Point Clouds to SketchUp

JaseBarr

Hi

I have a Faro FOCUS 3D. I am an experienced laser scanner, but I'm pretty new to modelling as most of my visualisations to date have been cloud based.

I would like to directly import cloud data into SketchUp to assist my modelling. Bentley Pointools used to have a plugin that would allow you to do this:

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL33B7560FDA0D1CF9

I've been made aware that this plugin was discontinued last year.

Does anyone else have a solution for importing cloud data into SketchUp from Faro SCENE or Bentley Pointools?

I can export cloud data as DXF, VRML, IGES, XYZ text, POD, E57.

Help is greatly appreciated

mitcorb

Hi, Jase:
Investigate this: http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=253563#p253563

By Didier Bur, Sketchucation Plugin Store and at Ruby Library Depot.

This seems to have some relation to your question.

JaseBarr

Thanks for your quick reply Tim - this looks very interesting.

The instructions for the Plugin look very comprehensive and I will be trying it out as soon as I get chance.

I look forward to seeing how it deals with massive clouds...

Thanks again

framed

Did it Jase?

JaseBarr

@framed said:

Did it Jase?

No. No it did not. It is meant for much smaller cloud sizes. I'm still experimenting with subsampling of data.

It's a shame. With Trimble being a FARO re-seller, you think they would see the benefit of bringing pointcloud data into sketchup to asist modelling and make a decent plugin for it...

Jim

Your best bet would be the ascii xyz format. It is fairly easy to plot points in SketchUp read from a file. Is that all there is to it, or is there more to your request?

AndrewS

Just announced at 3D Basecamp 2014:

http://extensions.sketchup.com/en/content/trimble-scan-explorer-extension

Andrew

kaas

@jasebarr said:

@framed said:

Did it Jase?
...No. No it did not. It is meant for much smaller cloud sizes. I'm still experimenting with subsampling of data.

I had the same experience with a large data set with Didier's plugin this week.

I ended up doing this to get the terrain into Sketchup:

import 350Mb laz terrain data into CloudCompare
crop dataset to desired area in CloudCompare
export area as asc data (about 1 Gb)
tried importing with Didier's plugin. No crash but just no result after a while.
import asc in MeshLab and convert points to mesh(used some steps found on internet: 5a-5e)
5a) Open Layer view (next to little img symbol)
5b) SUBSAMPLING: Filters > Sampling > Poisson-disk Sampling: Enter Number of Samples as the resulting vertex number / number of points.
5c) COMPUTE NORMALS: Filters > Normals/Curvatures and Orientation > compute Normals for Point Set [neighbours = 20]
5d) TRIANGULATION : Filters > Point set , Marching cubes.
5e) SAVE MESH save as obj file
import obj into Sketchup using Tig's obj importer

Due to the large dataset several steps take quite some time. To speed up the workflow, crop the area as small as possible in step 2.

Because the original laser data was on a 0,5m cloud interval ,in sketchup I sliced the terrain to get some isolines and used Fredo's Toposhaper afterwards to try some settings to get the to the desired resolution of the grid.

Tips to reduce the number of steps are very welcome!

jdagen

Kaas,

Excellent work! Is there any way you could supply more detail on your process with Mesh Lab of converting points to mesh? I have been experimenting with downloading point clouds from Earth Explorer. I did try the Trimble extension. Unfortunately it only loads Trimble's file format, I am assuming, from scans from their equipment. The Global Mapper program allows you to crop your model, and it allows you to separate topo points from vegetation and building points. But I do not think it allows you to create a mesh. It costs around $500.

mitcorb

@AndrewS:
Thanks for posting that announcement and link. Good, clear video

kaas

@jdagen said:

Kaas,

Excellent work! Is there any way you could supply more detail on your process with Mesh Lab of converting points to mesh? I have been experimenting with downloading point clouds from Earth Explorer. I did try the Trimble extension. Unfortunately it only loads Trimble's file format, I am assuming, from scans from their equipment. The Global Mapper program allows you to crop your model, and it allows you to separate topo points from vegetation and building points. But I do not think it allows you to create a mesh. It costs around $500.

Hello Jdagen, sure. Steps 5a-5e are in MeshLab. Which step would you like more information on?
I did see a video of Trimble's extension and I would like to try it in real but I'm afraid such a laser scanner is above my budget. Will use my Stanley TLM100i in the mean time

jdagen

Kaas,

My apologies, your explanation is fine. I can follow it and will give it a try. Thanks again!

Miner_Jeff

Hi Folks,

I went through a similar process recently. Had a LiDAR point cloud with over 33M points. Ended up using CloudCompare's dxf output to decimate the data to evenly spaced horizontal contours. It's a recent feature addition. Subsequently used Jim's [Plugin] FreeDXF Importer http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=323%26amp;t=22199%26amp;start=15
to get the dxf file into Sketchup. Each contour is created with an individual layer which is kinda messy in Sketchup, with some elbow grease the contours can be reallocated to layers by elevation.
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=323%26amp;t=20633%26amp;start=15
Worth a look for anyone trying to work LiDAR data.

Creating and coloring numerous layers is easily handled by TIG's [Plugin] TIG-LayersFromList

http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=566286#p566286

Cheers,

Miner_Jeff

dchar

https://extensions.sketchup.com/en/content/point-cloud-importers

MariusP

https://extensions.sketchup.com/en/content/undet4sketchup

Use any scan data directly in SketchUp