The Update Origin Tool has been enhanced with powerful new capabilities, enabling users to redefine orientation more intuitively and precisely using two-point selection on any axis. This provides more control when working with real-world datasets in ReCap. A new Guideline mode has also been introduced as a sub-feature. It allows users to select any two points in the point cloud (not just from the origin) to align the coordinate axes, while keeping the origin position fixed.

2-Point Axis Orientation

Description

This feature allows users to orient any selected axis (X, Y, or Z) by choosing a single point in the point cloud. The tool treats the current origin (which can be set or moved by the user) as the starting point and aligns the axis from the origin to the selected point. This allows flexible orientation control, whether you're using the default origin or you've already updated its position.

Highlights

• You can first change the origin position, then align any axis based on that new origin.
• Select an axis (X/Y/Z), then pick one point → axis aligns from origin to that point.
• Visual manipulator (gimbal) and orientation values update in real-time.
• Handles invalid selections (e.g., selecting same point or axis lock) gracefully.
• Fully supports undo/redo, history logging, and UI feedback.

Origin Set at Custom Position:

One point selected for axis alignment:

Gimbal reflecting new orientation:

Guideline Mode (Sub-feature)

The Guideline mode introduces a flexible way to set orientation. Instead of using the origin as a starting point, users can now choose any two points across the point cloud to define axis direction. The origin remains unchanged. This is useful in real-world scanning scenarios where a reference direction exists somewhere else in the scan, not near the origin.

Feature Capabilities

• UI includes an option to enable Guideline mode.
• Visual manipulator updates correctly based on selected points.
• Orientation is applied relative to the origin, which stays fixed.
• Works consistently across different project types (default or custom origins).
• Compatible with large datasets and complex scans.

Feature highlights

• The first point no longer needs to be the origin.
• Origin position remains static while orientation is updated.
• Handles both close and far-apart point selections with precision.
• Fully integrated with existing axis-lock, history, and undo/redo functionality.

Guideline mode enabled:

Points selected away from origin:

Final Aligned Manipulator:

Technical Considerations

• Only one axis can be locked at a time to avoid conflicts.
• If the same point is selected twice, the operation is ignored.
• Cancelling a selection (via Esc or tool switch) reverts cleanly with no updates applied.