How to create a DXF solid from a PTS file

[MJackie]

Hi there,

I have imported a PTS point cloud file of a lidar survey of a underground tunnel. I am wanting to create a solid within Cloud Compare (tried using the Poisson Surface Reconstruction tool) and then export it as a DXF file to use in a CAD software. The solid triangulation would be very generic, just built around the point cloud I have imported. I was told by a friend that I am able to accomplish this within Cloud Compare.

Thanks for the help!

Matt

[daniel]

Sorry, what's the question / issue exactly?

[MJackie]

How do I create a dxf solid from a point cloud PTS file?

[daniel]

Well, if you manage to create a mesh from your cloud (with the Poisson Reconstruction plugin as you have already tried apparently?), then you simply have to select the resulting mesh and export it to DXF.

However, mind that the DXF format is super bad for storing mesh/triangles, so don't expect to save a big mesh this way (which means that you'll have to keep a very rough mesh reconstruction, with a low octree level).

Another option is to use a real meshing tool (such as Meshlab or similar), then reduce the number of triangles properly (= in a smart way). And eventually just use CloudCompare to convert the mesh to DXF.

[MJackie]

Thanks for your reply Daniel.

How do I change the density/SF min value displayed to fit the mesh to my point cloud? Right now my mesh goes far outside of the point cloud extents.

[daniel]

You have to select the option to output the density prior to generate the mesh, then select the resulting mesh, and play with the (density) scalar field display options in the mesh properties (see https://www.cloudcompare.org/doc/wiki/i ... properties - section "Scalar field display parameters editor"). You should generally increase the 'min displayed' scalar value until you are happy with what you see on screen.

Finally, don't forget to use the 'Edit > Scalar fields > Filter by value' tool to export the triangle selection as a new mesh.

See https://youtu.be/MS3Krxcy2j0?t=548