Creating new 3D CAD points with the draw points tool
Welcome to 3Dsurvey tutorials.
In this video, we’ll be showing you how to use the Draw Points tool found under CAD functions. This tool is primarily used for measuring the height of a specific point or area.
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Accessing the Draw Points Tool
To use the Draw Points tool:
- Click CAD in the upper-right selection menu.
- Click the Draw Points tool icon, which is the fourth icon on the right menu.
Snapping Points
Before placing points, decide where they should snap. The available snap options are located in the Snapper Settings on the right:
- Point: Snaps to any point in the point cloud. Ensure the point cloud is activated.
- Endpoint: Snaps to any endpoint of an existing line.
- Midpoint: Snaps to the midpoint of an existing line.
- Nearest: Snaps to any point on an existing line.
- Center: Snaps to the center of an existing circle.
- Triangle: Snaps to any point on the surface of a 3D mesh (ensure the mesh is activated).
You can enable multiple options simultaneously, but enabling only the needed one simplifies the process. For working with points, it’s recommended to activate the point cloud and deactivate the 3D mesh for better visibility.
Using the Interpolate Points Option
A particularly useful feature is Interpolate Points, which calculates the average height of a group of points:
- Activate the Interpolate Points button in the snapper settings.
- Use the slider below the button to adjust the size of the interpolation area.
- A circle will visually represent the selected area.
- Click on the desired area of points to interpolate, and the average height will be calculated.
This option ensures that outlier points do not affect the result.
Display Options for Points
In the Tool Settings below the Snapper Settings, you can customize what information is displayed next to your points:
- Name: Displays a numeric identifier for the point.
- Height: Shows the height (Z value) of the point.
- Code: Displays a custom label or code.
To use the code option:
- Enter the desired text in the box.
- Alternatively, import pre-defined names via the drop-down menu by clicking Import.
- Previously used codes are stored for reuse.
The font size of displayed text can also be adjusted by changing the text size value.
Editing Points
If a point is misplaced, it can easily be corrected:
- Use the Edit Tool (first icon in the right menu).
- Select the point by left-clicking it and move it to the desired location.
- Example: Move a point from the top of a curb to its base.
- To adjust the height (Z value), edit the point’s properties to set it higher or lower as needed.
The Draw Points tool offers precision and flexibility for creating 3D CAD points in 3Dsurvey. Whether measuring heights or categorizing points, the tool ensures accuracy with robust snapping and interpolation options.
Thank you for watching this tutorial, and see you next time!