Repair & prepare scans
3D Scan Preparation
Prepare raw 3D scans for production with MeshInspector — clean, align, mesh, and validate point cloud data from Lidar, photogrammetry, and structured-light scanners.
Convert point clouds
7
Point Clouds to MeshTurn a point cloud into a mesh in MeshInspector: which tool fits your data (Points to Mesh, Alpha Shape, Fusion, Terrain to Mesh, Scans to Mesh), how to prepare the cloud, and how the results differ.Video
Scans to MeshMerge two or more overlapping point cloud scans into one mesh with Scans to Mesh in MeshInspector. Registration, sampling, normals, outlier removal, smoothing and meshing run in one step.- Points to MeshLearn how to use Points to Mesh in MeshInspector to convert point clouds into triangulated meshes and adjust triangulation, hole-filling, and preservation settings.
Alpha ShapeUse Alpha Shape in MeshInspector to build a mesh from a point cloud: how the Radius works, why a small radius leaves holes and a large one bridges gaps, and what you get as a result.
FusionLearn how to use the Fusion tool in MeshInspector to create a smooth, approximate mesh from a point cloud and adjust voxel and influence settings.
Terrain to MeshLearn how to use the Terrain to Mesh tool in MeshInspector to turn terrain and other height point clouds into a mesh with one click, and when to use another tool.
Points to LinesConvert a point cloud into an open or closed polyline with Points to Lines in MeshInspector. The line connects the points in the order in which they are stored.
Clean up point clouds
5
Select OutliersFind and delete stray points in a point cloud with Select Outliers in MeshInspector. Set the Small Components, Few Neighbors, Far from Surface and Look Away checks.
Select Boundary PointsSelect the points on the edges and around the holes of a point cloud with Select Boundary Points in MeshInspector, and adjust the Nearest Neighbours and Angle settings.
Sample PointsThin out a dense point cloud with Sample Points in MeshInspector. Choose the Uniform, Grid or Iterative method, then select the samples or remove all other points.
To Components for Point CloudsSplit a point cloud into separate objects with To Components in MeshInspector. Each group of points that lies apart from the others becomes its own point cloud.
Force Components for Point CloudsSplit a point cloud into 2 to 128 parts with Force Components in MeshInspector. The parts follow the order of the points in the file, not the shape of the scan.
Normals
4
Make NormalsCompute normals for a point cloud with Make Normals in MeshInspector: what point normals are for, how to choose Smart, Fast or Toward Point orientation, and which tool fixes, flips or removes normals.
Orient Point NormalsMake the normals of a point cloud face one side with Orient Point Normals in MeshInspector: when you need it, the Nearest Neighbours setting, and how to fix only a selected area.
Flip Normals for Point CloudsReverse point normals with Flip Normals in MeshInspector: the whole cloud or only the selected points, when you need it, and how to check the result with Show Normals.
Remove NormalsDelete the normals of point clouds with Remove Normals in MeshInspector: when to remove them, what changes in the viewport and in exported files, and how to get normals back.
Align & register
4
Align ManuallyLearn how to roughly align a scan to another scan or to a CAD model with Align Manually in MeshInspector by picking matching points, align several objects one by one, and refine the result with Registration.Video
RegistrationAlign two overlapping scans, or a scan and its reference model, with the Registration tool (ICP) in MeshInspector. Steps, how to read RMS, typical errors and every parameter.- Global RegistrationLearn how to use the Global Registration tool in MeshInspector to fine-align several overlapping scans at once, read the RMS values, fix the No active pairs situation and refine the fit with Freeform Adjust.Video
Freeform AlignLearn how to use Freeform Align in MeshInspector to deform a floating object so that picked points meet matching points on a fixed reference, set the Adjustment Grid, and decide when to use it instead of Registration.
Orient & position
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Align to PlaneClick a face or a feature to move it to the global origin and turn the model so that the face lies in the XY, ZX or YZ plane. Choose the axis and use Flip.Video
3-2-1 AlignAlign a part to the global axes with the 3-2-1 method in MeshInspector. Fit a plane on 3 points, a direction on 2 points and a zero point on 1 point, or use features.Video
Make X, Make Y, Make ZUse Make X, Make Y and Make Z in MeshInspector to turn a mesh or point cloud by a plane, line or other feature so that it faces along a global axis.
Move ObjectLearn how to use the Move Object tool in MeshInspector to move, rotate, and scale one or multiple objects directly in the viewport using the mouse.
Move to ZeroLearn how to use the Move to Zero tool in MeshInspector to reposition meshes, point clouds, or selected features at the global origin.
ScaleResize objects with the Scale tool in MeshInspector: enter any factor or use the x1000 to x0.001 buttons, convert meters or inches to millimeters, and check the new size.
MirrorReflect meshes, point clouds and polylines with the Mirror tool in MeshInspector: choose a plane, set its position with Shift, and keep the original with Clone.
