Establish the 3D Object and Its Location

Define the location and geometry of the 3D feature for extraction..

Define your 3D Feature Extraction Path

1. Identify the 3D feature in the cloud data project to be extracted.

2. Navigate and zoom into the area of the 3D feature, orienting the view at the planned beginning point.

   Tip: Select Shading Mode from the Visualization selector to see points more clearly.

3. Click Feature Extraction.

4. In the Feature Template browser, select a 3D template.

   Note: See the Sketch a Freeform 3D Object section below to trace existing cloud geometry instead of using an existing template.

5. The template appears on your cursor at one of its vertices. The vertex at the cursor represents the placement point.

   

   To change vertices, press Tab to cycle through each vertex until the desired placement vertex is highlighted.

   

6. Align the template in your project and left-click a point in the point cloud representing the origin of the 3D feature.

7. The template vertex is placed at the insertion point.

   

   Move the cursor to orient the template to the cloud geometry.

   

   Click again to place the template.

   

   Do not worry about size, scale, or perfect alignment. These can be modified in the next step.

8. Once placed you can:

   • Modify the placed template.
   • Click Extract Next to place another template.
   • Or, click .

Sketch a Freeform 3D Object (Optional)

In the Feature Template browser, you can select Freeform to sketch and trace objects in the point cloud instead of an existing 3D feature template.

1. Click Freeform.

2. Left-click a point in the point cloud.

   

   Continue to place points to sketch out the object to extract.

3. When you are finished sketching your custom template, you can:

   • Modify the template.
   • Click Extract Next to place or sketch another template.
   • Or, click .

Save your 3D Object as a Template (Optional)

1. In the project browser, on the Features tab, expand the 3D features node and locate the .
2. Click > Save as Template.
3. In the Save as Template dialog, specify a title and an optional description for the template.
4. Click Save. The template now appears in the Feature Template browser for future use.

Name your Extraction (Optional)

1. If not already open, click Toggle Project Panel to open the Project Panel. Your new extraction is listed and named by the template (or New 3D Feature if sketched)
2. Place your cursor over the extraction in the Project Browser. To the far right, click the kebab menu to view additional options.
3. Click Rename.
4. Enter a new name and press Enter.