3D Laser Scanners • 3D laser scanners are used to quickly collect 3D data in a scene from different scanning positions, producing large point clouds of up to 100 million points. • PolyWorks effectively handles data sets of up to 100 million points, from all short-range, mid-range, and long-range scanners with the same level of performance. • PolyWorks can also combine data from different scanner brands within the same project. Scan Alignment • The multiple scans are aligned to each other and registered in the same coordinate system. • The alignment technology is based on the geometrical shape in overlapping scan areas, eliminating the time-consuming task of using physical targets in the field. • This alignment method reduces significantly the time for work on site and in the office. Geo-referencing • Using as few as three known point coordinates for the entire scene, PolyWorks geo-references the aligned point cloud in real-world coordinates. • Alternatively, the point cloud can be geo-referenced using a GPS antenna on top of the scanner. Only three scanner positions are required to geo-reference the model. Automatic Point Cloud Meshing • PolyWorks offers an automatic meshing technology that processes all data points, without sacrificing any points through uncontrolled subsampling. • PolyWorks provides a wide array of polygonal editing tools to optimize polygonal models and correct problems caused by the limitations of 3D scanners. PolyWorks’ unique set of tools includes: • Automatic hole filling • Edge and Corner reconstruction • Noise reduction (smoothing) Measurements • PolyWorks offers very accurate measurement capabilities to extract distances (vertical, horizontal, slope), angles, radii, and volumes directly on point cloud. • These extracted measurements are automatically reported into tabular reports which are exportable in Word, Excel, and HTML formats. • PolyWorks reports can also contain rich snapshots of the scanned scene, labeled with the various extracted measurements. Feature Extraction PolyWorks offers automatic and interactive tools to extract directly on the point cloud valuable features such as: • Feature lines (e.g. colored road lines and boundaries) • Sharp edges • Step edges (e.g. curbs and gutters) • Cross-sections (e.g. horizontal, profiles, footprint) • Electrical cables • Pipe center lines • Geometrical primitives (cylinders, planes, vectors, etc) • Applications • All extracted elements can then be directly exported (with feature code and layer names) to DXF and IGES and/or imported into MicroStation V7 and V8. • These elements can ultimately be saved to GIS software systems to create inventory databases. • Colored polygonal models of scanned scenes can easily be shared with colleagues and clients, or made available for “public-access” libraries and virtual museum sites.