[CNCgr]

I'm working on a 3D scanner idea and when it works it will output 3D point clouds of the object I'm scanning.

What CAD program would allow me to manipulate these files (e.g. remove points to smoothen a surface, turn into 3D solid etc)?

Nikolas

[DAB_Design]

www.rhino3d.com

[CNCgr]

Can Rhino do that without plug-ins? Because I've seen some pointcloud plug-ins for it and other programs.

Thanks, Nikolas

[DAB_Design]

Before I go on, I should say that I have never actually done this (never actually seen a point cloud file). What I have done, is created a text file with just a few points (around 20) and messed around with it. So take this with a grain of salt....

It will open/import point cloud files. From that, you can manipulate the points. Either as a group, or individually. From there, I believe you would have to create curves using the points. Then build your surfaces from the curves you created.

If you have a point cloud file, you could send it to me and I'd be happy to try whatever you think you would need done to it.

Rhino also has an demo download. Unrestricted except it will only save 20 times, if I remember correctly.

[CNCgr]

Thanks, I don't have a file yet, I'm still working on the software that will create them.

I guess the plug-ins are for automatically creating a surface from the points (some have tool compensation if you digitize with a probe).

When I get to the point that I can create the files I may ask again.

Nikolas

[ger21]

Any CAD or modelling software that allows point editing would work. It might be very tedious, though. And I doubt you'd be able to turn a point cloud into a solid.