How to process a point cloud

With FARO connect installed, it is time to process data. This article will provide step by step guidance to processing a project for the first time.

Geoslam file

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

Inspector 5 Export tab. Export one or multiple flights.

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.

For Elios 3 firmware versions 2024.10.1 and prior. A .bag and metadata.json file will be exported.

For more information refer to the Inspector 5 User Manual:

• Inspector 5 user manual.

Start a new FARO connect project

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

It is always good to have the latest versions of FARO connect and Flyability script installed.

Create and open a new project

• Open FARO connect.

FARO connect, creating a new project.

(1) Click the New Project button.

(2) Enter project name.

(3) Click the Create Project button.

Open a project in FARO connect

To open a project:

(1) Click the 3-dot dropdown menu.

(2) Click Open.

New FARO connect project.

Import data

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

Select workflow and import dataset.

(2) Select the workflow - Flyability Process SLAM.

(3) Input the geoslam file.

For Elios 3 firmware versions 2024.10.1 and prior. Input the .bag and metadata.json file (4).

File paths should not contain special or non-english letters. Data should be accessed locally.

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)

Select processing options.

(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:

View progress while processing.

(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.

Click on failed projects to access the processing logs. These will be helpful when contacting Flyability support.

Click the Save Log button to export the processing logs.

Visualizing processed data

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

Project files are available after processing finishes.

(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)

FARO connect Projects screen

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

Export window

(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.