What's new in TBC v5.20

Trimble Business Center (TBC) v5.20 was released November 18, 2019 (download it here using the form on this page). This latest release strengthens TBC’s unique position as the single office software of choice for surveyors and construction professionals with the following new or improved features:

Trimble X7 Laser Scanning Support

TBC v5.2 now supports drag-and-drop Trimble Perspective (field software) data files from the Trimble X7 scanner. There is also support for Perspective’s scan labels, field annotations and images within existing TBC features to reduce the learning curve of using a new scanning system. X7 scan data also integrates seamlessly with TBC’s scanning workflows, other field survey data, and CAD drafting functionality.

Publish Survey Data and Point Cloud Data to Trimble Clarity

Trimble Clarity is an online 3D point cloud and model viewer that allows you to display and share your files using Trimble Connect, Google Drive, or Dropbox. The intuitive interface allows you to view in 3D or in station view, make measurements, annotate features, save frames, share with others. You can manage point clouds and models to update your clients and drive insights. Visit clarity.trimble.com to sign up for a free version (2 projects). Subscription plans are available for users who want to show more than 2 projects at a time. 

Prepare Models for Trimble SiteVision

Trimble SiteVision is a new Augmented Reality (AR) system that allows you to overlay 3D models on top of a real-world view from a smartphone. With TBC v5.20 you can prepare data for SiteVision from existing CAD files, TBC CAD tools and modules, survey field data, corridors, surfaces, utility modeling data. Move from TBC to SiteVision using a dedicated exporter (*.vcl), LandXML, or IFC. This will enable you to use SiteVision for visualization, virtual staking, cut/fill maps, inspection, construction verification and utility locations. For more information on SiteVision visit: geospatial.trimble.com/sitevision.

Parametric Vertical Design Tools

TBC v5.2 now has 11 parametric rules to elevate lines:

• Cross-slope
• Elevation
• Cross dZ
• Connector
• VPI
• Free-slope
• Free-dZ
• Grade
• Transition
• Tilt
• Breakline

This will help you model complex and variable relationships such as intersection curb cuts or cross-slope transitions. As rules update, the geometry also updates. If geometry is used in surface, the surface will also update dynamically.
 

UAV Processing Engine Update

We have improved processing speed for camera calibration and surface generation. We also now provide better tie point matching and camera modeling for enhanced georeferencing, which leads to more successful processing of challenging field data (i.e. lack of contrast). There is better distribution of automatic tie-points for more tie-points and precise image measurements even in low textured areas. Finally there is now support for imagery up to 103 Mpixel. 
 

Plane Picker for MX9 Registration

TBC v5.2 features an improved target picking routine that allows selection between scan points which provides:

• best-fit plane created from scan points
• user pick is on plane, not on point cloud
• pick does not snap to point cloud
• higher accuracy of target selection
• uses points from both lasers

You can use in 3D with horizontal or vertical targets, or anything in between. You can also toggle on/off if user wants to snap to point cloud. 

MX9 Run-to-Reference Run Registration

This enhancement uses point cloud matching from terrestrial scanning and adjusts the trajectory based on matching result. You can also view residuals and generate a report with them. 

The algorithm splits the run in segments of 20 m or 2 seconds, and each section is adjusted to the reference scan by using rigid transformations (same transformations used to adjust terrestrial scans). In-between these sections, these adjustments are interpolated. When you have multiple runs covering the same road again and again, this registration will provide consistent point cloud result.
 

Split MX9 Run for Registration

Before your scan generation, select a run and pick a point where you want to split. You can get UTC time and distance from start of run from the menu. A split run performs the same as an “unsplit” run, and allows you to focus on one area of a project and process only what is needed. 

Thanks for checking out the the new 5.2 version of Trimble Business Center, happy surveying!

For more information on Trimble Business Center, visit Trimble.com/TBC.