Create zones

For some datasets (particularly large ones), it may be easier to split the data into different zones. Zoning offers users higher point cloud density when working in their area of interest. Zoning also enables users to work with a part of the dataset without having to re-select that area every time a volume is reset.

For example, a dataset of a building may be split up into different floors with each floor having its own zone. Users interested in floor 3 would activate the zone containing that floor and would be able to work with it normally, including selecting volumes within that zone. When the user is finished with their volume selection, they can reset the volume and the floor 3 zone would be displayed, rather than the entire dataset.

Users can activate and de-activate their desired zones at any time, meaning access to the full dataset is always possible. Sub-Zones can also be created, for example, floor 3 may be split into different sub-zones for each room. Again, sub-zones can be activated and de-activated at any time.

Setting up zones

The creation of zones should be carried out by the project administrator before being delivered to the project end users.

To begin the zoning process:

1. Right-click on the Project Volumes node and select Start Zoning. When in zoning mode a red banner appears at the top of the Volumes Manager to signify that you are in zoning mode.

   

   The Volume Toolbar at the top of the Point Cloud Manager interface also changes to the "Zones" Toolbar to allow access to the relevant zoning tools.

2. To create a new zone, select the Get zone at point button on the Zones toolbar and then select a point in the 3D window around which to create the zone.

   

   A blue box appears around the point selected.

   

3. To resize the box, click and drag any of the blue arrow grips which appear on each side and corner of the box. Whilst the box is being resized, only data inside the box will be shown in the 3D window. This acts as a preview of what the zone will look like.

Translating or rotating a zone

To translate or rotate a zone:

4. Select the icon shown below.

   

   This brings up the modification frame as shown in the image below:

   

   Each arc may be dragged to rotate the zone about the correspondingly coloured line, and the zone may be dragged to translate along the selected line. This feature provides immediate visual feedback permitting exact points selection.

   The white spot in the center of the circles indicates the zone center position, about which all rotations are performed.

5. To translate along the desired axis, click, hold and drag along the axial line. Release to leave the zone in the new position.

   Inactive axes of movement are removed from the display when an axis of movement has been selected.

   

   The zone then moves along the remaining visible axis until the left mouse button is released.

6. To rotate, click, hold and drag on the circle. Release to leave the zone in the new position.

   Inactive axes of movement are removed from the display when an axis of movement has been selected.

   

   The zone then moves about the remaining visible axis until the left mouse button is released.

7. When in Translation/Rotation mode, the Translate/Rotate icon changes to the icon shown below. Select to return to resize mode.

   

8. When you are happy with the size and location of the zone box, either press Enter or right-click to accept the current selection. This creates a new zone in the Volumes Manager as shown below.

   

9. Rename the zone by right-clicking on it in the Volumes Manager and selecting Rename.

10. When the necessary zones have been created either right-click on the Project Volumes node and select Finish Zoning or select the cross on the red banner within the Volumes Manager as shown below:

    

Converting volumes to zones

Zones can also be created by converting existing volumes to zones.

To do this:

• Right-click on a volume whilst in zoning mode and select Convert to Zone.

Activating and deactivating zones

To activate a zone:

11. Right-click on the desired zone within the Volumes Manager and select Activate. This displays only the points within the selected zone at a low resolution. However, the resolution will be higher than viewing the same area within the entire dataset. Multiple zones can be active simultaneously if required.

12. You can access all normal functions by selecting a zone including selecting/demolishing volumes. If you select a volume and then reset that volume, only the points within the zone will be shown.

13. You can store volumes and volume categories under zones by dragging and dropping them within the Volumes Manager.

14. To deactivate a zone, right-click on the active zone (signified by bold text) and select Deactivate. Use the Deactivate All option to deactivate all currently active zones and return to the full dataset.