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Vertical Differencing in Point Clouds: A Quick Guide
Vertical Differencing in Point Clouds: A Quick Guide
Updated over 4 months ago

Ready to track changes in elevation over time? Vertical differencing in point clouds lets you compare two Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) to see what’s changed. Here’s a simple guide to get you started using the vertical differencing tool in SpatialScale.

Step 1: Access the Vertical Differencing Tool

First, log in to your SpatialScale account and open the vertical differencing tool. It’s right there in the interface, easy to find.

Step 2: Select Your Datasets

  • Current Dataset: Choose the most recent classified points dataset, like “Classified Points - Seton Southwest Hospital.”

  • Previous Dataset: Pick an earlier dataset for comparison, such as “Classified Points - West Oak Hill 2 2017.”

Step 3: Choose Your Elevation Model Type

  • DTM (Digital Terrain Model): This represents the bare earth, minus any structures.

  • DSM (Digital Surface Model): Includes everything—buildings, vegetation, and more.

Step 4: Set Your Parameters

  • Minimum Change Distance: Adjust the slider to detect changes, for example, set it to 0.15 meters.

  • Resolution: Use the slider to set the resolution, like 0.3 meters, for a clear output.

Step 5: Name Your Output Dataset

Give your new dataset a clear name, such as “DTM DIFF - Classified Points - Seton Southwest Hospital.”

Step 6: Submit and Review

Once everything’s set, click “Submit” to perform the vertical differencing. Review the results to ensure the detected changes are accurate.

Tips for Best Results

  • Fine-Tune Settings: Adjust the minimum change distance and resolution based on what you need for your analysis.

  • Proper Coregistration: Ensure your datasets are well-coregistered to align accurately for the best comparison results.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to detect and analyze elevation changes within your point cloud datasets, giving you better insights for your projects.

For more detailed instructions or if you run into any issues, check out our Help Center or contact us at [email protected]. You can also explore more on the SpatialScale platform.

Happy mapping!

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