Appendix E - Combined techniques for Rhinoceros® and Geomagic®

Note: instructions here refer to versions 3.0 of Rhinoceros® and 8.0 of Geomagic®. Other version may require slightly different command inputs.

Collecting pointclouds in Rhinoceros® using partial mesh display in Geomagic®. While sampling a specimen with pointclouds it is often hard to judge if there are any unsampled parts left, and if the sampling density is sufficient near sudden topology changes. Given sufficient computing power the following procedure makes this process easier.

Both Rhinoceros® and Geomagic® must be running. The digitizer must be properly connected in Rhinoceros® and calibrated before data can be gathered.

1. Begin digitizing the surface normally
2. After a while, save the file in IGES format (*.igs)
3. Load this file in Geomagic® and mesh the pointcloud as described above.
4. Rotate this file so that the screen view coincides with the operator's view of the real specimen.
5. Ready Rhinoceros® for continued digitizing (e.g.: if necessary, enter 'digsketch').
6. Shift the screen display to Geomagic® by pressing the MS Windows® hotkey [Alt]+[Tab]. Do not click anywhere in the Geomagic® window with the mouse!
7. Continue digitizing, using the partial surface visible in Geomagic® as a guide. Control the input through the foot pedal exclusively.
8. Shift back to Rhinoceros® periodically using the MS Windows® hotkey [Alt]+[Tab].
9. Repeat 2. to 8. until digitizing is complete
10. Save the final file in any desired format in Rhinoceros®.