly get measurable 3D data just be snapping a picture. Contractors are ecstatic about the new Leica BLK3D Imager.

This tool is perfect for skilled construction trades that need fast and accurate measurements, but not necessarily full models. It takes immediate and precise 3D measurements from any 2D image it captures.

Map Plotter Solutions With a Graphics Printer

As cool as onscreen, interactive maps are, sometimes you just need a high-quality printed one to deliver the "wow factor" to that you need for your presentation. 

But, when it comes to printing maps, many companies often a turn to their standard 4-color CAD plotter for this task. Too bad they don't realize that this is not be the best choice for the job.

This is because printing maps or aerial photos require much more dynamic performance than basic plotters can provide.  

Learn the key points that you should consider when researching a map plotter - here are a few important aspects to keep in mind.

Architectural design is something that is constantly evolving. One ever-changing aspect, that has completely redefined the design-build process, is BIM software (Building Information Modeling).

This is achieved through a variety of different software applications, all of which promote the absence of paper.

But, there are still plenty of opportunities where companies need to print construction plans - and color is absolutely crucial when printing 3D BIM Images. 

Large format scanning has become instrumental for many AEC (architectural, engineering, & construction) companies.

Powerful CAD programs and other software applications, such as Bluebeam Revu, are changing the way construction documents are handled, viewed, marked up, and shared. But, what about the vast number of archived drawings stored in flat files?

Many business leaders are opting to get a large format scanner to digitize those files, but when considering a purchase, there can be some confusion on selecting the right scanner for large documents.

There are two primary types of wide-format scanning technologies to consider. Both have their merits, but it really is a matter of application regarding which process it right for your situation.

Read on to learn the difference between the two to determine which one is best suited for you - CCD vs CIS scanner technologies.

Today, it is commonplace to overhear someone recognize a member of our Armed Forces by saying, “Thank you for your service,” but one Texas man is doing much more than that.

Ken “The Dauber” Prigeon has spent several years painting hundreds of portraits of Texas Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines who have been killed in action.

His work showcases how one person can have a positive impact on the tragic loss experienced by hundreds of Texas families.

There's no doubt, the Designjet 1050 plotter was a wildly successful model for HP. After all, tens of thousands of them were sold and installed throughout the United States during the early to mid-2000s.

Unbelievably, there are still a ton of those units still in the field and in use today. That fact is certainly a testament to the build quality of the 1050 series, but, that model has reached the end of its effectiveness and usefulness in the modern workplace.

If you still have one, there is a good chance that you are experiencing the law of diminishing returns firsthand. So, upgrading it for newer technology is a no-brainer. Learn why.