The Cutting Plane Tool is a very powerful editing tool which located in the Post Processing tab.
It is an useful tool to remove unwanted background during or after scanning by using a plane, and to rapidly align it to the Coordinate System (CSYS).
Four steps to follow:
- Where is it located?
- How to create?
- How to move and rotate?
- How to use it during scanning?
1. Where is it located?
The Cutting Plane Tool is located under the Post Processing tab, since it is used to operate meshes.
(Red square surrounded)
The cutting plane function also can be starting by clicking on the icon at the button of the software during scanning.
2. How to create?
After starting the function, a new window will pop up on the left side. Now you need to select how you want to create the cutting plane. The following option are available:
"Fitting Point Cloud" "Creating straight line" "By Markers".
When you click on the option you want to take it's marked with a blue dot. Then the method is active.
Ⅰ. Fitting Point Cloud
When you have selected the "Fitting Point Cloud" function, you have to select the area where you want to create the cutting plane. Hold the "Shift" key button on the keyboard and click with the left mouse button on areas where the cutting plane should be. Then click "Create Plane". In the GIF below you see the workflow：
Ⅱ. Creating straight line
When you choose the "Creating straight line" function, hold the "shift" key button on the keyboard and draw a line by clicking and holding the left mouse button. In the GIF below you can see the workflow：
Ⅲ. By Markers
When you have markers around the object you can use these as well to create the cutting plane. Chose the "By Marker" function, hold the “shift" key button on the keyboard and then click with the left mouse button on 3 markers to create the plane. In the GIF below you can see the workflow:
3. How to move and rotate?
When you have created the cutting plane, you can move it and rotate it. One way is to move the bars (orange surrounded).
Also, you can type in a number or click on the arrows (red surrounded) to change the rotation or the position.
A second option is to move and rotated with the mouse. For rotating move the mouse to the edge of the cutting until you see two arrows popping up. Then you can rotate the plane. To change the position of it click with the left mouse button on the plane and hold the mouse button. When you move the mouse, the plane goes up or down. Depending on the movement. In the GIF bellow you can see the workflow：
4. How to use it during scanning?
You can also create the cutting plane during scanning, all data under the cutting plane won't be captured anymore. So only data above the cutting can be scanned.
* This article was written based on EXScan HX v1.3.0.3 softwareI hope this article can help you better understand the functions of The Cutting Plane Tool.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact: [email protected]