You can align a point cloud to a 3D model and vice versa. It depends on your project whether you should start the alignment from the point cloud or the 3D model.
It is now also possible to align an uploaded SCENE point cloud and a 3D model.
Open the Alignment Tool
Click the three-dots icon of the point cloud to open the context menu.
Select menu entry Align
.
The alignment tool is displayed.Select the 3D model to which you want to align the point cloud.
Click Align in the top right corner to open the alignment tool.
Set the Common Elevation in the Point Cloud and the 3D Model
You must determine and set the common elevation of the point cloud and the 3D model before you can start the alignment.
On both sides of the split view, you can click and hold anywhere in the view and rotate it to a side, front or back view, i.e., any view that provides a good sight at reference details for determining the common height.
Set the Reference Elevation in the Point Cloud
Pick a point in the cloud to set the reference elevation.
You can also click and hold any point on the green arrow and then drag to adjust the point cloud elevation.
A virtual plane illustrates the selected elevation:
Set the Reference Elevation in the 3D Model
Select the level you want from dropdown list Level if levels are available in the 3D model.
Selecting a level also fills field Elevation.
Perform Horizontal Alignment
The horizontal alignment can be determined using either point pairs, or an overlay mode. You can also use both methods in the order described below.
For a better visibility, you can zoom in and out with the mouse wheel.
Method 1: Point Pairs in Point Cloud and 3D Model
Click a location in the 3D model, for example a corner.
Then find and click the same location in the point cloud.
You can move a marker by clicking and then dragging it.
If the point cloud is rotated with respect to the 3D model, repeat steps above a second time to lock the rotation.
To remove a marker, right-click it.
Method 2: Overlay Point Cloud and 3D Model
In the top right of the screen, click the Overlay button.
You can preview the result of the point-pair alignment described above using the overlay mode.
You can also refine the alignment in this mode, by following the steps below:
Click the point cloud to set the anchor point.
Click and drag that anchor point to move the point cloud around.
Click and drag away from the anchor point to rotate the point cloud.
You can zoom in and out using the mouse wheel to check the alignment.
To remove the anchor point, right-click it.
Confirm Alignment
Once the alignment meets your expectations, click the Confirm Alignment button.
The point cloud is now aligned to the 3D model and you are redirected to the Sphere XG Viewer.
For more details, see our Sphere XG User Manual.