Industry Chat & For Fun!

Discuss broader AEC-related topics (non-OpenSpace or just for fun!)

  • 45 Topics
  • 245 Replies

45 Topics

Jess Lam
Employee
Jess LamEmployee
asked in Industry Chat & For Fun!

Favorite industry podcasts, newsletters, and resources

Members of the OpenSpace product team would like to follow more of the AEC industry’s leading podcasts, newsletters, people, and resources. What are your favorites? Any favorite episodes, articles, or writers? 

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j.Raskin
1 year ago
Jeevan
Employee
JeevanEmployee
published in Industry Chat & For Fun!

A Letter from the OpenSpace CEO: Let's meet!

Hi Community!Jeevan here 👋 CEO of OpenSpace. OpenSpace was built on the jobsite, from day 1: my co-founders and I worked on the concept with builders in those very early days, and I spent pretty much every day on the site during that period. We exist to serve builders, and we know OpenSpace can only get better with customer input. This is why I wanted to reach out to you! I want to meet more of you and learn from you. Anything you love (or hate!) about OpenSpace? Got a feature you wish we would build? I’m all ears. The construction industry is a tight-knit network, and one that thrives when like-minded individuals work toward common goals. So let's connect, learn from each other, and work together to innovate! Want to meet and chat with me? 😁Schedule a 30-minute 1:1 with me!Send an email to jeevan-customer@openspace.ai to get a meeting scheduled.

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Cameron Wahl
2 years ago
Cameron Wahl
Cameron WahlGold
posted in Industry Chat & For Fun!

Cameras Overheating

Just a heads up to everyone using Ricoh Theta Z1s, they arent designed for outdoor captures and are over heating.  We use mostly Ricoh Theta Z1s and they have been overheating about 12 mins into captures out on one of our projects. We noticed at the bottom of the camera it has a “indoor use only” warning.  The overheating has messed up our captures and we have had to have support help us with getting them fixed.

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Kev Lyons
8 days ago
A
AK_Associate
posted in Industry Chat & For Fun!

OpenSpace in Africa.

I have read some articles recently of the adoption of OpenSpace in Africa, I know that we have a great potential for it, what are your thoughts on the implementation of it across Africa? 

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A
4 months ago
I
Ike14i6p
asked in Industry Chat & For Fun!

Can I use my phone as a compass?

Yes, you can use your phone as a compass using websites like onlinecompass.net that is designed for navigation. Moreover, most modern smartphones come with a built-in compass that utilizes the magnetometer sensor and GPS to determine direction and orientation. Here are some key things to know about using your phone as a compass: - Most phones have a default compass app or capability within Google Maps or Apple Maps. You can access these to view cardinal direction. - For basic usage, simply open the compass app and allow the phone to calibrate/settle on a direction. Hold the phone flat or upright to track orientation. The compass readout will update as you change direction. - Accuracy can vary between 5-10 degrees based on nearby interfering signals (like speakers) or external factors. Calibrating the compass and moving away from potential magnetic interference can improve accuracy. - Certain compass apps utilize GPS positioning overlays to improve directional precision. However, this r

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I
7 months ago
I
Ike14i6p
asked in Industry Chat & For Fun!

Finding Our Way: The Compass in History

The history of the compass dates back more than 2,000 years, with its invention during the Han Dynasty in China between the 2nd century BC and 1st century AD. The first compasses were made of lodestone, a naturally magnetized mineral. These early compasses had a magnetic needle or card that could rotate freely and, when positioned horizontally, would align itself with the Earth's magnetic field, pointing to the Magnetic North-South direction. This remarkable device revolutionized navigation and played a pivotal role in shaping the course of human history.The Birth of the Compass in Ancient ChinaThe inception of the compass can be traced to ancient China, where it emerged as a crucial tool for early explorers and sailors. The compass's evolution in history, from its humble beginnings in China, is a testament to human ingenuity. The compass's magnetic properties remained a subject of scientific inquiry for generations, inspiring scholars and adventurers alike to unlock its secrets. Navig

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I
9 months ago
R
rahimzoheiviNewcomer
asked in Industry Chat & For Fun!

How to use online compass?

In the digital age, getting lost is a thing of the past, thanks to online compasses. Whether you're exploring a new city, hiking in the wilderness, or just curious about which way is north, using an online compass can be incredibly handy. In this guide, we'll take you through the steps to effectively use an online compass for navigation.Step 1: Open a Web BrowserBegin by opening your preferred web browser on your computer, smartphone, or tablet. Most modern web browsers will work perfectly for this purpose.Step 2: Search for an Online CompassIn the search bar, type "online compass" and hit Enter. Your search results will display a list of online compass tools and websites.Step 3: Choose a Compass ToolSelect a reliable online compass tool from the search results.https://www.tripadvisor.com and  https://www.hotels.com among many reputable websites offer free online compass services suggest using https://onlinecompass.net. You can access these compass tools directly on their respective we

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R
10 months ago
Krystal Wu
Krystal WuRetired Community Moderator
published in Industry Chat & For Fun!

Weekly Construction Chatter #2: Using Drones

This is a weekly series of discussion posts centered on various industry topics, and we are calling it our Weekly Construction Chatter! This will be a reoccurring event where the Community can come together to discuss a specific topic or theme where everyone is encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas. To engage with a weekly discussion series, you can actively listen to others and contribute by asking questions, commenting, and sharing your own experiences and insights. Respecting others' opinions and contributing to a positive and inclusive atmosphere are important. 💬 Weekly Construction Chatter #2 Drones have become an increasingly popular tool for reality capture, offering a cost-effective and efficient way to gather data and images from various locations.  How are you using drones today? Are you using them for reality capture in your work? If so, do you have drone pilots on staff, or do you use drone service providers? What safety or legal regulations are you having to consid

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Johannes
11 months ago
H
hampisoftNewcomer
asked in Industry Chat & For Fun!

Automated Scan2BIM Solution

Hi there,I am a newbie here in this community. Is there a solution for converting scanned point data directly into a BIM model (IFC format) without any human interventions.  Ideally a robot mounted Lidar camera would traverse an interior space,  autonomously and send the captured point cloud data to a cloud platform, where it will be processed into a BIM model using AI/ML algorithms in a matter of minutes ?Will the community be interested in such a solution ? Cheers

2
H
1 year ago
Merry Richter
Employee
Merry RichterEmployee
published in Industry Chat & For Fun!

May the Fourth (and reality capture) be with you!

📢 Calling all Star Wars fans: Star Wars Day is here! We partnered with Community member and OpenSpace user @NZelenock, a fellow Star Wars fan, to deliver this fun blog post. THANK YOU TO NATHAN! 🙏(Featured Image Credit: Nathan Zelenock -- edited by OpenSpace) Construction Lessons from the Death StarWe had been thinking that things might have gone very differently a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away had the Empire used OpenSpace reality capture when building the Death Stars. Much of the Skywalker story revolves around the construction (and destruction) of not one but two of these terrifying space stations—so much so that Star Wars feels more like a construction saga than a space opera. Both Death Star projects suffered from lengthy delays, administrative inefficiencies, and security and design flaws, not to mention extremely hostile work environments that led to sabotage and other critical failures. So in honor of Star Wars Day, and thanks to a stolen Imperial report we've uncov

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N
1 year ago
Krystal Wu
Krystal WuRetired Community Moderator
published in Industry Chat & For Fun!

Weekly Construction Chatter #1: 2023 Industry Trends

With a New Year comes a new exciting approach to the Community! Each week we will be posting a weekly discussion series. This will be a reoccurring event where the Community can come together to discuss a specific topic or theme where everyone is encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas. To engage with a weekly discussion series, you can actively listen to others and contribute by asking questions, commenting, and sharing your own experiences and insights. Respecting others' opinions and contributing to a positive and inclusive atmosphere are important. 💬 Weekly Construction Chatter Series #1 The construction industry has come a long way regarding technology and techniques used on the job site. The way we build and create infrastructure is constantly changing from prefabricated materials to drones for surveying and project management. With these changes come challenges and opportunities. Here at OpenSpace, we are kicking off the new year by gathering insights into the construction

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Krystal Wu
1 year ago
Krystal Wu
Krystal WuRetired Community Moderator
published in Industry Chat & For Fun!

2022 End of Year Competition and Thank You!

🎉 2022 End of Year Competition 🎉 We are nearing the end of the year, and before we wrap, we'd like to share our last competition for 2022! A fun game some of you might be familiar with called Mad Libs could provide a unique way to learn about each other and what you've done this year.  As we are rapidly growing and seeing more faces in this Community, we'd love to gather a recap of your experience this year in the OpenSpace Community. Let’s take this moment in the holiday season to pause, reflect, and connect before kicking off an exciting new year together! Rules:Below is the template for the Mad Libs activity. Copy the information and fill it out. Then paste your Mad Libs story in the comments below. {Bonus entry for an image too -- see below for details!}Hi! My name is ________________. I grew up in ______________________, and I work as a _____________________ at ________________________. My all-time favorite building or structure is ______________________ built by _______________

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Olivier Vanlandeghem
1 year ago
Kev Lyons
Kev LyonsCertified
posted in Industry Chat & For Fun!

OpenSpace Camera Supplemental Products

Hey Everyone,As the Black Friday Shopping is coming up, I thought I would share what I use in addition to my Insta 360 One X camera. I bet these products will be at a great discount in the next two weeks.In addition to the Insta360 One X camera, I use the NXT technologies rechargeable battery in the link below. Its awesome because the LED tells you how much battery you have and it can last about a day. (12hours)NXT Technologies 24385183 5000 mAh 1 USB Port PowerBank, Black (Amazon Hyperlink) $13.00I also use a micro USB that came separately. I use a small one from an old wireless speaker of mine in the picture.For micro-usb cables to charge the NXT Technologies portable battery. I recommend using theamazon basics micro-usb (Amazon Hyperlink Approx. $10.00)As for my camera holster I carry my camera and charger in I use the….Amazon Basics Holster Camera Case (Amazon Hyperlink) $14.00As you can see, the OpenSpace camera cable can work with my rechargeable battery. Captures can be recorded

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Kev Lyons
1 year ago
G
Gerard O'DonnellCertified
posted in Industry Chat & For Fun!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in the community

Hope that everyone and their families have a very happy and healthy holiday together.  Sending warm wishes from New York.

1
Nikiya Crisostomo
1 year ago
G
Gerard O'DonnellCertified
posted in Industry Chat & For Fun!

Video capture adoption by sub contractors

I recently went back to the first jobsite that I setup with OpenSpace for my company.  They were having an issue and wanted to photo capture every floor to document this particular day so although I trained some people to do captures they wanted a little help to divide and conquer the whole project (44 story building).  I also may have wanted to test my new Ricoh theta out…. What was awesome to see is that one of our subcontractors was walking the jobsite with a helmet camera.  So I immediately stopped him and asked what was up and it was a project manager who was testing out OpenSpace for use on their projects.  This is the same PM who has sat in coordination meetings on this site where we used the photos and walkthroughs from our captures and thought of the benefit it would have his company in documenting work in place and having a record to use for conditions.  Really was awesome to see and hopefully it gets a lot more adoption and less people ask why you are wearing a gopro on your

5
G
1 year ago
Kev Lyons
Kev LyonsCertified
posted in Industry Chat & For Fun!

Construction Layout Robots

Does anyone have experience with construction robots? My company may be interested in purchasing one of the following robots below. These construction robots use printer ink with the robot aligning itself to control points and works off CAD drawings to create layout for walls and MEP work points on slabs.Dusty Robotics-DUSTYHP SitePrint. Funny to see HP make more than just printers lol. 

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Cameron Wahl
1 year ago
Cameron Wahl
Cameron WahlGold
posted in Industry Chat & For Fun!

Openspace Exterior

Has anyone ever tried, or thought of using Openspace for exterior uses? What were your thoughts on it? I have wanted to us it for exterior inspections on buildings with a drone. Has anyone else thought of using a drone to help with captures or tried?

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Kyle Snyder
1 year ago
Krystal Wu
Krystal WuRetired Community Moderator
published in Industry Chat & For Fun!

Free Premium 360° Camera Giveaway from OpenSpace!

We’ve been having many giveaways throughout this month for our Community One-Year Anniversary, and the giveaways just keep coming! 🎊 Here’s your chance to win a free 360° camera 📸 If you want to take your job to the next level, have been considering reality capture, or are ready to capture a new project, then this camera is for you. Hit the ground running with little to no training – turn the 360° camera on, tap GO, and walk your site like normal. It's that simple.  Already a customer? Share this with your co-workers and broader professional network to get in on the action. Not a customer yet? Sign up for an OpenSpace subscription before the end of October to be eligible for a free 360° camera. Click here to be entered, and our sales team will be happy to get you started.  Terms & ConditionsTo be eligible for a free 360° camera, you must be a new or existing customer of OpenSpace and you must sign up for a new OpenSpace subscription or add ACV to your subscription to start by 10/

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Olivier Vanlandeghem
1 year ago
Nikiya Crisostomo
Nikiya CrisostomoNewcomer
published in Industry Chat & For Fun!

Careers in Construction: Call for Videos!

 🛠  Are you passionate about working in the construction industry? 🌟 Do you want to be featured at Waypoint, in the OpenSpace Community,and across our social media platforms?🔥 Then you are the perfect candidate to be one of ourConstruction Careers Champions! 👏October is when we will be hosting Waypoint, but it is also Careers in Construction Month (CICM)! In celebration, we want to gather input from our Community and showcase how impactful and rewarding career paths in the building industry are. Between August 24th and September 24th, share a short clip responding to any of our prompts below, and you will be featured at Waypoint, in the OpenSpace Community, and across our social media platforms! 🎥 VIDEO GUIDELINESRecord a video of yourself responding to any of the prompts below. *Bonus points if you record at a jobsite or with construction in the background for extra allure 😉* Make sure to start the video by introducing yourself! (Name, Company, Role) We want viewers to get to kn

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Krystal Wu
1 year ago
A
Alice ColaNewcomer
posted in Industry Chat & For Fun!

Tips on How to Control Office Tenant Improvement Project Costs

There are various tenancy improvement negotiations that could be arranged to give incentives for tenants to lure them into signing long term rental agreements. Different arrangements can be made, depending on what is most ideal for both parties (Landlord and tenant). The landlord might decide to control the cost of renovation and make all the improvements himself. Alternatively, the tenant can agree to carry out the improvement in exchange for a reduction of rent or cash incentive.If the landlord is undertaking the tenant improvement projects, there are certain ways to go about this improvement to control cost. With the increased variations in tenant’s preference and the quirky spaces, controlling tenant improvement project cost is increasingly getting more difficult. But there are certainly ways to go about it. Below are tips to follow to control office tenant improvement project costs.Making use of SDI (subcontractor Default insurance) instead of performance bondsIn the past, most la

2
M
Employee
1 year ago
Rachel Sondkar
Employee
Rachel SondkarEmployee
published in Industry Chat & For Fun!

OpenSpace 15-Minute ChallengeChallenge

⏱️ Did you know it typically takes 15 minutes or less to process a capture on OpenSpace? That's 15 minutes for you to do whatever you want. 🙌Introducing the OpenSpace 15-Minute Challenge!We want to know what you can do in 15 minutes, like run a mile, make pasta, do some self-care with a face mask, etc. Between June 15th and July 15th, share a short clip of how you spend your 15 minutes, and we will send you a $15 Amazon gift card.  🎥 VIDEO GUIDELINESYour video should only be 5 seconds long (10 seconds max please!). This is just a small challenge we wanted to have fun with, so don’t overthink it! Submit your video through this form. If your video is hosted on another platform (i.e. YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, TikTok), the form lets you just submit the URL. If your video is a standalone file, the form also lets you just upload your file. You have choices! NOTE: If you post anywhere on social media, don’t forget to include the hashtag #OS15MinChallenge❗️🎁 TOKEN OF APPRECIATIONTo thank y

2448
Rachel Sondkar
Employee
1 year ago
Nikiya Crisostomo
Nikiya CrisostomoNewcomer
published in Industry Chat & For Fun!

It's OpenSpace's 5th Birthday!

OpenSpace is turning 5 this month! 🎈 After witnessing the struggles builders faced, OpenSpace was created to bring new levels of transparency and tracking to construction 🛠 Since 2017, OpenSpace has been used on more than 14,000 job sites, topping 10B square feet of job site imagery captured on the platform 📈We look forward to continuing to serve the global construction community for many years to come 😊 Thank you all for getting us this far!

464
Justin Haas
1 year ago
Krystal Wu
Krystal WuRetired Community Moderator
published in Industry Chat & For Fun!

Recently Joined OpenSpace - Who Am I?

Hello everyone, I am excited to dive into the construction tech space with you, as this is my first time being part of it! I recently joined the OpenSpace Community team and will work with @nikiya to grow and learn from this community to better understand the construction industry. So far, I’ve been looking over this post recently in the community; however, if you have further suggestions for where you like to learn, articles to check out, podcasts to listen to, or who I should connect with in the construction space, drop a comment on the post to let me know!Now on a personal note, let me share a bit about who I am outside of work. My name is Krystal Wu and located in Boston, MA. I was born and raised in MA but have traveled and lived in other locations, yet I always return to this spot. I can’t pass up some of the most magical four seasons of the year. I enjoy doing activities in my free time, such as pilates, yoga, kayaking (but only in the summer), gardening, and skiing. I’ll never

16616
Dante DeFazio
1 year ago
Nikiya Crisostomo
Nikiya CrisostomoNewcomer
published in Industry Chat & For Fun!

Survey: Preparing for a potential economic downturnSurvey

Hi Community 👋 💡 We want to hear your thoughts since you’re the construction experts. With all the conversation around economic uncertainty, we want to hear from you about what, if anything, your company is doing to prepare, and the role technology may play. Please fill out this short survey by June 24th, 11:59 PM PDT! We will share our key findings with the Community after 🤓

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Nikiya Crisostomo
2 years ago
Nikiya Crisostomo
Nikiya CrisostomoNewcomer
published in Industry Chat & For Fun!

Survey Results: Preparing for a potential economic downturnSurvey

Thank you to everyone who participated in our survey on preparing for a potential economic downturn. The results are in! And as promised, we wanted to share our findings with you. Some key results: 📉💸 74% of respondents are concerned about a potential economic downturn affecting the construction industry 🛠️📈 60% of respondents said they wanted to improve project efficiency to prepare for a potential economic downturn ⏱️💰74% of respondents said they thought technology would help their company by improving efficiency, thereby saving time and money  You can find and read about the full results here 🤓Comment below if you have more thoughts on this topic! 👇

190
Nikiya Crisostomo
2 years ago

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