Convert Point Cloud to Model

Hi Everyone, I wonder if anyone can shed any light on the use of point cloud survey in Microstation/Structural Modeler?  We are working on multidisciplinary plant modifications and have been supplied with some point coud survey information, but I am struggling to actually make use of it. 

I have managed to attach it as a reference and if you rotate arpound you can more or less see existing elements, but this does not help me to place 3D elements in a model to match them, or to convert the points to surfaces or 3D elements so that I can actually make use of the survey data.  The area in question is a very congested spot, not a very big area bit lots of points!

I have downloaded Descartes, and tried that.  I have had a go at 'draping' lines over a surveyed element (not very successfully I might add) but this would still be a very laborious process as essentially you would have to 'drape' to get the sectional shape of each element and then extrude it - it would take ages!

Are there any other workflows or tools I might try to convert the points to useable 3D data?  Even if it is not intelligent structural elements, it would be a big help.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

-W

  • Hi Wendy,

    Well there are a lot of tools aside the Drape Element tool that can be used to extract object model from point cloud.

    Cylinder can be extracted easially with the One Click Fit Cylinder tool.

    For plane the Fit Plane tool could come handy.

    Also the Model By Section tool is very powerful when you have long regular objet to model (like a steel beam).

    Finally any type of wires not too close to other object can be modelled with the 3D Line Following tool.

    Note that more than one tools can be used to model the same kind of object one of those might be more effective than the others.

    In summary all the tools avaialble in Bentley Descartes are generic, which might require a bit more of effort to learn to use to them but in the end also more flexible and powerful.

    HTH,

    Mathieu