terrascan user guide

7/22/2019 TerraScan User Guide

1/308

TerraScan Users Guide

19.01.2010


2/308

Page 2

Trademarks

MicroStation, MDL and MicroStation stylized "M" are registered trademarks of Bentley

Systems, Incorporated. MicroStation PowerDraft and MicroStation GeoOutlook are trademarks

of Bentley Systems, Incorporated.

TerraBore, TerraGas, TerraLink, TerraMatch, TerraModeler, TerraPark, TerraPhoto, TerraPipe,TerraScan, TerraSlave, TerraStreet, and TerraSurvey are trademarks of Terrasolid Limited.

Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Acrobat Reader is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.

OSTN02 is a trademark of Ordnance Survey, the national mapping agency of Great Britain.

Intergraph Raster File Formats - Copyright - 1994 Intergraph Corporation. Used with permission.

Copyright

1998-2010 Arttu Soininen, Terrasolid. All rights reserved.


3/308

Page 3

Table of Contents

Getting Started

1 Documentation.............................................................................................. 10About the documentation .............................................................................. 10

Accessing documentation on-line ................................................................. 10

Document conventions.................................................................................. 10

MicroStation documentation......................................................................... 10

2 Introduction to TerraScan .......................................................................... 11

Introduction ................................................................................................... 11

Terra application family................................................................................ 12

3 Installation .................................................................................................... 13

Hardware and software requirements ........................................................... 13Installation media.......................................................................................... 13

Installation from zip file................................................................................ 14

Installation from CD ..................................................................................... 15

4 Starting TerraScan....................................................................................... 16

Starting TerraScan ........................................................................................ 16

Unloading TerraScan .................................................................................... 17

Tool Reference

5 Coordinate transformations ........................................................................ 19

Projection system transformations ................................................................ 19

Built-in projection systems................................................................. 20

User projection systems...................................................................... 21

US State Planes................................................................................... 23

User defined transformations ........................................................................ 24

6 General tools ................................................................................................. 28

General tool box............................................................................................ 28

Settings ............................................................................................... 29

Define Coordinate Setup .................................................................... 41Define Classes .................................................................................... 42

Define Project ..................................................................................... 44

Manage Trajectories ........................................................................... 45

Load Airborne Points.......................................................................... 52

Load Ground Points ............................................................................ 53

About TerraScan................................................................................. 53

Help on TerraScan .............................................................................. 53

View Laser tool box...................................................................................... 54

Draw Section ...................................................................................... 55

Move Section...................................................................................... 56

Rotate Section..................................................................................... 57Cut Section ......................................................................................... 58

Travel Path.......................................................................................... 59

Synchronize Views ............................................................................. 62

Measure Point Density........................................................................ 63


4/308

Page 4

Update Distance Coloring .................................................................. 64

7 Drawing Tools............................................................................................... 65

Draw tool box ............................................................................................... 65

Mouse Point Adjustment .................................................................... 66

Fit Linear Element .............................................................................. 67

Drape Linear Element......................................................................... 69

Find Breakline Along Element ........................................................... 71

Set Polygon Elevation ........................................................................ 72

Construct Planar Building .................................................................. 73

Place Collection Shape ....................................................................... 75

8 Modeling and validating ground................................................................. 76

Model tool box.............................................................................................. 76

Create Editable Model ........................................................................ 77

Assign Point Class .............................................................................. 78

Classify Using Brush .......................................................................... 79

Classify Fence..................................................................................... 80Classify Above Line ........................................................................... 81

Classify Below Line ........................................................................... 82

Classify Close To Line ....................................................................... 83

Add Synthetic Point............................................................................ 84

Remove Vegetation ............................................................................ 85

Fix elevation ....................................................................................... 86

Rebuild Model .................................................................................... 87

9 Menu commands for loaded points ............................................................ 88

Memory usage .................................................................................... 88

File pulldown menu ...................................................................................... 89File / Open block................................................................................ 90

File / Open inside fence ...................................................................... 91

File / Read points ................................................................................ 92

File / Save points ................................................................................ 95

File / Save points As ........................................................................... 96

File / Close points ............................................................................... 97

Output pulldown menu ................................................................................. 98

Output / Output alignment report ....................................................... 99

Output / Create surface model .......................................................... 100

Output / Export lattice model ........................................................... 101

Output / Export raster image ............................................................ 103

Output / Write to design file ............................................................. 106

Point pulldown menu .................................................................................. 107

Point / Undo classification................................................................ 108

Point / From list ................................................................................ 108

Point / Edit selected .......................................................................... 109

Point / Select by class ....................................................................... 110

Point / Find ....................................................................................... 110

Point / Delete .................................................................................... 111

View pulldown menu.................................................................................. 113

View / Fields..................................................................................... 114

View / Header records ...................................................................... 114

View / Fit view ................................................................................. 114View / Display mode ........................................................................ 115

Classify pulldown menu ............................................................................. 122

Classify / Routine ............................................................................. 123

Classify / Inside fence....................................................................... 123


5/308

Page 5

Classify / 3D fence ........................................................................... 123

Classify / Detect plane ...................................................................... 124

Classify / Detect trees ....................................................................... 125

Classify / Assign............................................................................... 127

Classify / Add point to ground ......................................................... 127

Tools pulldown menu ................................................................................. 128

Tools / Show statistics ...................................................................... 129Tools / Macro.................................................................................... 129

Tools / Addon ................................................................................... 129

Tools / Draw bounding box .............................................................. 129

Tools / Draw into profile .................................................................. 130

Tools / Draw into sections ................................................................ 131

Tools / Draw polygons ..................................................................... 132

Tools / Smoothen points ................................................................... 133

Tools / Thin points............................................................................ 134

Tools / Adjust to geoid ..................................................................... 136

Tools / Convert geoid model ............................................................ 136

Tools / Transform loaded points....................................................... 137Tools / Transform known points ...................................................... 138

Tools / Output control report ............................................................ 139

Tools / Extract color from images .................................................... 140

Tools / Assign color to points ........................................................... 142

Tools / Compare with reference ....................................................... 143

Tools / Sort ....................................................................................... 145

Tools / Read building models ........................................................... 145

Flightline pulldown menu ........................................................................... 146

Flightline / Deduce using time.......................................................... 147

Flightline / Deduce from order ......................................................... 147

Flightline / Start new at selection ..................................................... 148

Flightline / Modify numbering ......................................................... 148Flightline / Draw from points ........................................................... 149

Flightline / Draw from file................................................................ 150

Flightline / Adjust laser angles ......................................................... 151

Flightline / Cut overlap..................................................................... 152

10 Working with projects ............................................................................. 155

File pulldown menu .................................................................................... 157

File / New project ............................................................................. 158

File / Open project ............................................................................ 160

File / Save project ............................................................................. 160

File / Save project as......................................................................... 160File / Edit project information .......................................................... 160

File / Import points into project ........................................................ 161

Block pulldown menu ................................................................................. 164

Block / Add by boundaries ............................................................... 165

Block / Edit definition ...................................................................... 166

Block / Delete definition................................................................... 166

Block / Release lock......................................................................... 166

Block / Draw boundaries .................................................................. 167

Block / Create along centerline ........................................................ 168

Block / Create along tower string ..................................................... 169

Block / Transform boundaries .......................................................... 170View pulldown menu.................................................................................. 171

View / Sort........................................................................................ 171

Tools pulldown menu ................................................................................. 172

Tools / Run macro ............................................................................ 172

Tools / Adjust to geoid ..................................................................... 173


6/308

Page 6

Tools / Adjust xyz............................................................................. 173

Tools / Output control report ............................................................ 174

Tools / Show statistics ...................................................................... 175

Tools / Check coverage .................................................................... 176

Tools / Copy from reference............................................................. 178

Tools / Extract color from images .................................................... 180

Tools / Export lattice models............................................................ 181Tools / Export raster images ............................................................. 182

Tools / Output collections................................................................. 184

11 Powerline processing................................................................................ 186

Vectorize Wires tool box ............................................................................ 187

Place Tower String ........................................................................... 188

Activate Powerline ........................................................................... 189

Detect Wires ..................................................................................... 190

Place Catenary String ....................................................................... 192

Check Catenary Attachments ........................................................... 194

Assign Wire Attributes ..................................................................... 199Vectorize Towers tool box.......................................................................... 200

Place Tower ...................................................................................... 201

Edit Tower Information .................................................................... 203

Move Tower ..................................................................................... 204

Rotate Tower .................................................................................... 204

Add Cross Arm ................................................................................. 205

Set Cross Arm Elevation .................................................................. 206

Extend Cross Arm ............................................................................ 206

Rotate Cross Arm ............................................................................. 206

Modify Cross Arm............................................................................ 207

Delete Cross Arm ............................................................................. 207

Create Attachments........................................................................... 208

Add Attachment................................................................................ 209

Move Attachment ............................................................................. 209

Delete Attachment ............................................................................ 210

View Powerline........................................................................................... 211

View Tower Spans............................................................................ 212

Label Towers .................................................................................... 216

Label Catenary Height...................................................................... 217

Find Danger Objects ......................................................................... 218

Create Span Tiles.............................................................................. 220

Output Catenary................................................................................ 221

Export Powerline .............................................................................. 222

12 Railroad processing.................................................................................. 223

Railroad tool box......................................................................................... 224

Place Railroad String ........................................................................ 225

Fit Railroad String ............................................................................ 226

13 Building vectorization.............................................................................. 227

Vectorize Buildings .......................................................................... 228

Vectorize buildings for TerraScan projects ...................................... 229

14 Elevation adjustment and accuracy ....................................................... 230

Adjusting elevation values .......................................................................... 230

Elevation adjustment model ............................................................. 231

Running elevation adjustment .......................................................... 232

Comparing ground against control points................................................... 233


7/308

Page 7

Control point report .......................................................................... 234

15 Key-in commands..................................................................................... 236

Classification Reference

16 Classification routines.............................................................................. 241

By class............................................................................................. 241

Low points ........................................................................................ 242

Isolated points................................................................................... 243

Air points .......................................................................................... 244

Ground .............................................................................................. 245

Below surface ................................................................................... 248

By height from ground ..................................................................... 249

By absolute elevation........................................................................ 250

By echo ............................................................................................. 251

By echo difference............................................................................ 252By intensity....................................................................................... 253

By color ............................................................................................ 254

By centerline..................................................................................... 255

By tunnel section .............................................................................. 256

By time stamp................................................................................... 258

By angle ............................................................................................ 259

By scan direction .............................................................................. 260

By range............................................................................................ 261

By scanner ........................................................................................ 262

Non-ground....................................................................................... 263

Railroad ............................................................................................ 264

Buildings........................................................................................... 265

Inside shapes..................................................................................... 266

Model keypoints ............................................................................... 267

Contour keypoints............................................................................. 268

Wire danger points............................................................................ 269

17 Using macros............................................................................................. 270

Creating a macro............................................................................... 270

Macro actions ................................................................................... 272

Run a macro on loaded points .......................................................... 275

Run a macro on selected files ........................................................... 276

Run a macro on a project .................................................................. 278

Run macros in TerraSlave ................................................................ 280

TerraSlave quick guide ..................................................................... 282

Programming Interface

18 DLL Interface ........................................................................................... 284

19 MDL Public Functions............................................................................. 285

Laser point memory structure........................................................... 285

Calling Method ................................................................................. 286Function Prototypes .......................................................................... 287

20 Binary file formats ................................................................................... 301

TerraScan binary files ................................................................................. 301


8/308

Page 8

Trajectory binary files ................................................................................. 303

21 Input file formats...................................................................................... 304

Laser point file formats ............................................................................... 304

Trajectory file formats ................................................................................ 304

Additional Information

22 Installation Directories ............................................................................ 306

23 Configuration Variables .......................................................................... 307


9/308

Getting Started


10/308

Page 10

1 Documentation

1 Documentation

About the documentation

This document serves as a user's guide for two versions of TerraScan. The full version, TerraScan

for MicroStation, is meant for a user who processes laser scanning data. The lighter version,

TerraScan Viewer, provides capabilities for viewing laser points which have already been

classified. Tools which are not available in TerraScan Viewer are marked as 'Not Viewer' in the

documentation.

This User's Guide is divided into four parts:

Getting Started - contains general information about TerraScan and instructions on how to

install and run the application.

Tool Reference - contains detailed descriptions of all the tools in TerraScan.

Classification Reference - contains detailed descriptions of classification routines and their

parameters. Programming Interface - contains information about the addition of user defined tools, a list

of public functions of TerraScan as well as a description of file formats.

Accessing documentation on-line

The documentation is accessible as an Acrobat Reader document which serves the role of on-line

help. Accessing the electronic format of the documentation has the following unique advantages:

You can conduct automated searches for keywords in topic names or body text.

You can click hypertext to "jump" to related topics.

Document conventions

The following conventions and symbols appear in this guide:

Keyboard keys are enclosed with angle brackets - for example, .

Alternate procedures are separated by "OR".

Alternate steps in a procedure are separated by "or".

"Key-in" means to type a character string and then press (or in dialogs).

The following icons are used to specify special information:

When no distinction between different supported MicroStation versions is necessary, this

document refers to the CAD environment simply as "MicroStation".

MicroStation documentation

This document has been written assuming that the reader knows how to use basic MicroStationfeatures. You should refer to MicroStation printed documentation or on-line help whenever you

need information on using the CAD environment.

Icon: Appears next to:

Notes

Hints and shortcuts

Procedures


11/308

Page 11

2 Introduction to TerraScan


Introduction

TerraScan is a dedicated software solution for processing laser scanning points. It can easily

handle millions of points as all routines are tweaked for optimum performance.

Its versatile tools prove useful whether you are surveying transmission lines, flood plains,

proposed highways, stock piles, forest areas or for city models.

The application reads points from XYZ text files or binary files. It lets you:

view the points three dimensionally

define your own point classes such as ground, vegetation, buildings or wires

classify the points

classify points using automatic routines

classify 3D objects such as towers interactively delete unnecessary or erroneous points in a fenced area

remove unnecessary points by thinning

digitize features by snapping onto laser points

detect powerline wires or building roofs

vectorize buildings, powerline wires and towers

export color raster images

project points into profiles

output classified points into text files

TerraScan is fully integrated with MicroStation. This CAD environment provides a huge number

of useful tools and capabilities in the areas of view manipulation, visualization, vector placement,

labeling and plotting. A basic understanding of MicroStation usage is required in order to beproductive with TerraScan. The more familiar you are with MicroStation, the more benefit you

can get from its huge feature set.


12/308

Page 12


Terra application family

TerraScan is just one in a full family of civil engineering applications. All of Terra applications

are tightly integrated with MicroStation presenting an easy-to-use graphical interface to the user.

TerraBore is a solution for reading in, editing, storing and displaying bore hole data. You can

triangulate soil layers with the help of TerraModeler.TerraMatch fixes mismatches between laser points from different flightlines automatically. It

can be used for calibration of an airborne laser scanner or for fixing project data.

TerraModeler creates terrain surface models by triangulation. You can create models of ground,

soil layers or design surfaces. Models can be created based on survey data, graphical elements or

XYZ text files.

TerraPhoto rectifies digital photographs taken during laser scanning survey flights and produces

rectified ortho images.

TerraPipe is used for designing underground pipes. It gives you powerful tools for designing

networks of drainage, sewer, potable water or irrigation pipes.

TerraScan processes laser scanning data. It reads in laser points from text files and lets you view

the points three dimensionally, classify the points and create vectors based on the points.

TerraSlave is a stand-alone application that processes TerraScan macros. It enables distributed

processing and scheduling tasks to gain optimal time and working performance.

TerraStreet is an application for street design. It includes all the terrain modeling capabilities of

TerraModeler. Street design process starts with the creation of horizontal and vertical geometries

for street alignments.

TerraSurvey reads in survey data and creates a three dimensional survey drawing. The

application recognizes a number of survey data formats automatically.

All of these applications are available for MicroStation V8 under Windows 2000, Windows XPor Windows Vista.


13/308

Page 13

3 Installation

3 Installation

Hardware and software requirements

TerraScan is built on top of MicroStation. You must have a computer system capable of running

this CAD environment.

To run TerraScan, you must have the following:

Pentium or higher processor

Windows 2000, XP, Vista or Windows 7

mouse

1024*768 resolution display or better

512 MB RAM (2048 MB recommended for production work)

MicroStation V8 or V8i installed

Installation of TerraScan requires about 2 MB of free hard disk space.

Installation media

TerraScan software may be delivered on a CD or as a zip file.

The zip package is big enough only to contain the actual software it does not include the

example data set or the on-line Acrobat manual.

Terra Installation CD includes the software, example data and the on-line documentation. When

you install from the CD, the software and the documentation will be copied to you hard disk. If

you want to use the example data, you should access it directly from the CD or copy it to the hard

disk yourself.Terra Installation CD may include versions for multiple environments. You should locate the

directory which corresponds to your operating system:

Directory on CD For operating system For MicroStation

\setup\eng Windows for Intel / AMD V8 or V8i


14/308

Page 14

3 Installation

Installation from zip file

To install TerraScan from a zip file:

1. Open the TSCAN.ZIP file in WinZIP.

2. Click on Install icon in the WinZIP tool bar.

This opens the Install dialog confirming the execution of SETUP.EXE

3. Click OK.

The installation program will need to know where MicroStation has been installed. It will

automatically search all local hard disks to find the MicroStation directory.

The installation dialog box opens:

4. The installation program prompts you to enter the directory where to install TerraScan. The

default path is C:\TERRA. You can set this to another location if you prefer. The specified

directory will be automatically created, if it does not exist.

5. At this stage you should check the directory where MicroStation was found. Replace the

path if the correct location was not found.6. Press to continue.

When the installation is finished, a message is displayed and you are prompted to press any

key to continue.

See chapters Installation Directories on page 306 and Configuration Variables on page 307 for

more information.


15/308

Page 15

3 Installation

Installation from CD

To install TerraScan from CD:

1. Insert Terra Installation CD into your CD-ROM drive.

2. Locate the correct directory which corresponds to your computer configuration.

3. Start SETUP.EXE from that directory.

The installation program will try to determine where MicroStation has been installed and will

then open the Terra Setup dialog box:

4. The installation program prompts you to enter the directory where to install the

applications. The default path is C:\TERRA. You can set this to another location if you

prefer. The specified directory will be automatically created, if it does not exist.

5. Check the directory where MicroStation was found. Replace the path if the correct location

was not found.

Alternatively, you can use the Scan button to automatically search the hard disk for

MicroStation installation or you can use the Browse button to locate the MicroStation

executable yourself.

6. Check the MicroStation version information in the Version field. Select the correct version

if it was not detected correctly.

The installation program will want to know what applications you want to install. The Terra

Setup dialog opens:

7. Check TerraScan for MicroStation item or TerraScan Viewer item in the dialog. You

may select other applications as well for which you have a valid license.

8. Click OK.

A message is display when the installation is finished.

See chapters Installation Directories on page 306 and Configuration Variables on page

307 for more information.


16/308

Page 16

4 Starting TerraScan


Starting TerraScan

TerraScan is an MDL application that runs within MicroStation.

To start TerraScan:

1. From the Utilities menu, choose MDL Applications.

The MDL settings box opens:

2. In the Available Applications list box, select TSCAN.3. Click the Load button.

OR

1. Key in MDL LOAD TSCAN.

User settings determine what menus and tool boxes the application will open during start-up. In

addition to opening its Main tool box, TerraScan may add an Applications menu to

MicroStations menu bar.

Available Applications list box shows all the MDL applications that MicroStation is able to

locate. MicroStation searches for MDL applications in the directories listed in MS_MDLAPPS

configuration variable. If MicroStation can not find TSCAN.MA, you should check the value

assigned to this configuration variable. Make sure the directory path of TSCAN.MA file is

included in this variable. To view configuration variables, choose Configuration command from

the Workspace menu. See Installation Directories on page 306 and Configuration Variables

on page 307 for more information.


17/308

Page 17


Unloading TerraScan

TerraScan will unload automatically when you exit MicroStation. Sometimes you may want to

unload TerraScan while continuing to work with MicroStation. This will free up memory reserved

by TerraScan.

To unload TerraScan:

1. From the Utilities menu, choose MDL Applications.

The MDL settings box opens:

2. In the Loaded Applications list box, select TSCAN.

3. Click the Unload button.

OR1. Key in MDL UNLOAD TSCAN.

This will unload the application and free the memory allocated for it.


18/308

Tool Reference


19/308

Page 19

5 Coordinate transformations


TerraScan can apply coordinate transformations at different steps of the processing chain. You can

perform coordinate transformations when loading points, working with the points in RAM, or

writing points to output files.TerraScan sees coordinate transformations as falling into three categories:

Projection system transformations - mainly used to transform coordinates from WGS84 to

projection system eastings and northings. This is normally done when importing data into

TerraScan.

User defined transformations - coordinate transformations which can be defined by a

handful or parameters and equations.

Geoid correction - transforms elevation values from one height model to another. Typically

used to transform from WGS84 ellipsoidal to orthometric elevation values. See chapter

Elevation adjustment and accuracy on page 230 for more information.

Projection system transformations

TerraScan can apply coordinate transformations from WGS84 to a projection system. The source

coordinates can be either of:

longitude, latitude, ellipsoidal elevation

geocentric xyz

The application will automatically recognize the above cases from input values.

In order to apply a projection system transformation, you have to enable it in the user settings.

Most of the projection systems have only local use and are therefore not of interest to majority of

the users.


20/308

Page 20


Built-in projection systems

Built-in projection systems category in Coordinate transformations folder in TerraScan

Settings defines what transformations are visible from WGS84 longitudes and latitudes to planar

coordinate systems. Currently supported target systems are listed in the following table:

Setting: Effect:Belgium LB72/

BEREF2003

If on, conversion to LB72/BEREF2003 can be applied.

Deutsche Bahn GK If on, conversion to Deutsche Bahn GK can be applied.

Finnish KKJ If on, conversion to KKJ using selected equation can be applied.

Finnish ETRS-

TM35FIN and ETRS-

GK

If on, conversion to ETRS-TM35FIN and ETRS-GK can be

applied.

Northern Ireland If on, conversion to Northern Ireland can be applied.

Republic of Ireland If on, conversion to Republic of Ireland can be applied.

Japan If on, conversion to Japanese zones 1 - 19 can be applied.Netherland RD/NAP If on, conversion to RD/NAP system can be applied.

South Africa If on, conversion to South African LO system can be applied.

Swedish RT90 If on, conversion to RT90 can be applied.

UK National Grid If on, conversion to UK National Grid can be applied.

UTM WGS North If on, conversion for selected zones on northern hemisphere can be

applied.

UTM WGS South If on, conversion for selected zones on southern hemisphere can be

applied.


21/308

Page 21


User projection systems

Settings tool lets you define your projection system based on Transverse Mercator / Gauss-

Krueger, Lambert conic conformal or Hotine oblique mercator projection.

Projection system definition can be divided into three distinct parts:

Ellipsoid - defined by Semi-major axis and Inverse flattening. Datum - defined by seven parameter Bursa/Wolfe transformation.

Projection - defined by the projection type, true origin, false origin, scale factor at central

meridian and distance unit.

The list of user projection system displays a toggle box on each row. The toggle box indicates

whether that projection system is active or not. Only active projection systems can be selected

when applying a transformation. To activate or deactivate a projection system, click the mouse

inside its toggle box in the list.

To define an own projections system, click the Add button in Settings window. This opens the

Projection system dialog:

Setting: Effect:

Name Descriptive name for the projection system.

Semi-major axis Semi-major axis of target ellipsoid.

Inverse flattening Inverse flattening of target ellipsoid.

Shift X Datum x shift from WGS84 to target (m).

Shift Y Datum y shift from WGS84 to target (m).

Shift Z Datum z shift from WGS84 to target (m).

Rotation X Datum rotation around x axis (arc seconds).

Rotation Y Datum rotation around y axis (arc seconds).

Rotation Z Datum rotation around z axis (arc seconds).

Scale correction Datum scale correction as parts per million. Actual scale factor iscomputed as 1.0 + (0.000001 * ScaleFactor).

Projection type Type of projection system: Transverse Mercator/Gauss-

Kruger, Lambert conic conformal, or Hotine oblique

mercator.


22/308

Page 22


You can copy user projection systems from one Terra application to another. Select the desiredrow and clickCopy to copy the definition to the clipboard. ClickPaste in another Terra

application to paste the definition.

Origin longitude Longitude of true origin (decimal degrees).

Origin latitude Latitude of true origin (decimal degrees).

False easting Map coordinate easting of true origin.

False northing Map coordinate northing of true origin.

Scale factor Scale factor on central meridian.Unit Distance unit: Meter, International foot, US Survey Foot or

International yard.

Setting: Effect:


23/308

Page 23


US State Planes

Settings tool includes a list of US State Plane projection systems using NAD83 datum. You should

check the toggle box of those state plane systems you want to enable.

You can copy a built-in US State Plane definition into User Projection Systems in case you need

to change the unit or the datum used.


24/308

Page 24


User defined transformations

Transformations category in Coordinate transformations folder in TerraScan Settings contains

a list of coordinate transformations which are used to convert survey file coordinates into design

file coordinates. Transformations can be used when loading points or outputting points.

TerraScan supports seven types of coordinate transformations: Linear - you can assign a coefficient and a constant offset for each coordinate axis. Computes

a design file coordinate by multiplying the survey file coordinate with the given coefficient

and by adding a given constant value.

Equation - you can enter mathematical equations for calculating the coordinates.

Known points - you can specify the coordinates of two known points in the survey

coordinate system and their respective coordinates in the design file. This transformation

perform translation, rotation and scaling.

Xy multiply - often used as 2D Helmert type of transformation.

3D translate & rotate - applies three dimensional translation and rotation. This is often used

with terrestrial scanner data where the original point cloud is geometrically correct but needs

to be moved and rotated to the right position. 3D affine - applies separate translation, rotation and scaling for each coordinate axis.

Projection change - transformation from one projection system to another.

Linear transformation

Linear transformation scales and/or translates coordinate values.

Setting: Effect:

Multiply by - X Coefficient for multiplying easting.

Multiply by - Y Coefficient for multiplying northing.

Multiply by - Z Coefficient for multiplying elevation.

Add constant - X Value to add to easting.Add constant - Y Value to add to northing.

Add constant - Z Value to add to elevation.


25/308

Page 25


Equation transformation

Equation transformation lets you define a transformation by entering mathematical equations for

computing the new easting, northing and elevation values from the source easting, northing and

elevation. You can also enter equations for up to six intermediate variables which are computed

in order V1, V2, V3, V4, V5 and V6 before evaluating new coordinates X, Y and Z.

Known points transformation

Xy multiply

Xy multiply applies a transformation using equations:

NewX =dx + a * X + b * Y

NewY =dy + c * X + d * Y

NewZ =dz + e * Z

where dx, dy, dz, a, b, c, d and e are constant parameters of the transformation.

Setting: Effect:

V1 Optional equation for calculating intermediate variable V1.






X Equation for calculating easting coordinate. The mathematical

equation may contain:

Sx - survey file X coordinate.

Sy - survey file Y coordinate. Sz - survey file Z coordinate.

Intermediate variables V1, V2, V3, V4, V5 and V6.

Mathematical functions such as sin(a), cos(a), tan(a), exp(a),

log(a), log10(a), pow(a,b), sqrt(a), ceil(a), fabs(a) and floor(a)

where a and b are floating point values.

Y Equation for calculating northing coordinate.

Z Equation for calculating Z coordinate.

Setting: Effect:

Survey X, Y, Z First known point in the survey coordinate system.

X, Y, Z Second known point in the survey coordinate system.

Design X, Y, Z First known point in the design file coordinate system.

X, Y, Z Second known point in the design file coordinate system.


26/308

Page 26


3D translate & rotate

3D translate & rotate applies a three dimensional translation and rotation to coordinates.

3D Affine

3D Affine applies a transformation using equations:

NewX =dx + (1.0 + mx) * X + rz * Y - ry * Z

NewY =dy + (1.0 + my) * Y - rz * X + rx * Z

NewZ =dz + (1.0 + mz) * Z + ry * X - rx * Y

where dx, dy, dz, mx, my, mz, rz, ry and rz are constant parameters of the transformation.

Setting: Effect:

Dx Value to add to x coordinates.

Dy Value to add to y coordinates.

Dz Value to add to z coordinates.

Ox X coordinate of rotation center point.

Oy Y coordinate of rotation center point.

Oz Z coordinate of rotation center point.Rx Rotation angle in radians around x axis.

Ry Rotation angle in radians around y axis.

Rz Rotation angle in radians around z axis.


27/308

Page 27


Projection change

Projection change transforms coordinates from one projection system to another. The software

will transform the xyz coordinates from the source projection system back into WGS84 geocentric

xyz and then computes the transformation into the destination projection system.

If you have applied a geoid correction, you should run a reverse geoid correction to the data set

before using Projection change transformation. This is essential in cases where the source andthe destination systems use different ellipsoids or datums.

Projection change transformation will apply a geoid correction or a reverse geoid correction

automatically only when using UK National Grid system.

Setting: Effect:

From Source projection system.

To Destination projection system.

Modify Coordinate values to modify:

Xyz - modifies all coordinate axes.

Xy only - makes no change to elevation values.


28/308

Page 28

6 General tools

6 General tools

General tool box

The tools in the General tool box are used to define user settings, to define point classes, to define

project blocks, to manage trajectories, to load points and to access on-line help.

To: Use:

Change user settings Settings

Define coordinate range and resolution Define Coordinate Setup

Define point classes and drawing symbology Define Classes

Define project or process blocks Define Project

Manage trajectories of scanner flight path Manage Trajectories

Load points from airborne scanner Load Airborne Points

Load points from ground based scanner Load Ground Points

View information about TerraScan About TerraScan

View on-line help Help on TerraScan


29/308

Page 29

6 General tools

Settings

Settings tool lets you change a number of settings controlling the way TerraScan works. Selecting

this tool opens the TerraScan settings window.

Settings are grouped into logical categories. Selecting a category in the list causes the appropriate

controls to be displayed to the right of the category list.

Building vectorization / Levels category

Levels category in Building vectorization folder sets levels which are used for the creation of

building models. These settings are only used for automatic building detection and the check of

detected building models. Tools for the half-automatic building construction use other settings

defined in the Construct Building tool itself. See chapter Building vectorization on page 227 for

a detailed description of building vectorization options and tools in TerraScan.

Building vectorization / Model category

Model category in Building vectorization folder defines settings for drawing automatically

detected building models into the design file. See chapter Building vectorization on page 227 for

a detailed description of building vectorization options and tools in TerraScan.

Setting: Effect:

Models to check Levels for Roofand Walls if a model is marked for

checking. This is the status after automatic detection.

Active model Levels for Roofand Walls if a model is active. This is the

case if the Check Building Models tool is started and a

model is selected from the list of models to be checked.

Approved models Levels for Roofand Walls if a model has been approved.

This is the status after the check when the final model has

been created.

User edges Level for edges placed by the user.

Setting: Effect:

Walls start Distance between the ground level and the start of walls

below the ground.

Roof thickness Distance between upper and lower level of the roofs.Roof Color for roof polygons.

Roof sides Color for roof side polygons.

Walls Color for wall polygons.


30/308

Page 30

6 General tools

Coordinate transformations / Built-in projection systems category

Built-in projection systems category in Coordinate transformations folder defines what

transformations are visible from WGS84 longitudes and latitudes to planar coordinate systems.

See Built-in projection systems on page 20 for more information.

Coordinate transformations / Transformations category

Transformations category in Coordinate transformations folder contains a list of coordinate

transformations which are used to convert survey file coordinates into design file coordinates.

Transformations can be used when loading points or outputting points.

See User defined transformations on page 24 for more information.

Coordinate transformations / US State Planes

US State Planes category in Coordinate transformations folder has a list of US State Plane

projection systems using NAD83 datum. You should enable the system which you may be using.

Coordinate transformations / User projection systems category

User projection systems category in Coordinate transformations folder lets you define your

own parameters for transformation from WGS84 to a target coordinate system. See User

projection systems on page 21 for more details.

File formats / Default storage format category

Default storage format category in File formats folder defines what binary format is the default

storage format

File formats / EarthData binary format category

EarthData binary format category in File formats folder defines how class codes from

EarthData binary files are transformed into TerraScan classes. For each class code the

corresponding TerraScan class should be selected.

File formats / File name extensions category

File name extensions category in File formats folder defines default file extensions for various

file formats. These extensions will be used only as default values when you output points from

TerraScan.

Setting: Effect:

Default format Default format: EarthData EEBN, EarthData EBN, LAS

1.0, LAS 1.1, LAS 1.2, Scan binary 16 bit lines, or Scan

binary 8 bit lines.

Setting: Effect:

East North Z Default extension for plain xyz text files.

Code East North Z Default extension for text files containing point class and

coordinates.

TerraScan binary Default extension for binary files in TerraScan format.

EarthData binary Default extension for binary files in EarthData format.

LAS binary Default extension for binary files in LAS format.


31/308

Page 31

6 General tools

File formats / Leica formats category

Leica formats category in File formats folder defines rules how to interpret intensity values

coming from specific Leica file formats.

File formats / Optech formats category

Optech formats category in File formats folder defines rules how to interpret data coming from

specific Optech file formats.

File formats / User point formats category

User point formats category in File formats folder lets you define your own text file formats

which can be used for input or output of data. Format definition supports text files where each row

contains the information of one laser point organized into fields. File format definition determineswhat fields are included for each point and what is the order of the fields.

The file format may contain delimiter based fields or fixed length fields. In a delimiter based file,

fields are separated from each other by a reserved character. This delimiter is normally comma,

space, tabulator, or semicolon character.

A file with fixed length fields is defined by the column position of various fields. The same data

always occupies the same columns in a row.

To define a new format, click the Add button in the TerraScan settings window. This opens the

File format dialog, where all settings for the format are defined. To set the content of a field, click

the No field button on top of the fields list and select the desired attribute.

If an example text file exists, this file can be loaded using Load example command from Filepulldown menu of the File format dialog. This reads the text file and shows its content in the field

list.

By default, the dialog allows the definition of 8 fields. The amount of fields can be set to maximal

15 fields using the commands from View pulldown menu.

Once a file format is defined for input, files of this format can be loaded into TerraScan using the

File / Read points command from File pulldown menu in the Main window or theLoad Airborne

Points tool in the General tool box.

Setting: Effect:

Read Reading intensity of Leica LDI files: Raw intensity orNormalized intensity.

Setting: Effect:

Scale intensity Factor for scaling intensity values.

Use as last echo Defines which value is used as last echo: First xyz, Second

xyz, or Lower xyz.Ignore first echoes If on, TerraScan will filter first echoes from Optech

xyzxyzii type files based on the elevation difference of the

first and last echo.

Less than First echoes less than this elevation difference above the

corresponding last echo will be ignored.


32/308

Page 32

6 General tools

Setting: Effect:

Format name Free name for the new format.

Use for Format can be used for either Input and output, Input

only, or Output only.

Field type Defines the separation between fields: Delimited or Fixed

width.

Delimiter If Field type is set to delimited, a delimiter has to be

defined: Space, Tabulator, Comma, or Semicolon.

Comment char Char that introduces a comment in the text file. Lines

beginning with this char are ignored when points are read

from a file.

Degree format Defines the format of degree values in degrees, minutes, and

seconds. This is only active ifLongitude or Latitude is

selected as attribute.


33/308

Page 33

6 General tools

There are some text file format already implemented in TerraScan. See Laser point file formatson page 304 for a list of supported file formats.

File formats / User trajectory formats category

User trajectory formats category in File formats folder lets you define your own text file

formats which can be used when reading in trajectory information.

Powerlines / Active line categoryActive line category in Powerlines folder defines settings for the display of an active powerline

string.

Powerlines / Tower functions category

Tower functions category in Powerlines folder let you define different functions for powerline

towers. To add a new function definition, click the Add button and type a new Abbreviation and

Description in the fields of the Tower function dialog.

No field Selection of what attribute is stored in the field:

No field - no field definition.

Ignore - column in the text file is ignored.

Easting, Northing, Elevation - xyz coordinates.

Longitude, Latitude - laser point position in degrees,

minutes, and seconds.

Class - laser point class code.

Echo type - laser point echo type as text string.

Index - unique number for each laser point.

Intensity - laser point intensity value as integer.

Line - flightline number.

Time - time stamp of laser point.

Collection - number of collection shape. Only used with

Output collections command for projects.

Surface dz - difference between laser point and a

TerraModeler surface.

Red, Green, Blue - RGB color values for each laser point. Echo number - laser point echo number as number.

Number of echos - total number of echos at the position

of a laser point.

Mirror angle - scan angle in degrees. Must be in range -

128 to +127.

Scanner - scanner number.

Prepend file Location of a text file from which the content is added at the

beginning of an output file. This is not active ifUse for is set

to Input only.

Append file Location of a text file from which the content is added at the

end of an output file. This is not active ifUse for is set toInput only.

Setting: Effect:

Hilite Defines what parts of the line string are highlighted: No

hilite, Vertices, or Line segments.

Color Highlight color definition.

Weight Highlight line weight.

Style Highlight line style.

Setting: Effect:


34/308

Page 34

6 General tools

Powerlines / Tower statuses category

Tower statuses category in Powerlines folder let you define different statuses for powerline

towers. To add a new status definition, click the Add button and type a new Abbreviation and

Description in the fields of the Tower status dialog.

Powerlines / Tower types category

Tower types category in Powerlines folder let you define different types for powerline towers.

This includes settings for tower height, as well as amount, position and length of cross arms and

attachments. To add a new type definition, click the Add button to open the Tower type dialog.

It is recommended to enter a text in the Description fields ofTower type, Cross arms andAttachments definitions, because the editing tools for powerline processing refer to this field. See

chapter Powerline processing on page 186 for more information.

Setting: Effect:

Abbreviation Abbreviation for the new tower type.Description Free description of the tower type.

Height Tower height in meters.

Cross arms Cross arm definitions. Use buttons right of the list to Add,

Edit, and Delete cross arms.

Attachments Attachment definitions per cross arm. Select a cross arm and

use buttons right of the list to Add, Edit, and Delete cross

arms.


35/308

Page 35

6 General tools

Alignment reports category

Alignment reports category contains a list of alignment report formats. These will be used when

outputting a tabular report where each row contains information from a specific chainage position

along selected alignment. The report defines what information columns will be printed for each

row.

Alignment report format definition consists of a descriptive name and a list of report columns:

Each report column will display some information computed at an increasing station position

along alignment. Some data contents allow the definition of an offset from the alignment.

Negative offset is left from alignment, zero offset is at alignment and positive offset is right from

alignment.

The data content of a report column can be one of the following:

Alignment station - Station or chainage value. Increases by given interval from row to row.

Alignment easting - Easting coordinate at row chainage along alignment.

Alignment northing - Northing coordinate at row chainage along alignment.

Alignment elevation - Elevation of the alignment at row chainage.

Interval elevation - Minimum or maximum elevation among laser points of given class

within a given offset from alignment. The application will search a rectangular area. The

center of the area is the alignment point at the chainage of the report row. The height of the

rectangle is twice the offset defined in the Within field. The width of rectangle is determined

by the report interval which will be given at output time.

Point elevation - Elevation value from laser points inside a circular area. The center of the

circular area is at the given offset from the alignment point. The elevation value can be

maximum, minimum, average of all points inside circle or elevation of the point closest to

circle center.

Surface elevation - Elevation from a surface model in TerraModeler. This is the only

elevation value which each computed at the exact x and y coordinate of the alignment point.

Interval elevation and Point elevation will search points within a circular or a rectangular

area around alignment point.

Column difference - Displays the difference between two other columns. This could be usedto display the height of vegetation if one column displays ground elevation and another

column display maximum vegetation height.

Alert - Displays an asterisk if the difference between two columns is bigger or smaller than a

given limit.


36/308

Page 36

6 General tools

Classify fence tool category

Classify fence tool category defines the symbology for how Classify Fence tool will display a

fence.

Collection shapes category

Collection shapes category lets you define collection shape types which can be used to group

laser points together. Typical collection shape types are: Building, Road or Tree.

The actual grouping is carried out by placing a polygon around an object which one wants to treat

as one collection or as one group. You can use the Place Collection Shape tool to place a collection

shape. The collection shape type used determines what kind of an object the polygon encloses. The

collection shape type also determines the level and the symbology used for the polygon.

Collection shapes can be used later on to output laser points in a manner where each collection or

each object is written to its own output file. You can use this to output all laser hits on buildingsand generating one output file for each building. See Tools / Output collections on page 184 for

more information about the output of collection shapes from TerraScan projects.

Default flightline qualities category

Default flightline qualities category defines quality tags for flightlines. These quality ratings are

used by Cut overlap tool in case trajectories have not been imported.

Elevation labels category

Elevation labels category defines the format of elevation values when drawn as text elements.

Setting: Effect:

Color Color of fence.Weight Line weight of fence.

Style Line style of fence.

Setting: Effect:

Bad Flightline number range with Bad quality tag.

Poor Flightline number range with Poor quality tag.Normal Flightline number range with Normal quality tag.

Good Flightline number range with Good quality tag.

Excellent Flightline number range with Excellent quality tag.

Setting: Effect:

Accuracy Number of decimals to display in elevation values.

Display plus If on, positive elevation values will display a plus sign.Display minus If on, negative elevation values will display a plus sign.


37/308

Page 37

6 General tools

Loaded points category

Loaded points category defines how points will be highlighted when you identify a point.

Operation category

Operation category defines what happens at application start-up and how it is unloaded.

Point display category

Point display category determines how laser points will be displayed regarding order compared

with MicroStation elements or images, drawing method and display mode.

Setting: Effect:

Hilite Color and weight for rectangle drawn around active point.

Setting: Effect:

Create Applications menu If on, TerraScan will create an Applications menu in

MicroStation's command window at start-up. This menu

will contain items for opening TerraScan toolboxes.

Open Main tool box If on, the application will open its Main tool box at start-up.

Main tool box is closed If on, the application will be unloaded when Main tool box

is closed.Maximum Maximum amount of threads used for TerraScan tasks. You

should normally set this to the number of processor cores on

your computer. The default settings is two.

Setting: Effect:

Draw When to draw laser points: Before elements - laser points may be hidden by attached

raster images or design file elements.

After elements - laser points will partially overlay and

hide other types of information.

Method Drawing method:

Blit raster (fast) - draws points using blit raster method.

This is the default and recommended setting.

Draw points (slow) - draws laser data as individual

points.

Weight Default size for display of laser points.

Speed Default speed for point display: Fast - sparse points - amount of points displayed depends

on zoom level, if zoomed out less points are drawn.

Normal - all points - all points are drawn at every zoom

level.

Slow - all points are drawn slowly. Applies only to

display by flightline.

Use depth If on, in 3D views the point is displayed which is closest to

the viewer compared with all other points falling in the same

screen pixel.


38/308

Page 38

6 General tools

Scanner systems category

Scanner systems category lets you define various scanner configurations where each one has its

own lever arm definitions. This is more relevant for mobile scanners which often have multiple

scanners. The scanner system number is stored into trajectory files.

Click the Add button to open the Scanner systems dialog.

Define a System number and System name and clickAdd to define lever arm corrections per

scanner.

In the Scanner dialog there are correction values for lever arms in X, Y, and Z directions which

corresponds with positive correction values to the right, forward, and up.


39/308

Page 39

6 General tools

Target objects category

Target objects category lets you define the shape of target objects for semi-automatic object

detection from laser points. Supported shape primitives include ball, cone, and pyramid.

Depending on the object type, different parameters like height, width, radius, depth, and distances

are defined.

Click the Add button to open the Target object dialog.

Tree types category

Tree types category defines tree shapes and parameters for automatic tree detection from laserpoints.

Before adding a new tree type, a tree shape has to be defined in a MicroStation front view based

on a laser point cross section of a tree. Starting from the trees centerline, half of the tree crown

and the stem has to be enclosed by a line string. When a new tree type is created from the line

string, the software mirrors the line string on the centerline of the tree to get the full tree shape.

To create a new tree type, select the line string and click the Add button in the tree type settings

Setting: Effect:

Description Free description of the target object.

Type Type of object:

Ball - target object is represented by a ball-like shape.

Cone - target object is represented by a cone-like object.

Pyramid - target object is represented by a pyramid-like

object.

Radius Radius length of the ball or cone.

Width Width of a pyramid.

Height Height of a pyramid.

Depth Depth of a cone or pyramid.

A distance Distance from object to known point along xy line from

scanner to object.

B distance Distance from object to known point perpendicular to xy

line from scanner to object.

H distance Elevation difference from object to known point.


40/308

Page 40

6 General tools

window. The Tree type dialog opens.

In the upper part of the dialog, there are settings for tree detection and cell placement. The lower

parts shows the defined tree shape which is derived from the digitized line string.

See Classify / Detect trees on page 125 for more information about tree detection in TerraScan.

Tunnel sections category

Tunnel sections category defines a list of cross section templates for tunnels. These section

definitions can be used for the classification of laser points. See By tunnel section on page 256

for more information.

Undo buffer category

Undo buffer category defines how much memory the application will allocate for an undo buffer.

The recommended range is 16 - 64 MB.

This affects the amount of steps that can be undone with menu commands Point / Undo

classification or Point / From list.

Setting: Effect:

Name Name of the tree type.

Cell Name of a cell that is drawn into the design file when trees

are detected.

RPC cell Name and location of a RPC cell file that is used in rendered

views to replace detected trees.

Min height Minimum height of a tree.

Max height Maximum height of a tree.

Top is Distance between highest hit in laser points and the tree top

of the tree model.

Width variation Width of a tree can vary within this percentage value of the

defined tree shape width.


41/308

Page 41

6 General tools

Define Coordinate Setup

Define Coordinate Setup tool sets up the coordinate system that TerraScan uses for laser points.

This coordinate setup determines the coordinate range inside which all laser points must be and

the resolution to which coordinate values are rounded. This coordinate setup is stored into the

active design file and is used by TerraScan, TerraPhoto, TerraModeler and TerraMatch.

TerraScan uses signed 32 bit integer values for storing coordinates of laser points. This has the

advantage of using only 12 bytes of memory for the coordinate information of each point.

You can control how accurately laser point coordinate values are stored by defining how big each

integer step is. One possible choice is to decide that one integer step is one millimeter. This would

result in all coordinate values being rounded to the closest millimeter. At the same time it would

impose a limitation on how far apart laser points can be or how big the coordinate values can be.

Millimeter steps would produce a coordinate cube which has size 232 millimeters or 4294967.296

meters. If the origin of the coordinate system is at [0.0, 0.0, 0.0], this would limit coordinate values

to be between -2147483 and +2147483.

One possibility is to use centimeters for integer steps. This would produce a coordinate range from

-21 million to +21 million which is large enough for most coordinate systems.

To define a coordinate setup:

1. Select theDefine Coordinate Setup tool.

This opens the Define Coordinate Setup dialog:

2. Enter settings values and click OK.

This modifies the coordinate system used by TerraScan, TerraPhoto, TerraModeler and

TerraMatch in the active design file.

MicroStation SE and MicroStation J

Each design file contains a definition of a 32 bit integer coordinate system which MicroStation

uses internally for vector elements. All applications share the same coordinate setup with

MicroStation. When you change the coordinate setup withDefine Coordinate Setup, it changes

the design file coordinate system.

Since Terra Applications version 009 these MicroStation versions are no longer supported.

MicroStation V8

MicroStation V8 uses 64 bit values for storing vector elements. TerraScan uses a coordinate setupwhich is separate from the design file coordinate system. The application uses a default coordinate

setup of 100 integer steps for each master unit. You can useDefine Coordinate Setup tool to

change the coordinate setup which the application stores in the design file but it does not affect

MicroStation itself or the vector elements.


42/308

Page 42

6 General tools

Define Classes

Define Classes tool opens a window for managing point classes and their drawing rules.

Each laser point can be assigned a point class which defines what the laser has hit - ground,

vegetation, building, wire or some other object.

Each point class is normally assigned one or more drawing rules. This will give each point or eachtype of target object a unique symbology. You might assign ground to be brown, vegetation green

and buildings red. It is recommendable that you will assign a unique color for each point class.

You should create at least one point class list of your own. In the long run, you will probably want

to create several class lists for different purposes. Class lists are stored as text files. Only one class

list can be active at a time.

To view the active class list:

1. Select theDefine Classes tool.

The Point classes window opens:

The list box contains a list of all point classes in the active class list.

To add a new class:

1. Click the Add button.

The Point class dialog box opens:

2. Enter a unique code number and a description for the class.

The class is added to the active class list.


43/308

Page 43

6 General tools

Draw and Level settings have an effect only when writing points permanently to the design file.When TerraScan is displaying loaded points, they are always drawn as points and only Color and

Weight settings are used.

Class list files

Class lists are stored as text files which have default extension .ptc. The File menu in the Point

classes window has commands for opening existing class list files and for saving the active class

list into a file.

When you start TerraScan, it automatically loads the class list which was used during the previous

work session.

You can use a text editor to edit class list files. This may prove useful if you need to copy classes

and drawing rules from one class list to another.

Setting: Effect:

Code Code number for the class. Each class should have unique number.

Description Descriptive name for the class.

Color Color in which to draw this class.

Weight Line weight for drawing.

Draw Type of element to create when writing points permanently to the

design file.

Level Level on which to create elements when writing points to design.


44/308

Page 44

6 General tools

Define Project

Define Projecttool opens a window for defining active project information and for processing

project blocks.

A project defines how the complete data set is divided into smaller parts. These geographical

regions are called blocks in TerraScans terminology.

The main benefits from defining a project are:

The project definition divides the data set into smaller, better manageable parts. Each part has

a small enough point count that you can load all of those points into RAM and perform

classification steps.

You can import points and let the application automatically divide points into geographical

regions. This is required as input data is often in flightline order while all the points from a

geographical region are needed when performing classification.

You can run macros that automatically process every geographical region. This helps to

automate classification, coordinate transformation, thinning, and data output tasks.

To view the active project:

1. Select theDefine Projecttool.

The Project window opens:

The window title bar displays the name of the active project if one is loaded, and the list box

displays the blocks defined for that project. Each block has a geographical boundary and one

binary file which stores points inside that block.

See chapter Working with projects on page 155 for detailed information about tools and menucommands related to TerraScan projects.


45/308

Page 45

6 General tools

Manage Trajectories

Manage Trajectories tool opens a window for managing trajectories of the laser scanner or other

sensors. This window has menu commands for importing trajectory information from binary or

text files, for transforming trajectory coordinates and for splitting trajectories to smaller parts.

Trajectory information is required by the following tools:

Flightline / Cut overlap menu command for identifying points from overlapping flightlines

Flightline / Adjust laser angles menu command for applying known heading, roll, and pitch

corrections to laser data

TerraMatch for fixing mismatches in laser data

TerraPhoto for computing camera positions

TerraPhoto for displaying videos linked to position

To view information about active trajectories:

1. Select theManage Trajectories tool.

This opens the Manage Trajectories window:

The window title bar displays the name of the active trajectory directory if one is defined.

The list box displays the binary trajectory found in the active directory.

The pulldown menu in the Manage Trajectories window includes the following commands:

To: Use:

Set Active trajectory directory File / Set directory

Import trajectories information File / Importing files

Import files under one folder and its sub-folders File / Import directory

Import separate txyz and thrp files File / Merge from GPS and INS

Import a system specific accuracy file File / Import accuracy file

Output trajectory positions to a text file File / Output positions

Modify trajectory information Trajectory / Edit information

Assign number by identifying a laser point Trajectory / Assign number

Delete selected trajectories Trajectory / Delete

View positions of a selected trajectory Trajectory / View positions

Display a small window View / Small

Display a larger window View / Large

Sort trajectories according to specific criteria View / Sort

Select fields to be displayed in the window View / Field

Split trajectories into smaller parts Tools / Split

Split trajectories automatically into flight passes Tools /Cut turnarounds

Split trajectories keeping only polygon contents

and Delete trajectories outside polygons

Tools / Delete outside polygons

Split trajectories at gaps in laser data Tools / Split at laser gaps

Apply new numbers to trajectories Tools / Renumber trajectories


46/308

Page 46

6 General tools

Active trajectory directory

Manage Trajectories tool both reads trajectories from and writes trajectories to one directory

which is called the active trajectory directory. You should reserve one empty directory in your

project directory structure for storing imported trajectories.

To set the active trajectory directory:

1. Select Set directory command from File pulldown menu.

This open

terrascan user guide

Documents