39

In most cases, the function should be performed once the user is finished with the
pipe run, in order to account for all components when determining the best fit.

5.5.2 Using ApplyConstraints

To use ApplyConstraints, select the command Pipes – ApplyConstraints. Once
the dialog box appears, click Select Plant Objects to continue. The user will then be
prompted to select an object from the drawing and press ENTER. All objects that are
connected to the selected component will be highlighted along the run. At this point,
the user can verify that all objects are linked correctly. In the lower-left corner of the
dialog box, it will show how many plant objects are connected to the selected object.
This is how many components are being used to determine the best fit scenario.
Click the [Start ApplyConstraints] button to finish the process. All connected
components will be re-aligned to their new locations and angles.
Although the process is capable of correctly adjusting most of the pipe runs of
practical use, it may happen on rare occasions or with uncommon sequences of plant
objects, that the automatic process does not manage to fulfill all of the constraints.
For this reason, you have the choice to activate the checkbox „highlight violated
constraints with colored lines“ in the dialog. Hence, in the results of ApplyConstraints,
three problem classes are being identified and all of the occurrences are going to be
visualized by lines of the colors green, red and blue.
Problem Class Line Color Graphical Representation

Significant movement at the a single line is drawn perpendicular to the resulting

green
end of a pipe axis axis for showing the track of the movement
40

Two connection points are not two lines represent the directional vectors ofthe
coincident red connection points, a third one is connecting the
coordinates of the connection points

Two connection points are two lines represent the directional vectors ofthe
blue
coincident but not collinear connection points

Regarding the first problem class, you are able to configure yourself which amount of
axis movement you want to be considered as „significant“ change. You may use the
command Prepare – Settings to configure the corresponding value on page 4 of
that dialog.

5.5.3 Setting Links Between Objects

Objects need to be linked, in order for ApplyConstraints to work correctly. These links
are automatically performed during Walk The Run, as well as when continuing a run
from an existing object. In the case that objects are not linked, the user can use the
commandPipes – Set link. The following command-line prompt will ask to connect
or disconnect objects and then ask the user to select the two plant objects to perform
the action on.
During a Connect process, if there is only one open connection point on an object,
the software will automatically choose that as the point to connect to the other object.
If there is more than one open connection point, the software will determine the
connection points based on proximity to the other object or by explicit selection.

5.6 Exporting
One of the main goals for this functionality is to create intelligent centerlines which
can be used in other piping products to create a finished deliverable. To do this, use
the commandAs-Built Plant – Export and then select any pipe along the run or
export all runs in the drawing. The routine will place a message on the command line
displaying how many objects were created and the matching number of vertices.
Each component along the run has the following information:
• Nominal Size
• Component Name
• Correct Start/End Points
• Insulation Thickness, if applicable
 41

More opportunities are the exports as tagging objects or 3D solids. If you work in
Plant 3D you can also create Plant 3D objects.

5.7 Troubleshooting
There are some common issues that a user may come across while using the
functionality of As-Built for AutoCAD. This guide will provide the most common
solutions for these issues.
• “No Pipe Found” dialog box – This usually occurs when a user chooses two
points along an object that is not a pipe. If the component is correctly a pipe,
then the cause could possibly be related to the parameters. Use the command
Prepare – Settings to adjust the values or perform Auto Measure.
• “No Suitable Pipe Defined” dialog box – If your current Set (defined in the
PSPM) does not include the currently-detected pipe size, this message will
appear. To resolve this issue, add the correct pipe size(s) to the current set by
using the command Edit Plant Model .
• Objects are not adjusting during ApplyConstraints – There are a few reasons
why this could happen, however, the most common reason is the objects are
either linked incorrectly or not linked at all. To resolve this, try using the
command Pipes – Set link to connect the two objects that are not adjusting
correctly. Also, please note the number of plant objects detected during the
ApplyConstraints routine. If the number is too low, it is most likely a missing
link.
• A much smaller pipe draws inside of the desired pipe – This issue is caused
when parameters are not set correctly; usually the Average Point Distance (a)
value. Use the command Prepare – Settings to adjust the values or
perform Auto Measure.
• Pipes draw too far or not far enough - This issue is caused when parameters
are not set correctly; usually the Noise (n) value. Use the command Prepare
– Settings to adjust the values or perform Auto Measure. Higher Noise values
cause the pipes to draw too far; vice-versa for lower Noise values.

5.8 Tutorials for pipelines, steel beams and more

There are a number of tutorials for a quick start into working with the As-Built Plant
tools. You can access them via the Getting Started command on the As-Built
ribbon tabs. It provides links to the tutorials.
To complete all Plant tutorials a dataset consisting of a point cloud and drawings has
to be downloaded. The tutorial videos lead you step by step through the various
workflows.

Tutorial: Prepare a Drawing

After this tutorial you will be able to:
• Load catalogs (Plant Models)
• Add steel to an Active Set
42

• Configure units and parameters

• Insert a point cloud (RCP file)

Tutorial: Pipes
After this tutorial you will be able to:
• Use scan navigation
• Create pipe runs efficiently (Walk The Run)
• Apply Constraints
• Export the results
• Create an ISO drawing

Tutorial: Steel
After this tutorial you will be able to:
• Add steel to an Active Set
• Fit steel beams to the point cloud
• Copy beams
• Extend beams

Tutorial: Tie-in Points

After this tutorial you will be able to:
• Create and annotate tie-in points

Tutorial: Tank Analysis

After this tutorial you will be able to:
• Define point cloud sections
• Fit a cylinder
• Run a tank analysis
• Import the result to Excel
 43

6 Tagging in 3D space
Often, certain parts of the point cloud are to be marked with text marks. These texts
should be readable from any direction. This form of tagging is possible using the
feature data management tools.
"Labels" serve the visualization of additional (non-geometric) data the user wants to
add to the point cloud.

Parallel with the tagging in 3D space the technical data and attributes are displayed
in a clearly arranged tree structure. The content of the „Labels“ can be controlled via
the tree structure.
44

The attributes (rows of text in a Label) are completely free definable and they are
typified in a way that supports their use in databases. You can define numbers, text,
lists or links to external files as attribute. You find the complete documentation of this
extremely powerful structure definition of attributes in the PointSense command
reference.
To create tags use the “Fast Capture” button from the “Feature Data” ribbon of As-
Built for AutoCAD (HYLASFASTREC). This opens the tree structure and provides
some predefined commands to place tags.
When running the command HYLASFASTREC in a drawing that has never been
tagged with As-Built for AutoCAD before, you are informed that you have to load a
structure definition first. Close the message with OK and the “Load structure
definition” dialog opens. Click on the "Select directory..." button and select the \Plant
directory under \Templates. Then simply select one of the files in the "Load Structure
Definition" dialog box that are offered in the list on the left and confirm with OK.
Ensure you select a definition that fits the units of your drawing otherwise the tags
might be too small or too large.
Now the structure tree opens on the left. Its functionality is explained in the Feature
Data Management manual. Besides the structure also the box with two predefined
tagging commands opens. Note: In a drawing that was tagged with As-Built for
AutoCAD before this box opens directly.
 45

The box contains some predefined tagging commands.

You run them by double clicking the according entry.
Then just click an insertion point for the Label (tag) as
you are prompted in the command line.

You will be prompted to fill in the description attribute. You can enter any text you like
to tag your drawing with. Confirm your entry with OK.

As-Built for AutoCAD then places the Label at the previously clicked position. And
depending on which predefined command you chose creates either an object or an
object position entry in the structure tree.
You have various possibilities to change the appearance and content of the Labels
by using the context commands of the structure view. You may for instance hide the
object ID in the label and display only the description attribute.

Just click on the Label. The corresponding entry will open in the structure view. There
you right click on the object and in the context menu you un-check “Show ID in label”
46

For more detailed information please refer to the Feature Data Management manual.
 47

7 Tutorial – Generating a floor plan

This tutorial demonstrates the typical workflow of creating a building floor plan from a
point cloud.
The data and video for the tutorial can be accessed via the Getting Started command
on the As-Built ribbon tabs. This provides links to the various tutorials.
Download the data. Unpack the zip archive. It contains drawing files (DWG) as well
as point cloud data. Follow the procedure shown in the video step by step.
48

8 Area management – Introductory tutorial

By means of an easy example this chapter inducts you to the work with the area
management (feature data management). Only the basic principles will be explained
here. A detailed description of all commands can be found in the manual for the
Feature Data Management, which is part of this installation.
We suggest that you follow the tutorial step by step in order to get a first impression
of the possibilities which are offered by the feature data management tool.
The video with a step by step description for the tutorial can be accessed via the
Getting Started command on the As-Built ribbon tabs. This provides links to the
various tutorials. The tutorial drawing can be opened using the Area Data Tutorial
command in the As-Built Feature Data ribbon tab.
 49

9 Working with images

As-Built for AutoCAD allows a fundamentally new way of working by means of
combined evaluation of oriented images and point clouds. The software provides
extensive tools for photogrammetric evaluation. They enable the true-to-scale
rectification of digital photographs, maps and plans as well as their subsequent
interpretation and evaluation. Facade photographs, pictures of wall and ceiling
paintings or floors can be processed, but also old maps and plan material can be
brought back into a true-to-scale form. The results are true-to-scale image plans that
combine photographic condition documentation with precise geometric information.
Other tools allow you to orientate photos by means of control points and to use these
oriented photos for both 2D and 3D image evaluation. Photos of non-planar facades
can be processed into true to length image plans. This creates three-dimensional
models or 2D image plans.

Further information about the photogrammetry tools of As-Built for AutoCAD can be
found in the As-Built Photo manual, which is part of your installation. You may find a
link on the As-Built Photo ribbon tab under “Help”.
50

10 As-Built for AutoCAD Command Reference

In the command reference all commands are listed in a similar order as in the As-
Built for AutoCAD ribbon. The description of each command is structured as follows.
Ribbon text

Command Name
Button
Ribbon tab

Ribbon text
Under this title you will find the command in the As-Built for AutoCAD ribbon.

Button
Via the symbol given here you may call up the command in the toolboxes and
ribbons of As-Built for AutoCAD.

Command Name
Here you find the command name as it should be entered in the command line of
AutoCAD.

Ribbon tab
Specifies on which of the various ribbon tabs of As-Built for AutoCAD the command
can be found.
 51

10.1 As-Built Modeler Tools

Point clouds – Insert point cloud
Command Name: PCLOAD
Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

With this command you can insert one or several point clouds into your current
AutoCAD drawing via a FARO PTC file or via an Autodesk point cloud file.
The following window appears. Select one or several (SHIFT or CTRL + left mouse
button) point cloud files.

As second step following dialog opens:

52

Here you define if you want to reference the point cloud in the drawing by relative or
by absolute path. A reference with relative path is only possible when the drawing
has previously been saved and if point cloud and DWG are stored on the same drive.
When creating point cloud objects by importing from other formats the unit of the
object is the same as in the original scan file. If PTC files are exported by a scanner
software package one can usually select a different unit. When working with multiple
point clouds and when importing into a drawing that already contains geometry one
should ensure the units fit together. To ensure that the inserted point clouds are
automatically scaled to the length unit of the drawing, you may state the unit of the
scan and the unit of the drawing here.
Under Shift (XYZ) you may enter an offset in X, Y and Z. The values are
automatically subtracted from the original coordinates. With this option you may
move point clouds with large coordinates (e.g. geodetic survey coordinates) closer to
the origin, because AutoCAD sometimes does have problems when drawing or
modeling at large coordinates. You should write down the offset values in case you
have to deliver your drawings with the original coordinates, so you can later move the
geometry back that location.
The option „Lock point cloud“ prevents that you accidentally move or delete the point
cloud. Unfortunately locking a point cloud also prevents selection via „Quick Select“.
You may at any time lock or unlock the point cloud via the AutoCAD properties
window.
If you want the drawing to be automatically zoomed to the newly inserted point
cloud(s), you just enable the according option.
 53

After loading, the point cloud will be set active and the Section Manager will be
displayed as a dockable palette window.

Hint: By means of the AutoCAD command “LIST” you may get information about
point clouds you have selected (e.g. number of points, coordinates of the bounding
box …).

Different behavior when inserting one or multiple PTC point clouds:

a) One point cloud object was selected
The point cloud object is inserted and loaded.
The point cloud is set to active. In the case that another active point cloud already
exists in the drawing (green marks) you will be asked to set the newly loaded point
cloud to active.
Following the loading, all points of the point cloud will be drawn into the current
AutoCAD drawing.
b) Several point clouds were selected
Point clouds are inserted into the drawing but not loaded. You only see the grip and -
depending on the current setting - the bounding box.
You may load a point cloud with the command Point clouds – PTC format - Load
point cloud.
54

Point clouds – Set current point cloud

Command Name: PCSETCUR
Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

If more than one point cloud was imported in AutoCAD a point cloud set to active can
be selected using this command. Many commands require the definition of an active
point cloud.
Command: PCSETCUR
Select point cloud: (Select point cloud to set active)
You can use all of the following commands with the current point cloud. If you want to
use a command with another point cloud you need to select the point cloud as the
current active point cloud.
If the AutoCAD drawing has only one point cloud, this will be the active point cloud by
default. If the drawing has several point clouds you need to select the point cloud you
want to set active.
With this command you can set Autodesk point clouds as well as FARO point clouds
to be the current (or active) one. Hence you can work with different format point
clouds in one drawing. All commands always apply to the current (or active) point
cloud. Though, we recommend that you decide for one point cloud format depending
on the AutoCAD version you are using.

Hint for FARO point clouds (PTC)

The active point cloud (PTC) is represented by green marks at the edges of the
bounding box and at the grip.
The following table shows the point cloud statuses and their corresponding color to
mark the point cloud.

Active Inactive
Loaded Green Color of point cloud
object (e.g. “byLayer“)
Unloaded (not possible) Yellow
 55

Point clouds – Set point cloud parameters…

Command Name: PCSETPARAMS
Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

This command allows you to change the parameter for noise (n) and average
distance of points (a).
The following dialog appears:

The parameters for an Autodesk point cloud are saved in the drawing, not in the
referenced point cloud file. If you insert the point cloud in another drawing, you need
to specify the parameters again.
Hint: For FARO point clouds the PTC file (old format) is updated with these
parameters. Depending on the size of the point cloud this process may take some
time to complete.
For many modelling algorithms the correct setting of the point cloud parameters is
very important. It influences the quality of the results. You may determine the values
of a and n automatically by using the button [planar Auto-measure] or [cyl. Auto-
measure]. Clicking on one of the Auto-measure buttons you get into the drawing and
are asked to crop a small planar or cylindrical section of the point cloud and finally
run the calculation of the point cloud parameters based on that section.
56

With the setting in the field “Point cloud density for fitting” you specify the amount of
points to be used in modeling commands (e.g. Modeling – Fit polygon,
Modeling – Plane – Fit plane).
The specified value will be saved in the configuration file.
The following chart illustrates the correlation between the point density and the
performance of modeling/fitting commands (left hand side) and the correlation
between point density and reliability of the result (right hand side).

performance reliability

1 100 point density 1 100 point density

The default value for the point density is 10. If you are working with large point clouds
(several 100 million points) it is recommended not to increase this value.
 57

Point clouds – Reindex AutoCAD point cloud

Command Name PCACREINDEX

Ribbon Tab As-Built Modeler

With this command you can create a new AutoCAD point cloud from one or multiple
loaded AutoCAD point clouds.
Command: PCACREINDEX
In the following file selection dialog specify the file path and name of the point cloud
file to be created.
You can use this command to crop and merge the currently loaded AutoCAD point
clouds to their visible points.
58

Point clouds – Export LAS file

Command Name PCEXPORTLAS

Ribbon Tab As-Built Modeler

With this command you can create a LAS file which contains all currently visible
points of all AutoCAD point clouds of the drawing.
After running the command you are prompted for the name of the LAS file to be
created then the export starts.
The colors of the sections are considered for the export,
Since LAS is a standardized format these files can be used for data exchange
between various software systems. The export in our software refers to version 1.3
of the LAS standard.
 59

Point clouds – Convert to AutoCAD 2015

Command name PCCONVERTDWGTO2015

Ribbon Tab As-Built Modeler

Use this command to convert a drawing created by an older version of AutoCAD and
any embedded point clouds it contains, into ReCap format.
If you open a drawing in AutoCAD 2015 or above where there are embedded
AutoCAD point clouds (PCG or ReCap RCS/RCP), As-Built operates in a kind of
"Compatibility mode". The use of certain features is very limited when PCG point
clouds are involved.
We therefore recommend converting the drawing and its point clouds to the new
more efficient ReCap format. This automatic conversion consists of the following
steps:
1. For every PCG point cloud that is referenced in the drawing:
a. The PCG point cloud is removed from the drawing.
b. The PCG point cloud is converted into the ReCap RCP format. The
RCP file ("Example.rcp") is generated in the same folder as the original
PCG file ("Example.pcg") together with a folder with support files
("Example Support"):

c. The RCP point cloud is inserted into the drawing.

2. For each ReCap point cloud (RCS or RCP) from AutoCAD 2014 that has been
inserted into the drawing:
a. The ReCap point cloud is removed from the drawing.
b. The ReCap point cloud is inserted into the drawing.

Important note:
• The conversion process can take a little time, depending on the type and size
of the embedded point clouds.
• The conversion cannot be undone. Beforehand, please save a copy of the
drawing!
• A drawing that has been converted, as described here, is not backwardly
compatible to older AutoCAD versions.
• old PTC files are not affected by the conversion.
60

Point clouds – PTC format – Convert PTC point cloud to AutoCAD

point cloud
Command Name PTC2PCG

Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

With this command you can create an AutoCAD point cloud from a old PTC point
cloud. The PTC file to be converted does not have to be loaded.
At first you need to select a PTC point cloud file using the file selection dialog.
Now the PTC is read and an AutoCAD point cloud is created and afterwards loaded.
To work with the cloud, you need to set it current (or active) using the command
Point clouds – Set current point cloud.
 61

Point clouds – PTC format - Load point cloud

Command Name: PCLP
Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

With this command you can load a point cloud which has been inserted in the
drawing with grip and bounding box.
The referenced PTC file is loaded and all points are displayed. In the case that
another active point cloud already exists in the drawing (green marks) you will be
asked to set the newly loaded point cloud to active.
Afterwards you may work with the point cloud.
62

Point clouds – PTC format - Unload point cloud

Command Name: PCULP
Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

With this command you can unload a PTC point cloud. The memory occupied by the
point cloud will no longer be used.
In the case that the point cloud is currently active, it is set non-active (yellow marks).
Please note: you need to set another point cloud active before you can continue to
work.
 63

Point clouds – PTC format - Merge point clouds

Command Name: PCMERGE
Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

Visible sections of several point clouds can be merged to a single new point cloud
using this command.
If necessary, first create sections of point clouds you want to merge. This happens as
usual with the section commands. Then enter the command PCMERGE.
Select point clouds to merge.
Select objects: (Select the point clouds to merge.
Point clouds must be loaded.)
Following dialog appears:

Enter a name for

the new PTC file

Switch on to copy
definitions of
visible sections of
existing point
clouds to the new
point cloud

Decide to erase or
to unload existing
point cloud in the
drawing.

NOTE: You may overwrite one of the original point clouds. Please note this action is
irreversible.
This command does not work with AutoCAD or ReCap point clouds. You can
alternatively use command _PCACREINDEX to create a single AutoCAD point cloud
from multiple AutoCAD point clouds.
64

Point clouds – PTC format - Crop current point cloud

Command Name: PCCROPCLOUD
Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

With this command you can reduce one point cloud to its visible section. A new point
cloud (PTC file) is generated.
Following dialog appears:

Enter a name
for the new
PTC file

Switch on to
copy definitions
of visible
sections of
existing point
clouds to the
new point cloud

NOTE: You may overwrite the original point cloud. Please note this action is
irreversible.

This command does not work with AutoCAD or ReCap point clouds. You can
alternatively use command _PCACREINDEX to create a single AutoCAD point cloud
from multiple AutoCAD point clouds.
 65

Point clouds – PTC format - Set grip position

Command Name: PCSETGRIP
Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

Place the grip using this command.

Specify new grip position: (click the new position in your drawing)

It is recommended but not necessary to place the grip within

the bounding box. So it is easier to associate grip and point
cloud.

Afterwards the PTC file is updated with the new position.

Depending on the size of the point cloud this process may take some time to
complete.
66

Point clouds – PTC format - Display settings

Command Name: PCCFGDISPLAY
Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

For point clouds with a huge amount of data it is advisable to show only the visible
points for a given view. This technique is named „Level of Detail“ (LoD).
REGENERATING of the drawing after using real-time ZOOM or PAN can be done
manually or automatically.
Switching between “draw all points” and “draw only visible points” is controlled
regarding the number of points. This threshold can be set in the LoD dialog. Point
clouds larger than this number will be drawn applying the LoD-technique.

Insert the threshold

value for using
LoD. Set the value
“0” to work always
in the LoD mode.

Insert the threshold

for automatically
regeneration after
using real-time
ZOOM or PAN.

Reset all settings.

Activate this button for a manual

regeneration of the drawing. To
regenerate point clouds use F12.
 67

For fast navigation in a point cloud with 3DORBIT the number of visible points should
be reduced. You can enter the maximum number of points in the following dialog.

NOTE: The Display settings do only apply to PTC point clouds. For Autodesk ReCap
point clouds you may set the point density using the AutoCAD command
“_PointCloudDensity“.
68

Point clouds – PTC format - Show / hide bounding box

Command Name: PCBOUNDINGBOX
Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

This command switches the bounding box of the active point cloud on or off.
 69

Point clouds – PTC format - Show / hide grip

Command Name: PCSHOWGRIP
Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

With this command you may show or hide the point cloud grip.
70

Point clouds – PTC format - Set point size

Command Name: PCPOINTSIZE
Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

Please switch on a visual style other than 2D Wireframe.

Now you may change the point size:
Command: PCPOINTSIZE
Input new point size (between 1 and 10) for all point clouds <1>: 2
Point size set to 2.
A point size of 2 means all points have a size of 2 x 2 pixels, always aligned to the
current view.
The display of points happens dynamically, depending on ZOOM Level and view.
That is why the “Level of Detail” mode (LoD) must be active. You can set this LoD
mode with the command Point clouds – PTC format - Display .
The adjusted point size will be saved in the configuration file and applies to all
drawings and point clouds.
Example: Point cloud with point size 1 to 3 (from left to right)
 71

Import – Create AutoCAD point cloud (ReCap)

Command Name: KUBT_PC_INDEXPOINTCLOUD

Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

This command starts ReCap, the Autodesk software for importing numerous scan
data formats into the ReCap point cloud format (RCP/RCS) supported by all
Autodesk products.
ReCap is usually installed with every AutoCAD installation. The import functions of
ReCap are free of charge.
Section 3.1.3 of this manual briefly describes how to use ReCap.
72

Sections – Define slice (UCS)

Command Name: PCS
Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

With this command you can define a slice to select points in the active point cloud.
Only the visible points in the slice will be drawn in the AutoCAD-Drawing. You can
define the slice in the current user co-ordinate system (UCS).
command: KUBT_PC_SLICE
Slice parallel to [XY/YZ/XZ] plane UCS <XZ>: (Plane, to which the slice is parallel)
First point for boundary of slice: (Select a point for one boundary of the slice.)
Second point for boundary of slice or [Thickness] <Thickness>:
(Select a point for the second boundary of slice or write down the thickness of slice.)
Example:

When choosing the Thickness option half of the entered measure is considered to
both sides of the first clicked point. So the first point lies on the middle plane of the
slice.
 73

Sections – Define horizontale slice

Command Name: PCSZ

Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

With this command you define a horizontal slice, that contains all points that are
parallel to the UCS XY plane and lie at a specific Z height. The thickness of the slice
can be entered.
Command: KUBT_PC_SLICE_Z
Slice parallel to UCS plane [XY/YZ/XZ] <XY>: _XY
First point for boundary of slice: .xy of (need Z): 8.4
(Enter the Z height, on which the slice should be created
or pick a point)
Second point for boundary of slice or [Thickness] <Thickness>: _T
Specify slice thickness <0.5>: 0.1
(Enter the thickness of the slice)
74

Sections – Define slice (aligned with planar AutoCAD object)

Command Name: PCAS

Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

With this command you define a slice of points, which are within a given distance
(thickness) from a planar AutoCAD object. The AutoCAD object will be centered in
the slice.
Planar AutoCAD objects are kubit planes, circles, arcs or (2D) polylines, for instance.
Command: KUBT_PC_ALIGNED_SLICE
Select a planar AutoCAD object: (Select a planar AutoCAD object)
Specify slice thickness <0.2>: 0.1 (Specify the slice thickness,
press ENTER to apply the default value)

If you have selected a non-planar (thus non-supported) AutoCAD object in the first
step, the following message will appear in the command line:
The selected object is linear. Slice alignment plane cannot be determined.
 75

Sections – Shift slice

Command Name: PCSS
Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

With this command you can move a defined slice and select the visible points in the
new position of the slice. You can move the slice downwards or upwards with
changed or unchanged thickness value.
command: KUBT_ PC_SLICESHIFT
Absolute value of shift of slice downwards [Upwards/Downwards] <2.928800>:
(Move the slice by Thickness or by a new value)
Till the operation is ended by pressing the ESC button the operation can be repeated
over and over again.
76

Sections – Shift slice upwards

Command Name: PCSSUP
Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

With this command you can move a defined slice upwards and select the visible
points in the new position of a slice.
Example:
 77

Sections – Shift slice downwards

Command Name: PCSSDOWN
Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

With this command you can move a defined slice downwards and select the visible
points in the new position of a slice.
Example:
78

Sections – Change slice thickness

Command Name: PCSCT
Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

With this command you can change the thickness of the current visible slice.
Command: KUBT_PC_SLICECHANGETHICKNESS
Enter the new slice thickness <2.169000>: (Enter the new thickness of the slice.)
Alignment relative to current slice [Top/Bottom/Center] <Center>:
(Select the alignment for the new slice:
Top  top of the slice is unchanged, slice expands at the bottom,
Bottom  vice versa, Center  slice expands at both sides by the same amount)
 79

Sections – Define multiple slices

Command Name: PCMSC
Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

With this command you can create multiple slices in one single step. It creates slices
with a certain thickness within a user defined range parallel to a UCS - plane or
perpendicular along an AutoCAD curve object.
Example: There is a scan of a tunnel with a railway track inside and you need several
cross sections of the tunnel. Now you can create multiple slices perpendicular along
an AutoCAD curve – the railway track. To evaluate one cross section you may use
the command Digitizing tools – UCS from slice and set it to “Plan view”
See the following pictures illustrating this example:

Tunnel with railway track multiple slices cross section

By using this command to define multiple slices, the slices can automatically be
positioned in a constant distance or (additionally) by entering values or by mouse
clicking in your AutoCAD drawing. Distance means the distance between the centers
of the slices. The first slice centers at one of three places, with the bounding box in
the selected UCS plane, with the start point of an AutoCAD curve or with a user
defined start point.
After calling the command “PCMSC” the wizard starts and helps you to define
multiple slices.
80

Multiple Slices – Wizard, Step 1:

In the dialog box, select the reference system and the section to generate slices. If
the option “apply slices to all point clouds in the drawing” is active, slices will be
generated in all point clouds, including unloaded point clouds (see also “Point
clouds – PTC format - Load point cloud” and “Point clouds – PTC format -
Unload point cloud”) When an unloaded point cloud is loaded again after finishing
the multiple slice command, slices are immediately visible in the reloaded point cloud.

Depending on selection
the corresponding dialog
for Step 2 appears

Select point set to

make visible in
slices.

Using this command

for current or for all
point clouds?

Multiple Slices – Wizard, Step2:

Depending on the reference system selected in step 1, the assistant offers the
following options for step 2.
• If you have set the reference system to "Slices parallel to a UCS plane" in
step 1: There is the possibility to choose between the current UCS and a
named UCS. In the latter of the two all named UCS of the drawing are listed.
Furthermore, you have to decide the alignment of the slices: parallel to XY-,
YZ- or ZX-plane of the selected UCS.
• If you have set the reference system to "Slices perpendicular along an
AutoCAD curve" in step 1: After clicking the button “Select curve in
AutoCAD…” you are asked to select the curve to generate slices . You may
choose the following kinds of curves: line, polyline, 3d-polyline, arc, circle,
ellipse and spline. The coordinates of start and end point will be shown and
 81

can be exchanged by setting this option. That only means the starting position
of the station list is defined. Neither the curve nor the following procedure in the
wizard (creating a station list in step 3) is changed. Select “Next >” to begin
step 3 of the wizard.
Multiple Slice – Wizard, Step3:
Independent of the reference system configured in step 1 and 2 the following dialog
appears:
The part Create station list allows you to enter a constant interval and range to
generate slices within.
With the button “Create station list” the corresponding positions of the slices are
calculated and listed. If you do not activate the option to enter a user defined range,
all slices are generated within the grey marked total range that was calculated before.
If you do activate the option, the fields will automatically be filled with calculated
values which depend on the selected reference system. They result either from the
section of the bounding box when the reference system is a UCS or from the length
of a selected AutoCAD curve.

All stations within the range

are calculated with the
interval you enter before and
are inserted in the station list

Allows you to add a station

by entering values or by
clicking in the AutoCAD
drawing

Slices are also generated within the specified range when the option “Slices apply to
 visible section” is active. Then slices out of the visible section contain no points
and the user can delete these slices in the section manager.
82
thickness

Start point
station

End point

interval

range

The part Edit station list allows you to delete or to add several stations to the list. To
access it enter in the field “value” the requested station and click the button “Add”.
Furthermore you can “Add value from AutoCAD…”. Afterwards you are asked to click
a point in the AutoCAD drawing whereupon the value for the station will be calculated
and added to the list.
To go “<Back” in the wizard one step the station list must be empty (“Remove all”).
On the other hand a station list (with at least one value) must exist in order to
continue ‘’Next’’ in the wizard.
Multiple Slices – Wizard, Step 4:
The wizard offers you a base name which may be changed by the user. Enter the
thickness of the slices and the suffix of the slice name: by consecutive number or
station value. Click “Finish” to generate slices.
Select if you would like to have the
generated slices (layers) colored
automatically. The coloring will diversify
between blue and red (along the curve
or the selected UCS axis)

If you generate slices along an AutoCAD

curve, you may generate a named UCS for
every slice. The name of the UCS complies with the slice name. Existing UCS with
the same name will be overwritten.
After clicking the “Finish” button the slices will be generated. Slices which lay at the
beginning or the end of the slice sequence and do not contain points will not be
generated.
 83

Color slices (the color varies

between red and blue)

Generate named UCS for every

slice
The name of the UCS complies
with the slice name.
Can only be activated if the slices
will be generated along a curve.

Note: The colouring of slices only works for PCG and PTC point clouds, but not for
point clouds in the ReCap format.
84

Sections – Define rectangular

Command name: PCSR

Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

With this command you can do a rectangular cut away on all visible points in a point
cloud. The rectangle is always parallel with the view port.
Command: PCSC
Keep points inside or outside? [Inside/Outside] <Inside>: _Inside
(The option "Inside" is always selected when called from the menu)
Specify first corner point: (Pick point for selection)
Specify other corner point: (Pick point for selection)
Example:
 85

Sections – Exclude rectangular

Command name: PCSR

Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

With this command you can do an exclude cut away on a rectangle of all visible
points in a point cloud. The rectangle is always parallel with the view port.
Command: PCSC
Keep points inside or outside? [Inside/Outside] <Inside>: _Outside
(The option "Outside" is always selected when called from the menu)
Specify first corner point: (Pick point for selection)
Specify other corner point: (Pick point for selection)
Example:
86

Sections – Define clipping box

Command Name: PCSBB
Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

With this command you can define a bounding box to select points. Only the visible
points in the box will be drawn in the current AutoCAD-Drawing. You define the box
in the current user co-ordinate system (UCS).
command: PCSBB
Definition of a UCS parallel box:
Box corner: (Select a corner of the box.)
Opposite box corner: (Select the opposite corner of the box.)
Example:
 87

Sections – Define circular

Command name: PCSC

Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

With this command you can do a circular cut away on all visible points in a point
cloud. With this you can edit, in particular scanned pipes and tanks as well as towers,
columns and other cylindrical objects. The circular base can be defined by using
three points, centre point and radius or also by selecting an existing circle in the
drawing. In the first two cases the surface of the circle is always parallel to the view
window, whereas in the last case the resulting cylindrical region is defined along the
normal to the selected circle.
Command: PCSR
Keep points inside, outside or shell? [Inside/Outside/Shell] <Inside>: _Inside
(The option "Inside" is always selected when called from the menu)
Specify first point on circle or [Center point and radius/Select object] <Select object>:
(Pick point for selection)
Specify second point on circle: (Pick point for selection)
Specify third point on circle: (Pick point for selection)
88

Sections – Exclude circular

Command name: PCSC

Ribbon Tab: As-Built Modeler

With this command you can do an exclude circular cut away on all visible points in a
point cloud. With this command you can edit, in particular scanned pipes and tanks
as well as towers, columns and other cylindrical objects. The circular base can be
defined by using three points, centre point and radius or also by selecting an existing
circle in the drawing. In the first two cases the surface of the circle is always parallel
to the view window, whereas in the last case the resulting cylindrical region is defined
along the normal to the selected circle.
Command: PCSR
Keep points inside, outside or shell? [Inside/Outside/Shell] <Inside>: _Outside
(The option "Outside" is always selected when called from the menu)
Specify first point on circle or [Center point and radius/Select object] <Select object>:
(Pick point for selection)
Specify second point on circle: (Pick point for selection)
Specify third point on circle: (Pick point for selection)