Point Cloud for Arch Visualisation Project

[can_glasgow]

Hello,

I am trying to assemble a realtime architectural presentation and would like to use a combination of a 3D urban context model (Max), a detailed laser scan of the existing building (terrestrial scan data - ReCap), and then the proposed building addition (CAD imported into Max). All brought into Infraworks as the presentation tool.

The realtime engine in ReCap is excellent and can handle large datasets (400+ terrestrial scans) with relatively great movement and image quality but it can't incorporate 3D geometry.  My understanding is that Infraworks can offer similar presentation capabilities - scan data and 3D CAD. 

I have just started using Infraworks and it seems like to correct application but imported scan data looks completely black. My questions, has anyone used Infraworks this way? Is there a limit to the amount of scan data the software can handle, and is the image quality of point data be comparable to ReCap?

Thank you,

DP

...and one last question, is there a simple way to convert basic 3D geometry, a 'dumb' 3D mesh, so that it is recognised within Infraworks as a terrain object?   

[Matt__W]

Not sure what's going on with the point cloud. Maybe check the settings and see if anything looks out of whack there. I've brought in a single RCS file (comprised of 100+ scans) and it looks fine.

As for the "dumb" 3D mesh, when you import the data you just need to define it as a terrain object.

[Karsten.Saenger]

Hi @can_glasgow

the scan data in InfarWorks should look the same as in Recap.

There are some settings for the point cloud and 3D visualisation in InfraWorks as well as style setting for the point cloud. Please check these to correct you display issues. More info on:

• To import point cloud data
• To theme point clouds
• April 6th Webcast - Terrain Generation from Point Clouds

Regarding the "dumb" 3D mesh it's not that easy. The 3D mesh will probably be recognized as 3D model in InfraWorks and not as a surface.

If you had Civil 3D you could convert the mesh to 3D faces and then add them to a surface and export as IMX. You can also convert the 3D mesh to points and import these into InfraWorks for surface triangulation. There is quite a number of possibilities, without having a look at the dataset it's difficult to suggest the best one.

Regards,

Karsten.

[John_DeLeeuw · Accepted solution]

@can_glasgow, make sure you have your InfraWorks 360 Application Options > 3D Graphics > Ambient Occlusion > set to either Off or Medium because High will produce black issues with PointClouds as seen below: