Creating a modeling surface from point cloud data

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Leo
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Re: Creating a modeling surface from point cloud data

Post by Leo »

IslaWW wrote:
Wed Nov 24, 2021 9:01 pm
Leo...
I've spoken to a friend that has done this. Even tho he uses much higher priced software than Aspire, the process is the same, and he noted there are a number of super cheap or free programs that will make a conversion. Here are the steps:

1) Use the Centroid Digitize Grid feature (dot DIG file)
2) Using a text editor (like me he uses NotePad2) delete the header and footer lines, leaving only the XYZ coordinate lines
3) Delete all "G1"
4) Delete all "X"
5) Replace all "Y" with a comma ","
6) Replace all "Z" with a comma ","
7) Save file as "filename".CSV

Paul Rountree's CSV to 3D will rad that file and prep a toolpath, that toolpath can be converted into a model in Aspire
Other programs may be able to convert the file with XYZ (G1 removed) data without the conversion, others may prefer the CSV version, you'll have to determine which one works best for your use
Gary, Keith made a post on the Centroid user forum that the Centroid software can convert to raw point data with a selection of ? output to CAD ? or something like that.

Other than the gadget in Aspire, I don't know where to find Pauls CSV to 3D gadget.
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Re: Creating a modeling surface from point cloud data

Post by Leo »

Leo wrote:
Thu Nov 25, 2021 12:59 pm
IslaWW wrote:
Wed Nov 24, 2021 9:01 pm
Leo...
the process is the same, and he noted there are a number of super cheap or free programs that will make a conversion.
I am going to try MeshLab - some videos I have watched look promising.
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Re: Creating a modeling surface from point cloud data

Post by Adrian »

Leo wrote:
Thu Nov 25, 2021 12:59 pm
Other than the gadget in Aspire, I don't know where to find Pauls CSV to 3D gadget.
Here are Pauls gadgets - https://paulrowntree.weebly.com/gadgets.html

He hasn't updated them in a long time so many that require a tool to be selected don't work with the latest versions.

One thing I had forgotten is that the Vectric Regular Grid gadget has a plugin format so it can be expanded past the basic 4 formats it supports. You need to know LUA to add a plugin though.

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Re: Creating a modeling surface from point cloud data

Post by mtylerfl »

Hi Adrian,

Paul Rountree passed away in July 2020
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Re: Creating a modeling surface from point cloud data

Post by IslaWW »

Leo wrote:
Thu Nov 25, 2021 12:59 pm
Gary, Keith made a post on the Centroid user forum that the Centroid software can convert to raw point data with a selection of ? output to CAD ? or something like that.
Yes it can, there is a "DIG to CAD" button that outputs raw coordinate numbers (no XYZ labels) if that works better for your software. For my work, when I started, I was using only a few hundred points and made the change manually to CSV as explained above. Later I had a programmer write a custom gadget that imported direct from the .DIG file. (2D only) Watch the first minute or so of the video below and you can see some of the Centroid screens and the process in Aspire.

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Re: Creating a modeling surface from point cloud data

Post by Leo »

Earlier today I installed meshlab. I imported a point cloud of a bunny with no issue at all. I was able to save as STL, but it would not import to Aspire. I didn't have time to fuss with it, Thanksgiving and family and all, but it really looked promising.
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Re: Creating a modeling surface from point cloud data

Post by mtylerfl »

Hi Leo,

When saving your STL from MeshLab, uncheck the options “Binary Encoding” and “Materialize Color Encoding” before clicking the OK button to complete the save.

Then try importing that STL into Aspire. Please let me know if that works for you.
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Re: Creating a modeling surface from point cloud data

Post by Leo »

Michael - no that did dot work.

I saw something in a youtube video somewhere that importing into some editing software and closing the bottom of the STL needed to be done.

I am getting closer.
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Re: Creating a modeling surface from point cloud data

Post by mtylerfl »

Hi Leo,

I’m sorry that didn’t do the trick for you. I thought surely the unchecking of the Binary and Color options was the answer.

My experience with MeshLab is limited primarily to repair meshes and reduce the number of triangles (to reduce STL file size) without noticeable quality loss. It does a great job for that.

MeshLab is loaded with features that I have not used.
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Re: Creating a modeling surface from point cloud data

Post by Leo »

Michael, This is all new to me too. Perhaps even a lot more new to me than it is to you.

I am close. I will get there but for now it is not a top level priority. I am just doing this in between other stuff.

I was going to try importing the STL into some editing software, but my install was corrupted and I need to reinstall some editing software. In the process of doing that now.
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Re: Creating a modeling surface from point cloud data

Post by Leo »

I DID IT.

Point Cloud to Aspire model - I DID IT.

1) Point Cloud Data.
2) Open in Meshlab
3) Save as STL
4) Open in some editing software
5) Create solid
6) Save as STL
7) Import in Aspire

DONE DEAL.
Now I can feel confident to spend the money on the Centroid Probing/Digitizing

I knew it was doable - but I needed to find the path to be able to do it.

COOL BEANS - I am excited!
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Re: Creating a modeling surface from point cloud data

Post by IslaWW »

Leo wrote:
Fri Nov 26, 2021 3:48 pm
I DID IT.

Point Cloud to Aspire model - I DID IT.

1) Point Cloud Data.
2) Open in Meshlab
3) Save as STL
4) Open in some editing software
5) Create solid
6) Save as STL
7) Import in Aspire

DONE DEAL.
Now I can feel confident to spend the money on the Centroid Probing/Digitizing

I knew it was doable - but I needed to find the path to be able to do it.

COOL BEANS - I am excited!
I'm glad you got it figured out. I will wait for your order! :lol: :lol:
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Re: Creating a modeling surface from point cloud data

Post by Tailmaker »

I am not familiar with the Centroid software. But I would check if it might have a "warp" function like I have in my PlanetCNC controller. It can scan a surface with a probe and then "warp" a flat g-code to follow this surface (similar to the "project toolpath" function in Aspire). But there is no point cloud export required or conversion to .stl and Aspire is not involved at all. Also there is no need to align the origin and orientation of the scan since you can probe the surface and then cut it right after that. I understand this functionality was mostly implemented to support PCB machining, since the PCB blanks are usually not totally flat and depth is very critical. But I made an experiment some 10 years ago in wood just to see how it worked. Never used it since...
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Re: Creating a modeling surface from point cloud data

Post by Leo »

Thank you Tail,

Similar for sure, just different software and a different method.

As the saying goes - "There is more than one way to skin a cat".
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Re: Creating a modeling surface from point cloud data

Post by grossmsj »

Are you still digitizing and importing the data into Aspire? If so, what is your method now?

I can digitize a contour on my Centroid-modified Axiom and create the XYZ text file via "Digi to Cad". I can also import these data into MeshLab. But I'm not having any luck getting anything into Aspire. I'd love to make this a fairly seemless, sleek process. It has so much potential.

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