Can not get the mirror balls when converting *.e57 files to RCP format

[lupoj]

So, my company purchased a handheld scanner from GeoSlam. When we go to scan an area and come back to the office to process the information, from the software we received for them, we get as far as creating an *.RCP file, but that file has no Mirror Balls (RealView). The scanner has the photo camera and it takes the photos. But, when we try to create the RCP file, the Mirror Balls are not processed. We have tried to contact those who sold us the device, but they are not returning are emails. I have come to the assumption that their software can't process the RealView mirror balls, and that we need to purchase some other software. Is this true, or am I missing something?

Thanks for any help,

Jerry

[Maksim.Melnikov.BY]

Hi @lupoj 
Let me tell you right away that you cannot get realview from an unstructured scan (slam scan). Realview is only supported in a structured scan (stationary scanner).
Of course with a slam scan you can make 360 panoramas from third party cameras (ZEB Pano) or built in cameras (BLK2GO) and merge them afterwards with a point cloud in special software from the manufacturer (e.g: Cyclone REGISTER 360 for BLK2GO). But you cannot export them as part of an unstructured point cloud in *.E57 format

[lupoj]

We are exporting them out as a structured point cloud *.E57.  But, what it sounds like you are telling me is that we still need a "Special Software" to get the point cloud and the photo spheres to merge correctly.  Is that correct?

[Maksim.Melnikov.BY · Accepted solution]

@lupoj 
Your point cloud (Slam) is unstructured. And it does not contain Realview. You cannot transform an unstructured point cloud into a structured one. Maybe your software has a function to export to a structured *.E57, but that does not mean that the transformation from unstructured to structured will happen.
Read this article https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/recap-forum/autodesk-recap-file-formats-which-where-amp-how/td-p/5719...
In some cases, the *.E57 format allows you to export a structured point cloud, but only if the original cloud is structured.
In your case, the original point cloud is unstructured. Therefore, you will not see Realview in ReCap in any way.
Check out the BLK2GO slam scanner video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Pxt_DdVjAY
During the scanning process, this scanner makes photopanoramas that are automatically snapped into the model and can be viewed in the special software from Leica Cyclone REGISTER 360. But this does not mean that they can be exported as a structural point cloud in ReCap.
Maybe your laser scanner manufacturer has the same software. Check with them.

[lupoj]

@Maksim.Melnikov.BY 

Alright, Thanks for the information.

Jerry

[mark.lane42QUN]

Hi @lupoj, it's Mark from GeoSLAM here.

The reason that you cannot see the the panoramic images from your structured E57 in Recap is due to a limitation with how Recap handles the E57 format. When an E57 is imported into Recap it will render an image from the scan position itself, it won't actually take the embedded image from the E57. This is the same for E57 files generated in many other laser scanners, not just GeoSLAM. If you would to view the panoramas from the GeoSLAM Connect E57 export, I'd suggest Atis Cloud or JP Interactive web viewers. 

[RyanCameron]

Good resources there Maksim! Cheers!