Point cloud interrogation

In the accessories menu or through the toolbar, there are tools that can be used to interrogate the point cloud.

Pick Point

This displays the [x,y,z] positional information of a picked point in the Output field on the Command Control toolbar. The units for the position are tailored according to the units set when first starting Smart Plant 3D.

To return to the compact Command Control toolbar, the Roll Up command control icon may be used. The output dialog will return when a new point is picked.

Show BubbleView

Select the BubbleView icon to display the BubbleView of a picked point in the S3D environment.

The BubbleView enables the designer to place themselves at any scan location and to perform a virtual fly-through in the laser scan. Coordinate extraction and measurement functionality is then available to the user. A position marker is displayed in the BubbleView to highlight the point of interest.

Show Integrated BubbleView

The Integrated BubbleView is an immersive, advanced-rendering of laser scan data that delivers photorealistic visualisation. As visualisation of laser scan data is paramount to effective consumption, you can utilise the Integrated BubbleView alongside the BubbleView and 3D point cloud viewing capabilities for total flexibility to combine the different views to suit your activity.

The Integrated BubbleView technology enables a solid view of each laser scan in the 3D view, giving similar levels of detail to that seen in the classic BubbleView but with the ability to see the Smart 3D CAD objects overlaid with the laser scan data. This gives you a true feel for what their design will look like within the existing site conditions.

After selecting the Show Integrated BubbleView button, double-click on a 3D laser scanned point to load the nearest Integrated BubbleView to the point picked.

The Integrated BubbleView opens directly within the Smart3D interface. The Integrated BubbleView also allows for multi-directional movement with the left mouse button. You can zoom in and out of the Integrated BubbleView by rolling the mouse wheel. Pressing the space bar will reset the zoom level.

To load a different Integrated BubbleView, double-click on the area you wish to move to. If you wish to exit the Integrated BubbleView, press the Backspace button on the keyboard or right-click.

The Integrated BubbleView uses the same resources as the Point Cloud Manager HyperBubble. For information on how to produce these resources, please refer to HyperBubble and Solid Point Cloud Creation and Use.

Fit Pipe

This function will draw a centerline pipe aid for a selected pipe, as well as drawing and outputting the radius of the pipe in the appropriate units. After selecting Fit Pipe, a point should be picked on the surface of the pipe data. The point picked should ideally be central to the captured points representing the pipe size and length. The segmentation process will determine the best fit pipe diameter, and also its direction. This centerline can then be used as an aid for S3D's pipe routing tool. Pipe aids can be cleared by refreshing the S3D database, as these aids are not committed to the S3D database upon creation.

Trace Pipe

This function is similar to the Fit Pipe function but allows the designer to fit multiple pipe aids in quick succession. Select the button shown below and select the first pipe, then select the second pipe, and so on.

The most recently fitted pipe aid will have its diameter displayed in the Output section of the Point Cloud Manager Command Control. Right-click or press Esc to exit this command. Pipe aids can be cleared by refreshing the S3D database, as these aids are not committed to the S3D database upon creation.

Import Tie-Ins

This function enables the user to import pre-crated tie-ins from Point Cloud Manager. If some of the tie-ins in Point Cloud Manager are hidden, a dialogue appears asking if you wish to import only the visible tie-ins or all tie-ins. Select Yes to import only tie-ins that are visible in Point Cloud Manager. Select No to import all tie-ins from Point Cloud Manager (regardless of whether they are displayed or not). For information about fitting tie-ins in Point Cloud Manager, please refer to the AVEVA Point Cloud Manager Server section.

Lasso Line

Select the button shown below to enter lasso mode.

All points enclosed by the fence will be presented in a performance optimised resolution. The smaller the fenced area, the higher the point cloud density displayed. Define the fence vertices by repeatedly moving the cursor and clicking. Press Esc to close off the fence, or right-click to cancel the fence. The example below shows point cloud during and after polygon fence selection.