AdapterForLaserScans

AdapterForLaserScans captures point data from E57 files and saves it as a .upvc file.
This file is then used as input for CAXperts UniversalPlantViewer to generate visualizations.

Supported Formats

Laserscan

• E57
  > Results might be better if scanning position is included.

Panorama

• TruViews
• LFM Panoramas

Mesh

• OBJ (may include optional MTL and texture files)

Overview

This section offers a brief overview of the main functions of AdapterForLaserScans.
For more detailed information, please refer to the dedicated chapters or visit our help center.

Operating Principal

The AdapterForLaserScans converts Point Cloud Data from a laserscan file into a tessellated mesh.

It eliminates duplicate points and optimises cloud density.

The AdapterForLaserScans also integrates 3D textures into the laserscans as illustrated below:

Interface

Select the input folder for the AdapterForLaserScans and the desired target folder.

Settings

Meshing Options

%temp% Option

Given the large file sizes of laserscan data, users can specify the data-path for temporary storage. Click “Browse” to select your preferred folder location.

The size of the laserscan files may impact the loading times of the AdapterForLaserScans. Overlapping sections of any scan will be compared.

Configurations

“Create ‘defaultConfig.upv’ with views” - This configuration sets up default settings to save laserscan data (.upv files) with predefined views.

“Delete temporary files” - Enabling this option will ensure that temporary files are regularly deleted to free up space.

Image/Texture/Panorama Settings
Convert generated images to panoramas	When this is on, you can choose a viewing point directly from the laserscan. If you turn it off, you won’t be able to see panoramas through the red 360° dots.
Fill images	Turning this on improves the quality of the images you make. This doesn’t work for TruViews and Panoramas.
Resolution	Adjusts the quality of the 360° image. Slide to the left for lower quality (4000x2000 pixels) and to the right for higher quality (16000x8000 pixels).

Using the highest resolution can slow down performance.

OBJ Import
Aspect to use	.obj files can be imported. In the ‘Settings’ under ‘Aspects’, .obj files can be separately deactivated.

Command Line Mode

AdapterForLaserscans can also be started in command line mode.
To get all parameters directly in a command window, just type:

C:\Program Files\CAXperts\LaserscanAdapter>LaserscanAdapter.exe -?

Available parameters are:

-input:C:\Input (Occurence: ExactlyOnce; Help Text: Path to a folder holding TruViews and Laserscans)

-output:C:\Output\Example.upvc (Occurence: ExactlyOnce; Help Text: Path to where the UPVC file will be created. File extension ‘upvc’ will be added, if not present.)

-licensekey (Occurence: Arbitrary; Help Text: Activate license key.)

-log (Occurence: Arbitrary; Help Text: Log file path. If not defined, log file is placed in C:\Users\CAXperts\AppData)

LaserscanAdapter

To locate this configuration file for editing, you can use the following path:

%appdata%<USERNAME>.ini

Make sure to replace the username with the actual username when accessing the file.

Example:

[LaserscanAdapter]
DeleteTempFiles=1
TempFolder=%temp%
CreateDefaultConfig=1
ConvertImagesToPanorama=1
FillImages=1
ObjAspect=Simple Physical
TextureResolution=1024
MeshQuality=0
TruViewInput=C:\test
UPVCFile=C:\test.upvc
OutlierCheck=0
RemoveGhostObject=0
ImageType=CubeMapExtracted
sForceRgbMesh=0
[FrmMain]
WindowState=Normal
Top=142
Left=45
Height=330
Width=520
[UpdateLicenseDialogFlexNet]
WindowState=Normal
Top=211
Left=150
Height=494
Width=644

INI Parameters

Parameter	Default Value	Description
BoxSize	4 [meters]	The mesh is split into 4 x 4 x 4 meter boxes. If a box is too big or has too many points, it can be split into smaller boxes. This makes calculations faster. Use the default size for indoor scans. For outdoor scans, like landscapes or drone scans, use sizes larger than 10 meters.
FurthestScanDistance	30 [meters]	Points further than this distance from the scanner are not considered and are deleted. For example, with the default setting, a point at 30.1 meters away gets deleted.
PointSamplingRate	1	This sets how often points are sampled from the point cloud. For example, if set to 3, every third point is used for mesh calculations.
ForceRgbMesh	0	When set to 1, the system uses RGB information from the point cloud. This replaces the use of panorama textures.
SimplifyMeshes	1	When set to 1, the system reduces the number of triangles in the mesh after triangulation. It keeps the mesh quality good.
Simplification	Between 0.001 and 0.000001 depending on the quality	The higher this value, the more the mesh is simplified. This results in fewer triangles.
OctDownMaxNodeSize	0.02 [meters]	This decides the level of downsampling and affects the density of the point cloud used for meshing. A lower value means more points and more triangles. The recommended range is between 0.05 to 0.5 meters.
RemoveGhostObject	0	When set to 1, it removes parts of the point cloud that move and are not consistent across different scans.
FumeCheck	0	When set to 1, this removes fumes in the air. It only works if the RemoveGhostObject parameter is also set to 1.