TOPOEXTRACT 2013.0 TOPOLOGICAL CURVE EXTRACTION
DESCRIPTION
TopoExtract 2013.0 is a Python script written for execution in any of the Geomagic 2013 Industrial applications:
Geomagic Studio 2013, Geomagic Wrap 2013, Geomagic Qualify 2013, and Geomagic Qualify Probe 2013. It is
designed to work with topological scan data in either polygon or ordered data formats.
TopoExtract 2013.0 assumes the topological data is oriented with Z-Axis being the “up direction” (positive pointing
opposite gravity) and that the Camera Coordinate System’s Principle Plane (parallel with the ground plane) has
been aligned to the World Coordinate System’s XY-Plane. For best results the scan data should be filtered on
import, Noise Reduced, Uniform Sampled, Filtered By Distance, and Small Holes Filled.
TopoExtract 2013.0 will create contours, color gradient height map, and optionally export the contours in DXF
Polyline format.
HOW TO USE POWERGRID
Import, align to the World Coordinate System, and prepare the scan data. Filter, Filter By Distance, Reduce Noise,
Fill Small Holes, Uniform Sample, Merge/Combine (Single Model with multiple manifolds are ok) into a single
model and select it in the Model Manager prior to running the script.
Orient and locate the data so the known altitude is aligned to the World CSYS XY Plane. Enter the altitude, interval,
and the limits of mapping. (defaults are 0.0 Elevation, .25 Units Interval, and rounded bounding box limits.)
Check the appropriate boxes for map creation and DXF Export as desired, both default to Off.
Press Apply to compute contour curves and optionally create the color map and export DXF Contour Polylines.
Note: The location of the DXF file will default to the Save Directory Option currently set in your Options Dialog.
Also, converting ordered data to Polygons and running MeshDr is highly recommended when export DXF.
HOW IT WORKS
Using the World XY-System Plane as the default “Reference Plane” the script creates topological slices through the
data at the given thickness over the given limits (defaulting to a ¼ current Working Unit Interval and limits defined
be bounding contact planes parallel to the Reference Plane. The limit heights are rounded up (for the Upper Limit)
and down (for the Lower Limit) to the nearest whole number Working Unit) using the math.ceil and math.floor
functions.
TopoExtract 2013.0 slices a copy of the original polymesh (scans are converted to polymesh format prior to
processing) and inserts it into the Model Manager for further processing and exporting.
Section By Plane and Section By Mesh are both used to create both marked boundaries on the resultant mesh and
PolyLine objects for export in DXF format. Using per vertex color the script allows for the creation and display of a
gradient map representing the distance from the Reference Plane, pure Red being the lowest elevation, and pure
Green the highest elevation.
REQUIREMENTS
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Geomagic Studio 2013, Geomagic Wrap 2013, Geomagic Qualify 2013, or Geomagic Qualify Probe 2013
Scan Importers for the type of scans to be imported ( File Import Converters )
SCREENSHOTS
FURTHER EXPLORATION
Using the World XY-System Plane as the default “Reference Plane” the script creates topological slices through the
model based on the assumption that the data has been aligned to the World CSYS. The Reference drop down
widget is populated with all coordinate systems and Feature Planes found on the original model. Currently,
selecting a different item in the drop down widget affects only the dialog’s referenceHeight member variable. This
value could be used to adjust the default value for the Altitude text box, topographic contour heights, and
ultimately labels, annotation, and DXF output.
Mouse selected Spot Elevations and Curve Model generation is also within reach and would be a substantial
exercise and powerful enhancement to this starter script.