software recommendations

gjason · Newbie Joined: Nov 24, 2009 Posts: 2

Hello, structural engineer here, we use scans of existing structures (Trimble machine).

Can anyone recommend software for viewing and manipulating the point clouds. We need something to create presentations and animations for clients. Currently I am evaluating Pointools View 1.7 Pro.

Thanks

Corey3D · Newbie Joined: Oct 28, 2009 Posts: 4

What kind of scanners are you using?

with Leica scanners the best program to create demonstrations is really the Cyclone software that is used to interface with the scanners. Other softwares besides the pointools programs for manipulating point clouds include GeoMagic and Polyworks. Another one to take a look at might be LD3 by intelisum which is a software made to go with a scanner mounted camera system but I believe that you can create animations in outside programs and import them into the scans displayed in their software (not sure on that one but I saw a demo last year and I'm pretty sure that is the software)

gjason · Newbie Joined: Nov 24, 2009 Posts: 2

We subcontract scanning / surveying. The last two scans were made on a Trimble machine and the data was handed to me on a disc. I used Trimble's Point Scape to pull measurement data, but I need to find somthing better that is geared to "post-processing". Right now, for the current evaluation, I have to convert the Trimble / Point Scape data to .pts files so that Pointools can import the data. Pointools seems OK, but it's just an evaluation version.

I don't need anything fancy. Just something I can quickly and effeciently pull measurements and create animations and snapshots. I pull measurements for structural design drawings and animations for presentations to clients.

Any input is appreciated - thanks

belbe74 · Newbie Joined: Dec 11, 2008 Posts: 3

Do you currently use NavisWorks? If so you can use it for all of the purposes you mentioned and not have to spend the additional money on new software.