PDA

View Full Version : Tools of the Trade


staplegun
01-18-2007, 01:13 PM
This is kind of an expansion of the Business Ideas Swap Thread http://www.helifreak.com/viewtopic.php?t=18906

What are the tools you use for AP?

I see this question asked on a regular basis “What do you use to/for…?” I thought this would a good place to discuss the tools we use.

Some of the tools I use:

Image Processing

hugin – Panorama Tools GUI - http://hugin.sourceforge.net
Canon Photostitch – replaced by hugin
Adobe Photoshop
Autocad

Movie software

Windows Movie Maker
Adobe Premier Elements

Printers

HP Officejet Pro K850 11”x17”
HP DesignJet 500 roll fed large format printer (up to 42” wide rolls)

Both printers use the same ink carts and print heads and are designed for large volume printing.

Digital Cameras

Nikon Coolpix 775 – Digital Camera – well used, old – it’s the camera I use for site survey, construction observation, general field use. It refuses to die.
Canon A540 – Digital Camera – Flys on both AP birds
Canon Rebel XT – Prosumer 35mm body Digital Camera – Used for high quality shots on the ground.

AP Ships

Trex-450 – Askman Mount
Swift-16 – Askman Mount

How I get to the site, and haul my equipment.

Chevy Pick up – Sites with easy access (2wd)
Ford Bronco II – Sites that have difficult access (4wd)

GPS – It helps to know where you are

Garmin GPS 72
Garmin eTrex Legend
Garmin StreetPilot c530
Topcon construction grade GPS (real time 1” accuracy)

Note: I have an established Civil Design / Surveying company and am expanding to AP to support (not financially) the design/survey process and as a very powerful marketing tool.