Table 3 Example of software used for point cloud reconstruction
AutoStem (TreeMetrics Ltd.)a | PolyWorks (InnovMetric Inc.)b | FARO Scene (FARO)c | Leica Cyclone (Leica Geosystems)d | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Software type | Point cloud processing software dedicated to forestry | Retro-engineering software suite | Point cloud processing software | Retro-engineering software suite |
Applications in the literature | Forest inventory measurements, plot-level wood volume estimates, optimal cutting calculation | Scan merging, forest inventory measurements, plot-level wood volume estimates | Scan merging, DBH estimates | Tree meshing |
Benefits | Fully automated measurements | Polyvalent platform, advanced geometrical fitting, advanced meshing | Automatic scan merging | Polyvalent platform, advanced geometrical fitting, advanced meshing |
Limitations | Restricted to conifer forests, restricted to forestry purposes | Semi-automated measurements, not adapted for advanced ecological purposes | Laborious measurements, not adapted for forestry / ecology | Semi-automated measurements, not adapted for advanced ecological purposes |