Metric Survey

 The Metric Survey Team aims to provide English Heritage with professional advice on all aspects of the Metric Survey process, relevant to the conservation of the historic environment.

Role of the Team

• Practical application on specific projects selected to aid the research and development using modern survey techniques.
• Developing standards through definitive specifications and guidance documentation.
• Assisting the direct action needs of management (e.g. rapid response after fire damage).
• Assisting active dissemination, education and training including presentations to interested parties (including active participation) and residential courses on the techniques and applications of survey within conservation projects.

To ensure that advice is both appropriate and up to date, the advisory role of the Team is supported by selective practical work. To ensure the available resources of the Team are used both effectively and appropriately, practical projects are selected where:

• Practical application aids current research work.
• It assists in the development and incorporation of a new technique.
• It aids the development of standards through definitive specifications and guidance documentation.
• Management require rapid response after disasters, such as fire or flood damage.
• It aids the dissemination, education and training work of the Team.

 The Team undertakes the following activities to ensure English Heritage are equipped to provide an accurate survey record of our historic buildings and structures:

• Advice on Metric Survey and its application to Projects.
• Research and development into modern survey techniques.
• Training in all aspects of Metric Survey.
• Publications and Guidance Documentation.
• Hand Measured Survey.
• Theodolite Survey - using modern REDM (Reflectorless Electro-magnetic Distance Measurer) connected through pen based computer interfaces providing real-time data direct into CAD (Computer Aided Drafting).
• Rectified Photography including modern digital techniques.
• Photogrammetry - using Leica SD2000 plotting machine to produce traditional line based survey data.
• Digital Photogrammetry - using three modern Helava Digital Photogrammetric Workstations (DPW's), to produce both line and image based survey information. Specific features include real time 3D viewing of objects, automatic surface terrain generation, orthophotographic output, perspective scenes and virtual fly-through/walk-throughs.
• Digital Image Processing - manipulation and enhancement using Adobe PhotoShop.
• Panoramic Imaging/Integration with Multimedia - principally using QuickTime VR application.
• Computer Graphics - principally using AutoCAD, supplemented by Microstation
• 3D Model editing/generation.
• Scanning - Photo-CD, through external photographic processors, and Photogrammetric (for geometric accuracy) through external bureau services.