Process
Overview
For further clean-up of the point cloud, sectioning and exporting out a point cloud file for use in other software or workflows. This part of the workflow must be done using CYCLONE FIELD 360, a desktop application.
Access
CYCLONE FIELD 360 is only available on the separate processing laptop. If there are any issues with the startup regarding licenses, please seek help at the MSD Loans Desk.
Application Overview
The top menu has your standard File > Open/Save and Preferences/Settings. Right beneath it is the Workflow Menu, you will work from left to right through: Import: for importing your data from the iPad Review and Optimise: for Registration Finalise: for previewing and verifying the results Report: for exporting point clouds and generating reports on accuracy and alignment
The left menu is generally used as an overview of your data, use this menu to view/select individual Setups, Bundles and Links.
The 3D Viewport shows a preview of the point cloud that can be navigated. Any further processing will also be done here.
The right menu is generally used for the Assistant and Properties panels. The Assistant panel has extra controls and options when going through the workflow, while the Properties panel relays information.
This giant red button moves your project to the next stage of the workflow.
Import
On the desktop app CYCLONE REGISTER 360, all Importing is done in the first IMPORT step.
Begin by starting a new project:
Set up the Sync Server
Connect both the iPad and the computer to the same internet network, and on the iPad enable the sync server. Take note of the IP Address and Port number on the ensuing screen.
The iPad should be awake and the FIELD 360 app open during the entire transfer process; otherwise, the transfer process will be interrupted and you will have to start over again. Ideally put the iPad on charge while you transfer especially for large projects that may have long transfer times.
Sync to the iPad
Click on [Field 360]
Input the IP Address and Port Number as displayed on the iPad. Ensure that both iPad and the machine running the desktop app is on the same network.
Import
If you have been following our recommended workflow so far, use the Register settings as depicted above (all unchecked, except for Pre-Registered).
Select the projects you wish to import in the left menu, and [Import] the data.
For reference, the registration settings are explained here if applicable:
Auto Target/Auto Sphere Target | Recommended: OFF Enable only if you used targets in your scanning. Official targets are currently not available at the MSD. |
Auto Cloud + Smart Align | Recommended: OFF Enable to allow the software to automatically make links, this will overwrite your existing links. Smart align allows some finer control over the process, only if you are using a background image. |
Pre-Registered | Recommended: ON Enable if data was pre-registered, using the iPad app or from other programs. |
Review and Optimise
Registration
Register your scans here if you did not do so on the iPad's FIELD 360, or create/refine your links so that you have a strong network of scans.
Refer to the Register page and the desktop registration workflow for REGISTER 360:
pageRegisterAfter Registration, the Properties panel on the right will give you an overview of the overall accuracy. If acceptable, you may move on.
Clean Up Point Cloud
There is a plethora of tools located right above the 3D Viewport that allows you to clean up the dataset.
Optimise Bundle
When your data set is fully prepared, [Optimise Bundle] to proceed to the next step.
Exporting 360 Images
Right-click any setup/scan and Export Panorama to a desired folder location. It will be automatically named after the setup name.
Finalise
This phase presents to you the final data set. Accept the dataset to proceed to the next step.
Report
When everything has been finalised, the Report phase is used for two primary purposes; Reporting and Exporting.
Reporting is used to generate a PDF that collates the Registration results; accuracy, alignment, strength of links amongst others. This is primarily used as proof for confirming that the dataset is accurate.
Exporting is for extracting all the point cloud data into a accessible and transferable formats to be used in other workflows.
Exporting
To export point cloud data, use the menu on the right.
With the Publish menu selected, the bottom batch of options are the point cloud export options.
The common file types are: PTS: Common raw point cloud file type with position (x, y, z) intensity, and colour (r, g, b) data for each point. E57: Common format for registered point clouds, can export as one single cloud or as separate aligned files, useful if you wish to do more processing in other software or workflows. RCP: Autodesk Recap file if you wish to use this data in Autodesk Recap.
A log of your exports will be kept here, this is key because the software is unable to export any set of data (point clouds and/or reports) under a name it has used previously, even if it is to a different folder.
If you need to export the same dataset after some adjustments, you can rename it here (Right-Click or Double-Click) as to not conflict the export log in [2].
Finish
Ensure that you have save a copy of your data from Cyclone Register. The best way to do this is to export your project as a .raf archive file.
You can access the archive file from the 'Register 360 Saved Projects' folder.
Please remove any files from the Leica BLK360 and laptop as a courtesy as these are shared devices. Files on these devices are also frequently deleted.
Recap Workflow
Please refer to video below for how to import BLK360 scan from iPad to ReCap on your desktop. You will need an Autodesk student or staff log in to access ReCap.
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