Point Cloud Setup

Point Cloud Setup

Icon:
Ribbon: Model Viewer > Point Clouds Tab > Point Cloud Panel > Setup

Introduction

ASCII Point Clouds can be imported into Model Viewer using the Point Cloud Setup command. A Point Cloud allows for the fast display of millions of 3d points within Model Viewer. Users can use the Point Cloud to review their model against surveyed LIDAR data or use the Point Cloud to generate a Civil Site Design Surface.

On import of the Point Cloud, users can set a point limit and also a skip value, which is used to filter points imported. Using the Select and Delete commands, users can quickly remove points from the Point Cloud graphically.
For conversion of LIDAR data files to ASCII Point Files format and for improved filtering options, download FUSION LIDAR.  Fusion LIDAR is a free application.

Ribbon Tab and Navigation

This command forms part of the following tab:

Information on navigation in the Model Viewer 3D environment is available when reviewing the Model Viewer command help.

Details

Upon selecting the command the following form is displayed:

File Format

    Columns

Specify the format of the ASCII Point File using the drop-down boxes numbered 1-10. If required, columns and be skipped using the 'Skip' value.

    Delimited By Set whether the ASCII Point File is delimited by a comma or a space

    On Error If an error occurs during import, set whether the user is alerted and the process is stopped or whether to continue import

Display
Set whether the point cloud is displayed using colours (as specified in the file format) or plain (black and white)

Filter

   Point Limit

The maximum amount of points imported into Model Viewer.

   Skip Every

Allows users to filter the Point Cloud. If a value of 10 is set, then only 1 in every 10 points is imported.

Data Sources

  Add Files

Specify the ASCII Point Files to be imported (multiple files can be selected)

  Remove File

Remove files from the Data Sources list

Import Point Cloud

Import the Point Cloud into Model Viewer. Depending on the size of the data, this may take a few minutes.

Unload Point Cloud

Unload the Point Cloud from Model Viewer.


File Format
Columns	Specify the format of the ASCII Point File using the drop-down boxes numbered 1-10. If required, columns and be skipped using the 'Skip' value.
Delimited By	Set whether the ASCII Point File is delimited by a comma or a space
On Error	If an error occurs during import, set whether the user is alerted and the process is stopped or whether to continue import
Display	Set whether the point cloud is displayed using colours (as specified in the file format) or plain (black and white)
Filter
Point Limit	The maximum amount of points imported into Model Viewer.
Skip Every	Allows users to filter the Point Cloud. If a value of 10 is set, then only 1 in every 10 points is imported.
Data Sources
Add Files	Specify the ASCII Point Files to be imported (multiple files can be selected)
Remove File	Remove files from the Data Sources list

Import Point Cloud	Import the Point Cloud into Model Viewer. Depending on the size of the data, this may take a few minutes.
Unload Point Cloud	Unload the Point Cloud from Model Viewer.