Pointools converts scanned point data into a 3D computer model
(20/05/2010)

Highway surveyors are increasing using laser scanners – mounted on tripods, on moving vehicles and in aircraft – to capture highways, street lights/street furniture, cities and the landscape in 3D. The scanners generate millions and millions of tiny data points known as a ‘point cloud’ and sophisticated software converts the point data into a 3D computer model. From this users create life-like visualisations. This world of 'virtual reality' will aid planning, engineering, public consultations and the provision many online services.

Pointools has launched the next generation of software for the processing of ‘point cloud’ data. Pointools Edit now utilises the full power of 64-bit making it much faster and more efficient. Building on all the features of View Pro – Pointool’s high performance visualisation software, Pointools Edit also offers tools for point cloud editing in layers, data segmentation together with simple RGB re-colouring and easy noise and obstruction cleaning.

“Laser scanning is being used for a huge variety of applications ranging from street level mapping from a moving vehicle to high accuracy 3D height models from a plane, even the fine tuning of engineering or manufacturing processes,” commented Tony Rogers, co-founder and Director of Pointools Ltd. “Based on the highly popular View Pro software Pointools Edit now offers advanced functionality for the editing and cleaning of point cloud data making it an indispensable tool for anyone involved in the collection, processing or application of laser scanned data.”

Pointools Edit features unique point layer technology for unrivalled flexibility and speed when editing point cloud data. Layers can be used to segment, clean and re-colour the huge data files created by laser scanning instruments. Colour errors can also be corrected using the 3D brush tool and layers can be locked for precise masking control. Pointools Edit also offers a flexible toolkit for cleaning of road noise or obstructions. This combination of tools and layer based editing make preparing data for downstream processing quick and easy.

Pointools is an independent technology company focussed on developing software solutions to maximise the potential of point cloud data – the millions of 3D measurements usually collected by laser scanning devices, with applications in a wide range of markets including design, manufacturing, construction, engineering, heritage and surveying.

The Pointools product suite includes Pointools Edit, Pointools View Pro, Pointools 4 Rhino, Pointools Model and Pointools Vortex API – recently selected by Bentley as the engine for their portfolio of solutions including Bentley MicroStation.