Turn Point Cloud Laser Scan Files Into A Terrain Model Using Recap Pro, Infraworks and Civil 3D

 

 

Recap Pro:

1. Open Recap > Create a new project
2. Import the .LAS file into Recap (Click ‘Import point cloud’ button or drag and drop the file from Windows File Explorer into the Recap window)
3. Click on “Advanced settings” and make sure your coordinate system is set up
4. Generate/save an RCS file, and then close Recap. (Hoover over home button > click ‘export’ button > choose file type of ‘RCS ‘> name it, choose a location and save it)

Create ‘New project’:

‘Import point cloud’:

Name the file and choose output location:

‘Import files’ and set up coordinate system:

‘Index scans’: 

‘Launch project’ to open RCP:

Hoover over home button > click ‘export’ button > choose file type of ‘RCS ‘> name it, choose a location and save it. Alternatively, you can also drag and drop the RCP file from Windows File Explorer into Infraworks, as shown on the webinar (link below).

 

 

Infraworks:

1. Create a new Infraworks project with the ‘model builder’. Fill out all fields, including name, file location, coordinate system, UCS, extents, design standards, etc.
2. Import the RCS file into Infraworks (Click Manage > Content > Data Sources panel > Click (Add File Data Source) > Click Point Cloud > find the file and click “open. Alternatively, you can also drag and drop the RCP file from Windows File Explorer into Infraworks.
3. Double-click the new data source to configure it and set up the coordinate system
4. Open the Point cloud terrain tool to extract and generate a terrain surface. Select point cloud file and processing rules.
5. Use the point cloud modeling tool to review and assign city assets, such as trees & signs. Set Filter values and feature styles.
6. After you have finished your conceptual model in Infraworks, export an IMX file from Infraworks

Create New Project & Provide details:

‘Import’ the Recap ‘point cloud’ file, and double click to configure data source and set up coordinate system:

Open the Point cloud terrain tool to extract and generate a terrain surface. Select point cloud file and processing rules:

Then use the point cloud modeling tool to review and assign city assets, such as trees, signs and other vertical features. Set Filter values and feature styles:

Export IMX File:

Important Note: Coordinate Systems and Units

When preparing to exchange objects between an InfraWorks model and a Civil 3D drawing, it is recommended that you use the following guidelines when setting coordinate systems and units:

• Set a UCS in the InfraWorks model that is compatible with the coordinate system that will be used in the Civil 3D drawing. By default, InfraWorks models that are created with the Model Builder use the LL84 coordinate system, which is not supported in Civil 3D.
• If the Civil 3D drawing does not have a coordinate system specified, or if the coordinate systems are not compatible, you can set or change the drawing coordinate system when you open the InfraWorks model in Civil 3D.
• The Civil 3D drawing must have a coordinate system specified in order to bring in InfraWorks data.
• If you export an IMX file from InfraWorks to be used in Civil 3D, it is recommended that you specify a target coordinate system for the IMX file that is the same coordinate system that will be used in the Civil 3D drawing.
• Use the same unit type in both the InfraWorks model and in the Civil 3D drawing. By default, InfraWorks models use metric units. When you set up an object settings file in Civil 3D, ensure that the part catalogs that you specify for planning utilities and drainage networks have the same units that are used in the InfraWorks model.

 

Civil 3D:

1. Open Civil 3D, start a new drawing and import the IMX file that you exported from Infraworks. Specify desired object settings.
2. If the Autodesk Civil 3D drawing coordinate system is shown as <unassigned> after you select and open an InfraWorks file, specify a coordinate system. (Open the Settings tab in the Toolspace, right-click on the DWG and “Edit drawing settings”)

Import IMX:

Specify coordinate system:

 

More Helpful Resources:

 

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