Point cloud (.ptx) file

[diesellam]

We hired a 3d laser scanning professional to provide us a 3d (as-built) model generated from point cloud data.

One thing I want to explore is this:

We hire the 3d laser scanning people to provide us only the point cloud data (.ptx) file. Then we convert the point cloud data into 3d model in house.

The question is:
Is it worth the effort to separate the work? Or is it better to have these people to provide us everything. I found a website that claims to do it really quickly. Has anybody used this before?
http://www.pointools.com/

Thanks in advance.

[cdatechguy]

Double posted in multiple forums eh? Is this an ad for the link you posted perhaps?

If its a legit question....never used it...I have used Cloudworx by Leica...which interfaces with AutoCAD... Once you have a 3D model in AutoCAD you can bring that into Revit and probably create by face...

[diesellam]

No, I was just trying to get an opinion for the Navisworks user because I know u can directly import the (.ptx) file in Navisworks.

My question is that if we decide to do it in house: meaning convert the 3d model from the (.ptx) file generated by the 3d laser scanning professional. What's the best software to use that will generate the cleanest 3d model?

I'm trying to see if it's even worth it to learn another software to do this in house or just simply hiring the 3d laser scanning profession to do the whole thing.

[cjehly]

Personally, I prefer to keep as much work local as I can, but time is always a factor. Most converted scans are close enough to go with, and you can't beat the time-frame.

[diesellam]

When you said "....keep as much work local as I can..."?

Does it mean you let the 3d laser professional do the conversion? Or you do the conversion in house?

If you do it in house, which software do you use?

Thanks.

[jspartz]

I would have them do it. Personally, it's not worth the time spent currently. You need either Cloudworx for AutoCAD or Bentley, which is not cheap, then model it in there, import that into Revit and remodel it in Revit if your ultimate goal is to get it into Revit. Laser scanning companies already have the workflow down. When it gets to be more simplified, than it might be worth doing it in-house. I was quoted before for scanning and the modeling, and the modeling was only 10% of the overall cost, so even if it was simple, it wouldn't have paid to turn down that portion.

[Valkin]

I defiantly agree with Jamie, It's not worth the time to do it in house. Yes there is a little bit of an upcharge, but thes cost of them doing it is less then it would for your company to invest in the propoer program and time to create the correct work flow to get it done.

[diesellam]

Thanks for the comments. That's exactly what I thought. The technology is jsut not simplied enough to do in house for the non-3d laser scanning people.