3D scanning software can now turn a point cloud into a textured 3D mesh
Autodesk ReCap Pro 2022, the latest release of the 3D scanning software, introduces ‘Scan to Mesh’, a new workflow that allow users to turn a point cloud into a textured 3D mesh.
The 3D mesh can be used for early clash detection and ‘more effective project data coordination and verification’ It is also smaller in size, so more manageable.
User can choose to convert the entire point cloud or a select part. Editing tools such as the Limit Box/Clip/Region/Deletion tools can be used to control how much of the point cloud is displayed in the scene and only the visible area will be meshed.
User can create a low, medium or high quality Recap mesh, in OBJ or RCM format, which can then be saved to Autodesk BIM 360, Autodesk Docs or Autodesk Drive, a replacement for A360 Drive. Since processing is done on the cloud, users will be charged Cloud Credits per job.
The cost of the job is determined by the number of points in the point cloud being processed into a textured mesh, and the quality of mesh selected.
When viewing any published project in ReCap Pro users can now annotate and share data directly in Autodesk Docs, BIM 360 Docs, or Autodesk Drive.
Autodesk has also made updates to ReCap Photo, the 3D photo reconstruction service included with ReCap Pro, allowing for more flexibility with the use of Cloud Credits.
The new release also offers more control before processing projects. Users can specify ground control points (GCPs) and checkpoints in an arbitrary local coordinate system (XYZ), which provides a higher 3D reconstruction quality.
It is also possible to determine whether drones were equipped with RTK (Real time kinematic) or PPK (post process kinematic) from the captured images. These specific images have high precision GPS tags and high-quality 3D reconstruction, which reduces the time-consuming process of collecting GCPs and then inputting them into ReCap Photo.
