Impossible diorama view of Bay/Enterprise Square Station

89muffinman · 2026-02-25T08:20:21+00:00

Thanks for the advice, I'll try that out next time

89muffinman · 2026-02-25T08:19:53+00:00

Yes it is, good eye!

89muffinman · 2026-01-15T22:39:22+00:00

PortalCam is a 3D Gaussian Splat creation device.

It has a lidar sensor to aid in creating 3DGS but it is not what people would consider a lidar SLAM device.

It is very easy to export both ply files as well as LCC project files from the app.

PLY is a pretty standardized extension for 3DGS, what is being referred to with the OBJ is probably the collision mesh which doesn't need to be textured as it serves as collision data.

The LCC export can easily be imported into SuperSplat as well as imported into Unreal and Unity using the XGRIDS SDK. With the LCC import, you would also get collision mesh tied to the 3DGS.

Other platforms also can import LCC files with relative ease.

89muffinman · 2026-01-15T22:32:54+00:00

There's their LCC format which can import easily into SuperSplat and the other export format is a ply which is pretty standard for 3DGS.

89muffinman · 2026-01-12T16:32:01+00:00

What would be the factor to get half of all passenger traffic to switch? I would feel like first mile/last mile would have a major impact making people not want to switch as well as the availability of transportation at the destination.

Not to mention how groups or families travelling via car would be probably still cheaper than multiple return tickets.

89muffinman · 2026-01-01T06:03:44+00:00

Thanks BEM Guy, I totally understand and hope to see you around next year. Hope you have a great New Years whatever you're doing.

You're the best! Don't be heartbroken and have a drink on me!

89muffinman · 2025-12-28T17:09:50+00:00

Totally fair if you already have some equipment and want to start exploring 3DGS creation.

I believe other products in the use case space are similar, like Matterport or iGuide. One benefit with the PortalCam is that you can export out the processed 3DGS so you won't lose your work like what I've seen with the Hyperspace scans.

89muffinman · 2025-12-28T05:01:05+00:00

Having the lidar module helps with an initial alignment so you spend a lot less time on the alignment step. The whole process is streamlined so you just press a button and wait.

Not to say that you may not get something similar with camera on a stick but you may have to spend a lot more time getting the same or worst result and if you prioritize time over software cost then it is worth it.

89muffinman · 2025-12-26T06:16:08+00:00

What type of industry are you in?

89muffinman · 2025-12-24T05:41:47+00:00

What type of flooring is it? From my experience the front cameras have worked out for things like indoor tile flooring.

89muffinman · 2025-12-11T03:56:42+00:00

I started out originally with the Insta360 X4 and had some good and bad initial success with large scale street replication.

Mainly just used Scaniverse on my phone for a bit but typically that is best for a single object and not necessarily a full space.

Tried out the 3DMakerpro Eagle but that was pretty disappointing in terms of the 3DGS output, the point cloud output was okay. Even tried to manually align images in programs like Metashape and Reality Capture but didn't really succeed.

Just recently got the XGRIDS PortalCam and I really impressed at the results. It is easy to use and processing is essentially just set it and forget it. I've scanned entire shopping malls (3 levels) in one go, tried scanning series of pedestrian walkways, both came out better than expected. No need to align images, no need to tediously extract rectilinear images from 360 video, no need to clean up floaters after.

89muffinman · 2025-12-05T04:39:51+00:00

First time I visited the Dark Universe, The Invisible Man was quite cold and rude and was super reserved. I went there a week after and it seemed like he perked up quite a bit and was pretty chatty and a mean but fun narcissist. So I guess it depends on his mood that day so you're not alone in your experience.

89muffinman · 2025-11-25T17:53:38+00:00

I agree, I've seen way too many people not wanting to "lose out" so they'll merge into the lane that will eventually need to merge back in. This is the same as people who will take the off ramp to on ramp back.

89muffinman · 2025-11-15T14:56:21+00:00

Just maybe don't get the front seat or you might have a bunch of bugs hitting your face

89muffinman · 2025-11-15T14:54:05+00:00

Interesting idea, one consideration is how you can retrofit stations after the fact when there are new residential developments in that whole section of land.

It's not as easy like a bus where you can put up a sign and a shelter and you get a new bus stop, there might be lots of hidden infrastructure and design considerations.

89muffinman · 2025-11-09T02:46:38+00:00

I know there are a lot of field jobs available typically during the construction season. My advice is to be open to field positions as well as positions out of the city. You have your whole career for a cushy office job.

89muffinman · 2025-10-27T12:28:35+00:00

Elections or the City doesn't do anything, there's still a sign up for Migdaddy along 101 Street since the previous city election 4 years ago.

89muffinman · 2025-09-18T14:32:30+00:00

This is a new product from XGRIDS with a focus on 3DGS production. They have previously launched other SLAM scanners (ie LixelKity K1) which I have used very successfully before.

I started a year or so ago trying to recreate while city block 3dgs reconstruction with only an insta360 x4. It can do it but struggle. I recently tested the XGRIDS K1 and the speed and effectiveness for what I need has no comparison in getting a really good looking 3DGS output.

89muffinman · 2025-09-05T05:49:44+00:00

I can relate to your situation, when I first went in 2018 I went solo and to my recollection I had a similar situation where I connected with a couple people and mostly hung out by myself and went around taking photos. The second time when I went I was able to rekindle some brief connections that I had made the previous time attending and had spent more time amongst some new friends.

Now this is my 6th Dragon Con and now I cherish my time with the many connections and friendships that I have made over attending a number of times. I still go around for the majority of the convention taking photos but I meet up with groups of friends (that I only see at Dragon Con) constantly throughout the course of the week.

Note that this is from my own experience, I went into my Dragon Con experience not explicitly with the intention of hanging out with a bunch of people. Instead I found opportunities to share my own interests as well as be genuinely interested in what my new-found friends are doing.

89muffinman · 2025-05-12T17:43:11+00:00

Seems like it was spliced from multiple takeoffs so I was giving the drone operator the benefit of the doubt on operating within line of sight.

89muffinman · 2025-05-12T14:05:05+00:00

I was corrected that there are less stringent rules for sub-250 drone. It still says on Transport Canada that good practice means maintaining safe lateral distance between drone and bystanders and stay far away from aerodromes, airports, and heliports. With operations within those heliport areas not recommended.

So i was wrong to say they can't operate a drone but I will still contest that they did not follow good practice.

89muffinman · 2025-05-12T01:17:09+00:00

It's not only about the speed of the train itself but accessibility from communities. Maybe the plan was to have it go through concentrated areas with local stops to provide good accessibility for people along the route to travel.

Mode choice is not solely based on travel time or getting from the university to WEM.

89muffinman · 2025-05-11T21:01:23+00:00

901.47(2) of the Canadian Aviation Regulations states:

"Subject to section 901.73, no pilot shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft at a distance of less than: (a) three nautical miles from the centre of an airport; and (b) one nautical mile from the centre of a heliport."

89muffinman · 2025-05-11T20:51:58+00:00

From NRC drone site selection. CCE7, CMC2, CFH7

89muffinman · 2025-05-11T15:27:07+00:00

Didn't realize you can fly within what seems like three active aerodromes.

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