Leica Geosystems T-Scan User manual

Leica T-Scan Collect
Reference Manual
Version 10.35
English

1 Introduction
1.1 Purchase
Congratulations on the purchase of the Leica Geosystems T-Scan Collect software.
This manual contains instruction for setting up the product and operating it. Read carefully through
the User Manual before you use the product.
These are original instructions and part of the software. Keep for future reference and pass on to
subsequent holders/users of the hardware or software. This User Manual contains information
protected by copyright and subject to change without notice. No part of this User Manual may be
reproduced in any form without prior and written consent from Leica Geosystems AG.
Leica Geosystems shall not be responsible for technical or editorial errors or omissions.
© Leica Geosystems AG
1.2 Trademarks
Product Names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
1.3 Validity of this Manual
This manual applies to the Leica Geosystems T-Scan Collect software.
1.4 Feedback
Your feedback is important as we strive to improve the quality of our documentation. We request
you to make specific comments as to where you envisage scope for improvement. Please use the
following E-mail address to send your suggestions:
1.5 Contact
Leica Geosystems AG
Metrology Division
Moenchmattweg 5
5035 Unterentfelden
Switzerland
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
www.leica-geosystems.com/metrology
[e-mail]

2 Contents
1Introduction ........................................................................................................1
1.1 Purchase.......................................................................................................1
1.2 Trademarks...................................................................................................1
1.3 Validity of this Manual...................................................................................1
1.4Feedback......................................................................................................1
1.5 Contact..........................................................................................................1
2Contents..............................................................................................................2
3Revisions............................................................................................................6
4T-Scan Collect - Software –Introduction.........................................................7
4.1 Installation and Program Start.......................................................................7
4.2 Licensing.......................................................................................................7
5Working with Viewers........................................................................................8
5.1 3D Viewer .....................................................................................................8
5.2 Status Indicators.........................................................................................12
5.3 Additional Coordinate Axes.........................................................................13
5.4 Data Explorer..............................................................................................13
6Customizing the User Interface ......................................................................20
7Measurement....................................................................................................24
7.1 Selection of Measurement Mode ................................................................24
7.2 Measurement Settings................................................................................24
7.2.1 General................................................................................................25
7.2.2 Line Scanner........................................................................................25
7.2.3 Surface Mode.......................................................................................27
7.2.4 3D Point Mode.....................................................................................31
7.2.5 Static Polyline Mode ............................................................................32
7.2.6 Dynamic Polyline Mode .......................................................................34
7.3 Starting a Measurement..............................................................................34
7.3.1 Surface Mode.......................................................................................34
7.3.2 3D Point Mode.....................................................................................35
7.3.3 Static Polyline Mode ............................................................................36
7.3.4 Dynamic Polyline Mode .......................................................................37
7.4 Stopping a Measurement............................................................................38
8Interactive Tools...............................................................................................39
8.1 Selection Mode ...........................................................................................40
8.2 Interactive Clipping......................................................................................40
8.3 Check Accuracy..........................................................................................40
8.4 Cross Sections............................................................................................43
8.5 Create Reference Points.............................................................................44
8.6 Fill Holes (Triangle Mesh)...........................................................................45
8.7 Create Bridges (Triangle Mesh)..................................................................46

8.8 Smoothing (Triangle Mesh).........................................................................47
8.9 Decimate Mesh (Triangle Mesh).................................................................48
8.10 Sharpen Edges (Triangle Mesh) .................................................................49
8.11 Alignment Calibration..................................................................................49
9Calibration ........................................................................................................50
9.1 Calibrate measurement range.....................................................................50
9.1.1 Preparation ..........................................................................................50
9.1.2 Procedure ............................................................................................50
9.2 Alignment Calibration..................................................................................53
9.2.1 Requirements for an Alignment Sphere...............................................53
9.2.2 Measurement Strategy.........................................................................53
9.2.3 Step-by-Step Guide .............................................................................56
10 Working with Files........................................................................................59
10.1 Create New Project.....................................................................................59
10.2 Open Existing Project..................................................................................59
10.3 Save Project................................................................................................59
10.4 Save Project Under New Name ..................................................................59
10.5 Import Data .................................................................................................59
10.5.1 Using the File Menu.............................................................................60
10.5.2 Using the Data Explorer.......................................................................60
10.5.3 Using Drag and Drop ...........................................................................60
10.6 Export Data.................................................................................................60
10.6.1 Using the File Menu.............................................................................60
10.6.2 Using the Data Explorer.......................................................................61
11 Processing of Data Sets...............................................................................62
11.1 Transform Data...........................................................................................62
11.1.1 Transform ............................................................................................62
11.1.2 Transform to Nominal Points................................................................63
11.1.3 3 Planes Alignment..............................................................................69
11.1.4 3-2-1 Alignment....................................................................................72
11.1.5 Scale....................................................................................................76
11.1.6 Mirror ...................................................................................................76
11.2 Optimize Data .............................................................................................76
11.2.1 Smoothing............................................................................................76
11.2.2 Decimating...........................................................................................77
11.3 Matching .....................................................................................................77
11.3.1 Global Matching...................................................................................77
11.3.2 Tolerance Based Matching ..................................................................82
11.4 Optimize Triangle Meshes ..........................................................................85
11.4.1 Remove Unassociated Areas...............................................................85
11.4.2 Remove Outliers..................................................................................86
11.4.3 Noise Reduction...................................................................................86
11.4.4 Curvature Based Decimation...............................................................87
11.4.5 Smoothing............................................................................................87
11.5 Interactive Tools..........................................................................................87

12 Post-Processing ...........................................................................................88
13 Calculation of Feature Lines........................................................................92
13.1 Calculation of Feature Lines .......................................................................93
13.2 Calculation of V-Lines.................................................................................95
13.3 Interactive Generation of Polylines..............................................................96
13.4 Processing of Polylines and Triangle Meshes.............................................97
13.5 3D Viewer Control.......................................................................................99
14 Service.........................................................................................................100
15 Tracking System.........................................................................................101
15.1 Initialize.....................................................................................................101
15.2 Disconnect/Connect..................................................................................101
15.3 Environmental Parameters........................................................................101
15.4 Laser Control ............................................................................................102
15.5 Reflectors..................................................................................................102
15.6 Information................................................................................................102
15.7 Go Birdbath...............................................................................................103
15.8 Go Zero Position.......................................................................................103
15.9 Move Station.............................................................................................103
15.9.1 Measuring the Pass Points ................................................................104
15.9.2 Selection of Pass Points....................................................................105
15.9.3 Moving the Station.............................................................................106
15.9.4 Measuring the Pass Points ................................................................106
15.9.5 Transformation Results......................................................................107
15.9.6 Invoking Move Station again..............................................................108
15.10 Release Motors .....................................................................................109
16 Digitize.........................................................................................................110
16.1 Start ..........................................................................................................110
16.2 Stop...........................................................................................................110
16.3 Information................................................................................................110
17 Settings .......................................................................................................112
17.1 Cross Sections..........................................................................................112
17.2 Matching ...................................................................................................113
17.3 3D Viewer .................................................................................................115
17.3.1 General Settings................................................................................115
17.3.2 Lines..................................................................................................115
17.3.3 Surfaces.............................................................................................116
17.3.4 Other Settings....................................................................................117
17.4 Dynamic Camera ......................................................................................118
17.5 Coordinate Axes........................................................................................119
17.6 Accuracy Check........................................................................................119
17.7 Measuring Mode .......................................................................................119
17.8 Measurement............................................................................................120
17.9 Acoustic Feedback....................................................................................120
17.10 Materials................................................................................................121

17.11 Adjust Size Automatically ......................................................................122
17.12 Display Scanner ....................................................................................122
17.13 Display T-Probe.....................................................................................123
17.14 Display T-Probe Coordinates ................................................................123
17.15 Keep On Top.........................................................................................124
18 Extras...........................................................................................................125
18.1 Execute Macro..........................................................................................125
19 Help..............................................................................................................126
19.1 About T-Scan Collect................................................................................126
20 Appendix .....................................................................................................128
20.1 DCOM Configuration.................................................................................128
20.2 T-Scan Collect vs. T-Scan Interface..........................................................131
21 Index............................................................................................................135

3 Revisions
Rev.
Date
Changes
Author
Released
1.0
04/2001
FP
3.0
01/2003
Adjustments for version 3.0
FP
BK
4.0
10/2003
Adjustments for version 4.0
FP
MPo/AB
4.2
4/2004
Adjustments for version 4.2
FP
BK
5.0
12/2004
Adjustments for version 5.0
FP
5.01
5/2005
Adjustments for version 5.01
FP
6.0
4/2006
Adjustments for version 6.0
FP
SG/AB
7.0
7/2007
Adjustments for version 7.0
FP
BK/SG
8.0
5/2009
Adjustments for version 8.0
FP/FS
FS/BK
9.0
8/2010
Adjustments for version 9.0
FP/FS
10.11
10/2013
Adjustments for version 10.11
FP
10.2
9/2014
Adjustments for version 10.20
MBN
AFU
10.3
12/2014
Adjustments for version 10.30
BK/MBN
AFU
10.32
12/2015
Adjustments for version 10.32
BK/MBN
AFU
10.34
07/2016
Adjustments for version 10.34
BK
AFU
10.35
08/2017
Adjustments for version 10.35
BK
AFU

4 T-Scan Collect - Software –Introduction
4.1 Installation and Program Start
Installation of T-Scan Collect
T-Scan Collect has been pre-installed on your system. If you want to install it again, please use the
Product USB Stick. Please note that T-Scan Collect is a 64-bit application and will only run on 64-
bit operating systems.
Start of T-Scan Collect
Use the Windows start menu or the shortcuts on your desktop to start the application.
If you only want to use T-Scan Collect for viewing, processing or evaluating data (i.e. you do not
want to measure), select the NoSensor shortcut which can be used without digitizing hardware.
4.2 Licensing
The T-Scan Collect software is protected by a CODEMeter dongle. The driver for the
CODEMeter dongle is automatically installed with the software. If you would like to upgrade
the software, please verify that the dongle is valid for the new software version. If you are
unsure, please contact [e-mail] and request the required
license file for upgrading the CODEMeter dongle to the new version. For more information, see
chapter 19.1.

5 Working with Viewers
5.1 3D Viewer
After the program start the user interface shows up:
Title bar, contains the name of current project
Toolbar with icons for frequently used functions
Several toolboxes. To save space, you can minimize/restore the toolboxes by clicking on the
corresponding button in their upper right corner
3D viewer with visualized data
Coordinate axes
, Status indicators for tracking system and controller, see chapter 5.2
Version information
Information from Weather Station

The area marked with in the above image shows the actual 3D viewer. The 3D Viewer
toolbox provides access to frequently used display functions:
Selection of viewing direction along the positive X, Y or Z coordinate axis. If you hold the
<Shift> key while clicking, the viewing direction is along the negative coordinate axis.
View all: If you use this button the zoom factor and the viewing position are adjusted so
that all visible data is shown. You can also achieve this by pressing the middle mouse button
while the cursor is over data or by holding down the <Shift> key and clicking with the left
mouse button in the 3D viewer.
Opens the dialog for the 3D Viewer Settings (see chapter 17.3).
Selection mode: By left clicking a data set in the 3D viewer, this data set is displayed in the
assigned selection color (see chapter 17.3.4) and marked red in the Data Explorer toolbox.
By right-clicking on a data point, the point is marked and its coordinates are displayed
(picking).
: Selected data point
: Point coordinates
Activation of viewing mode for interactive adjustment of the viewing direction, the position,
and the zoom factor.
Toggles a grid in the 3D viewer which can be used to quickly estimate distances or sizes. The
current distance between two major grid lines is displayed in the lower left corner. This
function cannot be used at the same time as .

Show coodinate axes: This option is only available if the viewing direction is along a
coordinate axis (see ). The displayed coordinate axes are labeled. This function cannot be
used at the same time as . If you rotate the scene in the 3D viewer, the coordinate axis are
automatically hidden.
Colorize: This option is available as soon as two or more rasterized data sets are displayed.
When activated, overlapping areas of the data sets will be colorized according to the distance
of related points; a color lookup table indicates which color represents which distance.
The following toolbox opens:
Here you can enter the maximum distance that should still be colorized. This allows a quick
examination of the data quality and thus of the quality of the calibration. If large gaps occur
between the rasterized data, a tolerance-based matching (see chapter 11.3.2) or, if necessary,
a calibration (see chapter 9) should be performed. If deviations in data sets exceed the entered
value, they are displayed in the default color like scans that do not overlap.
Note
Colorizing large data sets may take a few seconds.
Viewing mode: The available settings are described in chapter 17.3.3.
Show/hide reference points: Toggles visualization of all nominal points created with the
Transform to Nominal Points wizard (see chapter 11.1.2).

Show/hide tie points: Toggles visualization of all tie points created with the Move Station
wizard (see chapter 15.9).
The viewing direction, position and zoom factor in the 3D viewer can be interactively
controlled with the mouse. Activate the viewing mode or use <Space Bar> (as long as the
cursor is in the 3D viewer). In viewing mode, the following options are available:
Orientation:
Press the left mouse button, keep it pressed and move the cursor. The visualized object area is
shown using the dynamic display settings and is rotated according to the mouse movements.
When you release the left mouse button, the object is shown using the static displays settings
again.
Position:
Press the right mouse button, keep it pressed and move the cursor. The visualized object area
is shown using the dynamic display settings and is moved according to the mouse movements.
When you release the mouse button, the object is shown using the static display settings
again.
Zoom factor:
Press the middle mouse button, keep it pressed and move the cursor up and down. The
visualized object area is shown using the dynamic display settings and is zoomed according to
the mouse movements. When you release the mouse button, the object is shown using the
static display settings again.
You can also use the mouse wheel to change the zoom factor.
Zoom window:
Press the <Shift> key; the mouse cursor changes to an arrow with a rectangle. Press the left
mouse button while holding down the <Shift> key and move the cursor. As long as the left
mouse button is pressed, you can define a rectangular area. When you release the left mouse
button, the selected area is zoomed to fit the 3D viewer.
Defining the center of rotation:
To define the center of rotation, briefly press the <S> key. The cursor changes to an arrow with
a dot. With the left mouse button, click a point to define the center of rotation on the object’s
surface. The object is moved in such a way that the new center of rotation is in the center of
the 3D viewer.

Note
By default, the center of rotation is in the center of gravity of the virtual box, which encloses
the whole object. However, you can freely determine the center of rotation as described above.
To set the center of rotation back to default, use the tool .
Axis rotation:
Press the <Alt> key and then press the left mouse button. Keep both pressed and move the
mouse cursor. A line from the center of rotation to the mouse cursor is drawn to help you
control the rotation. The view is rotated according to the mouse movements.
Illumination:
Press the <L> key and then press the left mouse button. Keep both pressed and move the
mouse cursor. The scene is illuminated according to the mouse movements.
5.2 Status Indicators
The status indicators are provided in the lower right area and can contain the following
symbols:
Scanner: A symbol next to this graphic indicates whether a connection to the scanner
has been established.
If this symbol is green, a connection has been successfully established. If it is red, the
application has either been started in NoSensor mode or there is no connection to the
sensor via the controller. In this case, switch off the controller and check all connections
to the controller and to the sensor. Then switch the controller back on and wait until
the symbol turns green.
Tracking system: A symbol next to this graphic indicates whether a connection to the
tracking system has been established.
If this symbol is green, a connection has been successfully established. If it is red, the
application has either been started in NoSensor mode or there is no connection to the
tracker via the controller. In this case, switch off the controller and check all
connections to the controller and to the tracking system. Then switch the controller
back on and wait until the symbol turns green. The symbol for the tracking system is
yellow during measurement.
Probe: This icon show the probe that is currently tracked:
Scanner, left side (side 1)
Scanner, right side (side 4)
Scanner, top side (side 2)
Scanner, rear side (side 3)

T-Probe
Reflector
No Probe
Online Transformation: This symbol indicates that an online transformation is active
(see chapter 11.1.1).
5.3 Additional Coordinate Axes
By selecting Settings  Coordinate axes, you can display additional coordinate axes at
arbitrary positions within the 3D viewer. The following dialog appears:
No additional coordinate axes
The additional axes will not be displayed.
Localize additional coordinate axes by picking
The positions of the additional coordinate axes can be defined by picking, as described in
chapter 5.1, item . The additional coordinate axes are positioned at the selected points.
Localize additional coordinate axes by selectable coordinates
The entries for the X, Y and Z coordinates contain the last defined positions of the coordinate
axes, regardless of whether they have been defined by picking or entered manually.
New values take effect as soon as you click OK.
5.4 Data Explorer
This toolbox provides tools for grouping, editing and selecting data sets, and for the
customization of display characteristics.

Group: The folder symbol represents a group, which may contain data or other groups.
Object name, data type and state: The object name is assigned automatically, but can be
changed. The symbol depends on the data type and can look like this:
Non-rasterized scan data
Rasterized scan data
Triangle mesh
Polyline
Polyline set
Alignment data
3D point
Unstructured point cloud
NURBS curve
Unknown data type
Symbols of selected data sets are highlighted in red, e.g. for a selected, rasterized data set.
If the data set is shown with customized display options, its symbol is marked with an asterisk:
.
Object visibility: This symbol can look like this:
for data: data is visible; for groups: all group entries are visible
for data: data is hidden; for groups: all group entries are hidden
only for groups: some group entries are visible, some are hidden
By clicking “+”or “-”you can expand or collapse groups.
When at least one object is selected in the data explorer, you can open a context menu with
the following commands by clicking the right mouse button:

Rename
Renames the selected object. You can also achieve this by pressing <F2> or
clicking on the selected object.
Show / Hide
Shows or hides object(s). You can also achieve this by clicking the , and
symbols.
Select /
Deselect
Selects or deselects object(s)
Cut
Removes the selected objects and adds them to an internal clipboard
Paste
Adds objects from the internal clipboard to the selected group
Delete
Deletes the selected objects; this action cannot be undone!
Import
Imports data to the current group
Export
Exports selected data to a file
Edit
Only available for reference points; the following dialog appears:

Identifier:
Displays the name of the reference point and allows renaming it
Position:
Displays the position of the current point
Direction:
If available: Direction from which the reference point was measured; the
length of the direction vector is normalized to 1 and the point is shown in
green. If no direction information is available, the fields display (0, 0, 0) and
the point is shown in blue.
Tooltip radius:
Displays the radius of the T-Probe’s tip with which the point was acquired.
Convert to
NURBS
Only applicable to lines; the following dialog appears:
Interpolation:
The NURBS curve passes exactly through the measurement points. By
adjusting the Polynomial degree and choosing the method, you can define
how the NURBS curve will be created.
Approximation:
The NURBS curve is approximated to the measurement points and will not
deviate by more than the specified maximum error at the control points. By
adjusting the Polynomial degree and choosing the method, you can define
how the NURBS curve will be created.
Three methods are available:

C0 (discontinuous): Neither the tangent nor the curvature of the created
NURBS curve will be continuous
C1 (tangent continuous): The tangent of the created NURBS curve will be
continuous
C2 (curvature continuous): The curvature of the created NURBS curve will
be continuous
Note
Depending on the data and the settings you choose it might happen that the
NURBS curve cannot be calculated. In this case, adjust the parameters and
recalculate the curve.
New group
Adds a new subgroup to the selected group
Object(s)
Opens the submenu for other object settings
Alternate
colors per
group
Assigns a different color to each group
Alternate
colors per
object
Assigns a different color to each object
Default color
Assigns the default color to each object
Shiny material
Assigns a shiny color and material to each object
Environment
Mapping
Opens a dialog where you can select an image that is projected onto the
objects and helps to identify faults in the surface. For best results select
Smooth shading in the 3D viewer settings.
Properties
Displays the characteristics of the object
Object(s) submenu:

Color
Opens a dialog where you can choose a color for the selected objects
Material
The following dialog appears:
Transparency:
Enter the transparency of the object (in percent). 0% means the
object is opaque, 100% means it is translucent.
Shininess:
Enter the shininess of the object (in percent). 0% means the object is
not shiny, 100% means the object is very shiny.
Group
Combines all selected data sets (also those in a selected group) into a
new group. The name of the new group is the name of the first data
set in the group, followed by the number of data sets in the group (if
the group contains more than one data set).
Ungroup
Moves all selected data sets (also those in a selected group) to root
and then deletes all selected groups.
Use customized
settings
The selected objects are either displayed with the global settings for
the 3D viewer (see chapter 17.3) or with customized display settings.
The symbols of objects with customized display settings are marked
with an asterisk, e.g.: .
Customize
Opens a dialog for customizing the display settings for the selected
objects (see also chapter 17.3)
Flip inside/outside
Flips the inside and outside of a triangle mesh
Note
Please note that some commands are only available if a single object is selected, while other
commands are also available if multiple objects are selected.
You can select multiple objects in different ways:
1. Click the first object, then move the cursor to the last object. Press and hold the <Shift> key
and click the last object. All objects in-between are selected.
2. Click the first object, then press and hold the <Ctrl> key and click other objects. Clicking an
already selected object deselects it.
3. You can combine the two methods described above.

4. You can also use the shortcuts <Shift> + <PageUp> / <PageDown> / <Home> / <End > to
select multiple objects.
Please keep in mind that any changes you make are also saved in the project. The next time you
open the project, all settings that were in effect the last time you saved the project will be
active again.
Shortcuts, cursor keys and drag and drop are easy ways to increase efficiency. When using
shortcuts, make sure that the data explorer has the focus.