Trimble FX Controller User Guide PDF

Trimble FX Controller
User’s Manual
Trimble Navigation Limited
Document Release 2.0

July 24, 2008 Draft
© 2006 by Basis Software. All rights reserved.
SurphExpress and SurphExpress Light are trademarks of, and Surphaser is a registered
trademark of, Basis Software, Inc.
Windows, Windows NT, and DirectX are registered trademarks, and .NET is a trademark, of
Microsoft Corporation.
AutoCAD is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc.
Trimble FX Controller and Trimble FX Controller Light are trademarks of Trimble Software,
Inc.
Trimble Navigation Limited

35 Congress St. Suite 251
Salem Ma, 01970
U.S.A.
Trimble FX Controller User’s Manual
Contents
Contents
Conventions Used in This Manual ............................................................................................ 9
Features ................................................................................................................................. 13
Typical Workflows................................................................................................................... 15
Accuracy Considerations ........................................................................................................ 19
Angular vs. Linear Scan Resolution................................................................................... 19
Scanner Operating Temperature ....................................................................................... 19
Transparency..................................................................................................................... 19
Reflective Surfaces and Incidence Angles......................................................................... 20
Scanner Dynamic Range and the Gain Factor .................................................................. 20
Maintaining Scanner Calibration Data .................................................................................... 22
Distance Ambiguity Resolution ............................................................................................... 23
Spherical Scanning Operation ................................................................................................ 24
Determining the Scan Volume (Field of View) ................................................................... 24
Spherical Scan Resolution................................................................................................. 24
System Requirements ............................................................................................................ 27
Installing .NET and DirectX .................................................................................................... 28
Installing the FX Controller Application................................................................................... 29
Installing the Trimble FX Controller IEEE 1394 Drivers ..................................................... 35
Installing the IEEE 1394 Drivers in Windows XP .......................................................... 35
Installing the IEEE 1394 Drivers in Windows 2000 ....................................................... 38
Starting the FX Controller Application ................................................................................ 43
Loading an Scanner’s Scan Parameters ................................................................................ 47
Viewing the Scanner Parameters with no Scanner Connected .............................................. 48
Performing a Spherical Scan .................................................................................................. 49
Specifying Spherical Scan Parameters.............................................................................. 49
Selecting the Automatic Processing Option .................................................................. 50
Finding the Zero Index .................................................................................................. 50
Specifying the Scanner’s Reference (0 ) Pan Angle.................................................... 50
Defining the Scan FOV ................................................................................................. 51
Specifying the Scan Resolution .................................................................................... 51
Specifying a Scan Data File Name ............................................................................... 53
Enabling Logging of Scan Processing Details............................................................... 54
Selecting the Scan Configuration and Gain Factor ............................................................ 55
Performing a Scan ............................................................................................................. 55
Interrupting a Scan ............................................................................................................ 56
Resuming an Interrupted Scan .......................................................................................... 57
Setting Processing Parameters .............................................................................................. 61
Defining the Processing Region (Filtering)......................................................................... 61
Setting the Horizontal Angles Filter............................................................................... 61
Setting the Vertical Angles Filter ................................................................................... 62
Viewing Point Information ............................................................................................. 63
Setting the Processing Mode Parameters.......................................................................... 63
2D Processing Parameters ........................................................................................... 65
Setting 2D Pixel Resolution........................................................................................... 66
3D Processing Parameters ................................................................................................ 69
3D Image Data Export ....................................................................................................... 70
5
Contents
Keeping the Project ........................................................................................................... 71

Choosing the Viewed 3D Data Format - Point Cloud (or Mesh)......................................... 71
Distance Resolution ........................................................................................................... 72
Exporting and Importing Scanning and Processing Preferences ....................................... 74
Generating 2D and 3D Image Data ........................................................................................ 76
Starting the Processing Operation ..................................................................................... 76
Starting Processing Using the ProcessC3D Command Line Function............................... 77
Express View ..................................................................................................................... 77
The Mask Edit Window ................................................................................................. 78
Express View Toolbar Functions................................................................................... 79
Editing Mask Drawing Tools.......................................................................................... 80
Setting Background....................................................................................................... 81
Editing Marks ................................................................................................................ 82
Markers ......................................................................................................................... 83
Regenerating 2D and 3D Image Data................................................................................ 84
Viewing in 2D Intensity Mode ................................................................................................. 87
Scrolling the Image Using the View Panel Scroll Bars ....................................................... 87
Navigating and Zooming the Image Using the Toolbar...................................................... 87
Navigating and Zooming the Image from the ..................................................................... 89
Navigate/Zoom Dialog Window.......................................................................................... 89
Viewing in 3D Points Mode..................................................................................................... 91
Setting the Background and Foreground Color.................................................................. 91
Setting the Light Parameters (Mesh Only) ......................................................................... 92
Selecting Perspective (or Orthogonal) Projection .............................................................. 93
Setting the Znear and Zfar Parameters ............................................................................. 94
Selecting Examine or Walkthrough View Mode ................................................................. 95
Setting Image Brightness and Contrast for the 3D Image Data Image .............................. 96
Setting Point Intensity for the 3D Image Data Image ......................................................... 97
3D Viewing Coordinate Systems ....................................................................................... 97
Navigating the 3D Points Image Using Toolbar Controls................................................... 98
Setting Navigation Parameters ..................................................................................... 98
Working with Standard Views ....................................................................................... 99
Shifting Your View Position ......................................................................................... 100
Rotating Your View Position Around X, Y, and Z Axes ............................................... 100
Rotating Using the Point-‘n’-Rotate Function .............................................................. 100
Setting Center-of-Rotation Point ...................................................................................... 101
Zooming on the Image in Examine Mode.................................................................... 102
Navigating the 3D Points Image Using the Keyboard and Mouse ................................... 102
Mesh View Modes ........................................................................................................... 104
Setting Background Layer and Mask Filter Parameters ....................................................... 107
Setting the Background Intensity Layer Parameters........................................................ 108
Setting the Background Intensity Min/Max Values Using the Histogram ......................... 110
Setting the Background Distance Layer Parameters ....................................................... 111
Background Parameters .................................................................................................. 113
Setting the Export Masks Parameters ............................................................................. 114
Setting the Visibility Rank for Filter Layers....................................................................... 116
Making a Filter Layer Invisible ......................................................................................... 117
Hiding or Showing All Filters ............................................................................................ 117
Applying Filter Changes to View Images ......................................................................... 117
Exporting and Importing Filter Sets.................................................................................. 118
6
Contents
Exporting the 2D Image Data As a Raster File ..................................................................... 120

Exporting the 3D Image Data to a File.................................................................................. 122
Saving Settings and Image Data As a Project ...................................................................... 124
Default Scanning and Processing Settings ...................................................................... 124
Working with Projects ...................................................................................................... 124
Loading an Existing Project ............................................................................................. 125
Opening a New (or Existing) Scan........................................................................................ 126
Opening a New Scan....................................................................................................... 126
Loading an Existing Scan ................................................................................................ 126
Supported 3D Export File Formats ....................................................................................... 133
ProcessC3D Reference Information ..................................................................................... 134
Command Line Arguments .............................................................................................. 134
Online Help Text .............................................................................................................. 136
Diagnostic Messages....................................................................................................... 138
XML Filter File Format and Parameters................................................................................ 140
XML Filter File Format ..................................................................................................... 140
XML Filter File Parameters .............................................................................................. 141
7
Conventions Used in this Manual
Conventions Used in This Manual

The following conventions are used for Windows user interface elements in
this manual.
Window, panel, dialog window, and tab titles: Scanning window.

Options and fields: Full Volume Scan option.
Menu options: Select the Tools > Regular Scan menu option.
Buttons: Click the Scan button in the toolbar.
9
CHAPTER
1
Introduction
In this chapter
Features
Typical Workflows
Introduction
Features
Trimble FX Controller is a powerful 3D modeling application suite designed to
provide:
Scan control and data collection for laser scanners with spherical
scan patterns.
Conversion of the scan data to industry-standard 3D formats for
viewing and/or further processing.
Scan image analysis and filtering.
Built-in 3D scan image viewing and navigation.
Trimble FX Controller includes the following features:
C3D scan data proprietary format (also referred to as raw data).

FX Controller saves scan data to a proprietary C3D format that is
optimized for efficient storage and further processing.
Exporting processed 3D image data to an industry-standard
format. This allows you to import the 3D image data into another
application for further processing. FX Controller supports 3D image
data in point cloud form or 3D mesh representation.
2D and 3D viewing of 3D image data. This allows you to examine
the processed data and make changing to the processing
parameters prior to exporting the 3D image data.
Express View. If this processing option is selected, FX Controller
will perform express processing of the scan data and display a
preview of the processed 2D image data in an Express View
window. This preliminary view of the processed image data allows
you to check whether the scanned image is acceptable. It also
allows you to create masks to exclude areas of the scanned data
from full processing, thus reducing processing time.
Extensive and flexible filters. A variety of filters can be applied
conditionally to data points and can then be viewed in 2D to aid in
the analysis of the processed data. Filters can also be used as
masks to exclude points from the exported 3D image data.
Projects. FX Controller supports the automatic creation of a project
when scan data is processed to create a 3D image data. The project
is associated with a specific set of scan data, processing
parameters, and processed 3D image data. Saving the project
allows you to move the scan data and processing results to another
computer, or to load the project at a later time for reprocessing or
exporting the scan data.
Extensive and user-friendly graphical user interface, based on
advanced features like Dockable Dialog Windows, which are used
for processing settings, status logging, and 2D and 3D viewing
properties. They can be undocked and repositioned as floating
windows to suit your work preference, or redocked to their default
locations.
13
Chapter 1
User Editable masks are available, allowing you to limit the scan
viewing to an area of interest or according to the scan image
properties.
14
Introduction
Typical Workflows
Following are typical workflows for using FX Controller:
Scan only. You can perform a scan and save the scan data for
processing at a later time.
Scan and automatically create the 3D image data. You can
perform a scan and automatically create the 3D image data using
preset processing parameters. This can also include automatically
exporting the 3D image data to an industry-standard 3D format. A
project is created as part of the scan data processing. The project
can be saved if you want to load the processed data at a later time,
or not saved if the goal of the processing is to create only the
exported 3D format file.
Load existing scan data for processing. You can load an existing
C3D scan data file and process it to create the 3D image data.
Optionally, you reprocess the scan data with different processing
parameters, save the project, or export the 3D image data to an
industry-standard 3D format.
Loading an existing saved project. You can then view the
processed 2D and 3D images, export the processed data to an
industry-standard 3D format, or change the processing parameters
and reprocess the scan data. Loading and reprocessing an existing
project could be faster than the original processing, depending on
how the processing parameters that are changed.
15
CHAPTER
2
Scanning Concepts
In this chapter
Accuracy Considerations Common Both Scanners

Maintaining Scanner Calibration Data
Distance Ambiguity Resolution
Spherical Scanning Operation
Scanning Concepts
Accuracy Considerations
The accuracy of the scan depends on many factors, for example, the
environment conditions, temperature variation in electronic circuits that can
result in changes in scanner parameters, specific properties of the object’s
surface, lighting conditions, and so on. The processing software uses
sophisticated correction methods to minimize the accuracy loss.
Angular vs. Linear Scan Resolution

The scan resolution is controlled internally in angular units. However,
resolution units are reported in application interface using the more familiar
linear units of inches and millimeters. One of the user-configurable resolution
units parameters is the nominal distance resolution estimation. This nominal
distance is used for reference only when converting the internal angular units
to linear units and does not influence the scanning process.
For example, if the nominal distance is specified as 10 ft, then the resolution
is the distance between passes of the laser beam as projected on an object
surface 10 ft away. Using 10 ft as the nominal distance, an object surface 20
ft away would have half the resolution and, at 5 ft, twice the resolution. For
this reason, the closer the specified nominal distance is to the actual object
distance, the more accurate the resolution estimation reported by the
application.
Scanner Operating Temperature

To optimize scan accuracy, it is good practice to power on the scanner 5 to
10 minutes prior to use to allow it to reach a stable operating temperature.
Transparency
The accuracy of distance measuring (and, consequently, of the scan itself) is
influenced by the properties of the object being scanned. For instance, if the
surface is semi-transparent for the laser beam, it is not possible to measure
the distance to a point on the object surface with great precision.
Transparency of the surface degrades distance measuring precision. An

object completely transparent to the laser beam will be invisible on the scan -
the more “solid” the object surface, the more precise distance values will be
used for the scan.
19
Chapter 2
Note that while some surfaces seem non-transparent to the human eye, the
laser beam may penetrate these surfaces to a certain extent. You can roughly
test the object’s degree of transparency by using a laser pointer and
inspecting the spot of the laser beam on the object surface:
If the spot is a focused point, the degree of transparency is low.

If the spot is rather large and has blurred contours, it is likely that the
material is transparent.
To get accurate results with some of semi-transparent surfaces, the object

might need to be spray-painted (powdered). The recommended powder is
MAGNAFLUX SKD-S2 (which comes in aerosol cans, or as a water-soluble
powder).
Reflective Surfaces and Incidence Angles

Reflective surfaces (as well as very dark ones) and incidence angles that are
close to being parallel to the object surface (for example, those occurring at
the edge of a curved object) lower the distance measurement accuracy.
This can happen because:
The surface reflects the beam mostly in one direction (and this
direction does not coincide with the direction of the laser beam).
Direct reflection of the signal from the surface will not allow
measurement of the distance as it causes the signal level to be too
high in most cases.
Low incidence angles (10° or less) at the object surfaces result in a
low accuracy and may also cause ambiguity errors.
Note that some surfaces can seem black to the human eye, but in the red
laser light they are not black. As with transparency issues, powdering the
object can help minimize errors due to the target’s surface reflectance and
incidence angles by scattering the reflected light.
Scanner Dynamic Range and the Gain Factor

Just as a photographic camera might have difficulty accurately capturing both
very dark and very light areas in the same scene, the scanner’s dynamic
range directly affects its ability to process reflected signals at varying
intensities. The scanners used with FX Controller are capable of reliably
processing signals ranging from 300 to 18,000 in the same scan, giving a
dynamic range of 60. As the signal intensity may generally vary more broadly,
sensitivity adjustment controls are provided. These controls are referred to as
gain level control.
20
Scanning Concepts
The signal intensity can vary due to the target’s surface reflectance, the
incidence angle, and the distance to the target. To obtain accurate distance
readings, the scanner’s dynamic range with proper sensitivity mode
adjustment must be able to cover the actual signal levels being reflected by
the target object or scene.
The scanner’s sensitivity is controlled by adjusting the gain factor. Generally

speaking, the higher the gain, the more sensitive the scanner will be to darker
objects. The default gain setting should be acceptable for most applications.
You can use the 2D Intensity view of the processed image data to make sure
that the gain setting is appropriate. You want to avoid having very dark or
very bright areas in the region of interest (ROI).
The 2D Intensity view provides tools to analyze the signal intensities, and
helps locate the areas where the signal level is either too low or too high.
21
Chapter 2
Maintaining Scanner Calibration Data

From the factory, the scanner is calibrated to its current hardware state, and
the calibration data is included in the initial scan parameter file,
scannerxx.prv, where xx is a unique number identifying your scanner.
The scan parameter file also can contain preset configurations that are
optimized for scanning a specific signal level ranges and resolution, based on
the expected use of the application.
Periodically, as determined by your application requirements, the scanner

might need to go through an accuracy verification and partial recalibration.
Such recalibration will result in changes to the parameter file. Please consult
Trimble Software, Inc., or your Trimble service representative regarding the
recalibration requirements and arrangements.
Note: The scan parameter files contain encoded data to protect its integrity.
Manual changing of the parameter file will result in an integrity data mismatch
and will make it unusable until the original version is restored.
When starting the FX Controller application for the first time after installation,
you will select this file to register the scanner’s factory-set parameters with
the application. The application uses the set of scan parameters when
processing scan data to accurately create 3D image data.
To update the scan parameters in FX Controller, a service representative will

load a new scan parameter file. This file contains not only the scan
parameters for the current calibration, but for all previous calibrations. Having
all previous calibrations’ scan parameter sets allows you to select the
appropriate set of parameters - referred to as a scan configuration - in the
event that you are processing older scan data that was generated under a
previous set of scan parameters.
22
Scanning Concepts
Distance Ambiguity Resolution

When scanning, the scanner makes three passes to calculate the absolute
distance to object surfaces:
In the first pass, the scanner performs a full dense coverage of the
object or scene. Using an approximately 7-in. (18-cm) wavelength,
the object distance is identified modulo that wavelength (in other
words, it will not tell apart points that are separated by exactly the
wavelength). This distance is referred to as partial or ambiguous
distance.
The second and third passes (also referred to as auxiliary passes)
use different frequencies and are needed to derive the absolute
distance or, as it is also called, to resolve distance ambiguity.
The internal calculation that determines the actual distance to a point on the
object surface effectively lays out copies of the first pass’ wavelength
segment and the auxiliary wavelength segments. Where the point locations
on the wavelength segments are aligned indicates the distance to the point
on the object surface. This process is referred to as Ambiguity Resolution.
However, on surface areas where the readings are for some reason
inaccurate (e.g., the reflected light intensity is too high or too low), there is a
chance of an incorrect ambiguity resolution, as shown in the following
illustration.
To resolve the absolute distance for all points in the continuous surface
patch, it is sufficient to know absolute distance for only few points on that
patch. This saves time by reducing the resolution on auxiliary passes,
typically by a ratio of 1:5 relative to the first pass. If the scanned object has a
large amount of discontinuous surfaces or you are seeing many ambiguity
errors when using masks in the 2D view, you can specify a lower ratio for the
second and third passes (for example 1:2, or 1:1 for very rough surfaces).
23
Chapter 2
Spherical Scanning Operation

Determining the Scan Volume (Field of View)
When scanning, the spherical scanner moves in the following manner:
A mirror inside the scanner deflects the laser beam through 360° of
the vertical plane, less a “blind” zone directly below the scanner
head.
The scanner head pans through 190° of the horizontal plane, to
allow some overlap beyond 180° for internal diagnostics. Because
the internal mirror is deflecting the laser beam in front of and behind
the scanner, the full 360° of the horizontal plane is covered with 20°
overlap.
Prior to starting the scan operation, you use controls in the FX Controller
application to set the scan volume, or field of view (FOV), by:
Setting the reference (0°) pan angle of the scanner,

Specifying to perform a full volume scan,
Specifying a partial scan by selecting start and end pan angles
(relative to the reference pan angle).
Spherical Scan Resolution

Spherical scan resolution is defined in two dimensions:
The vertical resolution is the separation between two consecutive

measured sample points on the target object’s surface in the vertical
plane. The scanner’s resolution is controlled in angular terms; for a
user’s reference, it is also calculated and displayed in linear units.
The horizontal resolution is the separation between the spherical
passes of the laser beam on the target object surface.
24
CHAPTER
3
Trimble FX Controller
Application Installation
In this chapter
Loading a Scanner’s Scan Parameters

Viewing the Scanner Parameters with no Scanner Connected
Performing a Spherical Scan
Previewing Scans
Trimble FX Controller Application Installation
System Requirements
Running the FX Controller application has the following system requirements.
Minimum personal computer hardware:
Intel Pentium 4 or later (or compatible), 2 GHz or higher

1 GB RAM ( 2GB Recommended)
128 MB OpenGL graphics card
USB 2.0 port
If scanning from the PC, an OHCI-compliant IEEE 1394 port is
required
Microsoft Windows XP Professional with SP1 or SP2 or Windows
2000 Professional with SP4 (Windows XP recommended)
Microsoft .NET 2.0 runtime, available as a free download from
Microsoft
DirectX 9.0B, available as a free download from Microsoft
27
Chapter 3
Installing .NET and DirectX

Before installing the FX Controller application, you must install the following
Microsoft packages in the sequence shown:
.NET 2.0 runtime

DirectX 9.0B. Once you have downloaded the DirectX installation
files onto the PC, run setup /InstallManagedDX.
28
Installing the FX Controller Application

Before installing a new version of the FX Controller application, be sure to
first uninstall the previous one from your computer.
To Install the FX Controller Application Software:
1. Make sure that .NET 2.0 runtime and DirectX 9.0B have been
installed, in that order.
2. Insert the FX Controller USB Protection Device into a USB port on
the PC.
Note: The FX Controller USB Protection Device must be inserted at all times
when running the FX Controller application.
3. Insert the FX Controller Installation CD-ROM.

4. Navigate to and double-click on the FX Controller Setup.exe file.
The screen below displays.
5. Click the Next button. The Welcome to Trimble FX Controller 2.0

Setup Wizard screen displays.
29
Chapter 3
6. Click the Next button. The License Agreement screen displays.
30
7. Read through the license agreement.

8. If you agree with the conditions, select the I Agree option.
9. Then click Next. The Select Installation Folder screen displays.
From this screen you can change the default path for the installation
destination by modifying the path in the Folder field, or clicking the
Browse button and navigating to it.
You can also determine who have access to the FX Controller program:
To allow any user account on this computer to access to the FX

Controller program, select the Everyone option.
To allow only the currently logged-in user to access the FX
Controller program, select the Just me option.
To check how much disk space the software requires, click the
Disk Cost button.
31
Chapter 3
10. Once you have selected the desired installation options, click Next.
You are prompted to confirm the installation.
11. To start the installation process, click Next. The software installs.
32
When the software installation finishes, information about the current

release displays.
33
Chapter 3
12. After reading the release information, click Next. The final
installation screen displays.
13. Click the Close button. The Trimble FX Controller application is

ready to use.
34
Installing the Trimble FX Controller IEEE 1394

Drivers
The two FX Controller IEEE 1394 drivers must be installed on the PC that is
connected to the scanner.
Installing the IEEE 1394 Drivers in Windows XP

To Install the Trimble FX Controller IEEE 1394 Drivers in Windows XP:
1. Make sure that the scanner is connected to an IEEE 1394 port on

the PC.
2. Switch on the scanner. When the PC detects the scanner, it starts
the Found New Hardware Wizard, prompting you to start the driver
installation process.
3. Click the Next button. You are prompted to choose your search and
installation options.
35
Chapter 3
4. Select the Search for the best drive in these locations and the
Include this location in the search options.
5. Then click the Browse button. The Browse for Folder dialog box
displays.
6. Navigate to and select the Driver folder in the FX Controller

application folder.
36
7. Then click OK. The driver installation begins.
When the installation is complete, the following screen displays.
8. To close the wizard, click Finish.

9. Repeat this procedure for the second found device. At the end of the
second driver’s installation, the following screen displays.
37
Chapter 3
Installing the IEEE 1394 Drivers in Windows 2000

To Install the FX Controller IEEE 1394 Drivers in Windows 2000:
1. Make sure that the scanner is connected to an IEEE 1394 port on the
PC.
2. Switch on the scanner. When the PC detects the scanner, it starts the
Found New Hardware Wizard, prompting you to start the driver
installation process.
38
3. Click the Next button. The Install Hardware Device Drivers screen
displays.
4. Select the Search for a suitable driver option.

5. Then click Next. The Locate Driver Files screen displays.
39
Chapter 3
6. Select the Specify a location option.

7. Then click Next. A screen that allows you to specify the FX Controller
Drivers folder displays.
8. Click the Browse button. The Browse for Folder dialog box displays.
40
11. Navigate to and select the Driver folder in the FX Controller

application folder.
12. Then click OK. The wizard searches for the driver file. When it is
found, the following screen is displayed.
13. Click Next. The installation begins. When the installation is

complete, the following screen displays.
41
Chapter 3

15. Repeat this procedure for the second found device (1394 S3D Isoch
I/O Driver).
42
Starting the FX Controller Application

To start the FX Controller application:
Do one of the following:
Select the Start/Trimble FX Controller menu option.

Double-click the TrimbleFXController.exe file (by default, installed
in the /Program Files/Trimble/Trimble FX Controller folder)
If this is the first time you have started the application, you must load the
scanner parameters so that the application is aware of them for scanning
operations.
43
CHAPTER
4
Scanning
In this chapter
Loading a Scanner’s Scan Parameters

Scanning
Loading an Scanner’s Scan Parameters

An instrument parameter file is a file that comes with your scanner. It may
have *.rpr (or *xml) as extension. It must be loaded, thus “registering” the
scanner with the application, for the following conditions:
When, upon startup, the application detects that an undefined

instrument is connected,
When the application is processing a file from an unknown
instrument.
Under either of these conditions, the application will prompt you to locate the
instrument parameter file for the corresponding scanner.
Tip: You can also initiate the loading of an instrument’ scan parameters file.
To Load a Scanner’s Scan Parameters File:
1. Select File > Update Scanner Parameters menu option. The

Choose Description File For Scanner dialog opens.
2. Navigate through the drive/folder to locate the scanner’s parameters
file.
3. Click on the file to select it.
4. Click Open. An information box appears with the following message
“Scanner XXX registered”.
5. Click OK to close that information.
47
Chapter 4
Viewing the Scanner Parameters with no

Scanner Connected
You can view a scanner’s parameters when the scanner is not connected (or
not online).
To View the Parameters for a Scanner that is not Connected (or not Online):
1. Select the File > Test Scanner Parameters menu option. The
Choose Description File For Scanner dialog opens.
2. Navigate through the drive/folder to locate the scanner’s parameters

file.
4. Click Open.
The scanner’s parameters are loaded and can be viewed and edited in
the Scan tab.
48
Scanning

Specifying Spherical Scan Parameters
Before performing the scan operation, you must specify certain scan
parameters. These are defined in the following topics. The scan parameters
are accessible from the Scan tab in the Settings window.
Note: The scanner must be connected to the PC and turned on for the scan
parameters to be enabled.
49
Chapter 4
Selecting the Automatic Processing Option

The Automatically Process After Scan option (when selected) enables the
FX Controller application to automatically create the 2D and 3D image data at
the end of a scan. Depending on the size of the scan data file, processing can
take from 15 to 45 minutes.
If you choose to automatically process the data after scanning, you need to
set the processing parameters before starting the scan operation. For more
information, refer to “Creating 2D and 3D Image Data”. Otherwise, the
processing will be performed with the default parameters. If the
Automatically Process After Scan option has not been chosen, the user
needs to manually process by clicking on the Process button.
Finding the Zero Index

Find Zero will rotate the scanner to start the scan from the zero mark
(original) position. If clicking on the Find Zero button, the next new scan will
start from the last scans stopping point. If checking the Force Find option, all
new scans will start from the last stopping position.
Specifying the Scanner’s Reference (0°) Pan Angle

You can use the controls in the Scan Region panel to define the scanner’s
reference (0°) pan angle:
To Pan the Scanner Relative to its Current Reference Position:
1. Enter a value in the filed below the Current Angle. The default unit
of measurement is set to degree and you don’t have to enter “°”.
2. Or use the Up (or Down) button to set a value. The current value will
be incremented (or decremented) from one to one (in degree).
3. Then, click on the button.
If the value is positive, the scanner will move from left to right
from the current angle position to the new angle position (the
one set previously). This new angle position becomes after
moving the current angle.
50
Scanning
To Reset the Reference Angle to the Current Pan Position of the Scanner:
Click on the button.
Defining the Scan FOV

With the options in the Scan Region panel, you can specify the scanner’s
FOV (Field of View):
Full Volume Scan: The entire volume will be scanned. Note that a
full volume scan is not 360 degrees but 365 degrees.
Sector Scan: The sector defined in the Left and Right pan angle
measures will be scanned. For a sector scan, the Left and Right
pan angles are measured clockwise relative to the reference (0°)
angle.
Note: The left sector angle should be less than the right sector angle. Trying
to set the left value upper than the right value will open a warning dialog.
Specifying the Scan Resolution

The current scan resolution settings are displayed in the Scan tab.
51
Chapter 4
To Modify the Resolution Settings:
1. Click on the Modify button in the Scan tab. The Scan Parameters
(Spherical) dialog box appears.
From the Scan Parameter Dialog (Spherical) dialog; do one of the

following:

Set the horizontal and vertical scan resolutions using the sliders
or the increment/decrement fields. Note that as you change
these values, the values for the Scan Time, Number of Lines,
Points per Mirror Revolution, Full Number of Points, and
Scan File Size change too.
Force the vertical resolution to match the horizontal resolution
automatically by checking the Equal Grid Aspect Ratio option.
In that case, the vertical resolution slider is hidden.
Set the unit of measure used for the resolution data by clicking
the Units button. The Scan Resolution Units dialog box
appears.
52
Scanning
From the Scan Resolution Units dialog; do one of the following:
Choose the unit of measurement for the Horizontal (or Vertical

Resolution) between Lines per Inch (PPI) and Lines per
Degree.
Set the nominal distance to the target object in the Nominal
Distance field. This value should be the average distance
between the scanner and the target object. The nominal
distance value is used in the internal conversion of angular
resolution to linear resolution. For more information, refer to
“Angular vs. Linear Scan Resolution”.
Choose the unit of measurement for the nominal distance
between English and Metric.
2. After changing the units of measurement, click OK. The Scan

Resolution Units dialog closes.
3. When you are done changing the resolution settings, click OK in the
Scan Parameters (Spherical) dialog. The Scan Parameters
(Spherical) dialog closes.
Specifying a Scan Data File Name

Scanned data is saved into the proprietary FX Controller compressed scan
file format called C3D. The default name is ScanX where X corresponds to its
creation order. If you don’t want to use the default name; you must specify a
name for the C3D file for the data to be read during the scan.
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Chapter 4
To Specify the Name of the Scan Data File:
1. In the Output Filename panel, click on the button next to the

Output Filename field. The Save As dialog opens with the default
path displayed: \Documents and Settings\User
Subfolder\Application Data\Surphaser\C3Dfiles.
2. Keep the default path

3. Navigate to a destination folder.
4. Name the C3D file.
5. Or overwrite an existing C3D file.
6. Click on the Save button. The Save As dialog closes.
Enabling Logging of Scan Processing Details

If there are some problems with spherical scanning, you can specify that scan
processing details be included in the log by enabling detailed logging. Note
that detailed logging will affect the scan processing speed.
To Enable Recording of Scan Processing Details in the Log:
Check the Detailed Log option at the lower left corner of the Scan
tab.
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Scanning
Selecting the Scan Configuration and Gain

Factor
Before performing the scan operation, you can change the scan configuration
and gain factor from their current settings:
The scanner may have several preset configurations, which are

optimized for specific signal ranges and scan resolutions that are
being used by your site. For more information, refer to “Maintaining
Scanner Calibration Data”.
Gain affects the scanner’s ability to accurately read light intensity at
both low and high signal levels. For more information about gain,
refer to “Scanner Dynamic Range and the Gain Factor”.
To Change the Scan Configuration or Gain Factor:
1. Click on the Choose Configuration tab.
2. Click on the Groups pull-down arrow.

3. Choose between 1 pass and 2 pass.
4. If 1 pass has been chosen, drop down the Configs list and choose
between StandardConfig_1_27m and StandardConfig_1_40m.
5. If 2 Pass has been chosen, the Configs field becomes dimmed
because only one configuration - StandardConfig_2pass_40m - is
available.
6. Then click the Apply button to apply the change.
Performing a Scan
When you have completely set the scan parameters, you are ready to start
the scan operation. Scan times vary depending on the FOV (Scan Sector)
and density resolution. Typical scans take 5 to 20 minutes. The estimated
scan time and size of the scan data file are displayed in the Scan tab.
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Chapter 4
Estimated scan time

and scan data file size
based on FOV (Scan
Sector) and density
resolution
To Start the Scan Operation:
1. Click the Scan button in the toolbar.

2. Or select the Tools > Regular Scan menu option. All controls
except the Stop button are disabled, and status messages and a
progress bar are displayed in the Status bar at the bottom of the
main window.
Once a scan is performed, the scan parameters remain disabled. To start a

new scan, click the New Scan button in the toolbar. The scan parameters
become then active and the scan data file number increments of one in the
Output Filename panel.
Interrupting a Scan
This function can be used whenever required, especially when you notice that
the FOV is not correct (or for safety reasons).
To Interrupt a Scan in Progress:
Click the Stop button. The scan parameters in the Scan tab
becomes then active
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Scanning
Resuming an Interrupted Scan

You can resume a scan previous previously interrupted. The scan will resume
from the beginning with (or with) the same name..
To Resume an Interrupted Scan:
1. Click the New Scan button. An information dialog opens and

prompts you to replace the current scanning file.
2. Do one of the following:
Clicking Yes will resume the interrupted scan from the

beginning with the name default name.
Clicking No will open the Save As dialog. Give then a new
name for the scanning file.
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CHAPTER
5
Creating 2D and 3D Image Data
In this chapter
Setting Processing Parameters

Setting Processing Parameters

Defining the Processing Region (Filtering)
The options in the Filtering tab for a spherical scan allow you to define what
regions of the scan data to process to create 2D image data and 3D image
data.
Setting the Horizontal Angles Filter

For spherical scans, you can select from the following horizontal (pan) angles
options:
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Chapter 5
Full Scan: This option processes across the entire 360° horizontal
plane.
Sector: This option processes only a sector of the full horizontal
plane, as defined by the degree values in the Left and Right fields.
Left and Right angles are defined relative to the scan’s reference
(0°) angle.
Setting the Vertical Angles Filter

For spherical scans you can select from the following vertical (mirror) angles
options:
Front: This option processes only the scan data from the front
hemisphere of the scanned volume, as defined by the sector degree
values in the Low and High fields. Low and High angles are
defined relative to the horizon.
Rear: This option processes only the scan data from the rear
hemisphere of the scanned volume, as defined by the sector degree
values in the Low and High fields. Low and High angles are
defined relative to the horizon.
Both: This option processes only the scan data from both the front
and rear hemisphere of the scanned volume, as defined by the
sector degree values in the Low and High fields. Low and High
angles are defined relative to the horizon.
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Viewing Point Information

The Points Info panel at the top of the Filtering tab lists the number of data
points in the scan data and in the processed data (depending on the
processing filters specified).
Setting the Processing Mode Parameters

On the Processing Modes tab, you can set parameters that control how the
scanned data is processed to generate viewable image data.
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Chapter 5
The following topics explain the processing parameters.
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2D Processing Parameters
The 2D Processing panel includes the options described in the table below.
Options Description
Generate 2D This option - checked and dimmed by default - enables 2D

image data to be generated during processing. The 2D
Intensity view allows you to review the scanned data to
make sure it is acceptable, and to adjust 2D filter settings.
To save processing time when reviewing scan results,

you may want to generate only 2D data. You can later
reprocess to create the 3D image data.
You may want to skip generating 2D data if you have

already worked with the image data and are ready to
generate the 3D image data, or want to do your image
data examination in a separate application.
Note that 2D data has a distorted (“fish eye”) look to it, as

3D images are being represented in a single 2D rectangle.
View 2D This option - checked and dimmed by default - enables 2D
image data to be displayed in the 2D Intensity view when
processing is completed.
Z This option - checked and dimmed by default - enables
distance layers to be displayed in the 2D Intensity view
when processing is completed.
A(Z) This option - checked and dimmed by default - provides
intensity auto-correction for the 2D viewed image (not the
raw image data). For example, if the same object is at
different distances, the further object will appear darker.
Can improve the look of the viewed 2D image.
Pixel Separation This option - dimmed by default - specifies the distance
between adjacent pixels in the processed image data, as a
result of the current image resolution units for 2D image
data. For more information, refer to the “Setting 2D Pixel
Resolution”.
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Chapter 5
Show Express View If selected, FX controller performs an express processing of

the scan data and displays a preview of the processed 2D
image data in an Express View window. This preliminary
view of the processed image allows you to check whether
the scanned image is acceptable. It also allows you to
create masks to exclude areas of the scanned data from
full processing, thus reducing processing time. For more
information, refer to “Express View”.
Note: You need to have the Automatically Process After

Scan option checked in the Scan tab to be able to have a
preview of the scanned data.
If not selected, FX controller will display the result in 2D

intensity mode, refer to “Viewing in 2D Intensity Mode”.
Only Export Express If selected, FX controller performs an express processing of
View the scan data but not display a preview of the processed
2D image data in an Express View window.
Regen Click this button if you have changed the 2D processing
parameters and want to regenerate the 2D image data.
Note: The Regen button remains dimmed if the

Automatically Process After Scan option hasn’t been first
selected.
Setting 2D Pixel Resolution

The 2D pixel separation parameter specifies the target resolution of the 2D
image data, based on a specified nominal distance between the scanner and
the target surface.
Note: Currently, the Pixel Separation feature is not available.
To Set the 2D Image Pixel Separation:
1. Click the button next to the Pixel separation field in the 2D

Processing panel. The Select Image Resolution dialog opens.
The dialog displays the pixel separation, image size in pixels and
image file size based on the currently selected resolution. If the
projected image file size will be too large to be processed given the
PC’s current amount of RAM, the size is displayed in red and the OK
button will be disabled.
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From the Select Image Resolution dialog box, do one of the following:
Set the spherical scan resolution as a percentage of the

horizontal and vertical resolutions, using the % of Scan
Horizontal Resolution or % of Scan Vertical Resolution
options.
Set the resolution in pixels per inch at the nominal scan distance
using the Pixels Per Inch option.
Set the unit of measure used for the resolution data in the 2D
image by clicking the Units button. The Image Resolution
Units dialog box displays.
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Chapter 5
From the Image Resolution Units dialog, do one of the following:
Choose the unit of measurement for the Horizontal Resolution

between Lines per Inch and Lines per Degree.
Set the nominal distance to the target object in the Nominal
Distance field for spherical scans. This value should be the
average distance between the scanner and the target object.
The nominal distance value is used in the internal conversion of
angular resolution units to linear resolution units for display
purposes only; it does not affect processed data. For more
information about angular and linear resolutions, refer to
“Angular vs. Linear Scan Resolution”.
Choose the unit of measurement for the nominal distance
between English and Metric.
2. After setting the resolution and nominal distance, click OK. The
Image Resolution Units dialog closes.
3. When you are done changing the resolution settings, click OK in the
Select Image Resolution dialog to save them and close the dialog.
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3D Processing Parameters
The 3D Processing panel includes the options described in the following

table.
Options Description
Generate 3D This option - checked and dimmed by default - enables 3D

image data to be generated during processing.
When initially working with image data, you may want to

generate only 2D data. Processing, navigating, applying
marks and performing other operations are much faster
with 2D data than 3D image data. You can later reprocess
to create the 3D image data.
View 3D This option - checked and dimmed by default - enables 3D
image data to be displayed in the 3D Intensity view when
processing is completed.
% of points to show This option - dimmed and set to 10% by default - specifies
the approximate percentage of data points in the 3D image
data to show in the 3D Points view.
% of points to export This option - dimmed and set to 100% by default - specifies
the percentage of data points in the scan data to include in
exported 3D image data files.
Note that the 3D image data compressing uses adaptive

filtering, including more points where the image variation in
distance is greater, and fewer points where the image
distance variations are small.
Regen This button - dimmed by default - enables to regenerate the
3D image data in case the 3D processing parameters have
been changed.
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Chapter 5
3D Image Data Export
The 3D image data export function allows you to export the 3D image data to
a file as part of the image processing operation. You would select this option
if you are ready to create the 3D image data file.
Options Description
Force Export in File Select this option to export the 3D image data to a file as
part of the image processing. By default, the exported file
will share the same name than the scan with TZS (or PTX
and PTS) as extension*.
The destination directory is the one set in the Output

Filename field but you can specify a different directory and
file by clicking the Change button.
The Choose File to Export in dialog opens with the

default folder \Documents and settings\User
Subfolder\Application Data\Surphaserversion\C3Dfiles
selected. If required, navigate to a different destination
folder, change the default file name. When you have
finished specifying the file name and folder, click the Save
button.
Note: (*) This depends on the format chosen in Export

Format.
Export Format Click on the pull-down arrow and select the format of the
3D image data file. The supported formats (TZS, PTX and
PTS) are listed and described in “Supported 3D Export File
Formats”.
Points on grid Enabled if the Cloud option is selected. If selected, the
exported cloud will be a set of points that are the vertices of
the mesh lattice (or grid).
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Cloud/Mesh Selected the data type in which the 3D image data will be
exported.
Note: Currently, only the Cloud option is available.

Z Up Note: Currently, the Z Up option is dimmed.
Units for exported Enables to choose between Foot and Meter as unit of
measurement.
Aspect
Keeping the Project
Select the Keep Project option if you want to save the current image
processing parameters and filters as a project that can be reloaded later.
Saving the project this way will allow for faster loading of data and faster
reprocessing when the project is reloaded.
A project folder with a default name - ScanX_Date_Time - is automatically

created in its scan folder (by default, the scan folder is created in the
\Documents and Settings\User subfolder\ Application Data\Surphaser
folder). If you want to change the default folder, you can do it by changing the
folder in the Output Filename panel in the Scan tab.
That project folder will contain several bsw files, one cloud file (with ptb
extension) and one project file (with XML extension).
Choosing the Viewed 3D Data Format - Point

Cloud (or Mesh)
You can choose in which format - point cloud (or mesh) - 3D image data will
be displayed in the 3D Points view.
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Chapter 5
Cloud option selected Mesh option selected Mesh and Sub-sampling

options selected
The options are described in the table below.
Options Description
Cloud/Mesh Select the format in which the 3D image data will be

displayed in the 3D Points view.
The mesh format can improve the image’s appearance, but

mesh data processing uses interpolation and so some data
accuracy might be lost.
Note: Currently, only the Cloud option is available.

Color From Layers If selected, unreliable data in the 3D image will be painted
with the same colors as defined for the 2D mask filter
layers, instead of being masked out. The unreliable data in
the exported data file can be edited using another
application.
Note: Currently, this option is not available.

Sub-sampling If the Mesh option is selected, you also have the option of
turning on sub-sampling, and then specifying the percent
value to use for the sub-sampling.
Note: Currently, this option is not available.
Distance Resolution
The Distance Resolution settings determine how ambiguities in distances to

objects will be resolved. The options are described in the following table.
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Options Description
Method Heuristic: With this method, the scanning area is first

divided into “continuous” parts. In each part, the ambiguity
is resolved by averaged distances. Then the parts, between
which the distance breaks occurred, are analyzed as to
whether it is better to change the distance at one of the
parts to eliminate the break. The main problem with this
method is that, if an object boundary was laid incorrectly,
then either the object border would be separated from its
object to another layer or some part of the background
would be stuck to the object.
Direct: With this method, the ambiguity is resolved for each

point independently (by interpolated frequencies). The
processed distance function is divided into continuous parts
and analyzed. Parts that are too small might either stick to
neighboring large parts or be marked as ”uncertain”.
Unfortunately, this part of processing is not realized yet.
With the Direct method, objects borders are determined

somewhat better than with the Heuristic method (there is
almost no chance that something will stick to the object and
a torn border will probably declared as “uncertain”). But this
method works poorly on the areas with large amounts of
noise.
Central dist(m) Central distance (CD) controls the ambiguity resolution in
the following way:
If we have an ambiguity interval of L (for spherical scanners

it is typically 21m and can be controlled via a configuration
drop-down list), then all the data will be resolved to interval
(CD-L/2, CD+L/2). In the other words; if the CD is > L/2 and
we have a data from the distance X such that CD-3*L/2< X
< CD-L/2; then those points will be resolved to:
X+L
If we have data from some distant point on the distance Y

such that CD+L/2 < Y < CD+3*L/2; then this point will be
resolved to:
X-L
Note: Currently, the Method and Central distance(m) are respectively

limited to Heuristic and 10m.
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Chapter 5
Exporting and Importing Scanning and

Processing Preferences
You can export the current scanning and image processing parameter
settings to an XML-format preference file. Once created, you can import the
preference file to use the settings in another project.
To Export the Parameter Settings to a Preference File:
1. Select the File > Export/Import > Export Preferences menu

option. The Choose File to Export dialog opens.
2. Locate a drive/folder to store the file in the Save In field.
3. Use the default name Tool A Parameter Settings.
4. Or enter a name in the File Name field.
5. Click Save. The Choose File to Export dialog closes.
To Import the Parameter Settings from a Preference File:
1. Select the File > Export/Import > Import Preferences menu option.
The Choose File to Export dialog opens.
2. Navigate to the drive/folder where the preferences file is located.
3. Click Save. The Choose File to Export dialog closes.
5. Click Open.
The scanning and image processing parameter settings are loaded and can
be viewed and edited in the Scan tab.
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Chapter 5
Generating 2D and 3D Image Data

When you have completed setting the processing parameters, you are ready
to start processing the scan data to generate the 2D image data and 3D
image data.
Starting the Processing Operation

To Start the Processing Operation:
If you have selected the Automatically Process After Scan option

in the Scan tab, click the Scan button in the toolbar (or select the
Tools > Regular Scan menu option). This will scan and process the
data both together.
If you have already performed a scan without processing, click the
Process button in the toolbar or select the Tools > Process menu
option.
Processing begins; the progress of the processing is reported in the Log

Output panel and in the Status bar at the bottom of the main window.
Depending on the size of the scan data file, processing can take from 15 to
45 minutes.
If the scan data from a spherical scan is going to be too large to process in
one portion due to memory restrictions, the application will automatically use
batch processing. With batch processing, portions of the scan data are
processed in stages. You can check the status of the batch processing in the
Log window.
When the processing is completed, the processed image is shown in the

View panel and a project folder is created (refer to “Keeping Project”).
If the Keep Project option in the Processing Modes tab has not
been selected, this project folder is temporary. Leaving the FX
controller application will delete that project folder.
If the Keep Project option in the Processing Modes tab has been
selected, the project folder is persistent.
To stop processing, click the Stop button in the toolbar. If you do stop the
processing, the current processing parameters are saved as well as the
partial image data. This saves processing time if you decide to reprocess the
scan data and the image data will not be affected by any settings changes
you made. In the case, the project folder is empty of contents. To resume the
processing, you need to click again Process.
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If the Show Express View option in the Processing Modes tab has been
selected, an express view window (called Mask Edit window) appears after
the initial pass of image processing. For more information, refer to “Express
View”.
Here below is an example of 3D image data displayed in the 3D Points view.
For information about how to view the displayed 2D and 3D image data
images, refer to “Viewing Image Data”.
Starting Processing Using the ProcessC3D

Command Line Function
You can create a batch file that specifies the ProcessC3D command with
arguments, then execute the batch file to initiate the image processing. This
allows you to perform image processing, which can take some time for large
scan files, overnight or during other off-hours. The format of the command is:
ProcessC3D [arguments]
For a complete description of the ProcessC3D arguments, refer to

“ProcessC3D Reference Information”.
Express View
If the Show Express View option on the Processing Modes tab is selected,
then FX Controller will perform an express processing of the scan data and
display a preview of the processed 2D image data in a Mask Edit window.
This preliminary view of the processed image data allows you to:
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Chapter 5
Check to determine whether the area of interest was scanned

properly, and that the image data appearance is acceptable.
Create masks over areas of interest for inclusion in the standard
image processing. The scan data outside the masks are excluded
from the standard processing, thus reducing processing time.
The Mask Edit Window

With the Show Express View option in the Processing Modes tab selected,
FX Controller begins generating the preview image after clicking the Process
button. When the preview image processing completes, the image is
displayed in the Mask Edit window. The project folder - which is automatically
created - will contain:
If the Keep Project option has not been chosen, only one bws file,
If the Keep Project option has been chosen, two bsw files and one
project file (with xml extension).
With the image displayed, you can do the following:
Create masks over areas of interest for inclusion in the standard

image processing using the drawing tools in the toolbar. Refer to
“Express View Toolbar Functions” hereafter for information about the
drawing tools.
78
If the image is acceptable, click OK to continue with the standard

processing of the scan data. In that case, the other bsw files as well
as the cloud and project files will be created too.
Click Cancel to cancel the processing so that you can do another
preview scan.
Express View Toolbar Functions

The Express View’s toolbar functions - shown below - are described in the
following table. The drawing tools are used to create mask areas, which
define what portions of the image to include in the image data processing.
Tool Description
Click and drag to draw using a pen cursor.

Pen
Click and drag to draw a box.
Box
Click and drag to erase portions of a drawn mask.
Erase
Fill Click to fill a drawn area.
Click and drag to select a dree-form area.

Lasso
Click on a pixel to display coordinate, intensity and distance
Scanner to Point
information about the pixel in a dialog box.
Undo last draw operation
Undo
Redo last draw operation
Redo
Zoom in on the image
Zoom In
Zoom out on the image
Zoom Out
Click and drag to pan on the image.
Scroll
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Chapter 5
Editing Mask Drawing Tools

Controls in the Options tab of the window allow you to set parameters that
control the behavior of the drawing tools.
Sets Pen size (in pixels)
Sets Erase size (in pixels)
Sets Grid size (in pixels)
Toggles grid On and Off
Toggles between square

or circular shaped brush
To Set the Pen’ Size:
1. Enter a value in the Pen Size field.

2. Or use the Up and Down buttons to define a value.
Note: The pen’ size cannot exceed 20 pixels.
To Set the Erase’ Size:
1. Enter a value in the Erase field.

Note: The erase’ size cannot exceed 20 pixels.
To Set the 2D grid’ Size:
1. Enter a value in the Grid field.

Note: The 2D grid’ size cannot exceed 100 pixels and you need to check
Show Grid option if you want to view the change you performed.
To Display/Hide a 2D Grid:
Check the Show Grid option in the Options tab. A 2D grid

superimposes upon the preview image.
Uncheck the Show Grid option to remove the 2D grid.
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Setting Background
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Chapter 5
Editing Marks
82
Markers
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Chapter 5
Regenerating 2D and 3D Image Data

You can regenerate 2D image data (or 3D image data) at any time. For
example, you may want to regenerate image data after you have made
changes to the processing parameters (or image filters).
To Regenerate 2D or 3D Image Data:
Click the Regen 2D (or the Regen 3D) button in the toolbar.
Or you can also use the Regen buttons on the Processing Modes
tab.
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CHAPTER
6
Viewing Image Data
In this chapter
Viewing in 2D Intensity Mode

Viewing in 3D Points Mode
Viewing Image Data
Viewing in 2D Intensity Mode

You can display the 2D intensity image by selecting the 2D Intensity tab in
the View panel, or by selecting the View > 2D Intensity Data menu option.
The following topics explain how to navigate (pan) and zoom on the image.
Scrolling the Image Using the View Panel

Scroll Bars
If the 2D image is larger than the viewable area, you can use the scroll bars
at the right and bottom of the View panel to scroll through the image.
Navigating and Zooming the Image Using the

Toolbar
You can navigate the image using buttons in the toolbar, as described below.
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To: Do This:
Zoom in Click the button in the toolbar.

Zoom out Click the button in the toolbar.
Navigate (pan) the Click the button in the toolbar. When you move the
image pointer over the image, the pointer becomes a hand icon.
Click and drag in the direction you want to pan. Whe you
release the mouse button, the area of the image on which
you initially clicked is moved to the hand pointer location at
which you released the mouse button.
Drawing Mask Areas Using the Mask Toolbars
Mask Tools Toolbar Masks Tools Undo/Redo Toolbar
You can use the drawing tools in the Mask Tools toolbar to draw masks over
the 2D image data. Data within the drawn masks will not be included in the
3D image data processing. These tools are similar to those found in popular
draw and paint applications.
Note: The User Mask must be visible to see the drawn masks. For more
information, refer to “Setting the Export Masks Parameters” and “Setting the
Visibility Rank for Filter Layers”.
Tool Description
Pen Click and drag to draw using a pen cursor.
Click and drag to draw a box. .

Box
Click and drag to erase portions of a drawn mask. .
Erase
Fill Click to fill a drawn area. .
Click and drag to select a dree-form area. .

Lasso
Click on a pixel to display coordinate, intensity and distance
Scanner to Point
information about the pixel in a dialog box: .
Or Compute Gain
Undo last draw operation.
Undo
Redo last draw operation.
Redo
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Viewing Image Data
The drawing tool controls on the Options tab allows you to set parameters
that control the behavior of the masking tools.
Sets Pen size (in pixels)
Sets Erase size (in pixels)
Sets Grid size (in pixels)
Toggles grid On and Off
Toggles between square

or circular shaped brush
To View the Effect of the 2D Mask on the 3D Image Data:
1. Click the Regen 3D button in the toolbar.

2. Or you can also use the Regen button on the Processing Modes tab.
Navigating and Zooming the Image from the

Navigate/Zoom Dialog Window
If the 2D image is larger than the viewable area, you can use the scroll bars
at the right and bottom of the panel to scroll through the image. You can also
use the Navigate/Zoom dialog window to navigate the image and change the
magnification.
To Open the Navigate/Zoom Dialog Window:
1. Hover the pointer over.

2. Or click on the Navigate/Zoom tab at the upper right of the View
panel. The Navigate/Zoom dialog window opens.
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Chapter 6
To navigate (pan) on the image, click on and drag the white pan
box displayed over the thumbnail of the image. When you release
the mouse button, the image area within the pan box is displayed in
the panel.
To zoom on the image, click the or buttons. The current
Zoom factor is displayed above these buttons.
Note: The Navigate/Zoom dialog window is dockable, which means it can be

“unpinned” to become a floating window. For more information, refer to
“Dockable Properties Dialog Windows”.
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Viewing Image Data
Viewing in 3D Points Mode

You display the cloud points image by selecting the 3D Points tab in the
View panel or by selecting the View > 3D Points menu option.
Setting the Background and Foreground Color

You can set the background and foreground color of the 3D Points image.
To Set the Background or Foreground Color:
1. Select the View > 3D Options > Background Color menu option.
2. Or select the View > 3D Options > Foreground Color menu option.
For both, the standard Windows Color dialog opens.
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3. Select the color you want.

4. Or define your own color and then click .
5. Click to apply that color to the background (or foreground).
Setting the Light Parameters (Mesh Only)

You can set the light ambient, diffuse, and specular parameters when the
image data has been processed and displayed in Mesh format. Currently, this
option is dimmed.
To Set the Light Parameters:
1. Select the View > 3D Options > Light menu option. The standard
Windows Light dialog box displays.
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Viewing Image Data
2. Change the light parameters by moving the corresponding slider.

3. Then click OK to apply that light to the mesh.
Selecting Perspective (or Orthogonal)

Projection
You can choose between using the Perspective or Orthogonal projection for
the 3D Points image.
To Set the Projection Mode:
Use one of the following methods:
The buttons on the Projection toolbar.

Perspective mode
Orthogonal mode
Or selecting/deselecting the Orthogonal Projection option on the

Settings dialog window. To open the Settings dialog window, place
the pointer over the Settings tab and click on it.
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Tip: The Settings dialog window can be opened by selecting Settings from
the pop-up menu.
Setting the Znear and Zfar Parameters

The Znear and Zfar parameters in the 3D Settings window allow you to
optimize the 3D data processing being performed by the PC’s graphics card.
3D data that is outside the range defined by Znear and Zfar are not
processed. Typically, the default settings are sufficient for processing the 3D
image data.
To Set the Znear and Zfar Parameters:
1. First display the Settings dialog window (if not done).

2. Set the Znear and Zfar parameters as follows:
To have the application set the Znear and Zfar parameters

using default values based on the scan data, select the
Dynamic option. You can still change the Ratio value.
To manually set the Znear and Zfar parameters, deselect the
Dynamic option. This activates the Znear and Zfar fields,
allowing you to modify their values.
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Viewing Image Data
Selecting Examine or Walkthrough View Mode

You can view the 3D image data image in the following modes:
Examine. Your point of view is outside of the scanned scene. When

you zoom or rotate, your view position is stationary and the scene is
zoomed on or rotated.
Walkthrough. Your point of view is inside the scanned scene. When
you shift your position, you move through the scene as if you were
“walking” through it. When rotating, your “body” within the scene is
rotated around the Y axis. Note that your view angle through the
vertical plane (for example, you are looking up or down) is
maintained as you rotate around the Y axis.
The Examine and Walkthrough modes affect how navigation is performed in

the standard views. For more information about standard views, refer to
“Working with Standard Views”.
To Set the 3D Points View Mode:
1. By right-clicking on the 3D Points view and selecting it from the pop-

up menu.
2. Or select it from the options in the Mode panel on the Settings

dialog window.
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If selecting Examine, the cursor becomes as follows .

If selecting Walkthrough, the cursor becomes as follows .
Setting Image Brightness and Contrast for the

3D Image Data Image
You can set the brightness and contrast of the 3D image data image.
To Set the Brightness and Contrast:
Use either of the following methods:
The buttons on the Brightness/Contrast toolbar:
Contrast controls
Brightness controls
Or the slider controls in the Picture window. To open the Picture

dialog window, place the pointer over the Picture tab and click on it.
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Viewing Image Data
Setting Point Intensity for the 3D Image Data

Image
To Display the Point Intensity for the 3D Image Data Image:
1. First open the Settings dialog window (if not done). The Min and
Max intensity values are initially equal to 0.
2. Click GetInfo. The Min and Max intensity values are displayed.
To Display the Point Intensity for the 3D Image Data Image:
1. Set the Min value by dragging and dropping the Min slider.
2. Set the Max value by dragging and dropping the Max slider.
3. Click Set.
3D Viewing Coordinate Systems

For the scan camera coordinate system:
The Z axis points from the viewer and is perpendicular to the screen
plane.
The X, Y plane is left-handed and is parallel to the screen plane: X
axis points to the left. Y axis points to the top of the screen.
In all viewing manipulations, camera coordinates are used, unless otherwise

noted.
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Navigating the 3D Points Image Using Toolbar

Controls
Setting Navigation Parameters
From the Navigation dialog window, you can set parameters related to the
navigation behavior for shifting your view position along one of the three
axes, rotating your view position around an axis, and zooming on the image
in Examine mode. You can also set the action repeat behavior when clicking
one of the control buttons in the Navigation toolbar.
To Set the Navigation Parameters:
1. Click on the Navigation tab on the left side of the View panel. The
Navigation dialog window opens.
2. Set the Navigation parameters as explained in the following table.
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Viewing Image Data
3D Points Image Navigation Settings
Setting Description
Shift: Step Specifies how many millimeters to shift by when using the
Shift controls
Shift: Auto repeat Specifies the step multiplier for multiple key presses when
multiplier using the keyboard-based Shift control.
Rotate: Step Specifies how many degrees to rotate by when using the
Rotate controls
Zoom: Step Specifies the zoom factor to use when zooming.
Zoom: Auto repeat Specifies the zoom step multiplier for multiple key presses
multiplier when using the keyboard-based Zoom control.
Toolbar: Auto repeat Determines the frequency of auto repeating when clicking
multiplier and holding on a toolbar control.
Working with Standard Views

You can use the buttons on the View Position toolbar to choose the direction
from which to view the 3D Points image. The buttons have different uses,
depending on whether you are in Walkthrough (or Examine) mode.
Standard Views Controls - Walkthrough Mode
In Walkthrough mode, your point of view is, by default, at the origin of the
scan. The View Direction controls point your view to different directions from
the origin.
Face Left
Face Front Face Top
Face Rear Face Bottom
Face Right
Standard Views Controls - Examine Mode
In Examine mode, your point of view is, by default, from outside the scanned
scene. You use the View Direction controls to move your point of view so
that you are facing one of the sides of the scene.
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Left
Front Top
Rear Bottom
Right
Shifting Your View Position

You can use the buttons in the Shift Position toolbar to move your position
along the X, Y, and Z axes relative to the 3D Points image. You can click and
hold the mouse on these controls to auto repeat the operation.
Shift along the Shift along the

Z axis Y axis
Shift along the

X axis
Rotating Your View Position Around X, Y, and Z Axes

You can use the buttons in the Rotate Position toolbar to rotate your position
around the X, Y, and Z axes relative to the 3D Points image. You can click
and hold the mouse on these controls to auto repeat the operation.
Rotate around Rotate around

the X axis the Z axis
Rotate around
the Y axis
Rotating Using the Point-‘n’-Rotate Function

With the Point-‘n’-Rotate function enabled, you can click the pointer at a spot
on the image, and the image will rotate that point to the center of the View
panel.
To Use the Point-‘n’-Rotate Function:
1. Enable the Point-‘n’-Rotate mode by clicking the button in the

Predefined Positions toolbar. The cursor becomes as shown
below.
2. Click on the image at the point you want to rotate to center.
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Viewing Image Data
Setting Center-of-Rotation Point

You can use the buttons in the Center-of-Rotation Point toolbar to set the
location of the center-of-rotation point in the View panel.
Assigns center of the Shows/hides center-of-

image bounding box as rotation point shape
center-of-rotation point
Assigns Zero point (i.e.,

“scanning from”) as
center-of-rotation point
To Show (or Hide) the Center-of-Rotation Point Shape:
1. Assign a center-of-rotation.
2. Click Show/Hide Center in the Center-of-Rotation Point
toolbar. A red cross appears over the 3D image.
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3. Click again Show/Hide Center to hide the center-of-rotation.
Tip: You can also check (or uncheck) the Show Center option in the Camera
(red) panel which appears after clicking on the Cameras tab.
Zooming on the Image in Examine Mode

You can use the buttons in the Zoom toolbar to zoom on the 3D Points
image. You can click and hold the mouse on these controls to auto repeat the
operation.
Zoom in Reset to standard
zoom factor
Zoom out
Navigating the 3D Points Image Using the

Keyboard and Mouse
With no other controls enabled, when you move the pointer over the image in
the View panel, the pointer changes to an arrow icon. With the pointer over
the image, you can use the keyboard and mouse actions to navigate through
the 3D points image. The keyboard/mouse controls are explained in the
following two tables, using a camera metaphor to represent the source of the
view you see in the View panel.
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Viewing Image Data
3D Points Image Navigation with Keyboard and Mouse - Walkthrough

Mode
To: Do the following:
Rotate the camera Click and drag the pointer with the left mouse button. .
around the Y axis, using
the camera position as
the rotation center, and
move the camera along
the Z axis (point of view
(POV) moves with the
camera).
Rotate the camera Hold the X key as you click and drag the pointer. .
around the X and Y
axes.
Rotate the camera Hold the Z key as you click and drag the pointer. .
around the Z axis, and
move the camera along
the Z axis (POV moves
with the camera).
Shift the camera along Left and Right Arrow keys.
the X axis.
Shift the camera along Up and Down Arrow keys.
the Z axis (POV moves
with the camera
Shift the camera along Use the Shift + Up and Shift + Down keys.
the Y axis
the Z axis (POV does .
not move with the Or
camera)
Hold the Ctrl key as you click and drag the pointer.
Zoom in and out Page Up and Page Down keys.
Or
Hold the Shift and Ctrl keys, and click and drag the
pointer.
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3D Points Image Navigation with Keyboard and Mouse - Examine Mode
To: Do the following:
Rotate the camera Click and drag the pointer with the left mouse button.
around the X and Y
axes
Rotate the camera Hold the X key as you click and drag the pointer. .
around the X axis
Rotate the camera Hold the Y key as you click and drag the pointer. .
around the Y axis
Rotate the camera Hold the Z key as you click and drag the pointer. .
around the Z axis
Shift the camera along Use the Left and Right Arrow keys.
the X axis
Shift the camera along Use the Shift + Up and Shift + Down keys.
the Y axis
the Z axis (POV does
not move with the Or
camera)
Hold the Ctrl key as you click and drag the pointer.
Zoom in and out Hold the Shift and Ctrl keys and click and drag the pointer.
Mesh View Modes

You can use the Mesh View controls to toggle the 3D image between the
three available mesh views.
Solid
Points
Wireframe
Note: Currently, the Mesh View controls are not available.
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7
Exporting and Saving Image
Data
In this chapter
Setting Background Layer and Mask Filter Parameters.

Exporting the 2D Image Data as a Raster File
Exporting the 3D Image Data to a File
Saving Settings and Image Data as a Project
Opening a New (or Existing) Scan
Exporting and Saving Image Data
Setting Background Layer and Mask Filter

Parameters
FX Controller includes filters that allow you to mask categories of 3D image
data that you may not want to include in the exported file, including:
Data whose signal level is outside a specified range,

Gaps in the scanned data,
Data that might not be valid due to insufficient or contradictory
readings during scanning,
Data from target surfaces that are outside the distance range of
interest.
FX Controller also includes two Background filters that indicate the signal
intensity and distance from the scanner. The color blending between colors
assigned to the minimum and maximum signal intensities or distances can be
used in the 2D Intensity view to indicate the rate of change in signal
intensities or distances.
In the 2D Intensity view, the mask filters are displayed in layers, like those
used in graphics applications, with the Background intensity and distance
layers always being the bottom layers. Making the mask layers viewable
allows you to see the data included in the masks, and thus potentially left out
of the exported 3D image data.
The Background and mask filter parameters are set in the Export Filters tab
in the Settings window.
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Setting the Background Intensity Layer

Parameters
You can set the values and colors for what you want to define as the
minimum and maximum intensities the Background Intensity layer.
To Set the Background Intensity Parameters:
1. Double-click on the word Intensity in the Name column of the

Backgrounds panel.
2. Or you can also right-click on Intensity.
3. Then select Properties from the pop-up menu.
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The Edit Background Intensity dialog box appears.
From this dialog box, you can specify the various Background Intensity
parameters. To change a parameter, click in its value field; the field becomes
either a text field or a drop-down list.
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The Background Intensity parameters are explained in “Background

Parameters”.
Setting the Background Intensity Min/Max

Values Using the Histogram
You can set the Background Intensity Min and Max Values using an
intensity histogram of the image data.
To Set the Background Intensity Min and Max Values Using the Histogram:
1. Right-click on Intensity.
2. Then select Show List from the pop-up menu. The Brightness Hist
dialog box displays.
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3. Use the sliders to set the Min (bottom slider) and Max (top slider)
values.
4. Then click OK to save your changes.
Setting the Background Distance Layer

Parameters
You can set the values and colors for what you want to define as the
minimum and maximum distances for the Background Distance layer. The
Distance layer is the distance map, where the proportion Color Min/Color
Max represents the distance between a point and the Zero point (that is, the
center-of-scanning point). The Distance layer is used for qualitative checking
of distances to scan points (from the Zero point).
To Set the Background Distance Layer Parameters:
1. Double-click on the word Distance in the Name column of the

Backgrounds panel.
2. Or you can also right-click on Distance.
3. Then select Properties from the pop-up menu.
The Edit Background Distance dialog box displays.
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From this dialog box, you can specify the various Background Distance
parameters. To change a parameter, click in its value field; the field becomes
either a text field or a drop-down list.
The Background Distance parameters are explained in “Background

Parameters”.
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Background Parameters
The following table explains each of the Background parameters.
Setting Description
Alpha Determines the layer transparency, relative to other layers.

Range of values is 0 (completely transparent) to 255
(completely opaque).
MaxColor The color assigned to the maximum value.
MaxValue All points with values at or higher than the MaxValue will
be displayed in the color assigned to the MaxColor (unless
Periodic is set to True).
MinColor The color assigned to the minimum value.
MinValue All points with values at or lower than the MinValue will be
displayed in the color assigned to MinColor (unless
Periodic is set to True).
Periodic If set to True, enables using a periodic pattern, using the
MinColor and MaxColor, to indicate the rate of change in
intensity or distances in the image.
For example, say the minimum and maximum distances

have been at 0ft and 50ft. The background intensity color
will be a continuous blend from MinColor to MaxColor.
However, if Periodic is enabled and Step value of 10 is
entered, then the color blend between MinColor and
MaxColor will repeat every 5ft (one-tenth of 50ft). Narrow
blend bands would indicate sharp changes in distance.
Saturate Used when the Periodic parameter is set to True. Using
this parameter helps to focus the view on the area of
interest, by making all pixels outside the area of interest
one color.
If Saturate is set to True, then:
All pixels with values less than the value in the

MinValue field will be set to the color defined in the
MinColor field.
All pixels with values greater than the value in the
MaxValue field will be set to the color defined in the
MaxColor field.
Step Used when the Periodic parameter is set to True. Defines
the step rate to use for the periodic band.
For example, for distance, 8 would be defined a step band

that is one-eighth of the distance between the maximum
and minimum distances. If that distance were 40ft, then the
periodic band would be every 5ft in distance variations.
Units (selectable only Specifies the units to be used for the Min and Max values.
for Distance)
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Setting the Export Masks Parameters

The Export Mask parameters control how the categories of image data are
displayed in the 2D Intensity view. You can also choose whether data that
meets the mask criteria will be excluded from the exported 3D image data.
The predefined mask filters are explained in the following table.
In addition to the predefined mask filters, you can create your own masks
using drawing tools. For more information, refer to “Drawing Mask Areas
Using the Mask Toolbars”.
The following table explains each of the Mask Filters parameters.
Filter Description
Contradictory Data Data that has been determined to be not reliable (not
necessary wrong, but might be).
Distance High Points at or greater than this distance are included in this
mask.
Distance Low Points at or less than distance are included in this mask.
Export Mask A combination of all the other masks, marked to be used for
3D image data export. This mask shows all of the data that
would not be included.
Gaps Transitional areas between contiguous patches on the
target surface. The value field is the thickness of the line
used to indicate a gap.
Insufficient Data During one of the scan passes, these areas were covered
or obscured.
Intensity Max Pixels at or above this value will be included in this mask.
Intensity Min Pixels at or below this value will be included in this mask.
Small Areas Image areas that are smaller than the specified size will be
considered noisy data (for example, streaks) to be masked.
The threshold units are in arc minutes.
User Mask The mask drawn in the 2D Intensity view using the Mask
tools.
To Set the Mask Parameters for One of the Image Data Categories:
1. Double-click on the category entry in the Name column of the

Backgrounds panel.
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The Edit Filter dialog box for that category displays.
From this dialog box, you can specify the various mask filter parameters. To
change a parameter, click in its value field; the field becomes either a text
field or a drop-down list.
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The mask filter parameters are explained in the following table. Note that not
all parameters are used with each filter type.
Mask Filter Parameters
Parameter Description
Alpha Determines the layer transparency, relative to other layers.

Range of values is 0 (completely transparent) to 255
(completely opaque).
Color The color assigned to this category of data.
Units The unit of measure used for the entry in the Value field.
Usein3D If set to False, data in this mask filter category are not
included in the exported 3D image data file.
Value Specifies the value for this category of data (e.g. the
intensity value for Intensity Max and Intensity Min).
Setting the Visibility Rank for Filter Layers
You can specify where in the stack of Background and Mask filter layers a
particular filter will be placed. Layers lower in the stack will be hidden by
layers higher in the stack.
A layer’s visibility also depends on the layers’ assigned Alpha (transparency)

value. The filter’s current rank is shown in the Visibility Rank column. A
visibility rank of 0 indicates that the filter will be hidden.
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To Change a Filter’s Visibility Rank:
1. Select the filter entry in the Name column of the Backgrounds or

Masks panel.
2. Then click the Up (or Down) button to move the filter up (or down) in
rank.
3. Or you can also right-click on the filter entry.
4. Then select Rank Up (or Rank Down) from the pop-up menu.
Making a Filter Layer Invisible

You can make any of the Background or Mask filter layers invisible. An
invisible layer is not shown in the image views and will not be used as a mask
when exporting 3D image data (i.e., the corresponding data would be
included in the exported 3D image data). A visibility rank of 0 indicates that
the filter will be hidden.
To Make a Filter Layer Invisible:
1. Right-click on the filter entry in the Name column of the

Backgrounds or (Masks) panel.
2. Then select Set Invisible from the pop-up menu. The entry’s
visibility rank is set to 0.
Hiding or Showing All Filters

You can toggle the visibility for all filters between hiding all of them or
showing them using their current visibility ranks.
To Toggle Between Hiding or Showing the Filters:
Click the Hide All (or Show All) button.
After clicking the Hide All button, the visibility rank for all layers becomes 0.
After clicking the Show All button, the visibility rank for all layers returns to
their previously set values.
Applying Filter Changes to View Images

You can apply any changes that you have made to the Background and Mask
filters to the image displayed in the 2D Intensity view using the Apply Colors
button. This is a faster alternative than processing or regenerating the image
data, as only the visualization data for the views is processed, not the actual
image data.
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To Apply Filter Changes to the View Images:
Click the Apply Colors button.
Exporting and Importing Filter Sets

You can export the current set of filters to an XML-format filter file. Once
created, you can import the filter file to use the filter set in another project, or
to use the filter set with the execution of the ProcessC3D command line
function.
For a description of the filters file XML format and a description of the filter
parameters that are defined in it, refer to “XML Filter File Format and
Parameters”.
To Export the Current Filter Set to a Preference File:
1. Select the File > Export/Import > Export Filters menu option.
2. You are prompted to specify a location and name for the file.
To Import the Filter Set From a Filter File:
1. Select the File > Export/Import > Import Filters menu option.
2. You are prompted to locate and open the file.
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Exporting the 2D Image Data As a Raster

File
You can save the 2D intensity image data as a raster file. Any Background
Intensity and Mask filter are applied and saved with the 2D raster image file.
You can also choose to save a distance map in a binary format file, along
with the raster image file.
To Save the 2D Intensity Image Data to a Raster File:
1. Select the File > Save Bitmap > Bitmap Only (or Bitmap and
Distance Map) menu option. The Choose Bitmap File dialog box
opens with the default folder /Documents and Settings/user
subfolder/Application Data/Surphaserversion/C3Dfiles folder
selected.
2. If desired, navigate a different destination folder and change the

name of the file. Select a raster file format from the Save as type
drop-down list (GIF, JPG, PNG, BMP and TIFF are available).
3. Then click the button.
Note that, if you are also saving a distance map, the distance map file name
is the same as the raster file name you entered, but with the extension
“.dmap”.
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A sample raster file is shown below.
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Chapter 7
Exporting the 3D Image Data to a File

You can save the 3D image data to an industry-standard file. Data that match
a mask filter criteria and for which the mask filter’s UseIn3D parameter is set
to False will not be included in the exported file.
To Export the 3D Image Data to a File:
1. Click the Export button in the Processing toolbar.

2. Or select the File > Save As menu option. The Choose File to
Export in dialog box opens.
3. In the Choose file to export in dialog box, do one of the following:
Navigate to the destination folder.

Enter a name for the file.
Select a 3D image data file format from the Save as type drop-
down list.
The supported formats are listed and described in “Supported 3D Export File
Formats”.
To Create the 3D Image File:
click the Save button.
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Note: You can also have the 3D image data exported automatically as part of
the 3D processing. For more information, refer to “3D Image Data Export” on
page 60. By the default 3D image files are stored to /Documents and
Settings/<user subfolder>/Application Data/Surphaser/C3Dfiles folder.
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Saving Settings and Image Data As a

Project
Default Scanning and Processing Settings
The current scanning and processing settings are saved by the application in
preference files in the Documents and Settings/user
subfolder/Application Data/FX Controller/FX Controller Standard folder.
These files are refreshed when you end the scan session.
This allows the settings to be retained and then loaded for the next scan
session. If for some reason the preference files in the FX Controller
application directory are deleted or become corrupted, the application will
revert to the default settings.
Working with Projects

When you perform a new scan operation, a project folder is created in the
same folder in which the scan data file is located (that is, the Output Filename
folder specified on the Scan tab).
As you change scan, image processing, and filter parameters and process
images, the settings and image data are saved in the project folder for the
current session. However, unless you select the Keep Project option on the
Processing Modes tab, these settings and image data are not permanently
saved if you start another scan, open another project, or exit the application.
Selecting the Keep Project option allows you to load the project at a later
time to continue working on it. If the project is being kept, FX Controller
creates the following files and subfolder in the project folder:
project.xml. Contains project-specific settings. You select this file

when you want to load an existing project.
processing.xml. Used internally by the application.
preference.xml. Controls the state of the session-specific
parameters (user settings, toolbar positions, and so on).These
parameters can be reset using the Reset function.
*.bsp files. Internal FX Controller files.
*.bst files. Very large data files. If these files are deleted or not
included when copying the project to another PC, the project is still
usable. They will be recreated when the processing operations are
performed. However, including them in the copy operation would
save processing time when working with the copy of the project.
Trash subfolder. Used for files that are no longer needed. If you
are copying the project to another PC, you do not have to include
this folder.
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Note: Do not rename or move the project files.
Loading an Existing Project

To Load an Existing Project:
1. Select the File > Load Project menu option. The Browse for Folder
dialog box opens.
2. Navigate to the project’s folder.

3. Select the file project.xml.
4. Then click the Open button. The selected project is loaded into FX
Controller.
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Chapter 7
Opening a New (or Existing) Scan

You can open a new or existing scan at any time. The procedures for these
tasks are described in the following topics.
Opening a New Scan

To Open a New Scan:
Click the New Scan button in the toolbar. The previous parameter
settings and image data are flushed from application memory.
Note that the scanner must be online, as indicated in the Scan tab in the
Settings window, to start a new scan.
Loading an Existing Scan

To Load an Existing Scan:
1. Select the File > Load Scan menu option. The Browse for Folder
dialog box opens.
2. Navigate to the project’s folder.

3. Select the C3D scan data file.
4. Then click the Open button. The selected scan is loaded into FX
Controller.
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CHAPTER
8
Troubleshooting
The FX Controller program reports session activity in the Log window.
As you perform operations on the application, the Log window entries will
indicate the progress of those activities. This provides a check that the
application is processing operations as expected.
In addition to status reported to the Log window, the application saves more
extensive status information about session activity to a log file. The path of
the log file is shown at the top of the scrollable list in the Log window. Service
personnel will use the scan data files and the log file when diagnosing
problems with the application.
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CHAPTER
9
Appendix
In this chapter
Supported 3D Export File Formats

ProcessC3D Reference Information
XML Filter File Format and Parameters
Appendix
Supported 3D Export File Formats

SurphExpress supports the following 3D image data file formats.
Format (file 3D Format Scan Type Description

extensition)
bpd Cloud Point Spherical Binary ptx (format was developed in Bitwise).
dxf Cloud Point Spherical AutoCAD format

and Mesh
gpd Cloud Point GeoMagic point data (cloud of points with an
opportunity to set color of normal and position in
lattice.
mms Cloud Points Spherical Mensi RealWorks Viewer format.
msh Mesh SurphExpress proprietary internal binary format for

the mesh.
obj Accepted by Wavefront firm for several net 3D plug-
ins.
ptb Cloud Point Spherical SurphExpress proprietary internal binary format.
pts Cloud Point Spherical Cyra Cyclone format - unorganized 3D image data
with intensity values.
ptx Cloud Point Spherical Cyra Cyclone format - gridded 3D image data.
ptxx Cloud Point Spherical Ptx with the interpolated amplitude added.
stl Mesh Stereolitography.
vpd Cloud Point Spherical Differs from ptx by header only.
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Chapter 9
ProcessC3D Reference Information

Command Line Arguments
The following table summarizes the arguments that can be used with the
ProcessC3D command.
ProcessC3D Command Line Arguments
Argument Description
-prv:<filename> PRV file name.

Default: get prvfile name for the scanner from registry.
-filters:<filename> XML file with processing parameters.
-c3d:<filename> C3D filename. It is a mandatory parameter, unless -
project is specified.
-out:<filename> Output filename.
Default: leading part of C3D filename (including path)
and file extension replaced with export format
specification.
-export:{PTX, BPD, PTB, Out format.
XYZ} Default: PTX
-units:{mm, m um, in, ft} Units for the coordinate data in output file.
Default: meters.
-aspect:{1,0} Aspect ratio for PTX, BPD.
1 – equilateral grid
0 – Keep the aspect of the scan
Default: 1
-subsample:<n> Integer 1-100; percent of points to output (same
algorithm as in SES).
Default: 100
-Fullscan Process the full scan (take the botto angle from filters
file or prp/prv file).
Default option
Incompatible with arguments: -hector, vsector, -
sector.
-excludebase:<n> Interger n (degrees) is half angle of the bottom aprt of
the scan to be excluded.
Default: 0
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Appendix
-hsector:<L>;<R> Left and right angles of the sector to process in the

range [0,360] (interger, degrees).
Default: process full horizontal range.
Incompatible with arguments: -sector, -fullscan.
-vsector:<L>:<H> Low and High (from horizon) angles of the sectors to
process in the range [-90 to 90] (interger, degrees).
Default: process full vertical range.
Incompatible with arguments: -fullscan, -sector.
- Process solid angle. Incompatible with arguments: -
sector:<L>:<R>:<Low>:<High fullscan, -hsector, -vsector.
>
Argument Description
-minarea:<n> Exclude small areas. Small areas is defined as a

contiguous area which size is smaller than the specified
value (floating point, angle minutes squared).
-amin:<value> Override filter’s intensity minimum value (interger).
-ignoreerrors Not implemented. Ignore the scan integrity errors.
Default: Abort the processing if the scan integrity check
failed.
-info Output to log file information on the scan (as in
c3dinfo.exe). If –log option is not specified, information is
printed on the console.
Default: Do not output
-keepproject Retain the project and temporary files for further use.
-project:<project> Use the project and temporary files from previous runs.
Incompatible with –prv and –c3d arguments. This option
implicitly turns on the –keepproject option.
-prj:<directory> Explicitly specify project directory name. Incompatible with
–project argument. Directory should not exist before
program start and will be deleted unless –keepproject
option is specified.
-verbose Turn on verbose mode.
Default: verbose mode off.
-bpdfilter Bad points will be displayed in a solid color (currently,
blue).
-bpdnormalize Turn on intensity normalization for the scene. Used for bpd
only.
-bpdrange:<n> Maximum distance (in feet) to be kept in file. Used for bpd
only.
Default: 1000.0
-bpdoffset:<n> Intensity boost value. Used for bpd only. Integer
Default: 0
135
Chapter 9
Online Help Text

The following online help text is displayed if the ProcessC3D command is
executed without any arguments.
Usage:
ProcessC3d [options...]
-prv:prvfile scanner parameters file name
-c3d:c3dfile source file name
-out:outfile output file name
-filters:fltfile filters parameter file name
-fullscan process whole scan (default)
-hsector:L:R left and right boundaries for image
processing
Default is 0:360 (integer, degrees)
-vsector:Lo:Hi low and high boundaries for image
processing
Default is -90:90 (integer, degrees).
-sector:L:R:Lo:Hi define solid angle for processing
(integer, degrees)
-excludebase:<n> exclude lowest part of the scan
(integer, degrees)
-export:<s> output format. Values: PTX, BPD, PTB, XYZ
-minarea:<n> small area size
-units:<s> measurement unit for output. Values: um, mm,
m, in, ft
-amin:<n> minimum intensity value
-aspect:<n> aspect ratio for output.
1 - square grid (default), 0 - keep original aspect.
-subsample:<n> percentage of point to output
-prj:dirname use specified name for project directory
-keepproject save project for later use
-project:dirname use saved project from specified
directory
-ignoreerrors ignore processing errors
-info display information on the scan
-log:logfile log file for processing data
-verbose turn on verbose mode, default: off
------ Parameters used for BPD format only ------
-bpdfilter BAD POINTS will be displayed in a solid color
(BLUE)
-bpdnormalize turn on intensity normalization for the
scene
-bpdrange:<n> maximum distance (in feet) to be kept in
file.
Floating point value, default: 1000.0
-bpdoffset:<n> intensity boost value. Integer value,
default: 0
Examples.
136
Appendix
ProcessC3d -prv:d:\sc.prv -c3d:scan.c3d -out:save.out -

export:ptx -
filters:filter.xml -hsector:30:210 -keepproject
ProcessC3d -project:Scan001_19.05.2005 -
filters:filter.xml -out:save.ptx -
log:f:c3d2ptx.log -units:m
137
Chapter 9
Diagnostic Messages
Following is a list of error and warning messages that could be returned
during the ProcessC3D command execution. Some error messages may
have second line with original system’s exception message.
Also, in case of exception while parsing the command line, the following
information will be displayed:
first line shows option, which caused error,

further line(s) show system’s exception message
“Error parsing: <arg>”
where “arg” is an unrecognized option (command line parameter).
"Warning: -ignoreerrors not yet implemented"
"Unknown unit: <arg>”
where “arg” is a string specified with -unit parameter.
"Unknown export format: <arg>”
where “arg” is a string specified with -export parameter.
"Not implemented format: <arg>”
where “arg” is a legitimate export format, but processing cannot be done
with this version of conversion utility (-export parameter).
"Project directory (or file) already exists: <arg>”
where “arg” is the name of directory with -prj parameter. It is not allowed to
use existing directory.
"-project parameter is incompatible with -prv, -prj and -c3d"
"-fullscan parameter is incompatible with -hsector, -vsector,
-sector"
"-sector parameter is incompatible with -hsector, -vsector"
"-bpd... parameters can be used for bpd export format only"
-bpdnormalize, -bpdfilter, -bpdrange and -bpdoffset options can be used
only when export:to bpd format was specified.
"Bad Left:Right values"
Left and Right values must be in [0,360] interval and Right should be
greater than Left.
"Bad Low:High (or excludebase) values"
Low and High values must be in [-90,90] interval and High should be
greater than Low. (If -excludebase parameter is specified, Low value may be
adjusted according to exludebase value. Then corrected Low value will be
used in validity check.)
"No input c3d file"
Cannot get name of input scanned data from saved project.
"Input file not found: <c3dfile>”
Cannot open input scanned data <c3dfile>.
"Cannot get scanner parameters file"
There is no name of scanner parameters prv file in system registry.
"Scanner parameters file not found: <prv>"
Cannot open scanner parameters <prv> file.
"Project load error: <sproject>"
Cannot load saved project from <sproject> directory.
138
Appendix
"Filter file load error: <sfilter>"

Cannot load filter file <sfilter>.
"Filter resource load error:"
Cannot load filter data from built-in resource.
"Project save error: <sproject>"
Cannot write project data to <sproject> directory.
"Project create error: <sproject>"
Cannot create <sproject> directory.
"Prv file checksum error"
Prv file contains invalid checksum.
"Prv file is obsolete, at least version 1.7 required"
Cannot use old prv files.
"Config not found"
Prv file does not contain “Current” configuration.
"This is 30 days evaluation version
<XX> days left
Trial version always displays this string.
“Evaluation period expired
Application exiting..."
Trial version will stop functioning after 30 days.
"Error: no scan data in the selected sector"
User specified processing area which does not contain any scanned data.
"m_names cannot be null"
Internal error in image processing.
139
Chapter 9
XML Filter File Format and Parameters

XML Filter File Format
Parameters have the same meaning as those in the FX Controller Export
Filter tab in the Settings window.
Note the following about parameter entry case-sensitivity:
Section names and parameter names are case-sensitive.

True/False values are not case-sensitive.
Each filter can be represented by one or two XML <PRMELEMENT> tags,

one for controlling applicability of the filter, the other (available not for all
filters) specifying numeric value associated with the filter.
Following is an example file:
<PARAMETERS>
<SECTION NAME="Filters">
<PRMELEMENT NAME="PF_AMax">19500</PRMELEMENT>
<PRMELEMENT NAME="PF_AMin">200</PRMELEMENT>
<PRMELEMENT NAME="PF_LMax">100000000</PRMELEMENT>
<PRMELEMENT NAME="PF_LMin">0</PRMELEMENT>
<PRMELEMENT NAME="RU_FilmWidth">0.001</PRMELEMENT>
<PRMELEMENT NAME="PF_MinArea">1600.0</PRMELEMENT>
<PRMELEMENT NAME="PF_UseAMax">False</PRMELEMENT>
<PRMELEMENT NAME="PF_UseAMin">True</PRMELEMENT>
<PRMELEMENT NAME="PF_UseZMax">False</PRMELEMENT>
<PRMELEMENT NAME="PF_UseZMin">True</PRMELEMENT>
<PRMELEMENT NAME="PF_UseGaps">True</PRMELEMENT>
<PRMELEMENT NAME="PF_UseCtrData">False</PRMELEMENT>
<PRMELEMENT NAME="PF_UseInsData">False</PRMELEMENT>
<PRMELEMENT NAME="PF_UseMinArea">True</PRMELEMENT>
</SECTION>
<SECTION NAME="Point Cloud">
<PRMELEMENT NAME="Traces_AdjustAmp">True</PRMELEMENT>
<PRMELEMENT NAME="Traces_UseIntrDist">True</PRMELEMENT>
</SECTION>
<SECTION NAME="Make Scan">
<PRMELEMENT NAME="ResolveAmbAlgorithm">Hybrid</PRMELEMENT>
<PRMELEMENT NAME="RU_CorrectPasses">1</PRMELEMENT>
</SECTION>
</PARAMETERS>
140
Appendix
XML Filter File Parameters

The following table provides summary information about the mask filter
parameters that can be defined in the XML filter file.
Filter Name Value Parameter Units Default Value Toggle Parameter

Default Toggle
The following topics provide additional information about these parameters as

they relate to specifying them in the XML filter file. For additional general
information about these parameters, refer to the table “Mask Filters
Parameters”.
Minimum Intensity: Amin
Points with intensity less than AMin (intensity units) are not exported, but
marked as “missed” in PTX.
PF_AMin Defines minimum intensity in Amplitude Units.
-amin command line argument supersedes the PF_AMin value.
Default value: 200
PF_UseAMin If True, use AMin filter in export; if False, ignore.
Default value: False
Maximum Intensity: Amax
Points with intensity greater than AMax (intensity units) are not exported, but
PF_AMax Defines maximum intensity in Amplitude Units.
Default value: 1950
PF_UseAMax If True, use AMax filter in export; if False, ignore.
141
Chapter 9
Minimum Distance: LMin/Zmin
Points with distance less than LMin (micrometers) are not exported, but
PF_LMin Defines minimum distance in micrometers.
Default value: 0
PF_UseZMin If True, use LMin filter in export; if False, ignore.
Default value: True
Maximum Distance: LMax/Zmax
Points with distance greater than PF_LMax (micrometers) are not exported,
but marked as “missed” in PTX.
PF_LMax Defines maximum distance in micrometers.
Default value: 100000000
PF_UseZMax If True, use ZMax filter in export; if False, ignore.
Transition Gaps (Film width)
RU_FilmWidth
The gap width in radians.
PF_UseGaps If true, the gaps are marked for exclusion.
Default value: 0.001
Contradictory Data
Data that has been determined to be not reliable (not necessarily wrong, but
might be). Contradictory data result from the following sources:
Semitransparent surfaces (glass window with objects behind it)
Transitional areas where some data may be taken from different
distances
Saturation resulting in significant (more than few millimeters)
distortion of distance data
Multiple scattering /reflection
Objects moving between passes
Very dark (or far) objects
PF_UseCtrData
Toggles application of contradictory data filter.
Insufficient Data
Insufficient data condition arises when some of the auxiliary passes ended
prematurely or data was lost due to other reasons.
PF_UseInsData
Toggles application of “Insufficient data” filter.
142
Appendix
Small areas filtering
During the processing the algorithm analyzes the connectivity of the data
points. For the points that belong to small continuous areas there is high
probability that these points are inaccurate. Small Areas filters control the
output of points in small continuous areas.
PF_MinArea Defines the size (in angle minutes^2) of minimal continuous area
that will be affected by this filter.
–minarea command line argument supersedes PF_MinArea value.
Default value: 200
PF_UseMinArea
Toggles application of “Small areas” filter.
Default value: True
Intensity Adjustment
Traces_AdjustAmp
Controls the Intensity vs. distance correction (for scanners that have the
correction table available in prv file).
Default value: True
Traces_UseIntrDist
Traces_UseIntrDist
If true, filters out points from the pixels with large intrapixel variation of
distance.
Default value: True
ResolveAmbAlgorithm
ResolveAmbAlgorithm
Has two possible values: Hybrid is for heuristic algorithm of distance
resolution, and Point by Point is for the direct algorithm. Hybrid algorithm
can work in wide conditions, including dark areas and minor scanner
movements, but sometimes it gives in result sudden errors like misplaced
parts of surface (usually at the edge). Point by Point requires more stable
scanning conditions and in its current version fails in dark areas, but the
probability of the wrong result is much less, than for Hybrid.
Default value: Hybrid
143
Chapter 9
RU_CorrectPasses
RU_CorrectPasses
Filter is intended to compensate Pan encoder errors and minor tripod shifts
between passes. The parameter has the following possible values:
0 Do not seek and correct errors,

1 Fast search (detects shift by integer number of points or coils),
2 Slow search (4 times more accurate than "fast search").
Default value: 1
144
Index
Index
2D data Walkthrough mode, 95

View, 87 3D processing parameters, 69
2D image, 76 % of points to export, 69
Draw mask areas, 88 % of points to show, 69
Generate, 76 Generate 3D, 69
Navigate, using the Navigate/Zoom Regen, 69
windows, 89 View 3D, 69
Navigate, using toolbar controls, 87 Background color
Regenerate, 84 Set, 91
2D processing parameters, 65 Brightness
A(Z), 65 Set, 96
Generate 2D, 65 Center of rotation, 101
Only export express view, 66 Assign image bounding box as, 101
Pixel separation, 65 Assign zero point as, 101
Regen, 66 Hide, 102
Show express view, 66 Show, 102
View 2D, 65 Contrast
Z, 65 Set, 96
3D data Distance resolution, 72
Background color, 91 Central distance, 73
Foreground color, 91 Direct, 73
Orthogonal mode, 93 Heuristic, 73
Perspective mode, 93 Export format
View, 91 TZS, 70
Zfar parameter, 94 Express view, 77
Znear parameter, 94 Toolbar, 79
3D image, 70, 76 Foreground color
Aspect, 71 Set, 91
Brightness, 96 FOV
Cloud, 71 Full volume scan, 51
Contrast, 96 Sector scan, 51
Coordinate system, 97 Gain factor
Examine mode, 95 1 pass at 27m, 55
Export, 70 1 pass at 40m, 55
Export format, 70 2 pass at 40m, 55
Force export in file, 70 Horizontal angles
Generate, 76 Full scan, 62
Mesh, 71 Sector, 62
Navigate, using keyboard and mouse, Mask edit window, 78
102, 103 Mask tools, 88
Navigate, using toolbar controls, 98 Box, 88
Navigation parameters, 98 Compute Gain, 88
Points on grid, 70 Erase, 88
Regenerate, 84 Fill, 88
Standard views, 99 Lasso, 88
Units, 71 Pen, 88
145
Index
Redo, 88 Rpr file, 47

Undo, 88 View, 48
Mesh view mode Xml file, 47
Points, 104 Scanner reference angle
Mesh view modes, 104 Reset, 51
Solid, 104 Scanner reference pan angle, 50
Wireframe, 104 Set, 50
Navigate in 2D, using the Navigate/Zoom Shift
windows Auto repeat multiplier, 99
Pan, 90 Step, 99
Zoom in, 90 Shit
Zoom out, 90 Along the X axis, 100
Navigate in 2D, using toolbar controls Along the Y axis, 100
Pan, 88 Along the Z axis, 100
Zoom in, 88 Spherical scan parameters
Zoom out, 88 FOV, 51
Navigation parameters Spherical scan resolution
Rotate, 99 Units, 52
Shift, 99 Spherical scan resolutions
Toolbar, 99 Equal grid aspect ratio, 52
Zoom, 99 Horizontal, 51
Processing modes, 63 Modify, 52
2D processing, 65 Vertical, 51
3D image, 70 Spherical scans, 49
3D Processing, 69 Automatic processing, 50
Distance resolution, 72 CD3 file, 53
Processing parameters, 61, 74 Gain factor, 55
Export, 74 Interrupt, 56
Processing region, 61 Resume interupted scans, 57
Processing region Scan configurations, 55
Horizontal angles, 61 Start new scan, 56
Vertical angle, 62 Start scanning, 56
Processing regions, 61 Spherical scans parameters, 49
Project, 71 Standard views, Examine mode
Keep, 71 Bottom, 99
Unkeep, 71 Left, 99
Rotate Real, 99
Around the Y axis, 100 Standard Views, Examine mode
Around the Z, 100 Front, 99
Around X axis, 100 Right, 99
Point-n-Rotate, 100 Top, 99
Step, 99 Standard views, Walkthrough mode
Scan configuration, 55 Face bottom, 99
1 pass, 55 Face left, 99
2 pass, 55 Face real, 99
Scan resolution units Standard Views, Walkthrough mode
Lines per degree, 53 Face front, 99
Lines per inch, 53 Face right, 99
Scanner parameters, 47 Face top, 99
Load, 47 Toolbar
146
Index
Auto repeat multiplier, 99 Rotate camera around Z axis and

Units moves camera along Z acis (POV
Foot, 71 moves with camera, 103
Meter, 71 Shift camera along X axis, 103
Using keyboard and mouse, Examine Shift camera along Y axis, 103
mode Shift camera along Z axis (POV does
Rotate camera around X and Y axes, not move with camera, 103
104 Shift camera along Z axis (POV moves
Rotate camera around X axis, 104 with camera, 103
Rotate camera around Y axis, 104 Zoom in, 103
Rotate camera around Z axis, 104 Zoom out, 103
Shift camera alonf Z axis, POV does Vertical angles, 62
not move, 104 Both, 62
Shift camera along X axis, 104 Front, 62
Shift camera along Y axis, 104 Rear, 62
Zoom in, 104 Sector, 62
Zoom out, 104 Zero index, 50
Using keyboard and mouse, Walkthrough Zoom
mode Auto repeat multiplier, 99
Rotate around Y axis using camera Step, 99
position as center and moves Zooms, Examine mode, 102
camera along Z axis (POV moves In, 102
with camera, 103 Out, 102
Rotate camera around X and Y axes, Reset zoom factor to standard, 102
103
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Trimble FX Controller

Document Release 2.0

Trimble Navigation Limited

Keeping the Project ........................................................................................................... 71

Exporting the 2D Image Data As a Raster File ..................................................................... 120

Conventions Used in This Manual

 Window, panel, dialog window, and tab titles: Scanning window.

Trimble FX Controller includes the following features:

 C3D scan data proprietary format (also referred to as raw data).

 Accuracy Considerations Common Both Scanners

Angular vs. Linear Scan Resolution

Scanner Operating Temperature

Transparency of the surface degrades distance measuring precision. An

 If the spot is a focused point, the degree of transparency is low.

To get accurate results with some of semi-transparent surfaces, the object

Reflective Surfaces and Incidence Angles

This can happen because:

Scanner Dynamic Range and the Gain Factor

The scanner’s sensitivity is controlled by adjusting the gain factor. Generally

Maintaining Scanner Calibration Data

Periodically, as determined by your application requirements, the scanner

To update the scan parameters in FX Controller, a service representative will

Distance Ambiguity Resolution

Spherical Scanning Operation

 Setting the reference (0°) pan angle of the scanner,

Spherical Scan Resolution

 The vertical resolution is the separation between two consecutive

 Loading a Scanner’s Scan Parameters

Minimum personal computer hardware:

 Intel Pentium 4 or later (or compatible), 2 GHz or higher

Installing .NET and DirectX

 .NET 2.0 runtime

Installing the FX Controller Application

To Install the FX Controller Application Software:

3. Insert the FX Controller Installation CD-ROM.

5. Click the Next button. The Welcome to Trimble FX Controller 2.0

6. Click the Next button. The License Agreement screen displays.

7. Read through the license agreement.

 To allow any user account on this computer to access to the FX

When the software installation finishes, information about the current

13. Click the Close button. The Trimble FX Controller application is

Installing the Trimble FX Controller IEEE 1394

Installing the IEEE 1394 Drivers in Windows XP

1. Make sure that the scanner is connected to an IEEE 1394 port on

6. Navigate to and select the Driver folder in the FX Controller

7. Then click OK. The driver installation begins.

When the installation is complete, the following screen displays.

8. To close the wizard, click Finish.

10. To close the wizard, click Finish.

Installing the IEEE 1394 Drivers in Windows 2000

4. Select the Search for a suitable driver option.

6. Select the Specify a location option.

11. Navigate to and select the Driver folder in the FX Controller

13. Click Next. The installation begins. When the installation is

14. To close the wizard, click Finish.

Starting the FX Controller Application

Do one of the following:

 Select the Start/Trimble FX Controller menu option.

 Loading a Scanner’s Scan Parameters

Loading an Scanner’s Scan Parameters

 When, upon startup, the application detects that an undefined

To Load a Scanner’s Scan Parameters File:

1. Select File > Update Scanner Parameters menu option. The

Window, panel, dialog window, and tab titles: Scanning window.

C3D scan data proprietary format (also referred to as raw data).

Accuracy Considerations Common Both Scanners

If the spot is a focused point, the degree of transparency is low.

Setting the reference (0°) pan angle of the scanner,

The vertical resolution is the separation between two consecutive

Loading a Scanner’s Scan Parameters

Intel Pentium 4 or later (or compatible), 2 GHz or higher

.NET 2.0 runtime

To allow any user account on this computer to access to the FX

Select the Start/Trimble FX Controller menu option.

Loading a Scanner’s Scan Parameters

When, upon startup, the application detects that an undefined

Click on the button.

Choose the unit of measurement for the Horizontal (or Vertical

The scanner may have several preset configurations, which are

Clicking Yes will resume the interrupted scan from the

Setting Processing Parameters

To save processing time when reviewing scan results,

You may want to skip generating 2D data if you have

Set the spherical scan resolution as a percentage of the

Choose the unit of measurement for the Horizontal Resolution