forum.datacad.com

I can't find a single post on the forum about this.

Are there any plans/ is there any way to bring a point cloud into DataCAD to draw over?

We are using laser scans of existing buildings more and more. I'd love to be able to use a point cloud directly in DataCAD. My current workflow for this is the bring the cloud into Revit cut it and trace it as desired, then export it as a .dwg, then import it into DataCAD for additional detail or for someone else to work on.

Revit, AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, VectorWorks, and SketchUp all have ways of importing point cloud data.

Is this anywhere on the horizon for DataCAD?

Interesting! SketchUp is able to interface with DatCAD - would that be an easier way to go, maybe?

I downloaded the 2016 Lidar data for Connecticut from here: http://www.cteco.uconn.edu/data/download/flight2016/index.htm
I used LAStools to convert the data to X, Y, Z format for import into DataCAD: http://www.cs.unc.edu/~isenburg/lastools/
3D Menus --> 3D Entity --> Polygons --> TIN Surface --> Import
I've also used MyGeodata Converter to convert KML data to DXF: https://mygeodata.cloud/converter/

Thanks, Mark!

That's an interesting workflow.

Have you used this kinda thing much for producing existing conditions drawings?

Hundreds of Bears wrote:Thanks, Mark!
That's an interesting workflow.
Have you used this kinda thing much for producing existing conditions drawings?

I don't do real design projects that often. When I do, it's usually for a friend, neighbor, or family member. I explored these particular tools recently because I was curious what kind of data and tools were available. I found everything via Internet searches. I was blown away by the Lidar data and availability of 2016 1 foot topo for the entire state of Connecticut. I also found KML layers that I brought into Google Earth Pro. The accuracy is astounding. I've lived on the same property for 22+ years. In that time, we've made a number of changes to the topography and all of it is reflected in the topo layers.