When the Terrain Gets Tough, the Tech Gets Smarter!
- Anna Lawrence
- Jun 6
- 3 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
By Tyler Lopez, Lead 3D Data Capture Tech, USA
Elevating Our Expectations
When it comes to 3D environment capture, the only certainty is uncertainty. Filming conditions can change in an instant, and the locations we’re tasked with capturing aren’t always studio sets. Working in the real world means we find ourselves in rugged mountains, dense forests, vast deserts, and bustling cities. To deliver production-ready assets, we need equipment and workflows to excel in that unpredictability. That means being mobile, fast, and accurate, regardless of terrain or weather.
That challenge really came into focus during a recent project at Flood Falls.
Flood Falls, Hope, BC
Hidden just off Highway 1, near the edge of Skagit Valley Provincial Park, Flood Falls is a breathtaking waterfall tucked into a steep mountain ravine. Although it is the perfect backdrop to captivate audiences and tell an amazing story, capturing it for digital reconstruction presented several challenges:
Remote access: A moderate hike is required to reach the base of the falls, and all equipment has to be carried in by foot.
Scale and speed: With a large, publicly accessible site, we needed to move fast and effectively to avoid disrupting visitors or losing daylight.
Vertical complexity: At over 360 meters tall, capturing the full scope of the waterfall required going beyond ground-level scanning.
Mapping the Un-Scannable
Traditional terrestrial LiDAR is excellent for detail and precision but struggles with verticality.
This means we needed to capture most of the waterfall using a drone. However, photogrammetry alone wouldn’t provide the fidelity needed for accurate environment reconstruction unless we meticulously scanned the façade of the waterfall from a short distance, eating into an already finite amount of time.
To fully document Flood Falls, we needed a hybrid approach that could overcome logistical, environmental, topographical, and time-oriented challenges.
The Solution: Drone Photogrammetry + Ground-Based LiDAR
We utilized a workflow that combines aerial photogrammetry with ground-based LiDAR scanning:
LiDAR Scanning on Foot: We used a terrestrial LiDAR scanner at the base and surrounding areas to gather dense point cloud data for topographic accuracy.
Photogrammetry: To capture the full vertical expanse of the falls, we launched a drone equipped with a high-resolution camera. By flying vertical passes in overlapping grids, we’re able to photograph the entire cliff face for photogrammetry processing. Then we added supplemental handheld photogrammetry to tie together the photogrammetry and lidar.
High-Resolution Textures: DSLR photography was used for texture development, ensuring the final delivery has the detail needed for look development and visual effects workflows.
By fusing these data sources, we produced a seamless, high-fidelity model suitable for digital environments, VFX tracking, and real-time applications.
The Results: A Complex Capture in Under 3 Hours
High-resolution 3D capture: of the entire waterfall and surrounding environment
Accurate geometry: for terrain, vegetation, and rock formations
Rapid Capture: with a total of 1076 photos and 22 laser scans the entire site was captured in under 3 hours
Production-ready deliverables: ideal for VFX teams, game engines, or digital doubles
This hybrid capture approach demonstrated how drone and terrestrial scanning technologies can work in tandem to create complete digital replicas—even in extreme, vertical environments.
The sky isn't the limit — it's part of the workflow!
Mobility matters: Our gear can go wherever the story goes—from mountain paths to city alleys.
Speed + Precision: Fast doesn’t mean sloppy. With the right workflows, you can get both.
Adaptable solutions: Whether you’re capturing a cliff, canyon, or city block, a combined approach of LiDAR and drone-based photogrammetry can handle the job.
With the right system and experience, it's easier than ever to give every environment the attention they deserve.
That's the IP Advantage!
Looking for top-tier 3D scanning services?
Whether it's photogrammetry, LiDAR, or drone scanning, Industrial Pixel delivers.
Contact us today!
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