# How to process a point cloud

## Geoslam file

Use Inspector 5 to export the geoslam file/s to process in FARO connect.

<figure><img src="https://3798671238-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FEUlQdNranSJ0ddu4qSxa%2Fuploads%2F4xTlVoIg5yfDyUXD5PCl%2FFARO_export_inspector_5.png?alt=media&#x26;token=e178c3eb-140c-409c-acdd-48b673124827" alt=""><figcaption><p>Inspector 5 Export tab. Export one or multiple flights.</p></figcaption></figure>

Navigate to the project in Inspector 5. Select the Export tab in the right side bar. Select FARO, and with the appropriate flight/s selected Click Export.

{% hint style="info" %}
For Elios 3 firmware versions 2024.10.1 and prior. A .bag and metadata.json file will be exported.
{% endhint %}

For more information refer to the Inspector 5 User Manual:

* [Inspector 5 user manual](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GcbkNqo3pqBexc8AKry0_8HeFa6E5Ryh/view?usp=drive_link).

## Start a new FARO connect project

With the appropriate file/s for processing it is time to open FARO connect.

{% hint style="info" %}
It is always good to have the [latest versions of FARO connect and Flyability script installed](https://knowledge.flyability.com/third-party-software/faro-connect/software/how-to-install-faro-connect#downloading-faro-connect-and-flyability-script-installer).&#x20;
{% endhint %}

### Create and open a new project

* Open FARO connect.

<figure><img src="https://3798671238-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FEUlQdNranSJ0ddu4qSxa%2Fuploads%2FzaeRcZTs1P8WmADN4skP%2FFARO_create_project.png?alt=media&#x26;token=58a251e1-6ead-423e-bde0-0c587c03460b" alt=""><figcaption><p>FARO connect, creating a new project.</p></figcaption></figure>

**(1)** Click the **New Project** button.

**(2)** Enter project name.

**(3)** Click the **Create Project** button.

<figure><img src="https://3798671238-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FEUlQdNranSJ0ddu4qSxa%2Fuploads%2FXz1RGYPwNhllIpiTO93B%2FOpen_new_project_FARO.png?alt=media&#x26;token=d1394ab1-4d10-4531-b070-22301214cdd8" alt=""><figcaption><p>Open a project in FARO connect</p></figcaption></figure>

To open a project:

**(1)** Click the 3-dot dropdown menu.

**(2)** Click **Open**.

<figure><img src="https://3798671238-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FEUlQdNranSJ0ddu4qSxa%2Fuploads%2FdXyTuoJLybEuAtHB6VR6%2FNew_FARO_project.png?alt=media&#x26;token=00d9df2f-1dda-4a20-a880-3c92db5b515b" alt=""><figcaption><p>New FARO connect project.</p></figcaption></figure>

### Import data

**(1)** Click or drop files on the Drop or browse data button.

<figure><img src="https://3798671238-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FEUlQdNranSJ0ddu4qSxa%2Fuploads%2F5T49iK4Arssju6P1iPnL%2FFlyaAV_version_2024_10_later.png?alt=media&#x26;token=053d4e5d-cb1b-4a40-b891-8e1dfc9410b8" alt=""><figcaption><p>Select workflow and import dataset.</p></figcaption></figure>

**(2)** Select the workflow - Flyability Process SLAM.

**(3)** Input the geoslam file.

{% hint style="info" %}
For Elios 3 firmware versions 2024.10.1 and prior. Input the .bag and metadata.json file **(4)**.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
File paths should not contain special or non-english letters. Data should be accessed locally.
{% endhint %}

### General processing settings

**(5)** Select capture environment. Standard is the default option. Otherwise select the appropriate environment for the asset scanned.

**(6)** Leave selected if data was scanned with the REV 7 (survey) or untick if data was scanned with the REV 6 (standard)

<figure><img src="https://3798671238-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FEUlQdNranSJ0ddu4qSxa%2Fuploads%2FPOAWCg1ZYaIFQoVpVWKG%2FImport_data_2.png?alt=media&#x26;token=e4531e50-cb5a-4a4f-acb9-1e9549828e3a" alt=""><figcaption><p>Select processing options.</p></figcaption></figure>

**(7)** SLAM strength 1 is the default SLAM setting. This can be increased if the processed results are not as expected.

**(8)** If the Elios 3 took off from one location but did not return to the same point for landing, tick this box indicating the loop was not closed.

**(9)** Tick this box if mapping flight was not selected.

**(10)** Click the **Queue for import** button once the dataset has been imported and all appropriate selections have been made.

### Processing Summary

While processing it is possible to see the progress:

<figure><img src="https://3798671238-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FEUlQdNranSJ0ddu4qSxa%2Fuploads%2FJVP68sGCkRxqOchZ5m5m%2FProcessing_summary_FARO.png?alt=media&#x26;token=ffc17f3a-f053-4b04-b6a7-493a103f5982" alt=""><figcaption><p>View progress while processing.</p></figcaption></figure>

**(1)** Click the processing summary icon to access the processing summary window. This window displays summaries for projects:

* In Progress - current project processing.
* Queued - projects queued for processing.
* Complete - Completed projects.
* Failed - Failed projects.

(2) Click the drop down arrow to see more information. Click again for further information.

{% hint style="info" %}
Click on failed projects to access the processing logs. These will be helpful when contacting Flyability support.&#x20;

Click the Save Log button to export the processing logs.

<img src="https://3798671238-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FEUlQdNranSJ0ddu4qSxa%2Fuploads%2FkBtSpBPSiUkPQ4OlUxqo%2FSave_logs_FARO.png?alt=media&#x26;token=989edbe7-98f1-4b85-9911-59b081de40e1" alt="" data-size="line">
{% endhint %}

## Visualizing processed data

When the process is completed, processed files will populate the left side bar.

<figure><img src="https://3798671238-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FEUlQdNranSJ0ddu4qSxa%2Fuploads%2FZZweRJ2bgTcuWDpS95o0%2FProcessed_project_visualization_FARO.png?alt=media&#x26;token=58aeb57e-3c53-46be-9fa7-12fed335fa70" alt=""><figcaption><p>Project files are available after processing finishes.</p></figcaption></figure>

**(1)** Double click the .laz file to visualize the processed point cloud.

**(2)** Use the visualization tool bar to adjust the point cloud for optimized viewing.

## File formats / export

Export the whole project, or export a point cloud to share.

### How to share a FARO connect project  (.fcp)

<figure><img src="https://3798671238-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FEUlQdNranSJ0ddu4qSxa%2Fuploads%2FwIQPvU7kCm8KHT5zExxY%2FShare_fcp_export_import.png?alt=media&#x26;token=cd80cfe7-ec63-466c-85a7-7d4e378fe5c6" alt=""><figcaption><p>FARO connect Projects screen</p></figcaption></figure>

Export an .fcp to share a project to be opened in FARO connect.

**(1)** Click the 3dot dropdown menu.

**(2)** Click **Export**.

Import an .fcp into FARO Connect.

**(3)** Click the dropdown menu in the New Project button.

**(4)** Select Import project from .fcp.

### How to export a point cloud

<figure><img src="https://3798671238-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FEUlQdNranSJ0ddu4qSxa%2Fuploads%2FLuVPr1RuVcGQcskZYUm0%2Fexport_point_cloud.png?alt=media&#x26;token=f1816b5a-2967-4508-a8f5-b704050f15b3" alt=""><figcaption><p>Export window</p></figcaption></figure>

**(1)** Click the Export button on the top tool bar.

**(2)** Click Select a workflow drop down menu.

Select a format: .E57 .las .laz .ply .txt

**(3)** Click export.