PointSense Suite: The All-in-One Solution

PointSense for Revit^®: Efficient processing of 3D laser scanner data in Revit^®

PointSense permits a quick and intuitive workflow for processing large point clouds in Revit^® and creates architectural models used in BIM.

Create 3D-models directly from Revit^® Point Clouds

PointSense for Revit^® features a wide range of 3D construction aids. Within the application, users can create 3D model lines and construction points using real 3D point snap, independently of Revit^® work planes. Users can intersect model planes and thus find exact intersection lines and intersection points as well as create fitted work planes directly in the point clouds.

Compare the model with reality

Surface analysis enables the comparison between the point cloud and the Revit^® model. The results can be visualized as a heat map and be exported as profile lines or to databases. From the profile lines complex ground surface models can be created along with complex model components.

Save time and money with automated functionality

With PointSense for Revit^® walls, pipes and structural elements like beams and columns can be created very quickly and precisely. The wall types for different wall thicknesses are automatically detected and family types are created with the correct sizes. The wall alignment tool allows users to globally align, correct and fix extracted walls segments throughout an entire model additional functions such as including the automatic creation of deformed floor slabs based on floor irregularities as well as the creation of a ground surface (topo surface). Functions for modelling pipe runs and structural elements from scan data enhance Revit’s abilities for capturing as-builts for use in MEP applications.

Work with laser scanner data directly in the family editor

PointSense enables the use of the 3D laser scanner data directly in the Revit^® family editor. Point cloud regions, planar scan views or true ortho-photos allows the simple and easy creation of object specific families for doors, windows, columns or pipe accessories.

Retain the overview, guaranteed

A section manager allows the cropping of point clouds inside Revit^® independent of the current view and provides a better orientation due hierarchically organized point cloud sections. FARO SCENE users can use the Planar, Quick and 3D-View to work directly with PointSense tools in Revit^®. This makes orientation easier, increases the precision of your processing and allow users to easily manage and navigate the scanner data.

PointSense Plant: Intelligent Plant Design from 3D scans in AutoCAD^®

PointSense Plant supports you when processing 3D laser scans. Piping systems or steel construction elements are efficiently modelled using semi-automatic feature extraction. The resulting models can be exported to plant planning programs such as AutoCAD Plant 3D^®, AutoCAD MEP^®, CADWorx^®, AutoPLANT^® etc. PointSense Plant has all the tried and tested tools to model, manage and process 3D scanner data in AutoCAD^®.

Walk The Run – the intelligent pipe run tracer

Automation and pattern recognition are the basis for the efficient processing of 3D laser scanner data, however too much automation can lead to expensive mistakes. The “Walk The Run“ function guides the user through the pipe system, the pattern recognition feature suggests types and positions for recognized pipes, bends, tee-pieces and fittings, based on an existing catalogue. These procedures give the user full control over the modelling process and ensures geometrical and technical workmanship. In addition, the insulation thickness can be taken into account in pattern recognition. Pre-calculated cylinders accelerate this user-controlled workflow.

Apply Constraints – the way to compatible models

Plant design software requires coaxial centrelines for fittings and coplanar pipe bends. The function “Apply Constraints“ creates pipe runs that on the one hand fit in the point cloud and on the other hand satisfy the consistency conditions of the plant design software. In the same way Stacked Steel is supported, good axis configuration is found automatically, steel systems are aligned coplanar or perpendicular without overlapping and can be evaluated to “waterproof” axis models.

Fittings catalogues

FARO PointSense Plant provides a standard catalogue of fittings and steel. AutoCAD Plant 3D and Advanced Steel catalogues can be directly imported. In cases where the fittings are missing or special fittings (out of spec.) are needed, the user can create his own fittings or even full catalogues. The software then uses them in the pattern recognition process.

Determine tie in points

If precise tie-in points are required, they can be surveyed in and marked – without any modelling.

Additional Scan Views

The photo like view of the scan data that is provided by PointSense allows a more intuitive navigation than that in the CAD environment.

Export pipe centrelines and fitting information

After creating a piping system it can be converted into AutoCAD Plant 3D objects, 3D solids or a labelled centreline layout. The standard AutoCAD objects can be used afterwards in any plant software systems. The same applies to steel structures and the interaction with Advance Steel.

Analysis of cylinders and truncated cones – tank tools

Tanks, boilers or containers can be checked for deformations and the results are e. g. elevation plans and lists, the deformations can be
visualized by customizable 3D heat maps. It is possible to precisely compute volumes including taking the internal subtracted volume (deadwood) into account. Cylinders, elliptical and circular truncated cones are all supported.

PointSense Building: From 3D laser scanner data to 2D plans

Floor plans and sections from 3D laser scanner data

PointSense Building is the industry specific solution for fast and efficient processing of 3D laser scan data of existing architecture. The resulting floor plans, sections and elevations are produced directly in AutoCAD^®. PointSense Building offers numerous tools for the management of point cloud data and for the efficient drawing of well designed plans.

Drawing 2D plans from 3D scanner data

A powerful section manager divides point clouds into processing relevant sub-regions in the form of polygon-shaped or thin slices. The sections can be hidden and displayed, joined, inverted or also individually exported. Slices are especially suited for generating floor plans and elevations at any desired position. Interfering objects such as trees or furniture can be quickly cut out by using polygonal sections.

Automatic drawing of walls, floors, profile runs and ceiling forms

PointSense Building supplements AutoCAD^® with useful tools to create 2D plans from 3D laser scanner data. With the SmartSnap function planes, corners or edges are directly snapped in a point cloud and the Fit Profile feature fits 3D profiles along a point cloud. Line/polygon fitting tools to efficiently and precisely create walls, floors and ceiling runs. Powerful fitting algorithms determine the best line run in point cloud layers, optionally with constrained perpendicularity.

Special commands for building surveying to save time

Special commands for doors, windows, stairs, alcoves or pillars speed up the drawing of building plans. For example, just a small number of clicks are sufficient to create doors and the typical building plan type dimensioning is automatically created at the same time.

Trace the CAD plan from the orthoimage

PointSense creates ortho images in any direction from the point cloud. These photo like raster images display all objects true to scale and parallel to the projection plane. The orthoimage can be used as an image plan or overlaid with CAD objects and dimensioned.

Structured room schedules

In addition to the CAD drawing, a list of floor areas can be created simultaneously. Room polygons and additional spatial information are managed in a clear and freely customizable tree structure. At the press of a button the polygons are created, surface areas are calculated and the room information is labelled. Visualizations (e.g. different room hatches for each type of room usage) are similarly automatically created. The area data can be exported in different ways, e.g. to text tables or directly to databases (for example to a CAFM system).

PointSense Heritage: High resolution documentation of historical buildings and archaeological sites

High-tech documentation in AutoCAD^® of historical buildings and archaeological sites

PointSense Heritage makes functions available for laser scanner data originating from the documentation of built heritage conservation and archaeological excavations (such as image plans, floor plans, sections and 3D models, etc.), and where applicable photo like results, can also be generated. This combination of laser scanning and photogrammetry offers interesting possibilities together with the possibility of high definition and precise results directly inside the AutoCAD^® environment.

Additional scan views

The additional single scan view offered by PointSense produces a photo-like clear picture of the individual scans and allows a significantly more intuitive navigation of the scan data than as in the depiction of the point cloud. The unintentional snapping of underlying points is not possible in this view.

Fast construction of 3D models

PointSense Heritage extends AutoCAD^® by adding photogrammetric functions. High definition, oriented photos support the processing of the laser scanner data and allow the fast construction of 3D wireframe models and surfaces. The photos from commercially available digital cameras are oriented and embedded into the drawing. The geometric objects drawn over these photos are placed automatically in the correct place in the point cloud.

Classical Photogrammetry in AutoCAD^®

Identical points existing in at least two photos taken from different positions can be used for the calculation of the intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of the camera and the alignment of the images within 3D space. Using this alignment, PointSense Heritage is able to calculate the 3D coordinates of any identical point within the images. Therefore, it is possible to conveniently carry out modelling in space without having to use laser scanner data.

Create real orthophotos

True orthophotos are computed through the combination of point clouds and photos and can be used as the basis for image plans. In the computation, the point cloud provides the precise surface information while the colour information used in the image produced is gained from the photos. True orthophotos usually have a higher resolution and so a better visual quality than the orthophotos produced solely from point cloud data.

Unrolled image plans

By unrolling point clouds and photos of towers, vaulted ceilings, ceiling paintings, facades, roofs, etc. detailed, true to scale image plans can be generated, that can be additionally supplemented with further CAD information and dimensioning.

PointSense Pro: 3D laser scan data within AutoCAD^®

Management of point clouds within AutoCAD^®

The Section Manager is a straight-forward tool designed for managing and controlling how point cloud sections are displayed. These sections can be selected or generated automatically; either parallel to a UCS (user coordinate system) or along a designated path. For fast processing, new point cloud sections can be created from existing ones with just one click, by merging or inverting them. Thus, for example trees that obscure façades can be clipped out without losing points on the building.

Evaluating the 3D scan data

PointSense Pro adds useful tools for modelling and analyzing 3D laser scan data in AutoCAD^®. Geometric objects such as polylines, planes and cylinders can be automatically fitted to parts of the point clouds. A spatial joining of these objects produces corners, edges and peaks. By fitting polygons and lines to point cloud slices layout plans and elevations can be created quickly. Furthermore, newly designed objects can be analyzed for clashes with existing objects represented by the scans. Tools for deformation analysis are also provided.

Additional scan views

The additional single scan view of PointSense provides a clear photo-like image of the single scans and allows a much more intuitive navigation than the one inside of point clouds. The unintentional snapping background points is not possible in this view.

Orthoimages of a point cloud

The user can create orthoimages of the point cloud from any desired direction. In the resulting raster image all objects that are parallel to the projection plane are to scale. In this way the orthoimage can be used as image plan and if needed combined with AutoCAD^® vector graphics and supplemented with dimensions.