There are several configurations and preferential settings that are key to operating the vGIS Utilities mobile application (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

GNSS

The GNSS settings (Fig 2.) determine the user’s default positioning method.  This setting is saved between sessions.

The GNSS options are:

• Tilt Compensation 
• Positioning Mode
• Directional Calibration
• Elevation from GNSS
• Pole-Mounted GNSS
• Antenna Height
• Offsets
• x-Offset
• y-Offset
• z-Offset

Tilt Compensation

By default, this option is disabled. If enabled, a pop-up with the pitch and roll calibration will appear. Once the proper values are displayed, simply select "Set' and the values will be saved. Having this mode enabled will keep objects better positioned when the phone is tilted.

Positioning Mode

By default, “vGIS/QR” is enabled, and is the basic positioning mode vGIS uses. If the user possesses a GNSS device, the user may select the device type here.

Directional Calibration

This option cannot be selected if the user’s positioning mode is “vGIS/QR”. If any other mode is enabled, the user can choose between the traditional vGIS calibration method or the directional walk calibration. See Calibration for more information.

Elevation from GNSS

This option is also not available if the user’s positioning mode is “vGIS/QR”. If any other mode is enabled, the user will have the option to use the elevation data relayed from the GNSS device.

Pole Mounted GNSS

If the user is using a GNSS device that is mounted on a pole, it is recommended this setting is enabled to enhance the system accuracy.

Antenna Height

If the user has selected “Pole Mounted GNSS”, then select this button and input the antenna height (in centimeters relative to the ground).

Offsets

Lastly, input the offsets of the devices. This can be done by either adjusting the slider or manually inputting the data by double-clicking on each offset.

 

Fig. 3

 

Scene

Projection Type

By default, “Dashed” is enabled, but the user has the option of also selecting solid surface lines when viewing underground pipes.

Projection Autosize

When this feature is enabled, it makes the projection wider to show the width of the underlying asset.

Proximity Indicator

This feature changes the brightness of projections based on the user's distance from them. The further an object, the dimmer the brightness, the closer the object, the brighter it the object.

Depth Indicators

By default, “Surface Offset” is enabled. When the crosshair is pointed at a sublevel object, information about the depth of the object is displayed. The user can also choose how the depth of the object is measured, in terms of either the digital terrain model (DTM) or a pre-defined depth. The user can also choose to disable it by selecting “None”.

Object Outline

By default, this option is enabled, and when the crosshair is on the object, the objects emit a blue outline. The user may choose to disable this option.

BIM Projections

By default, this option is enabled and allows BIM projections to appear in AR view. The user may opt to disable this option.

 

Fig. 4

System

DTM

Here the user can select the type of DTM they would like to use. If the user would like to add a DTM, see How to Add a Digital Terrain Mode.

Callout Type

The user can select where the callout bubble would appear relative to the object being examined in AR view. The callout bubble contains all the relevant information about the object.

Display GNSS Accuracy

If the user has a GNSS device connected, the user can choose whether they would like the GNSS device’s accuracy to be shown in AR view.

Display Compass

Enabling the Display Compass setting will display a compass at the user’s feet. To view the compass, point the crosshair straight down.  This setting is saved between sessions.

Display GNSS Location

The user can select if they would like to have the GNSS location appear when using the vGIS application.

DC Surface Visualization

The user can choose if they would like the surface to be projected when scanning. This feature helps in increasing scan quality.

Launch Screen

The Launch Screen setting controls what screen appears first when the app is launched.

The setting options are:

• Map launches the application on a fully featured 2-dimensional map. The user can switch to the AR (Augmented Reality) mode by clicking on the AR button.
• Augmented Reality brings users directly to the AR mode without showing the map first. Depending on the calibration settings, the user may need to calibrate the app before entering the AR mode.

Measurement System

The user may select the measurement system used when using the vGIS app. While the user’s selection will be saved between sessions, a default setting is determined by the company administrator(s).

Selection Distance

The user can select the maximum distance at which objects appear relative to them here. The default distance is 100m (328 ft), the user may opt to increase or decrease this distance depending on the dataset.

Language

Here the user can select which language the system would display information in.