topic Re: how to convert .RCS scan file into a cad solid object in AutoCAD Forum

how to convert .RCS scan file into a cad solid object

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 18:37:10 GMT

I'm currently using CADWORX plant professional we received RCS scans of our refinery and I'm attempting to pipe the scan with intelligent piping components and I'm having a difficult time seeing the pipes and placing them in the right XYZ. I know there is a way to take the scan and turn it into a cad file with autocad shapes I just don't know what that program is. any and all help is very welcomed

Re: how to convert .RCS scan file into a cad solid object

Alfred.NESWADBA — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 19:11:14 GMT

Hi,

welcome @Anonymous!

>> I'm attempting to pipe the scan with intelligent piping components

As pipes are in mist cases geometric cylinders I would start with command _PEXTRACTCENTERLINE (>>>details<<<) and when you have the centerlines you can first connect the missing distances and then create pipes along the centerlines.

- alfred -

Re: how to convert .RCS scan file into a cad solid object

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 19:19:01 GMT

cadworx isn't recognizing that command. I'm having trouble still

Re: how to convert .RCS scan file into a cad solid object

Alfred.NESWADBA — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 19:20:49 GMT

Hi,

>> cadworx isn't recognizing that command

It's an AutoCAD command (as we are here in the forum about AutoCAD 😉

- alfred -

Re: how to convert .RCS scan file into a cad solid object

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 19:22:23 GMT

so pcextractcenterline works but its not picking up anything from the scan at all.

Re: how to convert .RCS scan file into a cad solid object

Alfred.NESWADBA — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 19:27:25 GMT

Hi,

>> but its not picking up anything from the scan at all.

Are in the pointcloud cylinder-like objects?
When you start the command and (without any object snap) move your cursor "into" such a point-cloud-cylinder ... doesn't the command then highlight the cylinder?

To the pointcloud: are there many scans (rcp pointing to multiple rcs) or just a single scan (rcs) referenced in the drawing?

When you select the point-cloud ... what does the property window show as object type (if not opened please start the property window using <CTRL><1>).

- alfred -

Re: how to convert .RCS scan file into a cad solid object

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 19:38:29 GMT

so it say point cloud on the properties. and but extract centerline isn't working I want to pipe all the piping with intelligent cadworx components and I am having very hard time

Re: how to convert .RCS scan file into a cad solid object

Alfred.NESWADBA — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 20:00:32 GMT

Hi,

From my previous post:

To the pointcloud: are there many scans (rcp pointing to multiple rcs) or just a single scan (rcs) referenced in the drawing?

>> but extract centerline isn't working

Any chance I can download the RCS file to try it by myself?

Please find attached a small video with the steps I do to create the centerlines, maybe that can help ..

- alfred -

Re: how to convert .RCS scan file into a cad solid object

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 20:18:01 GMT

this is a RCS inserted into the dwg. I'm using what Anvil gave us

Re: how to convert .RCS scan file into a cad solid object

Alfred.NESWADBA — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 20:35:25 GMT

Hi,

>> I'm using what Anvil gave us

Sorry that I don't know who or what "Anvil" is.

Have you seen my video in my previous post? Can you create a video that shows how these steps are working on your workstation (>>>free Autodesk Screencast<<<).

- alfred -

Re: how to convert .RCS scan file into a cad solid object

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 20:58:23 GMT

I watch the video and followed along and my AutoCAD wont allow me to do that. I'm wondering if its because he point cloud is RCS and not RCP file

Re: how to convert .RCS scan file into a cad solid object

Alfred.NESWADBA — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 21:21:40 GMT

Hi,

>> my AutoCAD wont allow me to do that

Where exactly starts the difference between your AutoCAD behavior and my video.

>> I'm wondering if its because he point cloud is RCS and not RCP file

No, that function works well for both types of attachments.

- alfred -

Re: how to convert .RCS scan file into a cad solid object

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 21:50:39 GMT

well I pick the centerline button and the program doesn't see the centerline seems like. I did all the same things and I get nothing.

Re: how to convert .RCS scan file into a cad solid object

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 21:51:36 GMT

ive tried to attach the scan maybe I'm doing something wrong. but I cant attach the file I think its too big

Re: how to convert .RCS scan file into a cad solid object

Alfred.NESWADBA — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 21:57:41 GMT

Hi,

>> and the program doesn't see the centerline seems like

The function _PEXTRACTCENTERLINE should detect points building up a cylindrical form ... the function does not "see the centerlines", it creates centerlines.

Have you seen that I used a layer with a very light color and with a big lineweight and that I made the pointcloud transparent to see the centerline when it was created?

Otherwise you might not see the resulting polyline as it is inside the pointcloud-cylinder 😉

>> I cant attach the file I think its too big

Upload it to a cloud storage like DropBox, WeTransfer or something similar and show me the link to the data.

The limit here for uploads are abut 70MB.

- alfred -

Re: how to convert .RCS scan file into a cad solid object

john.vellek — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 22:02:34 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

I see that you are visiting as a new member to the AutoCAD forum. Welcome to the Autodesk Community!

Alfred is a saint when it comes to trouble shooting. Please provide your point cloud and drawing file so that either myself or Alfred can show you how we might proceed.

In the mean time, here is another video that might help with creating geometry from the points in your point cloud.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

Re: how to convert .RCS scan file into a cad solid object

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 22:05:06 GMT

so I have a question about the file type, does it make a diff of file type to make it wor? I have RCS scan files does it need to be PCG scans?

Re: how to convert .RCS scan file into a cad solid object

john.vellek — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 22:09:54 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

Here is an article that describes the different formats. In my opinion, the RCS files should work just fine.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

Re: how to convert .RCS scan file into a cad solid object

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 23:10:55 GMT

John Vellek,

thank you the video was helpful but I cant seem to get this RCS file to extract centerlines of the piping and tanks that were scanned.....

Re: how to convert .RCS scan file into a cad solid object

john.vellek — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 23:12:28 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

Can you share your files so I can get a better idea of what you are seeing? You can place the data on A360 or another cloud service