Category: 12d model setup

The Tipster: Point Cloud Basics

Unlock the power of point cloud data and learn how to turn millions of points into practical, manageable data in 12d Model 15.

Point clouds are becoming an increasingly valuable source of survey and spatial information, but working with large datasets can seem challenging without the right workflow. In this self-paced SPOT course, you’ll be introduced to the fundamentals of working with point clouds in 12d Model and learn practical techniques for importing, displaying, managing, reducing, and editing point cloud data.

Starting with the basics, you’ll learn how to import LAS point cloud files and configure important settings to improve display and performance. You’ll also explore point cloud classifications, allowing you to identify and isolate features such as ground, buildings, and vegetation.

As you progress through the course, you’ll discover how to reduce large datasets using point cloud mesh thinning. This powerful workflow allows you to transform millions of points into a more manageable dataset that can be converted into super strings, edited, and used to create a TIN surface.

You’ll also learn how to identify unwanted points, remove spikes and anomalies, and recalculate your TIN to create a cleaner and more usable ground surface.

Whether you’re new to point clouds or looking to build confidence using them in 12d Model, this course provides a practical introduction to the essential tools and workflows you need to get started.

What You’ll Learn

Throughout this course, you’ll learn how to:

  • Import LAS point cloud data into 12d Model 15.
  • Configure point cloud display settings for improved performance.
  • Use OpenGL views and graphics settings to get the most out of your hardware.
  • Pin point clouds and use levels of display to work more efficiently with large datasets.
  • Adjust point size and cloud display settings for clearer visualisation.
  • Understand and work with LAS point classifications.
  • Isolate categories such as ground, buildings, and vegetation.
  • Inspect point cloud information and understand the size of your dataset.
  • Use Point Cloud Mesh Thinning to significantly reduce the number of points.
  • Convert thinned point cloud data into manageable super strings.
  • Create a TIN surface from point cloud data.
  • Use contours and elevation information to identify spikes and unwanted features.
  • Edit and delete unwanted points using selection tools.
  • Recalculate and refine a TIN surface as your data is cleaned.
  • Apply practical tips and settings to improve your overall point cloud workflow.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is ideal for surveyors, civil designers, engineers, and 12d Model users who want to develop a foundational understanding of working with point cloud data.

No advanced point cloud experience is required. The course focuses on practical workflows and introduces the essential tools needed to confidently bring point cloud data into 12d Model and turn it into useful project information.

Build Your Point Cloud Skills

Large point cloud datasets don’t have to slow down your workflow. By understanding how to efficiently import, classify, thin, edit, and convert your data into a usable surface, you can spend less time managing millions of points and more time focusing on your project.

Start building your confidence with point cloud data and discover practical workflows that can help you work smarter in 12d Model 15.

Watch the video here.

The tipster: Configuring Env_configs.4d – Dongles

As your 12d Model customisation grows, managing multiple licenses and environment configurations can become increasingly complex. In this video, we introduce a more efficient way to handle license selection by using the Dongle Configuration feature within the Environment Configurations file. Rather than maintaining separate dongles.4d files for each modelling purpose, you can store your license information directly within the configuration file, creating a cleaner and more streamlined setup.

Throughout the tutorial, you’ll learn how to create and manage dongle entries, understand the relationship between dongles and nodes files, and determine when a single environment configuration may be sufficient for your workflows. We also cover situations where separate environments and variable overrides may still be beneficial. Whether you’re setting up a new customisation framework or refining an existing one, this video provides practical guidance to help reduce administration, simplify maintenance, and make managing licenses in 12d Model more straightforward.

Watch the video here: