Drawing tree shadows

[Paul Barton]

Following on (but not detracting) from anther thread about AutoCAD for tree constraints plans, I thought I would post an example of how my CAD program shows tree shadows.

 

I don't know how this compares with other offerings such as the one created by the poster RCK but I am generally pretty pleased with it.

 

You can set the geographic location, timezones and times of day in numerous viewports to show how the tree shadows will move round during the day. The shadows are plotted using information input from the tree schedule - current height, branch spreads and clear stem height.

 

They look a bit like lollipops but I think this is preferable to the arc as specified in the 2005 standard.

 

The software I use is called KeyTREE.

 

I'd be interested to hear your comments.

tree shadow example.pdf

[rck]

There are some nice applications around Paul. They usually cost quite a bit. Programming AutoCAD can take a while to learn, but AutoCAD becomes very powerful if you know how to do it, or you can use programs other people have written for it.

[Paul Barton]

Hi rck - I am a real CAD novice with no formal training so I plumped for a package that does alot for me...but it cost over a grand!

 

Your bolt-on looks great, well done for writing it. Hats off to your skills!

[sloth]

Hi rck - I am a real CAD novice with no formal training so I plumped for a package that does alot for me...but it cost over a grand!

 

Your bolt-on looks great, well done for writing it. Hats off to your skills!

 

So what do you get for a grand? I have virtualy no experience with mapping software, is it easy to use?

[rck]

Thanks Paul. Anything you want to know about CAD - give me a shout. I automate AutoCAD and do alot of TCPs/TPPs for people.

Hi rck - I am a real CAD novice with no formal training so I plumped for a package that does alot for me...but it cost over a grand!

 

Your bolt-on looks great, well done for writing it. Hats off to your skills!

[rck]

For 5837 surveys, a couple of cost affective and efficient protocols, without GIS mapping systems, would be 1) Take a paper print (OS tile or topo) to site, mark tree positions clearly on print, send scanned image of map to a company specialising in doing CAD for arborists, send spreadsheet of tree parameters to same company with the digital OS tile or topo, get back a nice branded high quality TCP in pdf and CAD format. 2) Take a tablet/laptop with OS tile or topo loaded to site, drop tree markers directly onto digital map using simple CAD software, send file and spreadsheet to third party as above and again get back a nice TCP. This way very little capital outlay for technology, no training expenses or steep learning curves, past cost on to customer as a Cost-of-Sales. These methods work on sites with up to hundreds of trees.

So what do you get for a grand? I have virtualy no experience with mapping software, is it easy to use?

[Paul Barton]

Hi Sloth,

 

I use KeyTREE: Tree Survey Software

 

It's not designed for capturing data in the field really - you either need to use a GPS program that you can import in to CAD, or just mark the tree numbers on the topographical site plan that (hopefully) you have been provided with.

 

I really only use KeyTREE for BS5837 work.

 

It's pretty easy to use for making professional looking TCP's. I import the spreadsheet of data collected in to the program, and then one clink on each tree on the topo inserts the tree number, crown spreads, RPA all colour coded according to the BS category of the tree.

 

There are several videos on the Keyscape website where you can see how it works.

 

If you are looking for something to act as a more general survey tool for collecting tree mapping data for other types of survey, you're better off looking at a GPS data collection program like Pear mapping, Digiterra, Ezytreev etc. It can soon get expensive though!

 

If you have some big sites this software soon pays for itself. I recently created a TCP for a site with over 5000 trees on it and it took about 10 minutes. If I had needed to draw each tree in turn in CAD it would have taken me about 5 days if not more.

[rck]

Have to speak up for AutoCAD here Paul. AutoCAD will do thousands of trees in minutes too. Just takes automation. That is what I've done with it. Just like the shadow program I'm giving away. You know a 5000 tree site TCP (my biggest is 4000) could be done for a one off fee of around £100 (that's a couple of hours at CAD rates). Could be very cost affective for some people compaired to buying new technology.

Hi Sloth,

 

I use KeyTREE: Tree Survey Software

 

It's not designed for capturing data in the field really - you either need to use a GPS program that you can import in to CAD, or just mark the tree numbers on the topographical site plan that (hopefully) you have been provided with.

 

I really only use KeyTREE for BS5837 work.

 

It's pretty easy to use for making professional looking TCP's. I import the spreadsheet of data collected in to the program, and then one clink on each tree on the topo inserts the tree number, crown spreads, RPA all colour coded according to the BS category of the tree.

 

There are several videos on the Keyscape website where you can see how it works.

 

If you are looking for something to act as a more general survey tool for collecting tree mapping data for other types of survey, you're better off looking at a GPS data collection program like Pear mapping, Digiterra, Ezytreev etc. It can soon get expensive though!

 

If you have some big sites this software soon pays for itself. I recently created a TCP for a site with over 5000 trees on it and it took about 10 minutes. If I had needed to draw each tree in turn in CAD it would have taken me about 5 days if not more.

[Paul Barton]

No doubt matey - I am not taking anything away from what you do.

 

Offering a service such as yours to arborists is a great idea - I wish I had made contact with you before!

 

Can you email your contact details so I can bear you in mind during busy spells? [email protected]