.. _3d_scan-label:
===================
How to read 3D scan
===================
In VIIA inspections often 3d scans are made of the building. These scans can be very useful for the structural engineer
to understand the structure and to retrieve dimensions that were not recorded during the inspection. It will also help
to define the connections between the building components. This how-to guide will describe the software that you can
use to work with the 3d pointcloud.
In this guide two different programs are described that can be used to open 3D scan files. These are **Z+FlaserControl**
and **Autodesk ReCap**. Which software is suitable in each case depends on the type of the available 3D scan files.
In the following sections there is information about the types of 3D scan files, the structure of the folders generally
available on BOX, where they are saved, as well as some instructions about the use of **Z+FlaserControl**
and **Autodesk ReCap**.
---------------
Z+FlaserControl
---------------
The folder structure with files containing the viewpoints from the 3D scan are shown in :numref:`folder_zflaser_figure`.
The **start.bat** file contains the instructions to start the software automatically. Always save the whole folder
locally to your computer. Then, the 3D scan can be opened with the *Z+FlaserControl* software by double-clicking the
**start.bat** file.
.. _folder_zflaser_figure:
.. figure:: _static/howto_3d_scan/folder_zflaser.png
:align: center
Content of folder that contains 3D scan files which can be opened with Z+FlaserControl
The window in :numref:`folder_zflaser_figure` pops-up. Select the first box only and allow access (**Toegang
toestaan**). This would take you to the GUI start screen of *Z+Flaser control*, which is shown in
:numref:`access_zflaser_figure`.
.. _access_zflaser_figure:
.. figure:: _static/howto_3d_scan/access_zflaser.png
:align: center
Allowing access to Z+Flaser control
.. _start_screen_zflaser_figure:
.. figure:: _static/howto_3d_scan/screen_zflaser.png
:align: center
(a): Start screen of Z+Flaser control, (b) list with groups of viewpoints
Clicking the button **Manage Groups** opens the window which is shown in :numref:`start_screen_zflaser_figure`.
Here you should see the viewpoints arranged in groups. Clicking on the respective eye can show/hide the viewpoints
of each group on the plan view (top right window in :numref:`views_zflaser_figure`).
.. _views_zflaser_figure:
.. figure:: _static/howto_3d_scan/views_zflaser.png
:align: center
Plan view and 3D-, 360o view from a viewpoint in Z+FlaserControl
Every bullet (shown in the colour green) on the plan view (top right window in :numref:`views_zflaser_figure`) is a
viewpoint. Double-clickingon a bullet opens the 360o view (bottom right window in :numref:`views_zflaser_figure`). All
the views can be maximized or minimised by clicking in the buttons shown within the red boxes (in
:numref:`views_zflaser_figure`). The 360o viewpoint can close by clicking the yellow box (in
:numref:`views_zflaser_figure`). Keep in mind that opening too many 360o views at the same time will significantly slow
down the viewer.
It is possible to measure distances within the 360o view in the *Z+Flaser control*. The measurements
appear both on the 360o and the 3D view. Measuring distances can be done in three ways:
1. Measure option (button 1 shown in red in :numref:`views_zflaser_figure`): the distance between two points is
calculated. This distance measuring tool can recognize planes. It is appropriate especially for
measuring distances across surfaces.
2. Width and height measurement option (button 2 shown in green in :numref:`views_zflaser_figure`): The measurement
is aligned with the horizontal or vertical axis and is suitable for measuring the height or
width of a room (distance between floors or walls, measurements of openings etc).
3. Measure distance from point to plane option (button 3 shown in blue in :numref:`views_zflaser_figure`): This tool can
be used to measure the distance between a point and a sloped surface, like a roof.
A live demonstration of *Z+FlaserControl* can be found at the recording of the VIIA knowledge sharing
meeting in 16/6/2021 (51st minute till the end of the recording). This is the
`LINK `_
to the recording.
--------------
Autodesk ReCap
--------------
Other 3D scans are saved in .rcp files. Such files can be opened with *Autodesk ReCap*. The
installation of the software can be requested through the **ICT order portal**.
The .rcp file along with other files are commonly saved in a compressed folder. The folder can be
located in one of the subfolders within folder **01 Bureaustudie** or **02 Opname** on **BOX**.
It depends whether the inspection was done by a third party or VIIA, respectively. You should save
a copy of the compressed folder locally to your computer and then extract the content.
Double-clicking the .rcp file, the 3D scan opens in *Autodesk ReCap*. A screenshot of the GUI start
screen is shown in :numref:`recap_start_screen_figure`. The 3D view of the object appears in the start screen.
.. _recap_start_screen_figure:
.. figure:: _static/howto_3d_scan/recap_start_screen.png
:align: center
Start screen of Autodesk ReCap.
.. note:: When working at the office and using the monitor as your main screen, it is possible that you encounter a
graphics related issue that prevents launching Autodesk ReCap. In this case specify your laptop screen as your main
screen and restart the software.
Clicking on the **project navigator** (indicated within the red box in the bottom east corner of the
start screen shown in :numref:`recap_start_screen_figure`), all the scan locations (viewpoints) appear in a list
(see :numref:`recap_scan_locations_figure`). It is possible to zoom in on each scan location as well as to hide/show
them.
.. _recap_scan_locations_figure:
.. figure:: _static/howto_3d_scan/recap_scan_locations.png
:align: center
Start screen of Autodesk ReCap with the project navigator extended.
Clicking on the **RealView button** (indicated within the green box in the bottom edge of the start screen shown in
:numref:`recap_start_screen_figure`) the 360o view from a scan location opens (see :numref:`recap_3d_view_figure`). A
minimised window with a plan view of the object is present on the top right corner of the screen.
.. _recap_3d_view_figure:
.. figure:: _static/howto_3d_scan/recap_3d_view.png
:align: center
360o view from a scan location and minimized plan view.
It is possible to maximize the plan view by clicking the **expand view** button, which is indicated within the yellow
box in :numref:`recap_3d_view_figure`. The maximized plan view is shown in Figure 8. The black bullets are the scan
locations. Clicking on each scan location the relevant 360o view can be viewed. The window with the 360o view can be
maximised again by clicking the **expand view** button, which is indicated within the yellow box in
:numref:`recap_plan_view_figure`. Changing the scan location and, hence, the 360o view can also be done by opening the
project navigator (indicated within the purple box in the bottom east corner of :numref:`recap_3d_view_figure`) and
selecting one scan location from the list. It is possible to change the viewing angle from the scan location by moving
the mouse while keeping the right button or the scroll wheel pressed. The viewing angle is updated in the plan view.
.. _recap_plan_view_figure:
.. figure:: _static/howto_3d_scan/recap_plan_view.png
:align: center
Plan view and minimized 360o view from a scan location.
Distances can be measured in this case as well. By clicking on the left button on the bottom edge of the screen
(indicated within the red box in :numref:`recap_3d_view_figure`), you can choose to measure a distance or add a note to
a point. The **distance tool** can be used to create **freehand or orthogonal** **measurements along the global axes**.
Additionally, the tool recognizes planes. The measurements are visible in the 360o view as well as the 3D view.
To return to the 3D view you can click on the right button on the bottom edge (indicated within the green box in
:numref:`recap_3d_view_figure`). By zooming out, the whole object becomes visible again in the 3D view.
An *Autodesk ReCap* demo video is available in the
`LINK `_.