How to Create Plans, Elevations, and Sections from Point Clouds

Plans, elevations, and sections derived from handheld simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) data require a controlled workflow: establish coordinates, select the correct datum, extract or project the point cloud, draft and correct linework, annotate, verify, and export. SHARE PointClouds Studio V2.6 assists these steps, but a qualified person must review the drawing.

Prepare Coordinates and Multiple Scans

When several capture sessions or floors must be combined, register them before merging. Select a reference point cloud, pick well-distributed corresponding fixed features in the overlapping views, inspect the alignment and errors, and generate original_name_registered.las. Merging alone does not solve spatial relationships.

For project coordinates, verify units and X/Y/Z order. Calculate a transformation from at least three valid control points, or use confirmed translations, rotations, and scale parameters, then generate original_name_converted.las. Use separate independent points for three-dimensional and elevation checks.

If an outdoor project uses post-processed kinematic (PPK) results, process rover, base-station, and navigation data in an external tool. After checking the RTKLIB POS trajectory, select it in SHARE PointClouds Studio only as the Trajectory Source in GNSS Fusion. This global navigation satellite system (GNSS) input does not replace independent validation.

Select the Correct Datum

Extract and Draft the Output

Figure 1: Preview section positions before extraction and drafting.

Plan

1. Set the plan elevation and crop the relevant point-cloud area.
2. Draft walls, doors, windows, and required components from the point-cloud outline.
3. Check closure, opening positions, and critical dimensions.
4. Mark areas that require field confirmation when the point cloud has insufficient coverage.

Elevation

1. Set a projection direction perpendicular to the principal façade.
2. Draft outlines, openings, eaves, windowsills, canopies, and required details.
3. Confirm occluded areas against the point cloud and field imagery.
4. Mark missing coverage rather than inventing geometry; arrange supplementary capture when the contract requires a complete elevation.

Section

Use Section Extraction as follows:

1. Define the section direction and project-required width.
2. Choose either Batch Cutting and set Number of Sections plus Batch Interval, or choose Custom Interval and enter the required positions.
3. Inspect every section position in Preview and adjust it before extraction.
4. Extract the accepted sections.
5. Draft beams, columns, slabs, walls, openings, and other required elements from the point cloud.
6. Close linework segment by segment, align vertices with the point-cloud outline, and check critical dimensions.

Fix Discontinuous Polylines

Discontinuities usually come from an incorrect section position or width, incomplete point-cloud coverage, noise, occlusion, or unfinished vector drafting. Correct them in this order:

1. Confirm the section location, direction, width, and elevation.
2. Inspect point-cloud coverage around each break.
3. Recrop, re-extract, or arrange supplementary capture if source coverage is inadequate.
4. Correct the linework manually with snapping where appropriate.
5. Close required outlines and compare critical dimensions with the point cloud and field record.

Do not force truly inclined or deformed geometry into an orthogonal shape.

Apply Consistent Drawing Conventions

Check the Drawing Before Delivery

• Organize walls, openings, structure, services, dimensions, and notes on the required layers.
• Check dimensions, elevations, grids, scale, title information, and annotation overlap.
• Compare sampled critical dimensions with point-cloud measurements.
• Check that required outlines are closed and that missing-data areas are identified.
• Verify coordinates, units, filenames, and drawing readability in the receiving CAD environment.
• Record the checks and corrections completed before issue.

Computer-aided design (CAD) drafting export generates both drawing exchange format (DXF) and DWG files, and both are included in the exported ZIP package. The export does not create finished RVT, IFC, or complete building information modeling (BIM) deliverables; those require downstream professional modeling and verification.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I correct discontinuous boundaries in a section?

Verify the section location, direction, width, and elevation; inspect coverage at each break; correct the source scope or re-extract when needed; then close and verify the linework manually.

Why are wall lines missing from a plan?

The slice may pass through the slab or an area with incomplete coverage. Reset the elevation to the intended wall zone and inspect the point cloud before redrafting.

What should I do when trees or attachments obscure an elevation?

Identify the affected area with the project’s missing-data notation. Do not infer concealed geometry; arrange supplementary capture when complete information is required.

What if drawing dimensions disagree with field measurements?

Locate the discrepancy, determine whether it comes from the datum, point-cloud accuracy, coordinate handling, or drafting, then correct and repeat the independent checks.

What does the CAD export include?

The exported ZIP package contains both DXF and DWG files. Layers, annotations, dimensions, coordinates, and linework still require manual acceptance.