Specify how to render a point cloud region in the graphic views, create additional point cloud regions, selectively clip (hide) and unclip scan points, measure distances and angles on scan points, and use scan points to measure volume or create a surface.

Following are the basic steps for this workflow. For more detailed instructions, see Understanding Point Cloud Data.

Steps:

Commands:

1.

Import point cloud data in any of the following file formats:

• .e57 - binary and XML format
• .las - binary format
• .pts, .ptx, .xyz, .yxz - delimited ASCII text format

Import

2.

Use the Point Clouds section in the Options dialog to specify various settings that control how point clouds are displayed and used in the software.

Options

3.

View point cloud region nodes in the Project Explorer.

View point cloud data on the Plan View or 3D View.

Project Explorer

Plan View

3D View

4.

To specify how a point cloud region displays when it is unselected (that is, not highlighted), select the region and then select the appropriate rendering option.

True Color

Scan Color

Region Color

Gray-Scale Intensity

Color by Elevation

Color-Coded Intensity

5.

Select a scan point size for the points in all point cloud regions in your project using the Rendering > Point Size command.

The remaining steps are optional, based on your needs.

6.

Create additional point cloud regions from the Default point cloud region by drawing a rectangular, polygonal, or freehand fence (selection boundary) for the new region in a graphic view and selecting the Create Point Cloud Region command.

The newly created region displays in the Project Explorer.

Rectangle Select

Polygon Select

Create Point Cloud Region

7.

Combine two or more point cloud regions into a single point cloud region by selecting them and then selecting the Create Point Cloud Region command.

The newly merged region displays in the Project Explorer.

Create Point Cloud Region

8.

Selectively hide ("keep out") and show ("keep in") scan points by drawing a "fence" around them in a graphic view (or selecting entire regions) and selecting the appropriate command.

Rectangle Select

Polygon Select

Keep Out

Keep In

9.

Measure distances and angles on scan points.

Measure Distance

Measure Angle

10.

Select scan points from any point cloud region or any scan point selection you make in a graphic view to measure volume or create a surface.

Rectangle Select

Polygon Select

Measure Volume

Create Surface

11.

Export scan points from any point cloud region or any scan point selection you make in a graphic view in the following file formats.

• .e57
• .las
• .pts, .ptx

Export