How I saved the client $22,000 by using 3D CAD

A client asked me to look at a CCTV system that had been designed by another consultant to protect the perimeter of some remote control equipment for damage.

The design had 8 PTZ cameras to cover a rectangular shape of 60 x 15 metres inside a chain mesh fence.

 

The initial design was too expensive

PTZ’s had been selected to allow the client to see between the large pieces of control equipment but this would cost around $34,000 for the cameras before anything was installed and there were still blank spots in the coverage pattern.

Modelling the plan using CCTV 3D design software, the possibility to use fixed position IP cameras combined with trip wire analytics was able to be checked as well as the blind spots of the proposed PTZ cameras.

Get the IP video design tool on a 30 day trial
or buy now with a free upgrade to v7  for $95

Planed coverage from each camera

The camera placements showed that 6 cameras would give complete perimeter coverage using 4 poles with the cameras mounted 4 metres high. A further saving through a reduced number of camera poles.

CCTV camera placement on the site plan in 3D drawing software

Modelled camera images show the persons size in the 3D window suited analytics

Get the IP video design tool on a 30 day trial
or buy now with a free upgrade to v7  for $95

Based on 2CIF resolution, the 3D CAD was able to show that dual tripwire analytics could safely be applied, allowing an alert to be triggered in the remote control room with pre and post alarm loop replay. This allows the operator to see a repeating loop of what caused the alarm activation.

3D output from 3D design software Camera 1 3D output from 3D design software Camera 2

 

3D output from 3D design software Camera 3

3D output from 3D design software Camera 4

 

3D output from 3D design software Camera 5 3D output from 3D design software Camera 6

End result. The client can make an educated decision

Get the IP video design tool on a 30 day trial
or buy now with a free upgrade to v7  for $95

Through the modelling and about 1 hour of modelling time, the client can clearly see the coverage they will receive from each different layout.

  • 6 fixed position cameras and have the added advantage of video analytics to alert them of an intrusion.
    Hardware Cost $14,000
  • 4 wider angle fixed position cameras but no analytics and low quality images
    Hardware Cost $9,000
  • 8 PTZ cameras for greater flexibility but no analytics
    Hardware Cost $34,000
  • Use of Photo Electric (PE) beams can be added to options 2 or 3 for alarms.
    Hardware Cost $4,000

What would you choose?

The original system you hope will work or the system modelled on 3D design software?

More info on JVSG 3D design software for CCTV can be found here.

4 Comments

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  1. CCTV Installer May 2, 2012 at 1:31 am #

    Very clever software. I like it!

  2. Sebastian April 20, 2013 at 12:11 pm #

    Hi
    I am trying to design a cctv using “ip video system design tool by jvsg” and I have a problem.
    The software allows me to pan and tilt a camera and adjust the FOV accordingly but I am not being able to rotate the camera around its own axis. The mountings I have for my project have a sphere on them which allows this movement in order to be able to expand the FOV without changing zoom or focus.
    Is there any way to simulate this movement on a CCTV design software??
    Look forward to seeing your answer
    Thanks in advance

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