Leica Cyclone Basic User Manual

August 2014

C.R.Kennedy & Company

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Contents
Copying Raw Files From the C10 Scanner to the PC ........................................................................... 6
Copy Raw files from the USB stick to the PC ...................................................................................... 6
Opening Cyclone ................................................................................................................................. 6
Database definitions ........................................................................................................................... 7
Project Folder .................................................................................................................................. 7
ScanWorld ....................................................................................................................................... 7
ControlSpace ................................................................................................................................... 7
ModelSpace .................................................................................................................................... 7
Scans ............................................................................................................................................... 7
Images ............................................................................................................................................. 7
Configure the Server ........................................................................................................................... 8
Import Raw Scanner Files.................................................................................................................... 9
Import Raw Scanner Files Auto Align Project ................................................................................ 10
Import an Existing Cyclone Database................................................................................................ 10
If you have Photographs ................................................................................................................... 12
Importing Control into a Database ................................................................................................... 12
Registration (Combing Scans Together)............................................................................................ 13
Registration ScanWorld Groups .................................................................................................... 14
Registration with Targets .............................................................................................................. 14
Registration Without Targets Manual Cloud to Cloud ............................................................... 15
Registration Without Targets Visual Registration ...................................................................... 17
Registration Diagnostics................................................................................................................ 18
Unifying a ModelSpace ..................................................................................................................... 18
Adding / Renaming Targets............................................................................................................... 19
To add a target: ............................................................................................................................. 19
To name or rename a target ......................................................................................................... 19
Using modelled objects as targets .................................................................................................... 20
ScanWorld Explorer .......................................................................................................................... 20
View Properties ................................................................................................................................. 21
Layers ............................................................................................................................................ 22
View As .......................................................................................................................................... 22
Select/Visible Tab .......................................................................................................................... 23
3D Modelling ..................................................................................................................................... 23
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Modelling Cylinders/Pipes from the Cloud ................................................................................... 23

Modelling Cylinders Automatically ............................................................................................... 24
Modelling Cylinder Components .................................................................................................. 24
Modelling Pipe Objects without the Point Cloud.......................................................................... 27
Modelling Patches......................................................................................................................... 27
Modelling Steel Beams Fit to Cloud Method ............................................................................. 31
Modelling Steel Beams Extrude Shape Method (Cyclone 9.0) .................................................. 32
Modelling Boxes (Cuboids) ........................................................................................................... 33
Modelling Spheres ........................................................................................................................ 33
Modelling Targets ......................................................................................................................... 33
Modelling to standard sizes .......................................................................................................... 33
Merging models back into the original Model Space ................................................................... 33
Object Handles .............................................................................................................................. 34
Quick Move ................................................................................................................................... 34
Copying Multiple Models .............................................................................................................. 34
Changing the Appearance of Modelled Objects ........................................................................... 34
Grouping Modelled Objects .......................................................................................................... 34
Fit Edge Tool.................................................................................................................................. 35
Import/Export DXF files with Cyclone ........................................................................................... 35
Model Library .................................................................................................................................... 35
To Import a Model from the Model Library.................................................................................. 36
To Save a Model to the Model Library .......................................................................................... 36
Geo Tags............................................................................................................................................ 36
Creating a TruView............................................................................................................................ 37
Key Plans ........................................................................................................................................... 37
Limit Boxes ........................................................................................................................................ 37
Fences ............................................................................................................................................... 38
Viewing Modes ................................................................................................................................. 39
Perspective view ........................................................................................................................... 39
Orthographic view......................................................................................................................... 39
Seek ............................................................................................................................................... 39
View Mode .................................................................................................................................... 39
Pick Mode...................................................................................................................................... 39
Multi-pick Mode............................................................................................................................ 39
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Hide the Point Cloud ..................................................................................................................... 39

Changing the coordinate system ...................................................................................................... 39
Interfering Points .............................................................................................................................. 40
Measurements .................................................................................................................................. 41
Measuring Clearances using Patches ................................................................................................ 42
Measuring Clearances using Clearance Command ........................................................................... 43
Filtering noise from a flat/smooth surface ....................................................................................... 44
Alignment & Sections Cyclone 8.0 ................................................................................................. 45
Alignment & Sections Cyclone 9.0 ................................................................................................. 46
TIN Meshes ....................................................................................................................................... 47
Creating a TIN Mesh ...................................................................................................................... 47
Removing Spikes from a Mesh ...................................................................................................... 47
Filling in hols in a Mesh ................................................................................................................. 47
Sampling a TIN Mesh .................................................................................................................... 48
Creating Contours on a Mesh ....................................................................................................... 49
Colouring the mesh based on elevation ....................................................................................... 49
Calculating Volumes with Mesh.................................................................................................... 50
Decimating a Mesh ....................................................................................................................... 50
Extending a TIN Mesh to Break lines ............................................................................................ 50
Animation.......................................................................................................................................... 51
Cut Planes ......................................................................................................................................... 52
Point Cloud Density........................................................................................................................... 52
Point Cloud Rendering ...................................................................................................................... 53
Hot Keys ............................................................................................................................................ 53
Customise Hot Keys ...................................................................................................................... 53
Default Hot Keys ........................................................................................................................... 53
TruSpaces .......................................................................................................................................... 54
Exporting Point Clouds ...................................................................................................................... 55
Importing Point Clouds ..................................................................................................................... 55
Drawing ............................................................................................................................................. 55
Global Colour Map ............................................................................................................................ 56
Reducing Point Cloud Density ........................................................................................................... 56
Segment Cloud .................................................................................................................................. 56
Virtual Surveyor (VS) ......................................................................................................................... 57
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Roadway Alignment & Section.......................................................................................................... 60

Points on a Grid................................................................................................................................. 60
Separating Overlapping Scans........................................................................................................... 60
Traverse Editor .................................................................................................................................. 61
Python Scripting ................................................................................................................................ 61
CloudWorx for AutoCAD ................................................................................................................... 62
Client License Manager ..................................................................................................................... 65
Activating a License ....................................................................................................................... 65
Ports that need to be opened on a network ................................................................................ 65
AutoCAD & Cyclone license conflict.............................................................................................. 66
Client License Manger over a VPN ................................................................................................ 66
Client License Manager Proxy Error .............................................................................................. 66
Cyclone Graphics Options ................................................................................................................. 67
Useful Websites ................................................................................................................................ 68
Technodigit 3D Reshaper .................................................................................................................. 68
Table of Figures ..................................................................................................................................... 69

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Copying Raw Files From the C10 Scanner to the PC

Connect the lemo/ethernet cable into the scanner and PC. Not there are two lemo sockets in the
scanner; one with 7 pins and one with 5. Connect to the 7 pin socket.
Open the program C10 Data Copy. The program will automatically find a scanner connected to the
Ethernet port. If after 5 minutes the scanner is not found automatically, make sure your network
adapter settings in Windows are set to Obtain an IP address Automatically. These should be the
default settings.

Figure 1. C10 Data Copy program.

Click on Find Scanners -> Continue.

A window with two sections will appear. The view on the left is the Scanners Hard Drive. The view
on the rights is the PCs hard drive.
Select the Project and the destination folder, click Copy Projects. For Ok Tedi the destination folder
is D:\laser scans\.
Once finished, close C10DataCopy and shut down the scanner.

Copy Raw files from the USB stick to the PC

If you wrote files directly to the USB stick with the scanner, plug the USB stick into your PC, and copy
the raw files to your PC (for OK Tedi, D:\laser scans\).

Opening Cyclone
Open Cyclone by clicking on the Cyclone icon on your desktop, or
Start -> All Programs -> Leica Geosystems -> Cyclone 8.0 -> Cyclone.
This will open the Cyclone Navigator.

Figure 2. Leica Cyclone icon.

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If youre running Cyclone for the first time, you should turn off
Survey mode (it displays the individual scans in their own
folders).
Turn Surveyor off mode: Edit -> Preferances -> Scan -> Survey
Mode: No.
Ensure that Level is set to Default.

Figure 3. Cyclone Navigator

Database definitions
A cyclone database is made up of several modules.
Project Folder - This folder contains all your scan data. You can create new project folder (Create > Project) to re-organise your scan data.
ScanWorld Each scan position is called a ScanWorld.
ControlSpace This is a point cloud that contains all the scan data and targets. Only open a
ControlSpace if you need to make adjustments to targets. When you combine scans in a registration,
Cyclone refers only to the ControlSpace, not the ModelSpace. Normally you never have to access the
ControlSpace.
ModelSpace This is also a point cloud that contains all the scan data and targets. Use the model
space for your point cloud work (viewing, modelling, fencing, deleting, meshing, etc). You can create
multiple ModelSpaces by copy/paste, or using the fence tool inside a ModelSpace.
Scans This folder contains all the point cloud data that you acquired whilst scanning, including
targets. You only need to access this data to separate scan data into multiple ModelSpaces.
Images This folder contains the photograph that you took with the scanner. By double clicking on
MultiImage, you can see all the photos that were acquired.

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Figure 4. Cyclone navigator definitions.

Configure the Server

Using (unshared) will improve Cyclones performance since the Shared folder is meant to prepare
the data to flow through a network.

Right click on Servers folder, the menu will appear. See Figure 5.

Click on Servers

Uncheck the Shared server box if it is checked. See Figure 6.

Figure 5. Right click on Servers folder

Figure 6. Deactivate shared Server.

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Import Raw Scanner Files

When you import raw files from a scanner, you need to first create a Cyclone database.
Cyclone navigator window - Configure -> Database -> Add

Figure 7. To create a new database.

Figure 8. Adding a name to a new database.

Add any filename that you like.

Leave Database Filename field empty (no Cyclone database has been created yet).
The database has been created. Right click on the blue database icon that you just created,
Import ScanStation C10 Data -> Import ScanStation C10 Project.
Use when youre importing raw scan data for a new project.
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Import ScanStation C10 Data -> Import ScanStation C10 Partial Project.
Use when youre adding raw scan data into an existing project.
Select the root folder of the raw files.
Leave all the import setting at default:
Sampling 100% (what percentage of the point cloud density to import)
Map Colours off (applies the photos to the point cloud but does not blend them)
Estimate Normals on (needed for adding Cloud Constraints in Registration)
Find Black & White Targets off (unless you had black & white targets and did not pick them)
Find Pipes Automatically off (unless you have pipes that you want modelled).

Import Raw Scanner Files Auto Align Project

This is a new feature for Cyclone 9.0 onward.
In the Cyclone Navigator window, click File -> Import as Auto Align Project.

Figure 9. Import as Auto Align Project (Cyclone 9)

Import an Existing Cyclone Database

Cyclone navigator window - Create -> Database -> Add

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Figure 10. Adding a new database.

Select the Cyclone database .IMP file.

Figure 11. Selecting an existing Cyclone database.

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If you have Photographs

When importing raw scanner data with
photographs, the photos will need to be blended
and applied to the point cloud.
Right click on the project folder under the
database icon -> Batch Blend Multimages
- This corrects the brightness/contrast of the
photographs, to make the images look like one
continuous photo.
Right click on the project folder under the
database icon -> Batch Apply MultiImages
- This colourises the point cloud with images
from the camera.

Figure 12. Batch Blend & Apply Images

Importing Control into a Database

Cyclone can import survey coordinates of targets into a database. Surveyors refer to this a importing
control, or applying grid coordinates.
Right click on the project folder -> Create ->
Scanworld. Call it whatever you like, e.g. Control.
Right click on the ScanWorld -> Import. Select the .txt
file containing your control. Note, the control should
be in CSV format, but renamed to a .txt file extension.
You can have your values separated by commas,
spaces, semicolons, or tabs.
Make sure each column has the correct definition.
The column containing the target names must be
called Target ID. The columns for X,Y,Z (or E,N, El)
coordinates must also be correctly named. You can
change column type by clicking on it.
One done, click Import.
Open the control ModelSpace. You will now see only
targets, with the coordinates that youve imported.
Remember, when you create a registration with
control, add the ScanWorlds including the control
one, and right Click on the Control ScanWorld -> Set
Home ScanWorld

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Figure 13. Import control settings.

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Registration (Combing Scans Together)

Leica defines a Registration as:
Registration is the process of integrating a projects ScanWorlds into a single coordinate
system as a registered ScanWorld. This integration is derived by a system of constraints, which
are pairs of equivalent tie-points or overlapping point clouds that exist in two ScanWorlds. The
Registration process computes the optimal overall alignment transformations for each
component ScanWorld in the Registration such that the constraints are matched as closely as
possible.
Click on your project folder under your database. Click Create -> Registration, call it whatever you
like. Double click on the registration icon to open it.

Figure 14. Registration icon.

Scans are referred to as ScanWorlds. To add your scans into the registration, click Scan World -> Add
Scan World. Select the scans you wish to combine, and copy them to the registration. If you added
control, make sure you select the control ScanWorld as well. Click OK.

Figure 15. Adding ScanWorlds to a Registration.

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You should now see your scans in the

ScanWorlds Constraints tab. If you have
control, right click on the control ScanWorld ->
Set Home ScanWorld.
Registration ScanWorld Groups
In Cyclone 9.0, ScanWorlds can be automatically
grouped together based on common constraints
or common overlap.
Separate groups of ScanWorlds can be easily
joined together using the Manual Cloud to
Cloud or Visual Registration methods, see
below.
You can automatically group ScanWorlds together
by selecting ScanWorlds in a registration, right
click -> Create ScanWorld Groups .

Figure 16. Setting the Control ScanWorld as the home

ScanWorld.

Registration with Targets

Targets are referred to as Constraints in Cyclone. To add targets click on Constraints -> Auto Add
Constraints.
You can see the targets on the Constraints List tab.

Figure 17. List of constraints on the Constraints List tab.

Notice that the errors have not been computed under the Error column (the value is N/A). To
calculate the errors, click Registration -> Register.

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Sort the errors by value by clicking on the Error column bar. If you have errors above 6mm, I would
suggest disabling them (right click ->Disable). Then re-calculate the errors by clicking
Registration -> Register.
Once youre happy with the error values, click Cloud Constraint -> Auto Add Cloud Constraints. This
feature examines scans that have at least 20% overlap, identifies common objects in the point
clouds, and further aligns the scans based on these common objects. The cloud constraints are
added to the Constraint List tab as cloud/mesh.

Figure 18. Cloud constraint registration progress

Once done, click Registration -> Create ScanWorld / Freeze Registration.

Then to view the data click Registration -> Create and Open ModelSpace.
Look at your registration file in the Cyclone Navigator. It now looks like a normal ScanWorld, with all
the scans aligned perfectly together.
Registration Without Targets Manual Cloud to Cloud
If you did not have any targets in a ScanWorld, you will need to manually identify common points
between two scans.
Rather than adding constraints automatically like before, we have to add them manually. Click:
Cloud Constraint -> Cloud Constraint Wizard.

Figure 19. Cloud Constraint Wizard matrix

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In the Cloud Constraints Wizard, you have to select which scans are overlapping. In this example, Ive
selected scans 1 & 2, scans 2 & 3, and scans 3 & 4. Click Update.

Figure 20. Cloud Constaints Wizard window

Move the Cloud Constraints Wizard window away, but do not close it. You will now
see two windows displaying two point clouds on Cyclone. Using the multipack mode,
click on at least 3 common points on each scan with at least 100mm accuracy.
Figure 21. Multi-Pick mode icon
.

Try and spread the points around as much as possible. Then click on Preview in the Cloud
Constraints Wizard window, and view the combined scans to confirm that they are aligned. If you
have you not picked enough points or spaced your points around enough, Cyclone will tell you with
an error message. Simply add to the points that you have already picked, and click Preview again.
When you click Preview, visually check that the scans are aligned. Then close down the ModelSpace
preview, and click Constrain on the Cloud Constraints Wizard. The wizard will automatically
progress to the next combination of scans.
Once you have combined all the scans, notice that Cloud/Mesh constraints are now in the
Constraints List tab. The errors will need to be calculated; Registration -> Register.
Confirm that all the errors are minimal. If not, delete the Constraint and recombine the scans again
using the Cloud Constraint Wizard. If youre happy with the errors, click:
Registration -> Create ScanWorld / Freeze Registration, then
Registration -> Create and Open ModelSpace
Look at your registration file in the Cyclone Navigator. It now looks like a normal ScanWorld icon.

Figure 22. ScanWorld icon of a completed registration.

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Registration Without Targets Visual Registration

Registration without targets can also be performed using the Visual Registration method in Cyclone
9 onwards. By generating 2D thumbnails of point cloud data, you can visually align two point clouds
together much faster than the manual cloud to cloud method.
First, generate the thumb nails. In Cyclone Navigator, select the scans, right click -> Re/Generate
Scan Thumbnails.
In Cyclone Navigator, create a new registration (Create -> Registrion). Open the Registration (double
click). Add the ScanWorlds (ScanWorlds -> Add ScanWorlds). Automatically group the ScanWorlds
(select the ScanWorlds, right click -> Create Scan World Groups with .).
Align 2 groups together. Visual Registration -> 2D Scan Thumbnails.

Figure 23. 2D Scan Thumbnails window.

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Figure 24. Visually aligning the 2D thumbnails.

Registration Diagnostics
A full report on a registrations diagnostics can be easily generated. Open the registration, and click
Registration -> Show Diagnostics. The report will display the errors of each constraint used.

Figure 25. Registration diagnostics report.

Unifying a ModelSpace
Before you start modelling or do any further changes to the registration, unify the registration that
you have done. Even though the registered ScanWorlds look like one single point cloud, they are still
treated as separate point clouds in a ModelSpace. Unifying results in better resource allocation of
your PCs memory.

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Once you unify a ModelSpace, you cannot un-unify it.

So its a good idea to a make a copy first.
To make a copy of a ModelSpace, right click -> Copy,
then under the ModelSpace folder, right click -> Paste.
To unify, right click on the new ModelSpace -> Unify
ModelSpace.
You have the option to reduce the point cloud density.
This is useful, as it reduces the number of points in the
cloud, improving performance in Cyclone. I recommend
a 3mm reduction in points for modelling purposes.
Once done, click Unfiy.

Figure 26. Unify cloud options.

Adding / Renaming Targets

To add a target:
Click on the centre of target with the Pick Mode, and then Create Object -> Fit to Cloud -> HDS
Target or Black/White Target.

Figure 27. Pick Mode icon.

To name or rename a target

Click on the centre of target with the Pick Mode, and then Tools -> Registration -> Add/Edit
Registration Label.

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Figure 28. Naming/renaming a target.

Figure 29. Changing a targets value (name).

Using modelled objects as targets

Cyclone can use modelled objects as targets. For example, you can use a modelled pipe as object.
Select the pipe, and click Tools -> Registration -> Add/Edit registration label
A 3 plane corner (i.e. in a room where the ceiling and two walls intersect), can be very accurately
defined by Cyclone and can be used as a target. Create Object -> Fit Fenced -> Corner (vertex added
automatically). Click on the vertex, then Tools -> Registration -> Add/Edit registration label.

ScanWorld Explorer
The ScanWorld Explorer is a useful tool to turn on/off point clouds in a registration. You cannot do
this once you have unified the cloud.
To access the ScanWorld Explorer open the ModelSpace of a registration, and click Tools -> Scanner
-> ScanWorld Explorer.

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Figure 30. ScanWorld Explorer window.

In the ScanWorld Explorer, you can hide or show clouds that are part of the
existing registration by un-ticking the viewable icon:

Figure 31. Viewable icon.

Segment scan by distance. You can apply delete data beyond a certain range
from your scans.

Figure 32. Segment scan by distance icon.

Allign View. This function puts you into the perspective of the scanner in a
particular scan. NB: A short cut to this view is to select the point cloud with the pickmode, and press a on the keyboard.
Figure 33. Align view icon.

Note that the align view mode is set to the panoramic view. This locks your view in a
360 bubble view.

Figure 34. Panoramic View icon.

View Properties
This option allows you to turn on/off visibility and selectability, as well as segment cloud or objects
into different layers.

Figure 35. View Properties icons.

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Figure 36. View Properties window.

Notice that there are three main tabs: Layers, View As, and Selectable/Visible.
Layers
You can select points, meshes, or modelled objects, and assign them to a layer of their own. This is
useful if you wish to hide certain objects, or group the same objects together (e.g. assign all cylinders
to their own layer).
View As
You can set the resolution of object in the View As tab.
For example, a mesh can be viewed in high resolution (LOD Full Range) or as a wireframe.

Figure 37. View Properties - View As tab.

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Select/Visible Tab
This tab gives you the option allowing an object to be visible, and also selectable with the pick mode.

3D Modelling
Cyclone is a very powerful tool for modelling pipes, steel beams, valves, boxes, patches and other
objects. When modelling pipes and steel beams, Cyclone can model to standard sizes. To activate
this mode, click Create Object -> Use Parts Table.
You can choose the database to use by clicking Edit -> Object Preference.
There are five ways to model: Region Grow, Fit to Cloud, Fit to Fence, 2D Draw and Insert Object.
When modelling objects from the point cloud using Region Grow commands, the objects point cloud
will be made invisible. At any time you can show the objects cloud by selecting the modelled object,
and clicking Create Object -> Insert Copy of Objects Points.

Figure 38. Plant objects can easily be modelling Cyclone.

Modelling Cylinders/Pipes from the Cloud

You can model pipes in your original ModelSpace. To model a single pipe, select the pipe with the
pick mode, click
Create Object -> Region Grow -> Cylinder.

Figure 39. Modelling a single pipe.

To model a pipe run, click on the separate parts of the pipe with the multi pick mode, click
Create Object -> Region Grow -> Pipe Run.

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Figure 40. Modelling a Pipe Run of 3 sections.

Pipes can also be modelled automatically, Create Object ->

Find Pipes Automatically. The function will not work on a
unified pipe cloud, and will not add pipe elbows, only
straight pipes.
Pipes can be connected with elbow or mitre connections,
or reducers can be added to the end of pipes.
These functions can all be found in the Piping menu, under
Tools -> Piping.

Figure 41. Piping Menu

Modelling Cylinders Automatically

Cyclone 8.0 onwards can scan the point cloud and model pipes automatically. Note, this cannot be
done on unified points clouds. To begin the process, select the point cloud (Selection -> Select All),
and click: Create Object -> Find Pipes Automatically
You may wish to colourise the cylinders different colours. To do so, click: Edit Objects -> Appearance
-> Create Objects from Random Colours
You can filter cylinders by size by clicking: Create Objects -> Filter Pipes
Modelling Cylinder Components
There are several other options with pipes. Valves, blind flanges, wielding neck flanges, reducers,
and tee joins must be fitted by eye. You cannot region grow or fit to cloud a valve. Using the

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handles, adjust the size to best match the cloud. To add these objects, click on the end handle of a
pipe, then Create Object -> Insert -> .
Elbow Join
An elbow join is a continuous smooth pipe join.
Note, pipe runs will add elbow joins between
pipes automatically.

Figure 42. A pipe join

Mitres Join
A mitre join is made of multiple pipe cross
sections. It is not a smooth continuous join like
an elbow.

Figure 43. A 3 section mitre join.

Blind Flange

Wielding Neck Flange

Concentric Reducer
2 Cylinders of different diameter joined together
with a Concentric Reducer.

Eccentric Reducer
2 Cylinders of different diameter joined
together with an Eccentric Reducer.

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Figure 45. Eccentric Reducer.

Figure 44. Concentric Reducer.

Valves
Create Object -> Insert -> Valve.

Figure 46. Modelled valve.

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Tee Joins:

Figure 47. Modelled Tee join.

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End Caps
You can add end caps to cylinders: Edit Object -> End Caps ->

Figure 48. Flat (left) and Semi Elliptical (right) Caps.

Modelling Pipe Objects without the Point Cloud

Pipe objects (pipes, elbows, flanges, etc), that have not been
scanned or do not yet exist can be modelled from within Cyclone.
For example, a new pipe run can be added into the pipe cloud, and
point cloud collisions can be ran to determine the pipe will fit
correctly.
Tools -> Piping -> Pipe Modelling

Modelling Patches
A patch is a 2 dimensional plane. Patches can be used to model flat
objects, such as walls, ceiling, floors, etc.

Figure 49. Modelling objects not in

the point cloud.

Holes can be cut into patches, so long as they do not cut through the perimeter.
Patches can be extruded to become 3 dimensional objects. Once extruded, holes cannot be cut into
them.

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Select a point on the surface with the pick mode, then click Create Object -> Region Grow -> Patch.

Normally there will be numerous handles and corners. The patch can be made rectangular by
selecting the patch, then Edit Object -> Patch -> Make Rectangular.
NB: In the above example, a patch could also be created using by drawing a 2D polygon against the
XY reference plan.
Cutting fences from a Patch
Objects such as doors and windows can be cut out of the patch using the fence tool. It is best to view
the patch in orthographic mode when making cuts. NB: A fence cannot be cut beyond the perimeter
of the patch.
Create Object -> Insert Copy of Objects Points

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Figure 50. Changing the visibility of the patch. Note the rectangular fence over the doorway.

Figure 51. Patch with fenced area removed.

Extruding Patches
Extruding a patch give it depth and becomes a
3D object. A patch is only a 2D flat surface. Once
a patch has been extruded, fences can no longer
be cut from it.

Figure 52. An extruded patch with depth.

Extending Patches
Select the patches, and select Edit Object -> Extend -> Extend All Objects.

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Figure 53. 3 Patches before extension.

Figure 54. 3 patches after extension. Note the corner.

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Modelling Steel Beams Fit to Cloud Method

With Steel Beams, you must copy the beam to a new ModelSpace. Fence out a steel beam using the
fence tool, right click -> Copy Fenced to New ModelSpace.
Clean up the steel beam by using the polygonal fence tool, and right click
-> Fence -> Delete Outside or Delete Inside. The steel beam point cloud
should look like the below figures.

Figure 56. Top down view of cleaned up steel

beam. Note that the view is in orthographic
mode, not perspective mode.
Figure 55. Side view of
steel beam.

To model a steel beam, click on the beam with the pick mode, and then
Create Object -> Fit To Cloud -> Steel Section -> Wide Flange
NB: You can also fence the beam, right click -> Fit Fence -> Steel Section -> Wide Flange.
Steel beam Angle, channel, Tee, rectangular tube, and wide flange (I-beams) steel beams can all be
modelled in Cyclone using the above method.
Angle:

Channel:

Figure 57. Steel Angle Beam

Tee:

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Figure 58. Steel Channel Beam.

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Figure 59. Tee Steel Beam.

Figure 60. Rectangular Steel Beam.

Wide Flange (I-Beam or H-Beam):

Figure 61. Wide Flange Steel Beam.

Modelling Steel Beams Extrude Shape Method (Cyclone 9.0)

In Cyclone 9.0, steel beams can modelled from 2 picks

without having to clean the cloud. Using the multi-pick tool,
pick two points on a steel beam. Create Object -> Extrude
Shape (2 picks) -> Wide Flange.
NB: This function will only model to dimensions in the
database. Create Object -> Use Parts Table must be ticked
and enabled.
NB: The area around the cross section of the picks on the
steel must be clean of noise for 20mm on each side of pick
see image.
Figure 62. Cyclone 9.0 can model steel
beams using the multi-pick method.

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Modelling Boxes (Cuboids)

Like steel beams, boxes can only be modelled from point clouds using the Fit to Cloud command.
Therefore, you must first fence and copy a box to a new model space, isolate the box point cloud
data, then Create Object -> Fit to Cloud -> Box.
Modelling Spheres
Like steel beams, spheres can only be modelled from point clouds using the Fit to Cloud command.
Therefore, you must first fence and copy a sphere to a new model space, isolate the spheres point
cloud data, then Create Object -> Fit to Cloud -> Sphere.
Modelling Targets
Scanner targets (HDS target, black/white target, or sphere target) can be modelled in Cyclone.
Select the target with the pick mode. You do not have to select the centre of the target.
Create Object -> Fit to Cloud ->
Note, you do not have to isolate the target. If there is enough point data on the target, Cyclone will
automatically add a vertex in the centre of the target.
Modelling to standard sizes
In Leica Cyclone, you can create modelled objects to sizes in a
database. To do this, click Edit -> Object Preferences, and select
the Object Type. When you next model this object, Cyclone will
best fit the dimensions to a list of standard sizes from a
database.
Databases are located in the directory:
C:\Program Files\Leica Geosystems\Cyclone\Lib\Tables

Merging models back into the original Model Space

Figure 63. Object Preferences

Window.

Figure 64. Closing ModelSpace View.

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Once the model has been made, close down the

ModelSpace windows, and check Merge into
original ModelSpace and Delete after close.

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Object Handles
Handles are contained in objects within Cyclone that are used to adjust the objects position,
orientation, and size. Handles are colour coded to indicate the movement type.
Red Rotate
Orange Resize, translate, and snap
Blue Translate and snap
You can move objects in Cyclone, and restrict the movement to a 2 dimensional plane.
Edit Object -> Handles -> Constrain Motion To -> ..
Left click on an orange handle, and hold Ctrl to move an object.
Left click on an orange handle, and hold Shift to will snap handles to each other.
Quick Move
A modelled object can be moved easily with the Quick Move command. Select 2 points on the
model (click on the blue handles) with the multi-pick mode, then select two corresponding points on
the point cloud, and Edit Object -> Quick Move. This is much faster than manually dragging an
object.
Copying Multiple Models
A modelled object can be copied multiple times. This is useful, for example, if you wish to copy a
steel beam every 5 metres in the X-axis directions. Select the object with the pick mode, then click
Create object -> Copy.
Changing the Appearance of Modelled Objects
Modelled objects can have their appearance (e.g. colour, transparency, etc) customised in Cyclone.
Select the object with the pick mode, then click
Edit Object -> Edit Colour/Material
Grouping Modelled Objects
Multiple objects can be grouped together as a single objects. This makes it easier to move the
objects together, or to assign them all to a layer.
Select all objects with the Multi Pick mode, then
Edit -> Group -> Group

Figure 65. 3 modelled objects grouped.

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Fit Edge Tool

The Fit Edge tool is used for creating a
polyline the follows an edge.

Create Object -> Fit Edge

Figure 66. Point cloud of a step.

A cross section view point of the edge should

appear in the Fit Edge window, along with a
vertex. If not, rotate the point cloud manually
and add a vertex on the edge. Multiple
vertexes can be added if required. The nodal
point indicates the position where a polyline
will be created.

Figure 67. Fit Edge window with cross section view on point
cloud.

Figure 68. Point cloud with added polyline (in grey).

Import/Export DXF files with Cyclone

Modelled objects in Cyclone can be exported as a DXF, and viewed in 3rd party CAD programs (such
as AutoCAD or MicroStation).
To export a model from Cyclone, select the item(s), and click File -> Export, and selected AutoCAD
DXF R12 Format (*.dxf).
Cyclone can only import COE (Cyclone Object Exchange) objects. It cannot import DXF objects
directly. To import DXF models into Cyclone, you have to convert them into COE files using the Leica
COE data transfer plugin for AutoCAD or MicroStation.

Model Library
Cyclone has a model library for commonly used objects. You can add or load models to/from the
library easily.
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To Import a Model from the Model Library

Tools -> Model Library Manager -> Insert Model

Figure 69. Insert Model window.

To Save a Model to the Model Library

Take a screenshot of your model and save it as .jpg file. Copy the model
into a new Model Space. Select All, then click Tools -> Model Library
Manager -> Save Model.
Create a new name for a Library, Assembly and load the screenshot of
the model.

Geo Tags
A Geo Tag allows you to add additional meta data to the point cloud in
Cyclone. Geo Tags will be automatically saved into a Leica TruView when
created.
Tools -> Geo Tags

Figure 70. Geo Tags

window.

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Creating a TruView
A TruView allows to you share the scan data in internet explorer.
You will first need to download and install a plugin for internet
explorer. Google the term Leica TruView download, and download
the link.
To create the TruView, open the ModelSpace that you wish to share.
Zoom out so that you can see all the scan station positions. This will
be the site map of your TrueView.
Once done click File -> Publish Site Map.
Create a folder where you want the TrueView to be -> OK.
Select your ScanWorld -> OK.
Click TruView Settings button.
Click Color Map Settings.
Figure 71. TruView Settings

If you have photographs, set the mode to Colours from

Scanner. If you do not have photographs, set the mode to
Intensity Map.
For Intensity Map mode, you set the scheme to either
greyscale or Multi-Hue/Rainbow. In Grayscale mode, you can
adjust the darkness with the Gamma setting.
Once the TruView is created, open the folder, and click
SiteMap.htm.
NB: The TruView plugin will only work with Microsoft Internet
Explorer. You can download the TruView plugin from the Leica
website:
http://hds.leica-geosystems.com/en/Leica-TruView_63960.htm

Figure 72. TruView Colour Map

Settings

Key Plans
A key plan allows you to easily share point cloud data locked into the perspective of the scanner,
with anyone that has Cyclone installed. It is very similar to a TruView, except a Key Plan must be ran
in Cyclone. Cyclone can be installed without a license and used as a viewer.
File -> Create KeyPlan
A background image (e.g. from Google Maps) can be imported. Select 2 scanner setups to align it.

Limit Boxes
Limit boxes are a useful way to view a small volume of data in a large point cloud.
Open a ModelSpace, click

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View -> Set Limit Box by Cursor, or

View -> Set Limit Box by Fence.
Notice that now the data is limited to just the box. To turn off the limit box, click View -> Limit Box.
You can increase the size of the limit box with the multipack mode. Click on the limit box, and then
drag the handles (the orange squares).

Figure 73. A car in a limit box.

Limit Boxes can also be saved and loaded in the Limit Box Manager: View -> Add/Edit Limit Boxes.
The saved Limit Boxes in Cyclone can also be viewed in AutoCAD Cloudworx with the Clipping
Manager tool.
Limit boxes can also be aligned to an axis. Select the limit box, then click Edit Object -> Align -> Align
to Axis -> XYZ Axis.

Fences
Fences are another useful way of isolating or deleting points from the point cloud. There are 3 fence
modes: Polygonal Fence, Rectangular Fence and Circular Fence.

Figure 74. Fence tools (polygonal, square, circular, and cancel).

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Viewing Modes
Perspective view: Shows the point cloud with
depth of field.

Orthographic view: Shows the point cloud

with no depth of view.

Figure 75. Perspective icon.

Figure 76. Orthographic icon.

Seek : Focuses the view on a point in the point

cloud. The shortcut is S on the keyboard.

View Mode: Allows you to zoom, rotate and

pan around a point that you selected with
Seek.

Figure 77. Seek icon

Figure 78. View Mode icon

Pick Mode: Allows you to pick a point in the

point cloud. The co-ordinates will be displayed
at the bottom of the screen. Hold down Shift to
pick multiple points.

Multi-pick Mode: Same as the pick mode, but

allows you to pick multiple points without
holding down Shift.

Figure 80. Multi-pick Mode icon.

Figure 79. Pick Mode icon.

Hide the Point Cloud:

This icon depicts a pair of crossed out glasses
looking at a cloud. This function is useful if you
wish to hide the point cloud and only show
modelled objects.

Figure 81. Hide the point cloud

Changing the coordinate system

Cyclone allows you to easily transform the coordinate system of a point cloud. You may want to
move the origin, or align a wall or object with the X or Y-axis. New coordinate systems can be saved,
and the point cloud can easily switch between different coordinate systems.

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Figure 82. Changing the Coordinate System.

Interfering Points
This function is useful for clash detection (i.e interference or collision of points) of a modelled object
against the point cloud. For example, one could import a modelled pipe run for a new pipe, and
confirm if the new pipe will fit against the existing cloud.
Select the point cloud and the model (Selection -> Select All).
Tools -> Measure -> Interfering Points

Figure 83. Interfering/collision Points are highlighted in white.

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Figure 84. Interfering / collision points are highlighted in white.

Measurements
Measurements can easily be made in Cyclone. Using the multi-pick tool, select tool points on a point
cloud, and select:
Tools -> Measure -> Distance -> Point to Point
Tools -> Measure -> Edit Measurements
You can add additional columns by right clicking on the top of a column, and selecting Customise.
Distance Slope distance (hypotenuse)
dX Change in X values
dY change in Y values
dZ Change in Z values.
dH Horizontal value
dV Vertical value (should be same as dZ)

Figure 85. Saved Measurements' window.

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Measuring Clearances using Patches

This function is used to calculate the clearance height. For example, to calculate the minimum
clearance height of a bridge over a road.
Tools -> Measure -> Clearances
In this example, a bridge is scanned
from over 100m away using the Leica
C10 whilst traffic was continually
flowing. om a single point, we can see
the bridge clearance is 17.4 ft, we can
measure the entire length quickly.

Figure 86. A point cloud of a bridge and freeway.

Figure 87 Patch on the road surface under the bridge.

Use the Fit Edge tool to place a polyline along the edge of the bridge. Select the edge with the pick
mode, then click Create Object -> Fit Edge

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Figure 88. Fit Edge tool.

Tools -> Measure -> Point to Unbounded Surface (gives the true vertical distance to a patch).
In this example, a different height is found in each lane. By using the Fit Edge tool, you can
calculate better clearance values then picking points in the field by eye.

Figure 89. Clearance height distances from patch to polyline.

Measuring Clearances using Clearance Command

Bridges clearances can also be calculated using the Clearance command without modelling patches
or edges.
First, you will need to use the multipick to pick a two point on the road, and then two more points
above the road on the underside of the bridge.
Tools -> Measure -> Clearances

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Figure 90. Measure Clearances'

window

Filtering noise from a flat/smooth surface

To filter noise (such as cars, people, etc) from a flat/smooth surface (such as a road), we can run a
Smooth Surface filter in Cyclone. First, fence the area interest out, and copy to a new model space.
Next, unify the point cloud (Tools -> Unify Clouds).
Select the ground surface with the single pick tool.
Create Object -> Region Grow -> Smooth Surface.
The point cloud will now be split into 2 separate clouds; the smooth surface (e.g. road), and the
noise above the roads (e.g. cars, people, etc). Select the noise above the road with the single pick
mode, and press delete.

Figure 91. Road before Smooth Surface

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Figure 92. Road after Smooth Surface

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Alignment & Sections Cyclone 8.0

An alignment on a road can be easily created in Cyclone, and broken into sections. The individual
sections can be modelled with a poly line automatically. Note, Cyclone cannot perform tunnel
alignments. Technodigit 3D Reshaper software is required for tunnel alignments.
Fence an area of a road. Select two points on a road surface with the Multi-Pick tool, and click
Create Object -> From Pick Points -> Alignment. If the road surface is curved, you can create a
polyline. If you need to filter the noise, see the previous chapter Filtering noise from a flat/smooth
surface.
Next, create the alignment; Tools -> Alignment & Sections -> Create Alignment, then create
sections; Tools -> Alignment & Sections -> Create Sections.
A list of sections will be displayed. The individual sections can be inspected by click on the station in
the Station column.

Figure 94. Alignment Create

Sections window.

Figure 94. Alignment Section Manager

Figure 95. Note that the polyline will follow the alignment.

The handles of the polyline can be manually adjusted to better follow the point cloud if needed.
Point cloud data can be copied with the alignment by selecting collect points in the Create
Sections window.

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Figure 96. Alignment sections with point cloud.

The polyline alignment and centre line can be exported as a DXF file. File -> Export -> (select
AutoCAD DX R12 format).

Alignment & Sections Cyclone 9.0

In Cyclone 9.0, a new Alignment tool was released that includes a plan view window.
Fence an area of a road. Select two points on a road surface with the Multi-Pick tool, and click
Create Object -> From Pick Points -> Alignment. If the road surface is curved, you can create a
polyline. If you need to filter the noise, see the previous chapter Filtering noise from a flat/smooth
surface.
Next, create the alignment. In the ModelSpace, click Tools -> Roadway Alignment & Station ->
Alignment Station Manager. A plan view window will also appear that assist in navigating the
alignment.

Figure 97. Alignment Section Manger & Plan View in Cyclone 9.0.

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TIN Meshes
Cyclone has a very powerful TIN mesh function. A TIN (Triangulated Irregular Network) is particular
type of Digital Terrain Model (DTM) used to emulate surfaces. It should not be used for complex
surfaces (e.g. people, statues, buildings, trees), but more simple surfaces such as a road or a
stockpile.
Creating a TIN Mesh
Select the surface with the pick mode, click Tools -> Mesh -> Create Mesh -> TIN Meshing. You can
view the mesh as a wireframe. Highlight the mesh (Ctrl + A), View -> View Object As -> Wireframe

Figure 99. A TIN mesh when viewed as a solid

Figure 99. A TIN mesh when viewed as a wireframe.

Removing Spikes from a Mesh

When you mesh a surface, occasionally random spikes will appear due to point cloud noise. To
remove the spikes fence the spike using one of the fence tools. Right click, Fence -> Delete Inside.

Figure 100 Mesh with spike.

Filling in hols in a Mesh

Select the perimeter of the whole using the pick mode.
Tools -> Mesh -> Fill Selected Hole

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Figure 102 Mesh with spike removed.

Figure 101. Mesh with hole's perimeter selected.

Sampling a TIN Mesh

Note: Cyclone 9 has introduced a Points on a Grid tool that is similar to this function.
A TIN mesh can be sampled against the reference plane to create a grid of points, vertexes, or as
another mesh.
First, add the reference plane. Tools -> Reference Plane -> Show Active Plane. Move the planes
origin to the mesh. Tools -> Reference Plane -> Set Plane Origin at Pick Point
Align the plan to the mesh. Tools -> Reference Plane -> Rotate
Sample the mesh against the plane. Tools -> Mesh -> Sample Grid
Hide the reference plane. Tools -> Reference Plane -> Show Active Plane
Hide the Mesh. View -> Set Object Visibility

Figure 103. A grid of points, sampled from a mesh.

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Creating Contours on a Mesh

Select the mesh (selection -> select all), and click

Tools -> Contour -> Create Mesh

Figure 104. Contours Parameters windows.

Colouring the mesh based on elevation

Edit Object -> Appearance -> Edit Global Colour Map. Under Mode, select Elevation Map.

Figure 105. Mesh with contours and coloured based on elevation.

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Calculating Volumes with Mesh

You may have a need to calculate the volume of a stockpile. To do this:
1.) Isolate the point cloud that wish to calculate the volume of with the fence tool, and
right click -> Copy To New Model Space.
2.) Select the isolated point cloud with the
pick mode.
3.) Create the Mesh:
Tools -> Mesh -> Create Mesh -> Tin.
4.) Click on the bottom of the mesh with the
pick mode.
5.) Add the Reference Plane:
Tools -> Reference Plane -> Set Plane
Origin at Pick Point.
6.) Calculate the Volume:
Tools -> Measure -> Mesh Volume ->
Above Ref Plane.
The volume area is now calculated
Figure 106. Using a Mesh and Reference Plane to calculate a
volume.

Decimating a Mesh
Often the mesh may be of higher resolution than
needed. To reduce the number of triangles in the
mesh, and hence the resolution, select the mesh
(Selection -> Select All), and then click Tools -> Mesh
-> Decimate Mesh. Usually a 10% reduction is
sufficient.

Figure 107. Decimate mesh parameters

Extending a TIN Mesh to Break lines

By creating a polyline along an edge (e.g. top of curb), the mesh can be extended to the breakline to
create a sharp edge.
First, create the break line. Pick a polyline along an edge, and click Create Object -> From Picked
Points -> Polyline. Do the same for the bottom of curb. You could also use the Fit Edge tool to
perform this.

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Figure 108. Edge of curb selected with multi-pick.

Tools -> Mesh -> Breaklines -> Extend TIN to Polyline

Figure 109. Edge of curb when meshed.

Animation
A fly through animation through a point cloud can be created from within Cyclone. It may take some
trial and error to achieve the correct frame rate.
1.) Add the cameras at intervals along your cloud: Create Object -> Insert -> Camera
2.) Create a path for the fly through by joining the cameras up: Tools -> Animation -> Create
Path
3.) Tools -> Animation -> Set Path
4.) Hide the cameras and the path so they dont show up in the animation.
View -> Set Object Visibility -> Untick Camera and Polyline
5.) Tools -> Animation -> Animation Editor
6.) Tools -> Animation -> Animate
Set frame rate around 50 and the resolution at 800 by 600. The animation will render quickly and
you will be able to preview the product. Once animation is perfected, increase the frame rate to
desired level and increase resolution to 1200 by 900.

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Cut Planes
Cut planes are useful if only wish to see a slice of the point cloud parallel to the X, Y or Z plane.
I find it easier to use the icons of the Cut Plane toolbar. The Cut Plane menu is located under Tools ->
Cut Planes.
The easiest method is to first align the cut plane to a reference plane. Remember, reference planes
can be on the XY, XZ, or YZ planes.
First, adjust your coordinate system to be aligned with the object you want to slice. In the below
example, the X axis is parallel to the front of the building (see the previous section Changing the
Coordinate System). Next, show the reference plane you want. Tools -> Reference Plane -> Set to
XY/XZ/YZ Plane. Click on the View Slice icon in the Cutplane toolbar. You can also set the thickness
of the slice, and progress through sections on the point cloud. Using a single pick point with Quick
Slice will result in a 1 meter slice thickness.

Figure 110. Cutplane Toolbar

Figure 111. Cut plane side view of a coal treatment plant.

Point Cloud Density

If you PC is lagging, you can reduce the number of points that are being displayed.
View -> Point Cloud Density -> No Reduction / Low Reduction / High Reduction.

Figure 112. Point cloud density Toolbar.

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Depending on the power of your PC, you can increase the number of points that your computer
loads and displays to produce a denser point cloud.
Edit -> Preferences -> Point Cloud -> Load: Max Points / Display: Max Points

Point Cloud Rendering

View -> Point Cloud Rendering ->
- Shaded
- One-Sided: This mode will remove the points on a plane closes to the viewer. This is very useful
when viewing a closed room.
- Front
- Back
- Silhouette: The points closest to the viewer will be darkened, whilst the points furthest will be
highlighted. This gives the impression of seeing through walls.

Hot Keys
Hot keys are keyboard shortcuts that can be saved for nearly all commands in Cyclone. Theyre ideal
for saving time and reducing mouse clicks for commonly used features. All functions on Cyclone can
have a hotkey assigned to them.
Customise Hot Keys
Edit -> Customise Hot Keys

Figure 113. Hotkeys menu.

Default Hot Keys

Some hot keys that are assigned by default are:
Left Mouse Rotate around the point of focus (use seek to reset the point of focus)
Righ Mouse Pan (moves the point of focus)
Left + Right Mouse Zoom

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Scroll wheel button down on Mouse - Zoom

Ctrl + Left Mouse Turns the viewpoint around (i.e. Look around).
Alt + Left Mouse While in view mode, rotate slowly around focal.
Spacebar Deselect All
s Seek
Seek Mode + Shift Click on a point. The view will be shifted to the scanners perspective.
i - Information (with an object selected)
c Coordinate system menu
~ - Toggle between Pick mode and View mode.
d Distance (measure distance between two points).
f Segment by fence
Shift + i Delete inside fence
Shift + o Delete outside fence
C Clear fence
Shift + s Set selectable
Shift + l - layers

TruSpaces
A TruSpace is useful for viewing the point cloud from the perspective of the scanner. Its a useful tool
to manually add targets that were missed.
View -> TruSpace -> Show TruSpaces
Select a TruSpace with the pick mode, and click View -> TruSpace -> Open TruSpace.
To link the TruSpace to the main ModelSpace, click View -> TruSpace -> Link TruSpace.

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Figure 114. Truspace window (small).

Exporting Point Clouds

Point clouds can be exported in several formats. With the ModelSpace open, File -> Export, and
select the format. The most common formats for point clouds are .pts, .ptx, and .txt. The easiest way
to share a point cloud is to copy the Cyclone .imp database, and view the point cloud within Cyclone.
Cyclone is free to use as a viewer.

Importing Point Clouds

Point clouds and raw scanner data (Leica, Z+F, Riegl and Faro scanners), can be imported directly
into Cyclone. In the Cyclone Navigator, create a new database (Configure -> Database -> Add), enter
a name. Once created, right click on the database -> Import. Some of the common formats are:
Riegl (3dd, rxp, rsp), Z+F (zfs, zfc), Faro (fls, fpr, fws).

Drawing
You can use Cyclone to draw objects in 2D against the reference plane. This is useful if you wish to
trace the outline of an object and then extrude it.
Select a point with the pick mode that you wish to draw on against a plane, then
Tools -> Reference Plane -> Set to..
Tools -> Drawing -> Draw Polyline
Tools -> Drawing -> Create Drawing
Create Object -> From Curves -> Patch
NB: The reference plane can viewed as a XY, YZ, or XY plane. It can also be rotated and tilted to suit
the object that youre drawing to.
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Turn the drawing to a 3D object, Edit Object -> Extrude

Global Colour Map

The colour representation of the point cloud can be
changed in Cyclone.
Edit Object -> Appearance -> Edit Global Colour Map
This is useful if you wish to change the representation of
reflectivity.

Figure 115. Global colour map parameters.

Reducing Point Cloud Density

Using the pick tool, select the point cloud and click,
Tools -> Reduce Point Cloud.
NB: This function can only be used on point clouds that
have not been unified. To reduce the point cloud
density of unified point clouds, you can use the unify
tool again (Tools -> Unify Clouds).

Segment Cloud

Figure 116. Reduce Point Cloud Density.

It can be useful to separate a point cloud into small

sections.
Create Object -> Segment Cloud ->
- Cut Sub-Selection
- Cut by Fence
- Cut by Intensity (Useful for cutting out noise from the scanner).
- Cut by Distance from Point
- Cut by Offset from Plane
- Cut Near Ref Plane
- Trim Edges
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Virtual Surveyor (VS)

With Virtual Survey, you can extract features (points and 3D line data with point codes, line
connecting codes, and comments) directly from point cloud in Cyclone, and then export these
feature codes as a standard ASCII format into the surveying software of your choice. If you are using
AutoCAD- or MicroStation-based platforms, the original raw point cloud can also be brought in (via
CloudWorx) to verify the feature extractions and add detail to the existing topographic
representation.

Tools -> Virtual Surveyor

When prompted, Opening Existing VS File?, click the Skip button to start a new VS file. A new VS
window will appear.
In the VS window, create a New Layer by clicking the Layers button, to put in the linework and give it
a colour (optional). See Figure 1. Then click Set Current in the View Properties box, then click OK.
Repeat this step for additional linework.
Enter or select a Feature Code (optional). See Figure 2.
Turn OFF the Automatic Candidate Features button. See Figure 3.
Multi-Select points. See Figure 3.
Click Start to create Polyline. See Figure 3.
Turn ON the Feature Code button. See Figure 3.
Check in candidate picks at the bottom of the VS dialog box.
You can use the SmartPick tool by clicking
View -> SmartPick Viewport.
The SmartPick tool allow you to pick points within a
defined radius of the cursor. The options are:
1. Closest Point (i.e. the closes point cloud point to the
cursor.
2. Highest Point (i.e. the highest point within the cursor.
E.g. the top of a tree).
3. Lowest Point. (i.e. the lowest point within the search
radius. E.g. the bottom of a tree).
4. Ground Point. The SmartPick will interpret where the
ground point by searching within a radius, even if there
are no points directly where picked.
NB: Clicking in the bottom right hand corner of the
SmartPick View window will rotate the view.

Figure 117. SmartPick View Window

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Figure 118. Virtual Surveyor Menu

A. Click to add a candidate feature with each pick.

B. Show features in the ModelSpace viewer.
C. Show candidate features in the ModelSpace viewer.
D. Show unsaved features in the ModelSpace viewer.
E. Highlight the current feature in the ModelSpace viewer.
F. Show features options, which affect how features are displayed.
G. Select to add a feature with each pick.
H. Change the viewpoint to view the current feature.
I. Adds one vertex to the ModelSpace for each feature.
J. Exports the features directly to LandXML.
K. Exports the features directly to the Leica System 1200 format.
L. Invokes the Layers command.
M. The prefix of the current feature.
N. The point number that will be assigned to the candidate feature created from the next pick.
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O. Displays coordinate data for the current feature. Click the arrow icon to edit the coordinate
data. Click the lock icon to keep that value constant..
P. Select a feature code library.
Q. List of values for the available attributes.
R. The Create Lines area. Select the creation of a polyline or polygon, supply the Code
Tags that will be prepended to each corresponding feature, then click the Start button.
S. Click to customize the attributes displayed.
T. Invokes the Customize Lookup Lists command. See Customize Lookup Lists for
information on managing the libraries.
U. Visibility of each attribute in the graphical window.
V. Click to select or enter a value for the desired attribute.
W. Undo last add features.
X. Commit the candidate features.
Y. Click to export current added features.
Z. Click to close the Virtual Surveyor.

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Roadway Alignment & Section

Cyclone 9 introduces a new tool for Topo feature extraction.
Tools -> Roadway Alignment & Section -> Create Alignment -> Alignment Section Manager

Points on a Grid
Cyclone can place points within a fenced region by sampling the reference plane. This is very similar
to sampling a mesh against the reference plane.
Click Tools -> Points on a Grid.
View the point cloud top down.

Figure 119. Placing ground points on a grid.

Separating Overlapping Scans

In a Free Station scanning mode, if a user forgets to hit Standard Setup (StdStp) between scan
positions, the data from two different positions will end up in the same ScanWorld. The scan data
can be separated into their designated ScanWorlds. There is only one image saved per ScanWorld so
the images for the overlapping data could be lost.
1. From Cyclone Navigator, highlight the project folder and from the drop down menu, Create
Station. Highlight the Station and create a ScanWorld. This creates a blank ScanWorld structure.
2. Expand the Scans folder under the position with the duplicate data. The scans are symbolized with
turquoise clouds. Identify the scans that need to be moved. Drag and drop the scans into the Scan
folder of newly created Scanworld. The scans can also be copied and pasted into the new
ScanWorld. Cyclone will prompt you that your are attempting to move data. Click OK. Highlight the
target scans, select copy and paste the associated target scans into the new Scan folder. Delete any
duplicate target data in the original ScanWorld. Create the ModelSpace and ModelSpace View.
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3. Open the ScanWorld with the duplicate data and turn off the point cloud under View, Hide Point
Clouds. With multi-pick, select the vertices of the targets that need to be separated and copied into
the new ScanWorld. Select Edit, Copy. Open the ModelSpace of the new ScanWorld and go to Edit,
Paste to put the vertices into the new ScanWorld. Select the vertices in the new ModelSpace and go
to Tools, Registration, Copy to Control Space.
4. Return to the ScanWorld with the duplicate data. Multi-pick the extra targets and delete them.
Turn on the point cloud under View and uncheck Hide Point Clouds.

Traverse Editor
If you have traverse with the C10 or P20 scanner, and have made a mistake with the vertical heights,
or original backsight, you can manually correct the traverse settings in the Traverse Editor.
In the Cyclone Navigator menu, click Configure -> Scanners -> Add.
In the Cyclone Navigator, open the Scanners folder, and click on the Scanner icon.
Select your project.
Click Windows -> Traverse Editor

Python Scripting
Cyclone allows users to create scripts using the Python language. In a model space, click User Apps > .

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CloudWorx for AutoCAD

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1. Setting Up CloudWorx for AutoCAD

2. CloudWorx Toolbar Definitions
3. Configuring a Database
4. Opening a ModelSpace in CloudWorx
5. Point Rendering
6. Aligning AutoCAD View for Mapping
7. Restoring Saved UCS
8. Digitize the Point Cloud
9. Hiding a Point Cloud
10. Aligning AutoCAD View for Buildings Common AutoCAD commands: UCS
11. Additional Option to Align AutoCAD View
12. Hiding Regions Toolbar Definitions
13. Using Fit Section Tool
14. Using Fit Pipe to Cloud Tool
15. Drawing Completed
16. Clash detection
Turn off SNAP visibility. Turn on OSNAP.

OSNAP
UCS
Line

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Polyline
Offset
Hatch
Symbols
Text

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Client License Manager

Leica Cyclone and Cloudworx uses a Flex LM license program called Client License Manger. Licenses
are not issued on a hardware USB dongle. They are issued with an entitlement identification (EID)
number.
Activating a License
To activate the licenses on the Server, open the License Administrator Server (Start -> Programs ->
Leica Geosystems -> Client License Manager -> Administrator Server). Click on Activate New
Licenses, copy and paste the EID number, then click "Check for Activatable Licenses", then "Activate
License".

Ports that need to be opened on a network

The following ports are required to be opened on a network to allow Cyclones client license
manager (CLM) to work.
To enable clients to check-out or borrow licenses from a server in your LAN you have to create
inbound rules to open TCP ports:

For the application `lmgrd.exe` open a local TCP port in the range from `27000...27009`. (The
default is 27000)
For the application LGS.exe open any unused TCP port, e.g. 27010
For the application clmrdsvr.exe open the local TCP port 19701

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With CLM 1.3 or higher they have already been predefined and do not have to be entered manually.

These ports also have to be defined in the file svr_lgs.lic. This file is installed in the license server
installation folder, which by default is: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Leica Geosystems\LicenseServer

add the server port number to the first line: SERVER this_host ANY 27000 (possible
between 2700027009)
add the vendor daemon port to the second line:VENDOR LGS port=27010 (any port e.g.
27010)

SERVER this_host ANY (means the first free will be used)

VENDOR LGS PORT=27010
AutoCAD & Cyclone license conflict
Change the first line of svr_lgs.lic in C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Leica
Geosystems\License-Server - to add 27001 to the end of the first line so that it read SERVER
this host ANY 27001
Client License Manger over a VPN
Cyclone/ CloudWorx licenses can be used with a VPN. In this case it is also necessary to specify
the ports to be used in this network.
By default CLM chooses ports 27000-27010
This is defined and can also be changed if required in svr_lgs.lic under C:\Program Files
(x86)\Common Files\Leica
Geosystems\License-Server.
Tip: Check the port status via Start cmd netstator:
http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/sysinternals/bb897437.aspx
Client License Manager Proxy Error
Make sure you do not the connect remotely to CLM service box ticked and set to local
server.

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Cyclone Graphics Options

Launch the OpenGL modes from the Windows Start
menu, select All Programs, Leica Geosystems, Cyclone,
Utilities, OpenGL Modes.
A combination of 32 (RBG) 32 (ZBuf) Y (DblBuf) Y (SW)
Y (OpenGL) works best for Cyclone on most
computers.

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Useful Websites
Laser Scanning Forum http://laserscanning.org.uk
The Centre for Advanced Spatial Technologies http://gmv.cast.uark.edu/category/scanning/software/leica-software/leica-cyclone/cycloneworkflows/
Turning Point Systems Group http://turningpointsystemsgroup.com/HDS%20Support.html
Leica HDS Blog UK http://hdsblog.co.uk/blog/
Leica HDS Demonstrations http://software.lgshds.com/public/cyclone/demo/cyclone6.0.html

Technodigit 3D Reshaper
3D Reshaper is an advanced point cloud
software for creating meshes, tunnel
alignments, and deformation analysis.

Figure 120. 3D Reshaper Screenshot

To find information about the use of 3D Reshaper, please refer to the following :
1.
2.
3.
4.

Beginner's guide (from the Windows Start Menu or in your "My documents" folder)
Help files (from Reshaper Help Menu)
Videos: http://www.3dreshaper.com/en1/En_Videos.htm
Exercises: http://www.3dreshaper.com/en1/En_Practicalsdownload.htm
-> Login: NurbsSurface
-> Password: Reconstruction
5. 3D Reshaper forum http://www.3dreshaper.com/en1/En_forum.htm

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Table of Figures
Figure 1. C10 Data Copy program. .......................................................................................................... 6
Figure 2. Leica Cyclone icon. ................................................................................................................... 6
Figure 3. Cyclone Navigator .................................................................................................................... 7
Figure 4. Cyclone navigator definitions. ................................................................................................. 8
Figure 5. To create a new database. ....................................................................................................... 9
Figure 6. Adding a name to a new database........................................................................................... 9
Figure 7. Import as Auto Align Project. ................................................................................................. 10
Figure 8. Adding a new database. ......................................................................................................... 11
Figure 9. Selecting an existing Cyclone database. ................................................................................ 11
Figure 10. Batch Blend & Apply Images ................................................................................................ 12
Figure 11. Import control settings. ....................................................................................................... 12
Figure 12. Registration icon. ................................................................................................................. 13
Figure 13. Adding ScanWorlds to a Registration. ................................................................................. 13
Figure 14. Setting the Control ScanWorld as the home ScanWorld. .................................................... 14
Figure 15. List of constraints on the Constraints List tab...................................................................... 14
Figure 16. Cloud constraint registration progress ................................................................................ 15
Figure 17. Cloud Constraint Wizard matrix ........................................................................................... 15
Figure 18. Cloud Constaints Wizard window ........................................................................................ 16
Figure 19. Multi-Pick mode icon ........................................................................................................... 16
Figure 20. ScanWorld icon of a completed registration. ...................................................................... 16
Figure 21. 2D Scan Thumbnails window. .............................................................................................. 17
Figure 22. Visually aligning the 2D thumbnails. .................................................................................... 18
Figure 23. Registration diagnostics report. ........................................................................................... 18
Figure 24. Unify cloud options. ............................................................................................................. 19
Figure 25. Pick Mode icon. .................................................................................................................... 19
Figure 26. Naming/renaming a target. ................................................................................................. 20
Figure 27. Changing a targets value (name). ........................................................................................ 20
Figure 28. ScanWorld Explorer window. ............................................................................................... 21
Figure 29. Viewable icon. ...................................................................................................................... 21
Figure 30. Segment scan by distance icon. ........................................................................................... 21
Figure 31. Align view icon. .................................................................................................................... 21
Figure 32. Panoramic View icon............................................................................................................ 21
Figure 33. View Properties icons........................................................................................................... 21
Figure 34. View Properties window. ..................................................................................................... 22
Figure 35. View Properties - View As tab. ............................................................................................. 22
Figure 36. Plant objects can easily be modelling Cyclone. ................................................................... 23
Figure 37. Modelling a single pipe. ....................................................................................................... 23
Figure 38. Modelling a Pipe Run of 3 sections. ..................................................................................... 24
Figure 39. Piping Menu ......................................................................................................................... 24
Figure 40. A pipe join ............................................................................................................................ 25
Figure 41. A 3 section mitre join. .......................................................................................................... 25
Figure 42. Concentric Reducer. ............................................................................................................. 26
Figure 43. Eccentric Reducer. ............................................................................................................... 26
Figure 44. Modelled valve. .................................................................................................................... 26
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Figure 45. Modelled Tee join. ............................................................................................................... 26

Figure 46. Flat (left) and Semi Elliptical (right) Caps. ............................................................................ 27
Figure 47. Modelling objects not in the point cloud. ............................................................................ 27
Figure 48. Changing the visibility of the patch. Note the rectangular fence over the doorway. ......... 29
Figure 49. Patch with fenced area removed. ........................................................................................ 29
Figure 50. An extruded patch with depth. ............................................................................................ 29
Figure 51. 3 Patches before extension.................................................................................................. 30
Figure 52. 3 patches after extension. Note the corner. ........................................................................ 30
Figure 53. Side view of steel beam. ...................................................................................................... 31
Figure 54. Top down view of cleaned up steel beam. Note that the view is in orthographic mode, not
perspective mode. ................................................................................................................................ 31
Figure 55. Steel Angle Beam ................................................................................................................. 31
Figure 56. Steel Channel Beam. ............................................................................................................ 31
Figure 57. Tee Steel Beam. ................................................................................................................... 32
Figure 58. Rectangular Steel Beam. ...................................................................................................... 32
Figure 59. Wide Flange Steel Beam. ..................................................................................................... 32
Figure 60. Cyclone 9.0 can model steel beams using the multi-pick method. ..................................... 32
Figure 61. Object Preferences Window. ............................................................................................... 33
Figure 62. Closing ModelSpace View. ................................................................................................... 33
Figure 63. 3 modelled objects grouped. ............................................................................................... 34
Figure 64. Point cloud of a step. ........................................................................................................... 35
Figure 65. Fit Edge window with cross section view on point cloud. ................................................... 35
Figure 66. Point cloud with added polyline (in grey). ........................................................................... 35
Figure 67. Insert Model window. .......................................................................................................... 36
Figure 68. Geo Tags window. ................................................................................................................ 36
Figure 69. TruView Settings .................................................................................................................. 37
Figure 70. TruView Colour Map Settings .............................................................................................. 37
Figure 71. A car in a limit box................................................................................................................ 38
Figure 72. Fence tools (polygonal, square, circular, and cancel). ......................................................... 38
Figure 73. Perspective icon. .................................................................................................................. 39
Figure 74. Orthographic icon. ............................................................................................................... 39
Figure 75. Seek icon .............................................................................................................................. 39
Figure 76. View Mode icon ................................................................................................................... 39
Figure 77. Pick Mode icon. .................................................................................................................... 39
Figure 78. Multi-pick Mode icon. .......................................................................................................... 39
Figure 79. Hide the point cloud ............................................................................................................ 39
Figure 80. Changing the Coordinate System. ........................................................................................ 40
Figure 81. Interfering/collision Points are highlighted in white. .......................................................... 40
Figure 82. Interfering / collision points are highlighted in white. ........................................................ 41
Figure 83. Saved Measurements' window. ........................................................................................... 41
Figure 84. A point cloud of a bridge and freeway................................................................................. 42
Figure 85 Patch on the road surface under the bridge. ........................................................................ 42
Figure 86. Fit Edge tool. ........................................................................................................................ 43
Figure 87. Clearance height distances from patch to polyline. ............................................................ 43
Figure 88. Measure Clearances' window .............................................................................................. 44
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Figure 89. Road before Smooth Surface ............................................................................................... 44

Figure 90. Road after Smooth Surface .................................................................................................. 44
Figure 92. Alignment Section Manager ................................................................................................ 45
Figure 92. Alignment Create Sections window. .................................................................................... 45
Figure 93. Note that the polyline will follow the alignment. ................................................................ 45
Figure 94. Alignment sections with point cloud. .................................................................................. 46
Figure 95. Alignment Section Manger & Plan View in Cyclone 9.0....................................................... 46
Figure 97. A TIN mesh when viewed as a solid ..................................................................................... 47
Figure 97. A TIN mesh when viewed as a wireframe. ........................................................................... 47
Figure 98 Mesh with spike. ................................................................................................................... 47
Figure 99. Mesh with hole's perimeter selected. ................................................................................. 48
Figure 100 Mesh with spike removed................................................................................................... 48
Figure 101. A grid of points, sampled from a mesh. ............................................................................. 48
Figure 102. Contours Parameters windows. ......................................................................................... 49
Figure 103. Mesh with contours and coloured based on elevation. .................................................... 49
Figure 104. Using a Mesh and Reference Plane to calculate a volume. ............................................... 50
Figure 105. Decimate mesh parameters ............................................................................................... 50
Figure 106. Edge of curb selected with multi-pick................................................................................ 51
Figure 107. Edge of curb when meshed. .............................................................................................. 51
Figure 108. Cutplane Toolbar................................................................................................................ 52
Figure 109. Cut plane side view of a coal treatment plant. .................................................................. 52
Figure 110. Point cloud density Toolbar. .............................................................................................. 52
Figure 111. Hotkeys menu. ................................................................................................................... 53
Figure 112. Global colour map parameters. ......................................................................................... 56
Figure 113. Reduce Point Cloud Density. .............................................................................................. 56
Figure 114. Virtual Surveyor window....................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Figure 115. 3D Reshaper Screenshot .................................................................................................... 68

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