Ollie Hardy of See3D Shifts Gears with Realsee Galois for Construction and Automotive Virtual Tours

Picture a London construction site, where numbers meet vision: here, Ollie Hardy, a quantity surveyor and the bold mind behind See3D, is forging a new path with 3D scanning technology. Ollie, who juggles budgets and project finances by day, is carving out a new path with 3D scanning technology, moving from the Insta360 X4 to the Realsee platform and Galois M2 scanner. Their story is one of curiosity, adaptation, and ambition, as they aim to weave virtual tours into both construction progress reports and a side hustle targeting the automotive sector. Here’s how Ollie is redefining visualization with Realsee’s tools and setting their sights on new horizons.

See3D: From Budgets to 3D Brilliance

Ollie Hardy is no stranger to the high-stakes world of construction. As a quantity surveyor, they ensure projects stay financially on track, currently working with an American client in London to deliver weekly visual updates via Zoom. These updates, showcasing job progress through immersive walk-arounds, were initially captured using an Insta360 X4 camera. But Ollie craved sharper visuals and a more intuitive system. Enter Realsee and the Galois M2 scanner, which Ollie describes as “a leap forward in quality.”

See3D, Ollie’s fledgling side business, is still in its infancy but gaining momentum. With the Galois M2, Ollie is not just enhancing their construction reports but also laying the groundwork for a virtual tour service. Their vision? To offer bespoke, high-fidelity 3D experiences that captivate clients, starting with a bold foray into the automotive industry.

The Realsee Revelation: Why Ollie Chose Galois M2

Ollie’s journey to Realsee began on YouTube, where interviews spotlighting the Galois M2 caught their eye. Initially scouting a dominant competitor, Ollie noticed the Galois M2’s specs outshone the market leader in key areas, like image resolution and scanning precision. A deeper dive revealed Realsee’s cost-effectiveness and flexible pricing model, a stark contrast to the competitor’s restrictive per-model or file-type fees. “Realsee doesn’t box you in,” Ollie noted. “I can download RAW files and tailor them to my client’s style.”

The Galois M2’s ease of use was a game-changer. Ollie, still mastering the scanner, uploaded their first virtual tour with minimal fuss, thanks to Realsee’s intuitive interface. A standout feature? An AI tool that erases the camera and tripod from shots with one click, delivering polished results effortlessly. But what truly sets Realsee apart, Ollie emphasized, is the team’s responsiveness. Unlike the impersonal support of competitors, Realsee’s crew is quick to address concerns and open to user ideas, fostering a partnership that feels personal and proactive.

Redefining Construction Visualization

In construction, clear communication is king. Ollie’s American client relies on weekly Zoom updates to track progress, and the Galois M2 has elevated these presentations. The scanner’s superior image quality—capturing 134MP panoramas with a 4/3-inch CMOS sensor—brings sites to life with crisp detail, far surpassing the Insta360 X4’s capabilities. This clarity helps stakeholders visualize progress, from structural frameworks to finishing touches, without stepping foot on-site.

The Realsee platform’s flexibility also allows Ollie to export high-precision point clouds (.ply, .e57) and 3D models (.obj, .fbx), compatible with tools like Autodesk for further analysis. This versatility ensures See3D’s deliverables meet the diverse needs of construction clients, from architects to project managers, while keeping costs manageable thanks to Realsee’s pay-as-you-go model.

A New Venture: Virtual Tours for the Automotive Sector

Ollie’s ambitions extend beyond construction. Inspired by a UK creator’s scans of luxury recreational vehicles—around 10 stunning showcases—Ollie sees potential in the automotive sector. They recently pitched virtual tours to a local car dealership, and the advertising manager showed keen interest in tours for three branches. These tours could let customers explore showrooms or high-end vehicles from anywhere, offering a dynamic alternative to static photos.

To build See3D’s online presence, Ollie is using demonstration images from Realsee’s 3D gallery as website backgrounds, with permission to request specific visuals. These high-quality assets, paired with the Galois M2’s output, help Ollie showcase their capabilities to prospective clients. The goal is clear: create immersive experiences that make dealerships stand out in a competitive market.

Pricing Strategies and Future Hopes

As a newcomer to the virtual tour market, Ollie is navigating pricing strategies with care. They’ve explored models like per-square-meter or call-out charges but found limited data, especially for the UK. North American pricing benchmarks exist, but London’s market—where Ollie operates—demands a premium compared to smaller towns. Ollie was advised to connect with local operators for comparative rates, a step they’re eager to take to structure See3D’s offerings competitively.

One hiccup? The Galois M2’s SD card feature, which could expand storage, is currently exclusive to China. Ollie is optimistic about its global rollout, as it would streamline data management for large-scale scans. For now, they’re making do with the scanner’s robust 8-hour battery life and efficient data pipeline, which automates 3D tour generation with near-perfect stitching accuracy.

Ollie’s Vision: Blending Craft and Innovation

Ollie Hardy is a quantity surveyor with a flair for innovation. See3D is more than a side hustle—it’s a canvas for blending technical precision with creative storytelling. The Realsee Galois M2, with its high-fidelity scans and user-friendly ecosystem, is the perfect tool for this mission. From construction sites to car showrooms, Ollie is crafting virtual experiences that inform, engage, and inspire.

As Realsee evolves, Ollie’s feedback—praising the platform’s flexibility and support while advocating for features like expanded storage—could shape its future. For now, See3D is poised to make waves, one scan at a time, proving that a surveyor’s eye for detail can translate into a new era of digital exploration.