Let's get in shape.

Laser scanners work their magic by creating point cloud data. AutoCAD has the ability to load point clouds even into the millions of points. Typically users work with the point cloud data to recreate by connecting the points from the cloud data. Imagine if computer software could intelligently provide assistance for you. That's what our latest technology preview is intended to find out.

Free Download of Shape Extraction for AutoCAD from Autodesk Labs

The general workflow of the Shape Extraction for AutoCAD plug-in is:

1. Import unorganized point cloud data into AutoCAD through the PointCloudAttach tool.
2. Adjust the PointCloudDensity slider bar to adjust the density of points used for display.
3. Use the Crop tool to temporarily hide/isolate some points when the point cloud data is too complex for interpretation.
4. Apply three available solutions to extract the feature shapes from the displayed point cloud data:
   • Primitive Shape Extraction: Extract primitive shapes such as spherical, cylindrical, conical and toric surface or solid.
   • Plane Extraction: Extract a single interested plane with limited user interaction or automatically extract all the planes contained in the selected points.
   • Point Cloud Sectioning: Specify a sectioning plane and then use the sectioning plane to slice or multi-slice the point cloud without the surface reconstruction of the point cloud. After the sectioning, poly-lines or b-splines can be fitted to the points on the sectioning planes.

AutoCAD Senior Product Manager, Guillermo Melantoni, has created some videos to get you started. They are available on YouTube or for download for those who cannot access YouTube.

Autodesk Labs: Shape Extraction for AutoCAD - index and attach	PC01_index_and_attach.mov
Autodesk Labs: Shape Extraction for AutoCAD - cropping	PC02_cropping.mov
Autodesk Labs: Shape Extraction for AutoCAD - section	PC03_section.mov
Autodesk Labs: Shape Extraction for AutoCAD - primitive extraction	PC04_primitive_extraction.mov
Autodesk Labs: Shape Extraction for AutoCAD - primitive cylindrical surface	PC05_primitive_cylindrical_surface.mov
Autodesk Labs: Shape Extraction for AutoCAD - multiple section	PC06_multiple_section.mov
Autodesk Labs: Shape Extraction for AutoCAD - section spline	PC07_section_spline.mov
Autodesk Labs: Shape Extraction for AutoCAD - extract plane	PC08_extract_plane.mov

So by all means, please download this technology preview, watch the videos, try it for yourself, and let us know your results at labs.acad.shape@autodesk.com or the Shape Extraction for AutoCAD discussion forum. We look forward to hearing from you - the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Whipping point cloud data into shape is alive in the lab.