PointSense Plant

From 3D Laser Scans to Consistent

Plant Models

PointSense Plant Supports 3D Laser

Scan Processing
Plant managers can process point clouds directly in
AutoCAD®. Piping systems, steel construction elements are
efficiently modelled. The resulting models can be exported
to plant planning programs such as Plant 3D®, MEP®,
CADWorx®, AutoPLANT® etc. PointSense Plant has all the
tried and tested tools to model, manage and process 3D
scanner data in AutoCAD.

Walk The Run – The Intelligent Pipe Run Tracer

Automation and pattern recognition are the basis for the
efficient processing of 3D laser scanner data, however too
much automation can lead to expensive mistakes. The Reverse engineered piping system. Type recognition and best-fit of steel members
“Walk The Run“ function guides the user through the pipe
system, the pattern recognition, on the basis of a catalog, • Intuitive sequence of steps for modeling piping systems
suggests types and positions for recognized pipes, bends, and steel constructions from 3D laser scans for further
tee-pieces and fittings. These procedures give the user full processing in planning software, for edge interference
control over the modelling process and ensures geometrical models and visualization
and technical workmanship. The thickness of the insulation
• Snap planes, corners or edges directly in the point
is taken into account in pattern recognition. Pre-calculated
clouds with SmartSnaps
cylinders accelerate this user-controlled workflow.
• Extendable catalogs control
Apply Constraints – The Way to Compatible Models pattern recognition
Plant design software requires coaxial centerlines for fittings • Determine the tie-in points on
and pipe bends must be coplanar. The function “Apply flanges for alterations
Constraints“ creates pipe runs that fit in the point cloud and extensions
and satisfy the consistency conditions of the plant design • Analysis of arbitrary surfaces
software. In the same way Stacked Steel is supported, for distortions
proper axis configuration is found automatically, beams are • Analysis of cylindrical or conical Schematical illustration of the
aligned coplanar or perpendicular without overlapping and shapes (tank analysis) by unrolling function “Apply Constraints“
can be evaluated to “waterproof” axis models. and volume calculations
with deadwood subtraction
Fittings Catalogs • All in the usual AutoCAD® environment
FARO PointSense Plant provides a standard catalog of
fittings and steel. Plant 3D and Advanced Steel catalogs
can be directly imported. In cases where the fittings are Export Pipe Centerlines and Fitting Information
missing or special fittings (out of spec) are needed, the After creating a piping system it can be converted into
user can create customized fittings or even full catalogs. AutoCAD Plant 3D objects, 3D solids or a labelled centerline
The software then uses these components in the pattern layout. The standard AutoCAD objects can be used
recognition process. afterwards in any plant software systems. The same applies
to steel structures and the interaction with Advance Steel.
Determine Tie in Points
If precise tie-in points are required, they can be surveyed in
Analysis of Cylinders and Truncated Cones
and marked - without any modeling. – Tank Tools
Tanks, boilers or containers can be checked for deformations.
Planar Views from Scans The results are e. g. elevation plans and lists, the deformations
can be visualized by customizable 3D heatmaps. It is possible
The photo like view of the scan data that is provided by
to precisely compute volumes including taking the internal
PointSense allows a more intuitive navigation compared to
subtracted volume (deadwood) into account. Cylinders,
a CAD environment.
elliptical and circular truncated cones are all supported.
Important Features
Point Cloud Management • Support of line numbers
• Import of orthophotos (Reconstructor, Trimble RealWorks) • Export annotated centrelines for further processing in other plant software
• Definition, editing and management of slices and regions of point clouds • Export as standard AutoCAD® objects, e.g. 3D solids
• Import oriented images from Riegl projects • Adjusts the diameter of insulated pipe runs
• Collision analysis • Assures the consistency (coaxial and coplanar centrelines) of the
• Analysis of planes, cylinders and truncated cones total piping system
-- Deformation analysis • Flexible textural and graphical marking of any point cloud regions
-- Calculation of (partial) volume (e.g. for asset management);organized in a flexible tree structure;
-- Unrolling of the point cloud and profiles table export
• Deformation analysis of arbitrary surfaces with customizable Structural Steel Work
deviation coloring in 3D
• Fit steel beams (T, H, L, U profiles and any user defined profile)
• Elevation plans with just two clicks
• Orthoimages of point clouds • The profile type is automatically recognized.
• 3D distance dimensioning • Batch processing for capturing complex steel constructions
• Flatten the drawing through copying and pattern recognition
• Good axis configuration is found automatically
2D Modelling
• Line/polyline fitting - with constraints • Assures the consistency (coaxial and coplanar centerlines, orthogonality)
• Automatic polygon fitting in multiple slices • Coplanar or perpendicular aligned beams without overlapping
• Draw UCS independent arcs and circles through three points • “Waterproof” axis models
• Advance Steel import and export, ESAin export, SDNF export
3D Modelling
• Efficient fitting and easy overlay of 3D solids to point clouds Tie in Points
Piping Systems • Precisely determine tie in points on flanges and dimension them
(flange centre, centerline and rotation)
• Snapping of planes, corners or edges directly in the point clouds
• Automatic recognition of pipe bends, flanges, valves, reducers, Plane
tee-pieces, etc., (pre-calculated cylinders accelerate • Plane fitting - with constraints
user-controlled workflow)
• Plane fitting with only one click
• Precise location of the tie in points of all fittings
• Automatic determination of plane boundaries
• Pattern recognition based on the predefined catalog and/or self
• Various construction methods using planes
defined fittings
• Support of cutback elbows Planar View
• Displays the scan data in a photo like, planar view
• Import of catalogues from Plant 3D
• Transfer coordinates from the planar view into the AutoCAD drawing
• Conversion of the fittings to Plant 3D
• Freely defined AutoCAD command macros
• ESAin import and export
• Distance and coordinate picking
• Properties palette is supported for plant objects
• Colors of the scans according to intensity, distance or original RGB
• Fittings can be displayed as blocks

Technical Requirements

PointSense Plant is compatible with AutoCAD and associated products for versions 2015 and above. Seemless
Platform workflows with Plant 3D and Advance Steel. Should older Autodesk® products be used, please contact your FARO
representative.

Operating System Dependent on the version of AutoCAD being used, 64-bit systems only.

Recommended Hardware Graphics card as recommended by Autodesk, RAM at least 8 GB, better 32GB and more, processor at least 2.5
Requirements GHz, better 3-4 GHz and 4-8 cores, SSD for larger projects; Laser scanner type to suit job in hand.

Data Requirements Registered, that is to say the scans are oriented to each other.

Supported Scan Data E57, ASCII, LAS, FARO (LSPROJ, FLS, FWS), Leica (PTZ, PTS, PTX), Zoller&Fröhlich (ZFS, ZFPRJ), Topcon (CL3,
Formats CLR) Leica (PTG) and Riegl RiScanPro-Projects (RSP).

For more information, call 800.736.0234

or visit www.faro.com
© 2017 FARO | FARO is a registered trademark of FARO Technologies, Inc. in the United States and other countries. SFDC_04MKT_466 Revised 11/20/17