Jargon Buster
Our aim at Ataris is to remove the barriers to 3D Laser Scanning. Our Jargon buster was created with this in mind. We have taken the most common industry terms and briefly defined them. Hopefully you find it useful.
1. What is a Digital Twin?
Apart from being the buzz word of the year, it is described officially by IBM as - ‘A digital twin is a virtual model designed to accurately reflect a physical object’. In the maritime world digital twins haven’t really taken off yet. But rudimentary forms are beginning to work their way into the sector. We expand on Marine focussed Digital Twins here
2. What is 3D Laser Scanning?
3D laser scanning is the process of capturing an object's 3D form by using a 3D Laser scanner to scan the object and produce a 3D Digital representation.
A 3D laser scanner emits laser beams (sounds awesome but they are invisible to the naked eye) onto a target, and measures the time it takes for the reflected light to return. This creates a ‘point cloud’ of data that can be used to generate a highly precise 3D representation of the scanned subject.
3. What is a Point Cloud or a 3D Mesh?
Point Cloud
A point cloud is a collection of data points in three-dimensional space. As we mentioned earlier in the 3D laser scanning section, these points represent the spatial coordinates of surfaces on the scanned object or environment. Each point in the cloud is defined by its x, y, and z coordinates, and collectively, they form a digital representation of the object's external surface or the features of a space. Point clouds are commonly used in various applications such as 3D modelling, surveying, and virtual reality, providing a detailed and accurate representation of the scanned subject.
3D Mesh
A 3D mesh, or polygonal mesh, is a representation of a three-dimensional object created by connecting vertices, edges, and faces. Vertices are points in space, edges are the lines connecting these points, and faces are the polygons formed by these connections, typically triangles. The connectivity between these elements defines the shape and structure of the object.
A 3D mesh allows for the creation of detailed and textured surfaces, making it suitable for applications such as computer graphics, animation, and simulations. The structured nature of a 3D mesh facilitates rendering and this provides a more visually appealing and realistic representation of objects in virtual environments, compared to point clouds.
In summary, a point cloud is a set of unconnected points representing surfaces. A 3D mesh is a structured and connected visual representation, formed through the connection of vertices, edges, and faces - to form a solid surface.
4. What are Targets & Spheres?
Targets
A target is a specifically designed object with known geometric features that can be easily identified and tracked by the laser scanner. Targets typically have distinctive markings or patterns that allow the scanner to precisely locate and reference points in space. The targets may be referred to as ‘checkerboards’ due to their black and white colouring.
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Targets are strategically placed within the scanning area to enhance the accuracy of the scan. By recognising and measuring the positions of these targets, the scanning software can align different scans together, ensuring that the final point cloud or 3D model accurately represents the entire object or environment.
Spheres
A sphere refers to a spherical object often used as a reference or control point. Like targets, spheres are employed to enhance the accuracy of the scan.
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Both targets and spheres play crucial roles in improving the precision, alignment, and accuracy of 3D laser scanning data by providing reference points and calibration information.
5. Processing a scan
You’ll often hear your laser scanning team say they will go back to the office and ‘process the scan’ or 'stitch the scans together'. You may be wondering what this means.
"Processing the scan data" refers to the post-capture phase where collected raw information from a 3D laser scan is analysed, cleaned, and processed into a usable format, such as a point cloud or 3D mesh.
This involves tasks like aligning scans, removing "noise" (interference often caused by windows and reflective objects), and generating a cohesive and accurate representation of the scanned object or environment. This is then exported to a format that the end client can use to unlock the value of the data that has been captured. Common file types are .E57, .PTS, .RCP files.
6. .E57? .PTS? .RCP? ​​​
.E57
.PTS
An .E57 is a file format used for storing 3D point cloud data. E57 files are efficient and versatile, capable of storing large amounts of spatial data captured from 3D laser scans. They are employed in various applications and projects, including surveying, engineering, and architectural projects.
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.PTS: Point Cloud Data (PTS) files store three-dimensional coordinates of points in space, typically representing surfaces of scanned objects or environments. This file type is widely utilised in 3D modelling, simulation, and visualisation applications to recreate accurate representations of physical spaces or objects. The choice of file type can vary both depending on the intended use of the data and a clients software preference. For example, if our client is utilising software such as Solidworks, we may recommend they receive a .PTS file.
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Autodesk ReCap Project (.RCP) files are a software specific export file, which is generated by Autodesk ReCap Pro, and contains processed point cloud and image data. They serve as a project container for managing and analysing 3D scanning data. Although Autodesk can utilise other file types, use of an .RCP is often preferred as this has a improved compatibility across the Autodesk Suite.
.RCP
7. Bubbleview​​​
A "bubble view" refers to a visual representation or display mode, that allows users to view a 3D point cloud or model from a specific location within the scanned environment. This view essentially simulates a walkthrough setting within the scanned space. Providing a comprehensive and immersive perspective, similar to a Virtual Reality experience.
The term "bubble view" is derived from the idea that the user is enclosed in a virtual bubble within the 3D data, offering a localised and realistic experience. This feature is particularly useful for professionals, such as architects, engineers, or surveyors, who need to inspect and analyse specific areas of interest within the scanned data.
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By navigating through different bubble views, users can closely examine details, assess measurements, and ensure accuracy in the captured data.
The bubble view is often supported in various point cloud viewing software, such as Prevu3D and Cupix
Remote access in the sense of 3D scanning is a halfway house between a full Digital Twin and traditional paper drawings. It is a phrase we coined, so not quite industry standard - yet!
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The process of obtaining scan data and processing it into a usable file type is the same. Following this the data is then hosted on a cloud based platform. Enabling remote access to the point cloud from anywhere with internet - Hard drive versions are available when internet access isnt possible. .
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One of the benefits to a client when using Ataris is the opportunity to utilise Remote Access when accessing the data.
Aside from being a cool party trick, practically this brings benefit to many clients. For example a vessel operator can access the asset remotely, using either the bubble views or the main point cloud to navigate around. Measurements can be taken within the space or just simply answer the question ‘where is that panel? How big is the valve? Will the motor fit through the hatch?
You can find out more here
