Aligning Clouds with Constraints

Align with Constraints repositions a cloud of points with respect to reference elements, by defining constraints based on canonic shapes and applying a priority order on those constraints.

  1. Select the Cloud to Align (this is the cloud to reposition).
  2. Use Hide/Show as required.
  3. Click Add to define a first constraint by pairing two elements, one on the cloud to align, the second on the reference.
    1. Select a canonic shape on the cloud to align, then one on the reference.

      • Define at least one constraint.
      • Always pick a constraint element on the cloud to align first, then one constraint element on the reference.

  4. Repeat step a. as required.
  5. Set the orientation of lines or axes selected on the cloud to align.
    • Automatic: The orientation of the constraint element is automatically optimized and not displayed (time-consuming).
    • Manual: The orientation of the constraint element is represented by a red arrow. Click the arrow to invert the orientation.
    • Use Invert Orientation to invert the orientation of constraint elements on the reference

    The constraints created are listed in the dialog box, with their priority order.

  6. Right-click a line of constraints and select a level of priority.
  7. Decide to keep the initial cloud or not.
  8. Click Apply to start the alignment.
  9. Click More to display the Statistics.