Using a Bounding Box

You can create a bounding box from a trap selection, a volume/closed surface or an alignment that will be used to extract a portion of cloud of points. This command is also integrated into the Extract Large Point Cloud dialog box when you make a new selection.

Unlike Extract Large Cloud Of Points, the command creates a feature in the tree. You can edit the feature and the large cloud of points’ extraction.

The bounding box can also be used as a cutting element of the terrain for bridge design.

Before you begin:

  • Open a product containing a point cloud representation.
  • Activate a 3DShape in the UI.
  • From the Compass, click Terrain Preparation.

  1. From the Tools section of the action bar, click Bounding Box .

    The Bounding Box dialog box opens: three selection modes are available.

    An Ordered Geometrical Set is created in the tree containing the feature called Bounding Box Trap, Bounding Box Volume or Bounding Box Alignment.

  2. To make a trap selection in the 3D area, click Trap Mode Selection and do the following:
    1. Define the cuboid with a trap.
    2. Use the Robot to manipulate the cuboid.
    3. Resize the trap in the 3D area if needed.
    4. Click Reset to delete the current box and create a new one. The Cancel and OK buttons are disabled.
    5. Click Initialize to create a bounding box from the point cloud’s bounding box.
    Note: You can use the Trap mode from the Extract and Hide commands only. It is not available when you launch the Bounding Box command from the Tools section. For more information, see Extracting and Converting a Portion of a Large Point Cloud into a Regular Point Cloud and Hiding Large Cloud of Points.

    If satisfied with your selection, click OK and you obtain a 3D bounding box around the selection. If a box was already present, it replaces it.

  3. To switch mode and select a type of trap, click Volume Selection and do the following:
    1. Select a volume, a surface or a closed curve.

      As a result, the volume is copied. The closed surface is converted into a volume. The external boundary of the open surface is extracted, then projected and extruded like the closed curve. The closed curve is projected on the XY plane and extruded along Z.

    2. If no element exists or you want to create a new one, click in the Element box.

    If satisfied with your selection, click OK and you obtain a 3D bounding box around the volume:



  4. To change the type of trap feature, click Alignment Selection and do the following:
    1. Select an existing alignment.
    2. Select a start or/and end point to restrict the alignment area.
    3. If no element exists or you want to create a new one, click in the Element box.
    4. Specify the width used to create the rolling offset.

    If satisfied with your selection, click OK and you obtain a 3D bounding box along the alignment:



  5. Optional: To edit the selection, double-click the bounding box feature in the tree.