PolyWorks/Modeler™ V8.0
`Beginner’s Guide
`August 2003
`
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)IMAlign™
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)IMMerge™
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)IMEdit™
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)IMCompress™
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)IMView™
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)IMTexture™ (option)
`
`InnovMetric Software Inc.
`2014 Jean-Talon Nord, Suite 310
`Ste-Foy, Québec, Canada, G1N 4N6
`Tel.: (418) 688-2061 Fax: (418) 688-3001
`
`Copyright © 2003 by InnovMetric Software Inc. All rights reserved.
`Reproduction in whole or in part in any way without written
`permission from InnovMetric Software is strictly prohibited.
`
`EX1091
`Yita v. MacNeil
`IPR2020-01139
`
`

`

`This manual is furnished for informational use only, and is subject to change without notice. InnovMetric
`Software inc. assumes no responsability or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this book.
`
`ii
`
`

`

`Contents
`
`Welcome... ............................................................................... 5
`Getting the data files.................................................................. 6
`The POLYWORKS/MODELER SUITE ............................................... 8
`PolyWorks Basics ....................................................................... 9
`1 – Starting PolyWorks’ modules ......................................... 9
`2 – Interface basics ........................................................... 9
`3 – Visualization in IMAlign, IMEdit, and IMView ................... 10
`4 – Positioning scans/polygonal models using the mouse ....... 10
`Polyworks/Modeler V8 Overview (Schema) ................................... 13
`
`Step #1 - IMAlign............................................................ 15
`IMAlign basics ....................................................................... 16
`1 - The Block Project - Getting ready........................................... 18
`2 - Aligning the scans manually .................................................. 20
`2.1 Load the scans ........................................................... 20
`2.2 Hide bad/irrelevant data points from IMAlign processes.... 21
`2.3 Lock one image and ignore the rest ............................... 22
`2.4 Manually align 3D images one at a time ......................... 22
`3 - Optimize the global image alignment ...................................... 26
`4 - Analyze the alignment results................................................ 27
`5 - Remove redundant points (optional)....................................... 28
`6 - Save the IMAlign group ........................................................ 28
`7 - Exit IMAlign ........................................................................ 28
`Comments ............................................................................... 29
`
` Step #2 - IMMerge ......................................................... 31
`IMMerge basics ........................................................................ 31
`1 - The Block Project ................................................................. 35
`1.1 Calculating parameter values........................................ 35
`
`

`

`/ iv
`
`1.2 Creating the polygonal mesh from an IMAlign group ........ 35
`Comments ............................................................................... 37
`
`Step #3 - IMEdit ............................................................. 39
`IMEdit basics............................................................................ 39
`Triangle & vertex selection ......................................................... 41
`1 - The Block Project - Getting started ......................................... 45
`2 - Fill holes............................................................................. 47
`2.1 Clean the holes........................................................... 48
`2.2 Fill holes automatically................................................. 48
`2.3 Fill complex holes using a composite Bézier surface ......... 49
`3 - Optimize the mesh............................................................... 52
`3.1 The Optimize Mesh window .......................................... 52
`3.2 Optimizing the mesh ................................................... 53
`4 - Extract edge and tangent curves............................................ 57
`5 - Reconstruct a corner ............................................................ 59
`6 - Reduce the edited mesh ....................................................... 61
`6.1 The IMCompress window.............................................. 61
`6.2 Reducing a selected group of triangles ........................... 61
`7 - Generate Cross-Sections....................................................... 63
`8 - Subdivide the mesh ............................................................. 65
`9 - Export the edited polygonal model ......................................... 66
`10 - Save the IMEdit editing project ............................................ 66
`11 - Get ready to start a new project........................................... 66
`12 - Create fitted NURBS surfaces............................................... 67
`12.1 Create the boundary curves........................................ 68
`12.2 Create curves from pairs of user-picked points .............. 70
`12.3 Create additional curves by picking on the model........... 71
`12.4 Create the curve network from a set of curves .............. 72
`12.5 Create NURBS surfaces fitted on a curve network .......... 73
`12.6 Evaluate the resulting NURBS surfaces ......................... 74
`13 - Export the fitted NURBS surfaces ......................................... 74
`14 - Save the IMEdit editing project ............................................ 74
`15 - Exit IMEdit ........................................................................ 74
`Comments ............................................................................... 75
`Glossary .................................................................................. 75
`
`

`

`PolyWorks Modeler Suite Version 8.0 Overview / 5
`
`Welcome...
`
`To this PolyWorks/Modeler V8.0 Beginner’s Guide. It will pro-
`vide you with a hands-on experience that:
`
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51) Is goal oriented - we give you the scans and polygonal models and you do the work.
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51) Uses a step-by-step approach.
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51) Has fast forward possibilities - intermediate files are supplied at all major points.
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51) Adds expert comments to round up your learning experience.
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51) Provides video segments that show you the execution of the steps that you will do man-
`ually. These video segments are available through the PDF version of this Beginner’s
`Guide, which can be accessed under the Help item on the main menu of the IMAlign and
`the IMEdit modules.
`
`Before you start...
`
`You will benefit from:
`
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51) Our product presentation - page 8.
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51) An introduction to working with PolyWorks - page 9.
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51) A visual PolyWorks/Modeler process overview - page 13.
`
`At a glance...
`
`The exercises included in this Beginner’s Guide present the fol-
`lowing tools:
`
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51) IMAlign overview - pages 15 - 30.
`
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51) IMMerge overview - pages 31-38.
`
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51) IMEdit overview - pages 39-76.
`
`

`

`Getting the data files...
`
`PolyWorks Modeler Suite Version 8.0 Overview / 6
`
`The goal of this Beginner's Guide is to learn through practical exercises, using prepared data files
`(scans, polygonal models, etc.). The data files can be found in two distinct places. The procedures
`that follow explain how to copy these files to your computer’s local disk. On the next page, you
`will find a brief description of the files provided.
`
`1 - On the PolyWorks Installation CD-ROM (35 MB)
`
`(cid:122) Insert the PolyWorks V8 installation CD-ROM on your CD drive.
`(cid:122) Cancel the installation launched automatically.
`(cid:122) Open Windows Explorer or My Computer.
`(cid:122) Click on the CD drive.
`(cid:122) Click on the Beginner's Guides directory, and then on Beginner's Guides Data.
`(cid:122) Copy the Beginner's Guides Data directory on your computer’s local disk.
`(cid:122) Click on the copied directory.
`(cid:122) Choose in the main menu File > Properties.
`(cid:122) Uncheck the Read-only attributes and click OK.
`(cid:122) In the popup menu, check Apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files, and click
`OK.
`
`2 - On our Web Technical Support Zone (13.5 MB)
`
`(cid:122) Open Windows Explorer or My Computer.
`(cid:122) Start Internet Explorer.
`(cid:122) Browse for http://www.innovmetric.com
`(cid:122) Click on Technical Support Zone.
`(cid:122) You are asked to enter your login and password. If you don't have your own login, you
`can use the public one.
`Login: polyworks
`Password: accurate
`(cid:122) On the Data Exchange section under Public Demo Data, click the Beginner's Guide
`Data.zip download button.
`(cid:122) Save the select Beginner's Guide Data.zip to your computer’s local disk.
`(cid:122) Unzip the Beginner's Guide Data.zip file.
`(cid:122) Click on the unzipped directory Beginner's Guides Data.
`(cid:122) Then, choose in the main menu File > Properties.
`(cid:122) Uncheck the Read-only attributes and click OK.
`(cid:122) In the popup menu, click OK.
`
`See the next page for the Beginner's Guides Data directory structure and the names of the data
`files. In the exercises that will follow, only the file names will be provided.
`
`

`

`PolyWorks Modeler Suite Version 8.0 Overview / 7
`The Beginner's Guides Data directory structure and the data files:
`
`Beginner's Guides Data
`IMAlign_Input_Data
`block01.pf
`block02.pf
`block03.pf
`block04.pf
`block05.pf
`block06.pf
`block07.pf
`block08.pf
`block09.pf
`block10.pf
`block11.pf
`block12.pf
`block13.pf
`block14.pf
`
`Raw scan files to be
`aligned in IMAlign
`
`IMEdit_Models
`block.pqk
`Model_for_NURBS.pqk
`
`Polygonal models to
`be edited in IMEdit
`
`IMInspect_Data_Files
`block-data.pqk
`VentureBlock.iges
`
`Files for building a typical
`inspection project in IMInspect
`
`

`

`PolyWorks Modeler Suite Version 8.0 Overview / 8
`
`The POLYWORKS/MODELER SUITE
`InnovMetric, the leader in polygonal modeling since 1994, is proud to
`present its Modeler suite V8.0 based on user-specified controls to meet
`your needs.
`
`Scan #1
`
`...
`
`Scan #14
`IMAlign
`
`14 aligned scans
`
`Polygonal mesh
`
`IMMerge
`
`Edited model
`140,700 triangles
`
`IMEdit
`
`Reduced model
`15,000 triangles
`
`IMCompress
`
`Use IMAlign to bring into one coordinate sys-
`tem hundreds of scans, totalling tens of mil-
`lions of points. All scan data is accepted. No
`targets required either - IMAlign’s technology
`uses the object’s own features to accurately
`and precisely align (register) the scans.
`
`Then, use IMMerge to create from the aligned
`scans one global mesh that is adapted to the
`object curvature. You can control triangle size,
`smooth the input data to remove digitizer
`noise, increasing the accuracy of your scanner
`data, and significantly reduce the model size
`while rigorously respecting model resolution!
`
`Give added value to your polygonal model
`with IMEdit. Fill holes, reconstruct edges,
`smooth surfaces, extrude boundaries, create
`male/female pieces with automatic dowels,
`and fit high-quality NURBS surfaces – get
`ready to manufacture, simulate, or visualize!
`
`Now it’s time to reduce the model to make it
`fit your software and production needs.
`IMCompress can produce multiple decimated
`polygonal models quickly, while conserving
`the object’s features.
`
`Which decimated model is the best? Compare
`them in IMView, InnovMetric’s free viewer,
`and decide. What you see IS what you get!
`
`You need to decimate a color polygonal model
`and it is important to conserve a high quality
`appearance. Use the optional IMTexture
`model that teams up with IMCompress to pro-
`duce a variety of high resolution texture maps
`and a final, colorless polygonal model.
`
`

`

`PolyWorks Modeler Suite Version 8.0 Overview / 9
`
`PolyWorks Basics
`
`1 – Starting PolyWorks’ modules
`
`1. Start the PolyWorks Module Access Center
`(MAC).
`
`2. Start your module by clicking its tab
`in the MAC, setting parameters if
`required, and then clicking Start.
`
`(MAC)
`
`Shortcuts for the main
`PolyWorks modules.
`
`2 – Interface basics
`
`The IMAlign, IMEdit, and IMView interfaces work much the same way - saving you time. Here
`are some common features important for new users. Each interface is detailed in the appropriate
`learning section.
`
`1
`
`2
`
`1 Config > Interactive Mode Wizard
`Set the Wizard for a complete
`description of most operations.
`2 Undo > Undo (Description of action)
`Undo the described action. A Redo
`function is also offered.
`3 Help > Module Reference Guide
`A complete PDF reference guide
`with dynamic links (Acrobat 4.0 or
`later).
`
`3
`
`The PDF version of
`this manual with links
`to video segments.
`
`

`

`PolyWorks Modeler Suite Version 8.0 Overview / 10
`3 – Visualization in IMAlign, IMEdit, and IMView
`
`These modules offer various display modes for visualizing objects:
`
`Flat
`Displays the 3D surface as a
`flat-shaded surface made of
`triangles.
`
`Flat+Wireframe
`Displays the 3D surface as a
`combination of flat-shading
`and wireframe. Offered in
`IMEdit and IMView.
`
`Point
`Displays the 3D surface as a
`3D point cloud.
`
`Smooth
`Displays the 3D surface as
`a smooth-shaded surface.
`
`Wireframe
`Displays the 3D surface as
`a mesh-like wireframe
`display.
`
`Bounding Box
`Only the bounding box
`frame of the 3D surface is
`visible.
`
`4 – Positioning scans/polygonal models using the mouse
`
`Use the mouse to position scans in IMAlign, or polygonal models in IMEdit and IMView, in the
`3D scene along the x, y, or z viewing axes. Each of the modes uses its own cursor for user feedback.
`
`A general mouse map can be found on page 6.
`
`ROTATE X&Y
`
`Left-click and drag.
`
`Rotates around the x
`and y viewing axes.
`
`Rotational axis
`
`Mouse
`movement
`
`

`

`PolyWorks Modeler Suite Version 8.0 Overview / 11
`
`SHIFT +
`ROTATE X OR Y
`
`Press and hold the
`SHIFT key, and then
`left-click and drag.
`
`Rotates around only
`the horizontal or the
`vertical viewing axis,
`depending on the ini-
`tial 10-pixel direc-
`tion of the mouse
`movement.
`
`TRANSLATE
`
`Middle-click and
`drag.
`
`Translates along the
`x and y axes.
`
`ZOOM
`
`Right-click and drag.
`
`Translates along the z
`axis. Forward move-
`ment increases object
`size, while backward
`movement decreases
`object size.
`
`ROTATE Z
`
`Press and hold the
`SHIFT key, and then
`right-click and drag.
`
`Rotates about the z
`axis.
`
`Rotational axis
`
`Mouse
`movement
`
`SHIFT +
`
`Mouse movement
`
`

`

`SHIFT +
`
`ROTATE Z
`(90° increments)
`
`Press and hold the
`SHIFT key, and then
`right-click once
`quickly for a 90°
`rotation.
`
`Rotates counter
`clockwise about the
`z axis by 90°.
`
`SHIFT +
`ZOOM WINDOW
`
`Press and hold the
`SHIFT key, and then
`middle-click and drag
`to open a window.
`
`Zooms selected fea-
`tures.
`
`MOUSE MAP
`
`For positioning
`objects in the 3D
`scene.
`
`Note that if your
`mouse has a wheel as
`the middle mouse but-
`ton, rolling it will per-
`form the zoom
`function.
`
`Tech
`Tip
`
`
`
`PolyWorks Modeler Suite Version 8.0 Overview / 12
`
`Left Middle Right
`
`NONE
`
`Rotation
`
`
`
`Translation
`
`Zoom
`
`SHIFT
`
`Horizontal
`or Vertical
`Rotation
`
`Zoom
`Window
`
`Screen
`Plane
`Rotation
`
`Hold down the CTRL key during consecutive rotations/
`translations to avoid screen redrawing after each action.
`
`

`

`(STL)
`Quick Format)
`
`.wrl
`.stlb(Binary STL)
`.stla(ASCII STL)
`.stl
`
`(VRML)
`
`(InnovMetric)
`
`.pqk(PolyWorks
`.pol
`.ply(PLY)
`.obj
`(Wavefront)
`.iv
`(Inventor)
`.igs
`(IGES)
`.dxf
`(AutoDesk)
`Output formats:
`
`Polygonal
`
`model
`
`Reduction tolerance
`
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)
`
`Smoothing tolerance
`
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)
`
`Smoothing radius
`
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)
`
`(sets mesh spacing)
`Surface sampling step
`
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)
`
`scans )
`(detects overlapping
`Max. distance
`
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)
`
`Set parameters:
`
`an IMAlign group.
`polygonal mesh from
`smoothed, and reduced
`Creates a high quality,
`
`IMMerge
`
`2
`
` group)
`(IMAlign
`3D scans
`Aligned
`
`IMAlign
`
`1
`
`3D scans
`
`Polyworks/Modeler V8 Overview
`
`models.
`tiple polygonal
`for viewing mul-
`tributes IMView
`InnovMetric dis-
`
`models.
`View polygonal
`IMView
`
`the Polygonal Model Remesher.
`
`C.Polygonal files can be automatically remeshed via
`
`using the Point Cloud Organizer.
`
`B.Unorganized scans can be manually organized
`
`Organizer saving hours of work.
`can be automatically organized in the Point Cloud
`
`A.Semi-organized scans (with a digitizing vector)
`
`Other IMAlign processes:
`
`as an IMAlign group.
`
`6. Save the aligned images
`5. Reduce scan overlap.
`4. Verify the alignment.
`
`alignment.
`
`3. Optimize the global
`
`* align to the other scans
`* read the next scan
`
`2. Do until the last scan:
`1. Read the first scan.
`Typical process:
`
`using the object’s shape.
`one coordinate system
`up to 100 million points in
`Accurately aligns scans of
`
`Polygonal files
`
`IGES Point Cloud
`ASCII Point Cloud
`Unorganized
`SWL Perceptron
`SAB 3D Scanner
`PJMX 3D Digital
`CWK Kreon
`AC T-Scan
`Semi-organized
`ZFC Z+F
`XYZ EOIS + Opton
`Vivid Minolta
`SURF Atos
`RIS 3D Scanners
`PTX Leica/Cyrax
`PIF
`MGF Voxelan
`HVI HoloVision
`GTI Genex
`GRK Kreon
`Echo Cyberware
`CNRC
`CDM Minolta
`Callidus
`BRE Breuckmann
`AC Steinbichler
`3DD Riegl
`Organized
`
`ShapeGrabber
`Optonet
`Micromeasure
`Inspeck
`Imetric
`Hymarc
`Photonics
`Dimensional
`Cogni Tens
`
`

`

`and texture
`polygonal file
`Decimated
`
`maps
`
`dimensions
`Texture map
`Set parameters:
`colors.
`from the original
`Creates texture maps
`IMTexture
`
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)
`
`Option
`
`internal files
`IMCompress
`
`(and error maps)
`
`models
`polygonal
`Decimated
`
`Virtual reality
`preservation
`Cultural heritage
`Architecture
`
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)
`
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)
`
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)
`
`(cid:122)Visualization
`
`(cid:122)Reverse Engineering (CAD)
`(cid:122)Rapid Prototyping (RP)
`(cid:122)Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
`
`Enlarged sculptures
`Clay models
`Dies
`
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)
`
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)
`
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)
`
`(cid:122)Milling (CAM)
`(cid:122)Aerodynamic Simulation (CFD)
`
`CLIENT APPLICATIONS
`
` IMTexture
` Error map
` Huge
`Options:
`
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)
`
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)
`
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)
`
`Max edge length
` Relative tolerance
`Absolute tolerance
` # of triangles
`Reduction levels:
`Set parameters:
`models in one pass.
`decimated polygonal
`Generates multiple
`IMCompress
`
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)
`
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)
`
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)
`
`(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:51)
`
`continuous
`
`G1-
`
`Option
`(IGES)
`surfaces
`NURBS
`
`polygonal
`Enhanced
`
`model
`
`4
`
`(cid:51)Trim, etc.
`(cid:51)Subdivide triangles
`(cid:51)Smooth the mesh
`(cid:51)Slice (cap and dowels)
`(cid:51)Reduce the mesh
`
`and corners
`
`(cid:51)Reconstruct edges, fillets,
`(cid:51)Optimize the mesh
`
`using Bézier surfaces
`
`(cid:51)Manually fill complex holes
`(cid:51)Extrude boundaries
`
`polygons
`holes using sets of curved
`(cid:51)Automatically fill complex
`(cid:51)Analyze watertightness
`Tools:
`
`advanced tools.
`using a complete toolbox of
`Edits polygonal models
`
`IMEdit
`
`3
`
`(STL)
`Quick Format)
`
`.wrl
`.stlb(Binary STL)
`.stla(ASCII STL)
`.stl
`
`(VRML)
`
`(InnovMetric)
`
`(Wavefront)
`(AutoDesk)
`
`.pqk(PolyWorks
`.pol
`.ply(PLY)
`.obj
`.dxf
`Input formats:
`
`Polygonal
`
` model
`
`Polyworks/Modeler V8 Overview
`
`

`

`Step #1 - IMAlign
`IMAlign
`
`Scans of object
`
`Accurately aligns all
`scans in the same coordi-
`nate system using the
`object’s natural shapes.
`
`IMAlign group
`
`IMAlign is the first module in the PolyWorks/Modeler process. It is an invaluable tool for
`situating all of your scans in the same coordinate system, based on the object’s shapes. Can
`it satisfy your needs? IMAlign can work with hundreds of scans from any digitizer, totalling
`up to one hundred million data points. Its special algorithms are optimized for both speed
`and accuracy. And note that all data points are considered - there is no blind subsampling.
`
`For IMAlign to work correctly, scans must meet two criteria. First, each scan must share
`some redundant information with adjacent scans. And secondly, each scan should contain
`at least one change of shape (e.g. corner, hole, angle) of the object, since IMAlign does a
`shape-based alignment (changes in shape help lock the scans). For example, two scans of
`a flat surface, even with proper overlap, may not align properly due to the lack of change
`of shape.
`
`The typical process for aligning organized scans (containing normal and connectivity in-
`formation) is described below. If you are using unorganized scans, or a polygonal mesh,
`IMAlign offers simple pre-processing steps described on the next page.
`
`Typical IMAlign processes
`Aligning organized scans:
`1 Choose your digitizer from the proposed list. IMAlign will automatically assign values
`to certain parameters.
`2 Import the scans. IMAlign will transform each scan into one or more 3D images. Manu-
`ally align the images one by one using the 1 Point Pair and/or the N Point Pairs method.
`3 Optimize the manual alignment. Apply a best-fit alignment to all of the images to produce
`a very accurate global alignment. Follow the alignment progress for each image via sta-
`tistics and histograms.
`4 Analyze the results. Generate a color map showing the distance between overlapping im-
`age points. With this powerful tool, you can identify bad overlapping data points, delete
`them (virtually), and redo the alignment optimization for better results.
`5 Remove redundant points from the images to accelerate the downstream IMMerge pro-
`cess (optional).
`6 Save the alignment for each image to an IMAlign group directory. What is the specific
`purpose of an IMAlign group? See Comments, on page 29.
`
`PolyWorks/Modeler Suite Version 8.0 Overview / 15
`
`

`

`PolyWorks/Modeler Suite Version 8.0 Overview / 16
`
`Pre-processing unorganized scans:
`1 If the unorganized scan (point cloud) contains a digitizing vector, the Point Cloud Or-
`ganizer will pop up, and its automatic organization capabilities will be available. This is
`a ground-breaking tool that can align a large number of scans automatically, saving pre-
`cious hours of work that had to be done manually.
`2 If the unorganized scan (point cloud) does not contain a digitizing vector, the Point Cloud
`Organizer will pop up, and you can manually create data point cloud subsets that will be
`treated as individual scans.
`Tutorial: A Point Cloud Organizer tutorial is available on our Technical Support Zone.
`
`Pre-processing a polygonal mesh:
`1 On importing a polygonal mesh, the Polygonal Model Remesher will pop up. You are
`prompted for two parameters, and IMAlign will remesh the model using its algorithms.
`
`Why import a polygonal model in IMAlign? A poorly-defined polygonal model could
`benefit from IMAlign’s remesher capabilities. Or, scans may have been aligned, meshed,
`and edited, to which a new scan must be added. To conserve the editing, the polygonal mod-
`el is input in IMAlign, automatically converted to images, and aligned with the new image.
`The aligned image is then saved as an IMAlign group, meshed in IMMerge, and then added
`to the original mesh in IMEdit.
`
`IMAlign basics
`
`Menu bar
`Main toolbar
`
`1–Global mode
`
`This is the default
`
`IMAlign mode (the
`Global button is set in
`the main toolbar).
`
`The Global mode shows
`Tree View information,
`and images in the 3D
`rendering window.
`
`To manually align an im-
`age to other aligned im-
`ages, select the image in
`the Tree View and unset
`the Global button to go
`to Local mode.
`
`Tree View
`
`Status bar
`
`3D scene
`Customizable tool bar
`
`

`

`2-Local mode
`IMAlign’s mode for manual
`image alignment. First, use
`the mouse to orient the im-
`age(s) in the right window so
`that they are similar in orienta-
`tion to the aligned images in
`the left window. Then choose
`one of the two manual align-
`ment methods: 1 Point Pair
` or N Point Pairs
`.
`
`3–Tree View
`
`Images in the Tree View have a
`Name, Index, and Icon. The
`icon shows the attributes of its
`image. A locked image is con-
`sidered during an alignment
`but it’s alignment cannot
`change, while an ignored im-
`age is simply set aside as if it
`was not there.
`
`4–Shortcut Menus
`
`Select one or more images in
`the Tree View and right-click.
`A convenient shortcut menu re-
`groups image-management
`functions. To the right two sub-
`menus are open, View and Edit.
`
`5–Scans vs Images
`
`cans are read into IMAlign,
`rocessed for necessary infor-
`ation, and used to create 3D
`mages. Then, IMAlign 3D
`mages can be aligned to other
`MAlign 3D images.
`
`PolyWorks/Modeler Suite Version 8.0 Overview / 17
`
`Rotations and translations
`are applied independently
`
`(cid:51) Non-selected images
`(cid:51) Alignment remains fixed
`
`(cid:51) Images selected in the
`Tree View
`
`Visual feedbacks:
`standard
`hidden
`locked
`ignored
`inverted
`alignment status
`
`Creating an image - The first step consists in obtaining digitizing
`vector, point normal, and connectivity information for each scan,
`either on reading the scan or after processing it using the Point
`Cloud Organizer. The second step is to interpolate a uniform grid,
`based on a scan’s information, and to save it as a 3D image. This
`image format is the key to IMAlign’s successful shape-based align-
`ment. The term 3D image is used throughout the module and docu-
`mentation.
`
`

`

`PolyWorks/Modeler Suite Version 8.0 Overview / 18
`
`1 - The Block Project - Getting ready
`
`The scanning of the block, shown below, resulted in fourteen (14) scans, each in its own
`coordinate system. They are provided for you. The objective in IMAlign is to accurately
`align the scans (organized point clouds) in one global coordinate system. Choosing a digi-
`tizer in IMAlign will immediately set recommended settings for certain parameters, includ-
`ing the preferred file format for reading incoming files. Next, you will import the scans.
`Then, you will manually align all the scans in Local Mode, optimize the global alignment,
`look at the alignment results, and save the results to an IMAlign group directory.
`
`The block was principally scanned from the top
`and the bottom (with some side information in
`most scans). There is a lot of redundant informa-
`tion in the top scans, and minimal redundant in-
`formation in the bottom scans with regards to the
`top scans (some side information). The final
`product is 14 aligned scans representing the
`block, seen here from the top.
`
`Start IMAlign
`(cid:127) Start the MAC and then start IMAlign (see page 9).
`
`Configure the file/directory brows-
`ers
`1 Choose Config > Browser. The window to the
`right pops up.
`2 Click Browse and specify the directory where
`the scans are stored - IMAlign_Input_Data.
`See page 7 for information on the data files.
`3 Click OK.
`
`Configure the position of new
`3D images
`1 Choose Config > Modify. The window to
`the right pops up.
`2 Set Alignment of new images to Do not
`Center.
`*If your scans already have a relative align-
`ment, never set the Alignment of new im-
`ages to Center (see Comments, page 30).
`3 Set Max edge length to 2.5.
`*For most digitizers, the default value, Au-
`tomatic, is recommended.
`4 Click Apply.
`
`

`

`PolyWorks/Modeler Suite Version 8.0 Overview / 19
`
`Set a default digitizer.
`1 Choose Config > Digitizers. The window to the
`right pops up.
`2 Choose a digitizer in mm, and verify that it has as
`recommended settings those shown to the right
`(the parameters are explained when used).
`3 Click OK.
`* When you choose a digitizer for your scan files,
`IMAlign automatically provides precise values
`for the four parameters to the right, which are
`used in IMAlign’s main interfaces.
`
`Turn the Wizard on
`1 Choose Config.
`2 Set the Interactive Mode Wizard item.
`
`Set the Static display mode
`The Static display mode is the default display mode.
`Choose the Flat display type to facilitate picking on
`the scans. Set the subsampling to 1/1 to visualize all
`the data points.
`
`1 Choose View > Image Static > Flat.
`2 Choose View > Image Static > 1/1.
`
`Set the Dynamic display mode
`The Dynamic display mode is used to display
`scans when you move them in the 3D scene.
`Choose the Point display type and set the subsam-
`pling to 1/4 to guarantee fast and fluid movement
`in the 3D scene.
`
`1 Choose View > Image Dynamic > Point.
`2 Choose View > Image Dynamic > 1/4.
`
`Subsampling rate
`
`Tech
`Talk
`
`When you begin to work with your own files, you may want to create one set of con-
`figuration values and use it for all your aligning. Choose Config > Save, and click Yes
`in the popup message window. The saved configuration becomes the new default con-
`figuration.
`
`

`

`PolyWorks/Modeler Suite Version 8.0 Overview / 20
`
`Set Color per Image
`As you align the scans one by one, it may be easier to
`see the position of each scan with respect to the other
`scans if each one has a distinct color.
`
`(cid:127) Set View > Color > Image.
`
`2 - Aligning the scans manually
`2.1 Load the scans
`1. Choose File > Import Group > PIF Directory. A directory browser pops up.
`2 The directory should be IMAlign_Input_Data. Click OK.
`* File > Import Image > 3D Image File can be used to import PIF images one at a time.
`
`After the importing operation, the 3D scene shows unaligned 3D images. IMAlign is in
`Global mode with the Tree View to the left, and the 3D scene to the right. Each scan has
`been converted to an IMAlign image, with its own icon and image index.
`
`Tech
`Talk
`
`On importing each PIF scan, IMAlign calculates an Interpolation step (average
`point-to-point spacing), and interpolates the original scan points onto a regular grid us-
`ing the Interpolation step, the Max angle associated with the selected digitizer, and
`a Max edge length derived from the first two parameters. This information can be
`found and edited in the properties window for each image (simply select the image in
`the Tree View, right-click, and select Properties in the shortcut menu).
`
`

`

`Tech
`Talk
`
`PolyWorks/Modeler Suite Version 8.0 Overview / 21
`
`2.2 Hide bad/irrelevant data points from IMAlign processes
`
`IMAlign provides freeform and polygonal volumetric point selection operations. You
`can select and delete bad or irrelevant data points. It is important to understand that
`such deleted points are not actually deleted, but rather masked in the 3D image format
`from rendering, and from alignment or merging operations. Deleted (masked) points
`can be undeleted (unmasked) at any time.
`
`x
`
`x
`
`y
`
`y
`
`View a scan with bad data points
`1 Click on block14.pf in the Tree View.
`2 Right-click.
`3 In the popup menu, choose View > Keep Images.
`4 Zoom on the center of the large hole in the block.
`
`Select (freeform) the bad data points in x
`
` to enter Selection mode. The
`
`1 Press the SPACEBAR or
`cursor becomes a cross.
`2 Press and hold down the SHIFT key.
`3 Press and hold down the middle mouse button.
`4 Drag the mouse around the points to select.
`5 Release the middle button. Selected points are in red.
`
`Delete the selected points
`(cid:127) Choose Edit > Delete.
`
`Select (polygonal) the bad data points in y
`1 Press and hold down the SHIFT and the CTRL keys.
`2 Middle-click to create vertices of the selection polygon.
`3 Right-click to close the polygon. Selected points are in red.
`
`Delete the selected points
`(cid:127) Choose Edit > Delete.
`
`View all images
`1 Choose Select > Image Tree > All.
`2 Right-click over the Tree View.
`3 In the popup menu, choose View > Restore Images.
`
`Note: To recover all of the deleted points of selected images
`(cid:127) Select desired images in the Tree View and choose Edit > Recover Deleted Data.
`
`

`

`PolyWorks/Modeler Suite Version 8.0 Overview / 22
`
`2.3 Lock one image and ignore the rest
`Select all the images in the Tree View
`(cid:127) Choose Select > Image Tree > All.
`
`Ignore all the images
`(cid:127) Choose Edit > Image Tree > Ignore.
`
`Unignore and lock the first image
`1 Click on the first image in the Tree View.
`2 Choose Edit > Image Tree > Use.
`3 Choose Edit > Image Tree > Lock.
`
`2.4 Manually align 3D images one at a time
`Select the next ignored scan in the Tree View
`1 Click on the next ignored scan in the Tree View.
`2 Optional: Choose View > Pose > Center. This centers the image in the 3D scene.
`
`Unignore the scan
`(cid:127) Choose Edit > Image Tree > Use.
`
`Go to Local mode
`
`(cid:127) Click
`
` on the main toolbar to unset the Global mode, and go to Local mode.
`
`Achieve similar orientations in both windows
`Use the mouse to rotate/translate images in both windows to achieve similar orientations.
`See page 10 for instructions on using the mouse to position images. Remember to press and
`