Part 1 will discuss the creation of meshes - .stl and .obj files from point clouds - allowing workflows to move into areas such as 3D printing, 3D milling and the creation of molds. Part 2 looks at other potential meshing workflows. Sculpting software, such as zBrush, post-process imported meshes such as historical buildings and can finalize milled surfaces and molds.

1. Capitalizing on the Potential of Meshing
DAVID ZIP –WWW.3DMOBILESCAN.CA
EDMONTON, CANADA 780.482.3349

2. Meshing from Scansto Create - Physical World Objectsvia milling, molds, 3D printingVirtual World Assetsenvironments, inspection studies

3. What to mesh
Mill/ Mold prefab
Materials like cast stone, coated foam for building
Collision detection
Representative models move through a point cloud of the movement corridor -Navisworks
Virtual Assets
Jump start environment creation by scanning existing buildings

4. Equipment RequirementsComparable to Scene’s needsuse trial periodsfeature detection and speedWorkstation choiceportability –with dual baysSSD primary drive, robust GPU

5. Faro Scene outputs1.5 mm uniform point cloudpromotes uniform polys in meshdetailed, but needs decimationCloud-to-cloud registrationno targets in viewRGB valuestexture information and UVs -.objfiles

6. Evaluating Mesh SoftwareSpeed/ ProductivityAllows iterations for better final meshValueVolumetrics. Pattern recognitionEnd Use3D printing needs water-tight meshDecimate away scanning’s excess polys

7. Industrial UsesGeographycm vertex density and GPS tagsUAVs for panosand photogrammetryGoogle Earth toolsVolume calculationsDeviation RampsSurface to model color ramps

8. Bubbled to the top for me… Uses Scene clip box outputsClear, detailed mesh.stl< 500K polysWater-tight -3D print readyPath to color meshingForum suggested ThinkboxFrost

9. Case studiesSt Regis HotelVirtual capture of a 1913 cornice.stlfile sent to terracotta shop to recreateTurner Valley Gas Plant1:100 scaled 3D print for accurate re-placement of pipes

10. Case 1 –St Regis HotelLift in place for removal work -idealRepetitive terracotta –3 elements…10 m settingCropped 3 elements from Project Pt CloudExport to Frost as .xyz (generic format) Frost saves out .stlmesh (also generic)

11. Creating the MeshFrost steps.xyz scan file is decimated to .rptuses particle effects models –choicesget good results from Metaballsdecimate since a heavy meshcan apply color to vertices for UVFrost saves out .stlmesh or .objif color

12. St Regis Mesh
Window Arch

13. St Regis Mesh
Flag Base

14. Case 2 –Gas Plant
Site suited to scan coverage

15. Gas Plant layoutEnclosed yard & platforms > good controlSimilar to refinery and MEP scansLittle laser shadowingInterior scanning proxy of exteriorWindows boarded up Faro Scene uniformly filtered to 1.5mm Dense but uniformly sized polys

16. Meshing for 3D PrintService providers limit file size and vertices Measured in Scene and scaled 1:100Did not print in a color materialStaff was helpful –printability, engravingGalleriesRequired decimationSculpting brushes to smooth and add volume

17. Filling mesh occlusionsC2C allows easy registering of added scansUse virtual scans on planes -cut & paste photosSculpting brushes to add volume Draping & hole filling features in mesh software

18. Post ProcessingzBrushdecimation using maskingvolume brushes to fill occlusionssmoothing brushes for artifacts3D print resizer for scale preserves Scene UV through above

19. More with 4R764 bitUVs have Vrayeffect
i.e. reflectiveness, lighting, shadows
Fuller hard surface modeling
More realistic virtual assets

20. Print ProvidersMaterials acrylic, ceramics, metal, plastic color printing an option with UVLead Timelarger pieces need to wait 3 wks!

21. Other ways to mesh
Sectioning
Point clouds sectioned to track profiles and rails
Ortho Extrusion
Orthophotofrom Faro Scene is pasted to elevation faces in SketchUp
BIM models
Consider whether BIM software saves model to mesh e.g. STL.

22. Sectioning workflowRhino -likeloads point clouds with color shaderse.g. RGB; Intensity; Lighting; PlanarUse orthographic view for sectioningTraced out profiles extruded per the railRevolves -use for boiler or dome shapesArrays –copy repeating elements with axisSecret weapons –drape; network surface

23. Sectioning exampleRhino using point cloud pluginSectioned point cloud to identify profilesThere was a main beam, taper and ringDrew square profile and rail to follow slopeExtruded using rails following top & bottomDrew ring base and extrudedArray was used to evenly space 44 supports

24. Sectioning –Bridge example
Bridge modeling from point cloud calls for profile drawing and sweeps

25. Orthophotoon base geometryIs a textured virtual model enough? Produce orthophotousing Faro SceneUse clipping box for skin of viewed sidesFor point density use large points and auto-fillChoose orthophotoscale giving smaller .tif

26. Orthophotoon base geometrySketchUppush/ pulls to fit orthophotoDraw rough shape to receive orthophotosPaste all elevation tifson faces with same scaleReadjust geometrySketchUpwill save to .stland 3D printCan paste on printed orthophotosLimitation –to Planar

27. Meshes from PhotogrammetryUAVs offer new meshing frontiersGPS +with wide angle, stabilized camerasQuadcoptersAgisoftPhotoscanand Autodesk 123D CatchAdvantages –color; point density; cost; aerial

28. ConclusionMeshing is useful to clientsThe phase-based Faro scanners give dense capture and register to 1.5mm point spacingDetailed, accurate and colored meshesOpens new revenueManage processing in-house. Inspire clients!

29. Thank you! We have interesting scan clouds to meshA few small 3D prints start the conversation

30. Capitalizing on the Potential of Meshing
DAVID ZIP –WWW.3DMOBILESCAN.CA
EDMONTON, CANADA 780.482.3349

31. Bonus TopicDIY 200 mm Spheres200 mm spheres have 45 m range (27 m more) Spheres useful for Split View & Target registrationWalmart sells 145 mm & 200 mm tree bulbs Painted the glitter finish flat whiteAdded bases and magnets Faro Scene auto detectsUse Tools > Options > Matching (Radius 0.1)

32. Capitalizing on the Potential of Meshing
DAVID ZIP –WWW.3DMOBILESCAN.CA
EDMONTON, CANADA 780.482.3349