Leica Geosystems HDS

CloudWorx for PDMS® Tutorial

High-Definition Surveying

Tutorial-Plant

CloudWorx CloudWorx for PDMS provides a dynamic and flexible way to efficiently work with
large as-built point clouds within AVEVA’s powerful VANTAGE PDMS 3D design
for PDMS® platform. In addition to importing points, CloudWorx for PDMS provides interactive
Version connectivity to Cyclone databases, which supports most point export output
formats used by other manufactures. The CloudWorx integrated approach enables
PDMS users to draw directly on the power of Cyclone’s point cloud engine by
pulling data seamlessly in and out as needed. CloudWorx for PDMS provides point
cloud management tools that allows PDMS users to design in context with reality
and generate accurate as-builts.
For this tutorial you will need to:

• Install AVEVA VANTAGE PDMS Version 11.6 SP2, or higher

• Install Leica’s CloudWorx for PDMS Version 1.0, or higher

This document assumes the user is familiar with PDMS.

Objectives Completeing this tutorial will enable you to:

• Load point clouds and edit their visibility.

• Clip point clouds using cutplanes and limit boxes.
• Hide selective point cloud regions.
• Fully integrate as-built point cloud data into your everyday existing PDMS
plant design workflow.

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Outline of This tutorial includes the following topics:

Topics
Covered 1. Introduction
2. Initialization
2.1 Install AVEVA VANTAGE PDMS
2.2 Install Leica CloudWorx for PDMS
2.3 Install Sample Database and PDMS MAC Files
2.4 General Information
2.5 Configure a Database
2.6 Opening a CloudWorx ModelSpace View
• Opening ModelSpace Views
• Rebuilding the Clash Detection Spacial Occupancy Map
• Unloading ModelSpace Views
3. Navigating Point Clouds
3.1 Point Cloud Layer Manager
3.2 Color Mapping
3.3 ScanWorld Explorer
4. Clipping Point Clouds
4.1 Cutplane Point Clipping
• Cutplane Manager
• Cutplane Section
• Cutplane Slice
4.2 Limit Box Point Clipping
• Limit Box Manager
• 3 Point Limit Box
• 3 Point Limit Box
• CE Voume Limit Box
5. Hide Point Clouds
5.1 Hide Regions
• Hide Region Manager
6. Working with Point Clouds
6.1 Measuring
6.2 Placing A PDMS Design-Point on a Cloud Point
6.3 Clash Detection with Point Clouds
6.4 As-Built Piping Created Using PDMS Quick Pipe Router
7. Leica Support and Software Licenseing Contact Information

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1 Introduction
This tutorial is intended to provide the reader with a basic understanding of how
Document to use CloudWorx for PDMS. The user should gain a good overview of the
Objective application and obtain valuable work processes information to maximize
productivity and efficiency.
 Note: A CloudWorx for PDMS help file is available to provide additional
details and answer questions regarding options and operation.
 Note: Essential information - The PDMS model and Cyclone database must
be registered to a common plant coordinate system to ensure accurate
mapping between the theoretical and real world environment. If the cloud
data does not appear to be correctly aligned, please contact the provider
of the registered data.

2 Initialization
2.1 Install AVEVA VANTAGE PDMS
AVEVA 1. Version - Before installing CloudWorx for PDMS. Please check to be sure
VANTAGE you are running PDMS Version 11.6 SP2 or higher. CloudWorx for
PDMS will not run on an earlier version.
PDMS
Version 11.6 2. License - Please contact AVEVA if you do not have an active license to
operate this version of PDMS or do not have a valid license of AVEVA’s LMI
SP2 or module, which is required to use this product.
higher

2.2 Install Leica CloudWorx for PDMS

1. Latest Installation Version – CloudWorx for PDMS utilizes the Cycone’s
Leica latest point cloud engine or greater. All data sets older than version the
current released version will require optimization. Be sure to backup older
CloudWorx
database versions before proceeding. Once an IMP database is updated and
for PDMS optimized it cannot be restored to the previous version.
Installation 2. Download from the Leica HDS web site the latest installtion version of
CloudWorx for PDMS. (Note: If you do not already have a login, you will be
required to create one to access the software download page. Your email
login is used to notify you about new updates.)
3. Double click the install file to begin the installation process. Follow the
installation instructions and use the default settings where ever possible.
4. Obtain a Leica License – See contacts below. Be sure to include your
hostid.txt file, which is found in the CloudWorx installation directory, and
note on your request this license is for the CloudWorx for PDMS.

Americas (US, Canada, Middle and South America): [email protected]

Europe (Europe, Middle East, Africa): [email protected]
Asia (Asia Pacific and China): [email protected]

5. Once you receive the license by email, copy the text based license file titled
“License.dat” to the CloudWorx installation directory.

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2.3 Install Sample Database & PDMS MAC Files

1. A sample PDMS macro model file titled “PipeBridge.mac” and Cyclone
Sample Data database titled “PipeBridge.imp” are available for use with this tutorial. If
you do not have these files, please contact Leica support for your region.
Provided
2. Open PDMS
3. If it is not aready open, open the command window
4. Create a new site and zone using the following commands:
(One possible PDMS Site/Zone Structure)
NEW SITE /CLX_PDMS
NEW ZONE /PTCL
5. Load the Lieca mac file provided for this demo using the following
command:
$M/[Path and File Name] (No Spaces Permited)

 Note: Before proceeding, check the properties on all files to ensure none
are read-only. If this is the case, uncheck the read-only attribute.

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2.4 General Information

Load  Note: Click Load CloudWorx before beginning any CloudWorx session.
CloudWorx This activates Leica CloudWorx for PDMS. (Fig. 2.2)

 Note: The CloudWorx Menu is automatically loaded during installation.

(Fig. 2.1)
CloudWorx
Menus

Fig. 2.1 – CloudWorx for PDMS Menu

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CloudWorx
Toolbar

Fig. 2.2 – CloudWorx for PDMS Toolbar

 Note: The CloudWorx for PDMS toolbar should be automatically loaded

during installation. If this toolbar is not visible, place the curser on the
upper PDMS toolbar area and click the right mouse button, which opens a
pop-up menu. Select CloudWorx Toolbar. (Fig. 2.2)

Regenerate
Point Cloud

Fig. 2.3 – Regenerate Point Cloud

 Note: “Regenerated Point Cloud” is used to repopulate or fill-in point

cloud details after a view rotation or zoom in operation has occurred.
(Fig. 2.3)

Defect
Report

Fig. 2.4 – Defect Report

 Note: Click CloudWorx | Defect Report… This form is used to report

software defects. After filling the requested information, press Create
Report, which will create a text formatted report and displays a message
showing the location of the file. As noted on the message dialog, this
report should be e-mailed to [email protected].
(Fig. 2.4)

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Selecting
Point Cloud
Data Using
the PDMS
Positioning Fig. 2.5 –PDMS Positioning Control

Control

Point Cloud
Information

Fig. 2.6 –Point Cloud Information

Note: Click CloudWorx | Point Cloud Information. This will open the PDMS
Positioning control, which must be set to Graphics & Snap in order to select
point cloud data. (Fig. 2.5) Pick the desired cloud point using the left mouse
button, which opens the Point Cloud Information dialog. This dialog provides the
XYZ position of the selected point and information about the scan. In addition,
the spatial positional information is displayed in the PDMS Command Window.
(Fig. 2.6)

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Set Load
Limit

Fig. 2.7 – Cloud Loading Control

 Note: Click CloudWorx | Set Load Limit… This will open the Cloud
Loading Control dialog, which is used to set the maximum number of point
to be loaded at any one time. The setting should be based on workstation
memory resources and user comfort regarding performance. (Fig. 2.7)

Set Regen
Policy

Fig. 2.8 – Cloud Regeneration Policy…

 Note: Click CloudWorx | Set Regen Policy… This will open the Cloud
Regen Setting dialog, which is used to set the point regeneration cashing
settings. The amount should be based on workstation memory resources
and user comfort regarding performance. (Fig. 2.8)

2.5 Configure a Database

 Follow steps will configure the database PipeBridge.imp. This file should
have been copied to your hard drive in the previous step.
Loading and
Configuring  Note: Cyclone databases files have an .IMP extension.
CloudWorx

1. If not already done, click CloudWorx ⏐ Load CloudWorx. As previously

noted this is an essential step before attempting any point cloud
operations.
2. Click CloudWorx ⏐ Configure Database… (Fig 2.9)

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Fig. 2.9 – CloudWorx for PDMS Menu

3. Expand the Servers folder and highlight the existing server (by default it is
your computer). Then click Databases on the Configure Databases dialog.
(Fig 2.10)

Fig. 2.10 – Configure Databases

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4. Click Add, found on the right side of the Configure Databases on Server
Name dialog. (Fig 2.11)

Fig. 2.11 – Configure on Selected Server

5. Click the “…” button to the right of the Database Filename field. This
opens a file browse dialog, which allows you to browse to the sample data
file titled “PipeBridge.imp”.

6. Once “PipeBridge.imp” file has been located and selected, click Open.
7. Click OK in the Add Database dialog. (Fig 2.12)

Fig 2.12 – Add Database with path selected

8. Click the Close button on the Configure Databases on Server Name dialog.
Then click Close in the Configure Databases dialog.

 Note: The database is now configured and ready to be used in PDMS.

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2.6 Importing a CloudWorx ModelSpace View

CloudWorx for PDMS allows a user to selectively load and unload point cloud data,
Import which is accessed using CloudWorx ModelSpace Views. Perform the following steps to
ModelSpace load the ModelSpace View used in this tutorial.
Views
 Note: Only one PDMS XGEOM is permitted at any given time. An existing XGEOM
element must be deleted before opening a new ModelSpace View.

The following is one possible PDMS Site/Zone Structure for working with point clouds:

1. In the PDMS Design Explorer, highlight the desired Zone for point cloud data
insertion. For this exercise select and highlight the newly created PDMS zone
called Zone PTCL. The newly created XGEOM element will be created in the
active zone
2. Click CloudWorx ⏐ Import ModelSpace View
3. While In the Open ModelSpace View dialog, click the Browse button.
4. Once the desired Registered ModelSpace View is highlighted and the Open
button is enabled, click Open. (Fig. 2.13)

Fig. 2.13 – Select ModelSpace View

5. The imported MAC file used in this tutorial has units of millimeters. While in
the Open ModelSpace View dialog, select CAD units of Millimeters. Any
other selection will load incorrect scale factor (Fig 2.14)

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Fig. 2.14 – Open ModelSpace Veiw

6. Click OK in the Open ModelSpace View dialog to load the points, which will
automatically insert the Extenal Point Geometry element XGEOM under the
highlighed zone. (Fig. 2.15)

Fig. 2.15 – Selected ModelSpace View Loaded

7. Important: Once loaded the spatial occupancy map needs to be rebuilt for the
Rebuilding complete point cloud data set. This is critical otherwise an incomplete Spatial
Occupancy Map will be used for clash detections. This assures all point are
the Clash included for clashing. The Spatial Occupancy Map can be rebuilt at any time,
Detection but all previously logged interference will be lost.
Spatial
Occupancy 8. Be sure the point cloud is visible in the PDMS viewer and select and highlight the newly
imported XGEOM object in the PDMS Design Explorer.
Map
9. Open the ScanWorld Explore by selecting CloudWorx ⏐ ScanWorld
Explorer… and turn on all scans.

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10. Select CloudWorx ⏐ Rebuild Spatial Occupancy Map, which will rebuild the
PDMS Spatial Occupancy Map for the complete point cloud dataset. (Fig 2.16)

Fig. 2.16 – Rebuild Spatial Occupancy Map

11. To Load a model space view, select a desired XGEOM, right click, and slelect
select “3D View | Add”
12. To unload a loaded point data, select the XGEOM for the data container in the
Loading and PDMS Design Explorer. Right click and select “3D View | Delete”. If you
select “3D View | Remove”, this only removes the point cloud data from the
Unloading display, but maintains the point cloud data in the PDMS database
ModelSpace
Views  Note: If two or more Cyclone coordinate systems have been saved to the Cyclone
database in the ModelSpace View, the user will be prompted to select one that is to
be mapped to the current design coordinate system.

 Note: Clicking CloudWorx ⏐ Regenerate Point Clouds regenerates and updates

all points based on specified settings. This can be useful when zooming into refresh
point.

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3 Navigating Point Clouds

3.1 Point Cloud Layer Manager
The Point Cloud Layer Manager provides an interface to manage CloudWorx’s
Point Cloud Layers that contains point data while in PDMS. When a CloudWorx ModelSpace
Layer View is loaded, the ModelSpace View current layers setting is mapped into
CloudWorx for PDMS. CloudWorx Layer Settings can be viewed and changed.
Manager
1. Click CloudWorx ⏐ Level Manager. Uncheck the View column for the
current layer titled “Default” and click OK. This removes all points from the
screen, reason being all point clouds were loaded into the current “Default”
layer. Rechecking the View column and clicking OK turns all cloud point back
on. (Fig 3.1)

Fig 3.1 – Point Cloud Layer Manager

 Note: When scans are checked ON for viewing in the CloudWorx for PDMS
ScanWorld Explorer, incoming points are loaded into the Current
CloudWorx layer (Bold) found in the Point Cloud Layer Manager dialog.

3.2 Color Mapping

Point cloud color mapping can be edited using the Point Cloud Color Mapping
dialog, which assigns a user specified global override setting. This global setting
Color is used at view decretion to provide a more consistent “appearance” from one
Mapping point cloud to the next.

 Note: This dialog can be used to view clouds with true color mapping based
on images taken by the scanner (if available), multi-hue intensity, grayscale,
etc.
1. Click CloudWorx ⏐ Color Mapping…
2. The Point Cloud Color Mapping dialog facilitates changing the Global
Color Mapping. (Fig. 3.2)

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Fig. 3.2 – Point Cloud Color Mapping

3. Intensity Mapping Range usually is from 0.35-0.65, for a typical point

clouds.
4. If True Color is selected, point colors are mapped to a scanner photo,
which is linked to the scan and stored within the Cyclone Database. If a
photo is not present, all points will be green.
5. Click OK to accept or Cancel to keep the previous setting.

 Note: Based on the selected Point Cloud Color Mapping, all points are re-
drawn with similar intensities mapped to the selected color.

3.3 ScanWorld Explorer

A list of all available scans in the attached database can be found in the
Loading and ScanWorld Explorer. The ScanWorld Explorer is used to selectively show and
Unloading hide registered scans. The ScanWorld Explorer contains three tabs: Scanners,
Scans, Unified Clouds. Each tab contains a number of columns containing
Scans
information about each ScanWorld.

1. Click CloudWorx ⏐ ScanWorld Explorer…

2. In the ScanWorld Explorer, highlight the desired ScanWorld listed in the
left pane. Pressing the “Ctrl” key while selecting permits ScanWorld multi-
selection.
3. Click on the tab named Scans. If no ScanWorlds are present under this
tab, click Unified Clouds. (Fig 3.3)

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ScanWorld
Explorer

Fig. 3.3 – ScanWorld Explorer

4. All of the scans contained in the previously selected ScanWorlds are listed
in the right pane. Place a check the Show column for each scan you wish
to make visible.
5. Click OK to accept the current settings.

 Note: Each scan’s visibility can be toggled ON or OFF by checking and

unchecking the box under the Show column for each scan.

 Note: Unified scans are listed under the Unified Clouds tab.

 Note: Information about a specific scan can be viewed by clicking the Point
Cloud Information button.

Fig. 3.4 – Rotated View with All Scans On

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4 Clipping Point Clouds

4.1 Cutplane Point Clipping
To efficeintly manage veiwing of point clouds, especially in specific volumes of
Point interest, CloudWorx for PDMS provides both Cutplane slice and section and
Clipping Limit Box tools to permit a user to selectively clip points from the view. The
Limit Box is discussed in Section 4.2.

 Note: The current version of CloudWorx for PDMS does not support graphic
picking for defining new Cutplane Slice and Sections, therefore, it is
recommended that all Cutplane Slices and Section be predefined using
Cyclone within the database. Future releases will allow users to define new
Cutplanes directly within PDMS using screen picks.

 Note: A Cutplane forms a Slice or Section (half-space) at a user specified

thickness.
Point cloud clipping operations are managed with the Cutplane Manager.

1. Click CloudWorx ⏐ Clip Point Cloud ⏐ Cutplane Manager… (Fig. 4.1)

Cutplane
Manager

Fig.4.1 – Cutplane Manager

 Note: The Cutplane Manager allows the user to manage and edit numerous
point clipping operations, however, only one Cutplane can be viewed at a
time.

 Note: Suggestion - Cutplane names should be meaningful and descriptive of

the region being defined by the volume.

2. Display off/on - The Show check box toggles whether the Current
Cutplane (Bold) is displayed. Only the active Cutplane is shown.
3. Renaming - Clicking on the Cutplane name field opens it for editing.

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4. Set Current – Pressing Set Current activates the highlighted Cutplane as

Current. The current Cutplane is bold. Pressing OK closes the Cutplane
Manager dialog, and if the Show box is checked, the current cutplane is
displayed.
5. New - In the Cutplane Manager, click the New button to create a New
cutplane, which is a copy of either the highlighted or current cutplane.
The new cutplane, name, type and thickness can be edited.
6. Delete – Deletes the currently highlighted NONACTIVE Cutplane. The
used will be asked to confirm the deletion.
7. Type – This is used to toggle the Cutplane type between Slice and
Section (half-space).
8. Flip Direction – Applies to Cutplane Section Only. Clicking Flip Direction
flips the half-space direct of the current Cutplane Section.
9. Click OK to accept the change, close the dialog, and update the view.

Fig.4.2 – Selecting Cutplane Section View Using the Point Cloud Management Toolbar

Setting a point cloud clipping section can be done by either using the CloudWorx
Cutplane Menu or Point Management Toolbar. The snap must be set to either Graphic or
Section View Screen.

1. Using the CloudWorx menu, Click CloudWorx ⏐ Clip Point Cloud ⏐

Section View or pick the Section View button on the point Cloud
Management Toolbar. (Fig. 4.2)

Fig. 4.3 – Define Section Dialog

Fig. 4.4 – Graphic or Screen Snap Setting Required

2. A “C” shape graphic will appear on the screen indicating the current
direction of the half-space section view and the Define Section… dialog
will appear. To move section simply pick a new point. (Fig. 4.3)

3. Set the Snap to either Graphic to pick a position on the cloud or Screen
to set a position on the screen. (Fig. 4.4)

4. Use the Facing drop-down to change the direction the section view is
facing. The options are +X, +Y, +Z, -X, -Y, and -Z.

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5. The user also has the option to specify axis for the section with “Align To
World” or “Align To View”

4.5 – Section View Picked

6. Press OK to Accept the current Section or Cancel to reject and close the
Define Section Dialog.

4.6 – Section View Picked

7. Open the Cutplane Manager to rename, activate, and deactivate the

new section View

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Fig.4.7 – Selecting Cutplane Slice Using the Point Cloud Management Toolbar

Setting a point cloud clipping slice can be done by either using the CloudWorx
Menu or Point Management Toolbar. The snap must be set to either Graphic or
Cutplane Screen.
Slice
1. Using the CloudWorx menu, Click CloudWorx ⏐ Clip Point Cloud ⏐ Slice
or pick the Section View button on the point Cloud Management Toolbar.
(Fig. 4.7)

Fig. 4.8 – Define Slice Dialog

Fig. 4.9 – Graphic or Screen Snap Setting Required

2. Using the Define Slice Dialog, select the Facing Axis (X Axis, Y Axis, or Z
Axis) and the Slice Alignment, which can be either Align to World or
Align to Screen. (Fig. 4.8)
3. Set the Snap setting to either Graphic, which picks cloud points, or
Screen, which selects a screen position.
4. Repicking the points changes the slice position. View rotation and zoom is
available for use at any time during this activity.
5. On the Define Slice Dialog, select OK to accept and create the new
cutplane slice and Cancel to reject and close the dialog.

Fig. 4.10 – Define Slice Dialog – Renaming the Newly Created Cutplane Slice

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6. Open the Cutplant Manger to Rename the newly created Cutplane Slice,
which by default will be titled “~CloudWorx CutPlane Slice”. (Fig. 4.10)

Fig. 4.11 –Move Slice Forward

7. Select CloudWorx ⏐ Clip Point Cloud ⏐ Slice Forward or CloudWorx ⏐

Clip Point Cloud ⏐ Slice Backward, or select using the Point Cloud
Management Toolbar, to move the position of the slice. This feature
allows the user to incrementally move the slice through a desired area.
(Fig. 4.11)
8. Select CloudWorx ⏐ Clip Point Cloud ⏐ Slice Off to turn slice visibility
off.

 Note: A Cutplane Slice is a planar region of point with a thickness as noted

in the adjacent column and centered about the Cutplane origin.

 Note: A Cutplane Section (Half-Space) is a slice that extends in either the

positive of negative direction from the Cutplane origin.

 Note: Changing Thickness – A Slice Thickness can be manually changed in

the Cutplane Manager. After selecting and editing the Thickness field of the
current Cutplane, click OK to accept the change, which closes the dialog and
updates the view.

 Note: Changing Type – The Cutplane Type can be manually changed in the
Cutplane Manager. Select the Type Field and change using the drop-down
selector. Click OK to accept the change, which closes the dialog and updates
the view.

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4.2 Limit Box Point Clipping

The Limit Box allows a user to clip points outside a user specified volume. All
Limit Box user specified Limit Boxes are managed using the Limit Box Manager.
Manager
 Note: A Limit Box is a 3D box that hides all cloud points outside the box.

Fig. 4.12 – Limit Box Menu

1. Click CloudWorx ⏐ Clip Point Cloud ⏐ Limit Box Manager… (Fig. 4.13)
2. Select the desired Limit Box and press Set Current.
3. Check Enable Limitbox and Press OK (Fig. 4.4 & 4.5)

Fig. 4.13 – Limit Box Manager with a user limit box titled “Platform” enabled

Defining 4. To Disable the current limit box uncheck Enable Limitbox and press OK.

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Limit Box
3 Point
Method

Fig. 4.14 – Defining a 3 Point Limit Box

1. Rotate the view until the area of intest is completely visible.

2. Using the CloudWorx menu, Click CloudWorx ⏐ Clip Point Cloud ⏐ Limit
Box or pick the Limit Box button on the point Cloud Management Toolbar.
3. In the Define Limit Box Dialog, select 3 Point Method.
4. While in the either the Graphic or Screen Snap, select two corner points
for one plane of the limit box.
5. The select the third point to define the depth of the limit box. (Fig. 4.14)

Fig. 4.15 – Defining a New 3 Point Limit Box A Round A Tank Saddle Support Pier

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6. To adjust any plane of the Limit Box, select the axis to extend or center to
move the limit box, press the Adjust button, and pick the point to be
used for modification. (Adjustment Options: Adjust +X, Adjust +Y,
Adjust +Z, Adjust -X, Adjust -Y, Adjust –Z, Adjust Center)
(Fig. 4.15)

Fig. 4.16 – Renaming a Newly Created Limit Box

7. On the Limit Box Dialog, click OK to accept and Cancel to close without
creating the new limit box.
Defining 8. Open the Limt Box Manger to Rename the newly created Limit Box,
Limit Box which by default will be titled “~CloudWorx Limitbox”. It is a suggested a
2 Point name be used thatg is meanfull for future recall, such as “TK207 North
Saddle Support Pier”. (Fig. 4.16)
Method

Fig. 4.17 – Define Limit Box – 2 Point Method

1. Rotate the view until the area of interest is completely visible.

2. Using the CloudWorx menu, Click CloudWorx ⏐ Clip Point Cloud ⏐ Limit
Box or pick the Limit Box button on the point Cloud Management Toolbar.
3. In the Define Limit Box Dialog, select 2 Point method. (Fig. 4.17)

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4. While in the either the Graphic or Screen Snap, select one corner of the
new limit box and then the far diagonal corner. (Fig 4.18)
5. The user may adjust the size or position of automatically created limit box
using the Adjust feature.
6. On the Limit Box Dialog, click OK to accept and Cancel to close without
creating the new limit box.

Defining
Limit Box
CE-Volume Fig. 4.18 – Creating a New Limit Box Using 2 Point Method
Method

Fig. 4.19 – Define Limit Box – CE Volume

1. Open the PDMS Draw List and double click the object of interest. This will
highlight the object on the screen.
2. Using the CloudWorx menu, Click CloudWorx ⏐ Clip Point Cloud ⏐ Limit
Box or pick the Limit Box button on the point Cloud Management Toolbar.
3. On the Define Limit Box dialog, select CE Volume. This will create a limit
box specific sized to fit the highlighted object. (Fig. 4.19 & 4.20)
4. The user may adjust the size or position of automatically created limit box
using the Adjust feature.
5. On the Limit Box Dialog, click OK to accept and Cancel to close without
creating the new limit box.

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Fig. 4.20 – Automatically Creating a New Limit Box Around Equipment Using CE Volume

 Note: The Limit Box Manager allows the user to manage and edit numerous
Limit Box point cloud clipping operations, however, only one Limit Box can be
viewed at a time.

 Note: The current version of CloudWorx for PDMS does not support Show
Limit and Show All

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5 Hiding Point Clouds

5.1 Hide Regions
Often it is advantageous to remove temporarily point clouds in the area being
worked on. This section discusses how to use the Hide Region feature.

 Note: A Hide Region is a user defined 3D region where when active all cloud
point data is removed from view.

Hide
Regions
Manager

Fig. 5.1 – Hide Regions Menu

Fig. 5.2 – Hide Regions Manager Toolbar

1. Click CloudWorx ⏐ Hide/Restore Point Cloud ⏐ Hide Regions

Manager… (Fig. 5.1 & 5.2)
2. State Check Box - While in the Hide Regions Manager dialog, checked
State Column turns on visibility for the specific Hide Region and uncheck
to turn off visibility. (Fig. 5.3)
3. Delete – Deletes the highlighted Hide Region.
4. Clear All – Deletes all Hide Regions.

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Fig. 5.3 – Hide Regions Manager

Creating a
Hide Region
Fig. 5.4 – Define Hide Regions

1. Click CloudWorx ⏐ Hide/Restore Point Cloud ⏐ Hide/Restore

Points… This will open the Define Hide Regions dialog (Fig. 5.1 & 5.4)

Fig. 5.5 – Rectangular Hide Region Area Defined

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2. Select the Fence Type (Rectangular, Polygon, or Circle) (Fig. 5.4)

3. Select the desired operation. (Hide Inside, Restore Inside, Hide
Outside, or Restore Outside) (Fig. 5.4)
4. For a Rectangular fence - While in the either the Graphic or Screen
Snap, select two opposite corner fence points; on screen rectangular
fence will be drawn. (Fig. 5.5)
5. For Polygon fence - While in the either the Graphic or Screen Snap,
select invert points for the polygon; on screen polygon fence will be
drawn.
6. For a Circular fence - While in the either the Graphic or Screen Snap,
select a center point and a point on the circle; on screen circular fence
will be drawn.
7. On the Define Hide Regions dialog, click OK to accept and Cancel to
close without creating the new hide region. (Fig. 5.6)

Fig. 5.6 – Rectangular, Polygon, and Circular Hide Region Created

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6 Working with Point Clouds

One of the most powerful and simple benefits that CloudWorx for PDMS offers is
the ability to concieve and review a new design in context with the “as-is” real
world environment, which is directly within the engineers’ design tool. Also as-
built objects can be easily compared to the point cloud for accuracy. All
distortions and complexities of the real world are completely and accurately
captured. This section discusses a few simple ways to effectivly work with as-
built point cloud data.

6.1 Measuring

Measuring 1. In PDMS, click Query ⏐ Measure Distance… This will open the PDMS
Point Measure Dialog and the Positioning Control Toolbar. (Fig. 6.1 & 6.2)
Clouds

PDMS
Measure
Distance and
Positioning
Control Tool

Fig 6.1 – PDMS Measure Dialog

Fig 6.2 – PDMS Control Dialog

2. To select cloud points change the PDMS Position Control type to Graphics and
Snap. (NOTE: The current version of PDMS often requires two picks for the
first selected point.)
3. Pick cloud points or change the position setting to select 3D objects. (Fig. 6.3)

4. Both the slope distance and the axial delta distance break-down is displayed on the screen and on
the Measure dialog.

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Fig 6.3 – Measuring the width of an existing wall.

6.2 Placing a PDMS Design-Point on a Cloud Point

CloudWorx for PDMS supports two automatic placement options for placing PDMS
Placing a Design Point (D-Points) on user specified cloud points – Pipe Center D-Points and
PDMS D- Pick Point D-Points This section describes a command-line work process for
placing PDMS D-Points.
Point
1. When selection point clouds always be sure to set the PDMS Positioning
Control Toolbar pick type to Graphics and Snap. (NOTE: The current version
of PDMS often requires two picks for the first selected point.) (Fig. 6.4)

Fig 6.4 – PDMS Control Dialog

1. Select the appropriate XGEOM or DPSE object in the PDMS Design Explorer
to create the new D-Point.

D-Point At 2. With the positional control set to Graphics and Snap, pick a cloud point to be
Pick Point used for the placement of the D-Points. These D-Points are PDMS selectable
objects that are used by other PDMS object action controls.
3. Select the menu item CloudWorx | Place D-Points | D-Point at Pick. This
will create the new D-Point. (Fig. 6.5)
4. Click Design | Save Work to the save the newly create D-Point.

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Fig 6.5 – Placing a D-Point at a cloud point Pick

1. Select the desired object hierarchy in the PDMS Design Explorer to display
D-Points.
2. To turn on D-Point visibility select the menu item CloudWorx | Place D-
Points | Review D-Points . This will provide a graphic presentation showing
the position of ALL D-Point. (Fig. 6.6)
Review 3. To redraw and another scale, check the Length checkbox, enter a new length,
D-Point and press Redraw
4. Press Cancel to remove the graphic indicator and close the dialog box.

Fig 6.6 – Reviewing Current D-Points

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D-Point At
Pipe Center

Fig 6.7 – Creating a Pipe Center D-Point

Fig 6.8 – Displaying Newly Created Pipe Center D-Point

1. Select the appropriate XGEOM or DPSE object in the PDMS Design Explorer
to create the new D-Point.
2. With the positional control set to Graphics and Snap, pick a cloud point on
the surface of the pipe for placement of the D-Points.

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3. A cylindrical representation will appear with a D-point representation. If

desired, a new pick point can be made. Press Apply to accept and Cancel to
reject the current D-Point, which will be placed at the center near the original
pick point.
4. Select the menu item CloudWorx | Place D-Points | Pipe D-Point. This will
creat the new D-Point the pipe center. (Fig. 6.7 & 6.8)
5. Click Design | Save Work to the save the newly create D-Point.

6.3 Clash Detection with Point Clouds

Another powerful CloudWorx feature is the ability to perform clash detection
Clash directly against point clouds using AVEVA’s built-in PDMS clasing tools.
Detection
with Point 1. If desired the Spatial Occupancy Map can be rebuilt by turning on all scans
Clouds in the ScanWorld Explorer and selecting CloudWorx | Rebuild Spatial
Occupancy Map.
2. Select the desired XGEOM Point Cloud object in the “PDMS Design
Explorer” to clash against.
3. Click Settings ⏐ Clasher | Obstructions ⏐ List. This opens the
Add/Remove Obstruction Items dialog.
4. Select all items in the right Obstruction List and press Remove until None
is displayed.
5. Press the ADD button to add the highlighted XGEOM element member list.
All clashing will against specified point cloud data. (Fig 6.9)

Fig 6.9 – Add/Remove Obstruction Items

6. Close the Add/Remove Obstruction Items dialog

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7. Click Utilities | Clashes… This opens the PDMS Clash Display dialog.
Press Limits CE Navigator button to set the current element limits.
(Fig. 6.10 & 6.11)

Fig 6.10 – PDMS Clash Display

Fig 6.11 – PDMS Clash Display at CE Limits

8. Either on the main Navigator window or within the Clash Display window,
select the object or objects to be checked for clashes.
9. Within the Clash Display dialog, Press Control | Check CE
(Fig. 6.12 - 6.15)

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Fig 6.12 – Control Check CE

Fig 6.13 – PDMS Clash Display with Clash List

Fig 6.14 – PDMS Clash Display

10. Other objects or groups of objects can be selected and checked for
clashes. Repress Check Control | CE to revise check

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Fig 6.15 – PDMS Clash Display with a Platform Selected and Checked for Clashes

11. Press Control | Close or click on the upper right dialog X to close the
Clash Display tool.

6.4 As-Built Piping Created Using PDMS Quick Pipe Router

As-built catalog piping can easily be created using CloudWorx D-Points and PDMS
Creating Quick Pipe Router.
As-Built
Piping 1. Place pipe center D-Point on all straight runs. It is recommended that
points be select near the center of the run. Head and tail pipe center D-
Points can be used for information purposes to establish this parameters
for the object.
2. Select the D-Points near the ends of the pipe, right click and Show
Attributes, and note the pipe head (start) and tail (end) coordinates.
Also note the calculated OD of the pipe, which is found in the Bore field.
3. Open the PDMS Pipe Creation Form
4. Provide the requested data, which includes the pipe name, specification,
bore, insulation, head and tail coordinates. Press Apply to accept and
Cancel to reject.
5. Press Change under the Head section. Enter the head end bore,
connection type, direction, and XYZ coordinate information. Press Apply
to accept changes and Back to return to the previous form without
applying changes.
6. Similar to Step 5, enter the tail end pipe information

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7. Turn on feature highlighting by selecting Selection | Feature

Highlighting
8. Activate the Model Editor mode.

Fig 6.16 – Pipe Routing Line Selected

Fig 6.17 – Feature Highlighting on and Model Editor activated

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Fig 6.18 – PDMS Quick Pipe Routing with D-Point Snap On Pipe D-Pipe

Fig 6.19 – PDMS Quick Pipe Routing with D-Point Snap On Pipe D-Pipe

9. Add the newly created pipe to the 3D Graphical Display and select the
dotted Pipe Routing Line, which will turn it bold, solid and green.
(Fig. 6.16)
10. Select the D-Point object for all D-Points for the line and turn on the D-
Point review. This provides a visible icon for the position of the pipe
system D-Points. (Fig. 6.17)

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11. Move the mouse pointer over the Quick Routing Handles until the desired
end pointer appears. (Fig. 6.18)
12. Holding the left mouse button down, drag the pointer along and over the
next pipe run D-Point until it snaps to the point. Let go of the mouse
button. Repeat the process until all pipe legs have been run and pipe
system is complete. (Fig. 6.19)

Fig 6.20 – Completed PDMS Quick Pipe Routing

7.0 Leica Support and Software Licensing Contact Information

Americas (US, Canada, Middle and South America)
[email protected]
[email protected]
Phone: +1 925 790 2325 (US)

Europe (Europe, Middle East, Africa)

[email protected]
[email protected]
Phone: +49 89 1498-1071 ( Germany)

Asia (Asia Pacific and China)

[email protected]
[email protected]
Phone: +1 925 790 2325 (US)

****This concludes the CloudWorx for PDMS Tutorial****

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