KTF_Pointcloud new release

Version 4.2   5th December 2024

Supported CAD versions

·         BricsCAD Pro (or higher) V24 to V25

Improved                                                                                                                                                                    

1.    KPC_PlineNonOrtho function - Close command line option now puts a chamfer between first and last point.

 

Version 4.1   4th December 2024

New

1.    KPC_PlineNonOrtho function – A Polyline drawing tool which works like KPC_Pline_Ortho but for where walls aren't exactly right-angles. So allows picking 2 points on each vertex.

 

Version 4.0   25th Nov 2024

Supported CAD versions

·         BricsCAD Pro (or higher) V25, V24

New                                                                                                                                                                    

1.    Support for BricsCAD V25

 

2.    Dedicated Linework Ribbon Panel/Toolbar.

 

3.    KPC_Pline – A polyline tool optimised for drawing LWPOLYLINES over point clouds.

a.    It draws polylines in a highlighted state so its easily visible over a pointcloud.

b.    It has command line options to highlight all linework or to just highlight the currently being drawn entity.

 

4.    KPC_Pline_Ortho - Polyline tool optimised for drawing LWPOLYLINES over point clouds with less points picked.

a.    It draws polylines in a highlighted state so its easily visible over a pointcloud.

b.    If a room/building is rectangular and walls are parallel, just pick one point on each wall, and the corners will automatically be handled.

c.    It has a "close" command line option too.

d.    It has command line options to highlight all linework or to just highlight the currently being drawn entity.

 

5.    KPC_3DPoly - 3D Polyline tool optimised for drawing 3D Polylines plans over point clouds. 3D Polylines can be useful for drawing Topographic surveys of the point cloud and generating DTM's.

a.    It draws polylines in a highlighted state so its easily visible over a pointcloud.

b.    It has command line options to highlight all linework or to just highlight the currently being drawn entity.

c.    Always uses snapped to points Z value rather than the Elevation system variable (OSNAPZ=0).

 

6.    KPC_Highlight_Linework - Highlights all linework so it’s more easily seen when over a point cloud.  This toggle button and can be invoked transparently at any time, even mid command. Best to toggle the highlight off again, but command REGEN will also remove the highlight.

 

7.    Point cloud Transparency button - (added to Pointcloud Actions panel)  - BricsCAD V24 adds support for transparency property for point clouds. Sets the transparency property (ByLayer or between 90% and 10% for all found pointcloud entities, not on frozen layers). NB to set transparency via Layer manager, the point cloud entities transparency should be set to "ByLayer").

 

8.    Point cloud 3DRotate 90 degrees and Pointcloud 3Drotate 180 degrees buttons (added to Misc panel). These tools to help physically 3D rotate the point cloud for drafting elevations. Meant as an alternate method to defining a UCS to the face of the building/point cloud and then putting in Plan view. This way the point cloud is physically rotated around its centroid point, you simply draw the second point of the axis to be rotated around (by a factor of 90 or 180 degrees).

 

9.    Added BricsCAD Pointcloud Color Map, Point Cloud Manager toggle and Point Cloud Settings buttons and Render Settings (V25) to Setup panel - . (So it can be accessed if using Drafting workspace).

 

10. Dedicated Spot heights Ribbon Panel. Includes the improved Spot Height tool and various new tools.

 

11. KPC_Add_Spots_as_Grid - Tool for adding spot heights as a grid.

a.    Includes command line options to - select & fill polygons, change text size, grid spacing, label precision (number of decimal places), label justification (amongst others).

b.    It offers an alternate, more efficient, accurate and flexoble workflow to creating a TIN surface out of the point cloud then adding Surface labels to it.

 

12. KPC_erase_Spots - A tool to make erasing spot heights over a point cloud easier.

 

13. KPC_Highlight_Spots - A tool to toggle highlight of spotheights to make them easier to see over point cloud.

 

Improved

1.    Spot Height Tool

a.    Trailing 0's always shown even if DIMZIN system variable is set to suppress them. (So the number 2 metre measurement always displays as 2.00).

b.    Added command line option to control the decimal precision of the spot heights. Values between 0 and 3 accepted, eg 2, 2.0, 2.00 or 2.000.

c.    The following prefixes can now be selected from a popup menu rather than be typed each time:

                                         i.    "FL" (Floor Level)

                                        ii.    "CL" (Cover Level)

                                       iii.    "EH" (Eves Height)

                                       iv.    "RH" (Ridge Height)

                                        v.    Selecting "CUSTOM" on the popup menu allows for typing abbreviations not listed.

 

2.    Vertical Measurement tool

a.    Trailing 0's always shown even if DIMZIN system variable is set to suppress them. (So the number 2 metre measurement always displays as 2.00)

b.    Added command line option to control the decimal precision of the spot heights. Values between 0 and 3 accepted, eg 2, 2.0, 2.00 or 2.000.

c.    The following prefixes can now be selected from a popup menu rather than be typed each time:

                                         i.    "FCH" (floor to false ceiling height)

                                        ii.    "SCH" (floor to structural ceiling height)

                                       iii.    "F-C" (floor to cill height)

                                       iv.    "C-H" (cill to head height)

                                        v.    "D-H" (door height)

                                       vi.    "B-H" (beam with floor to underside height)

                                      vii.    Selecting "CUSTOM" on the popup menu allows for typing abbreviations not listed.

d.    When positioning the measurement label eg "D-H 2.0" - a vertex from the second picked point to the current cursor location is making it easier to position the label relative to where the measurement was taken. If using the Bubbleviewer, you need to minimise the bubbleviewer to position the label.

e.    When positioning the label - can now press enter and it will be positioned at the 2nd vertical point picked.

f.     Now asks to rotate the vertical measuremennt label after inputting.

g.    Now works in BubbleViewer in non World UCS.

h.    Labels now come in at the Z value of the second picked point. (this is so you get a truer representation of there XY position when using an Isometric view).

 

3.    Point Cloud display - Set to default porous - For BricsCAD V24 onwards KTF_Pointcloud sets BricsCAD's PointCloudPointMax to 10,000,000 (rather than 4,000,0000) to match the default value which was increased in BricsCAD v24.1.05. (This higher setting improves the visual quality of the Point Cloud display and can be handled by most modern machines).

 

4.    Draw Solid Box command -  now will turn on BricsCAD's "LookFrom" widget (in case its turned off). As this is an absolutle requirement for the ktf_pointcloud workflow.

 

5.    Crop Solid Restore State - Now launches a popup and the saved states can be restored from that and also can be deleted if not required anymore.

 

6.    Licensing - No need to request/re-enter license keys when switching compatible BricsCAD Releases. (This will take effect BricsCAD V25 onwards).

 

7.    Licensing - License expiry warnings now appear on the command line at first launch. One time three weeks before, (but only once per week). Then, coming nearer once per day but only one time per day.

Fixed                                                                                                                                                                    

1.    License system - KTF_Pointcloud/KeyTERRA-FIRMA licence system (BRX) conflict causing KeyTERRA-FIRMA licence to disappear after a KTF_Pointcloud function was used.

 

Version 3.2   18th March 2024

Improved

1.    License Manager - now more verbose should licensing errors occur.

 

Fixed                                                                                                                                                                    

1.    BricsCAD V24.2.. major interim release - The C++ BricsCAD API introduced binary breaking change, so the ktf_pointclouds V24 brx files required rebuilding to be compatible. (NB BricsCAD V24.1.. still supported).

 

2.    kpc_cropsolid_adjust_pickpoints (routine to set cropsolid elevation and thickness by picking points) placed cropsolid at wrong z value if the dwg's UCSorigin (see UCSORG), had a non 0 Z value. This can occur for instance is using Pointcloudalign on a Pointcloud inserted/moved to another Z value.

 

3.    KTF CAD Licensing system - BricsCAD V23 was using the V3.0 version rather than the improved V3.1 version.

 

Version 3.1   11th November 2023

Improved                                                                                                                                                                    

1.    Amends to KTF CAD Licensing system to includes BricsCAD key and app number.

 

Version 3.0   6th November 2023

Supported CAD versions

·         BricsCAD Pro BricsCAD Pro (or higher) V24, V23

·         V18 to V24

·         AutoCAD 2021 to 2024

New                                                                                                                                                                    

1.    BricsCAD V24 supported.

 

2.    KTF CAD Licensing system implemented.

 

Version 2.2   2nd May 2022

New                                                                                                                                                                    

1.    BubbleViewer Toggle button

 

2.    CropSolid - Adjust - Pick Points - Set the elevations of the top and bottom faces of the cropsold by picking two points on the pointcloud. NB Function also works with in the Bubble viewer but thisd function has to be accessed via Command line option.

 

3.    Vertical Measurement tool - Pick two point cloud points and it will derrive the vertical distance between the two points from the points' Z values. Adds labels (optional, on by default) with opportuinity to add suffix or prefix.  NB This has a BubbleMode command  line option.

 

4.    Pointcloud Reference button (BricsCAD tool) - This button (along with a few extra, see below) makes it easier (preferable even when 2D drafting) to work with pointclouds in Drafting workspace (rather than switching to Modelling/BIM workspaces to see the native Pointcloud ribbon tab).

 

5.    Realtime constrained sphere (RTRot) button (BricsCAD tool) – (BricsCAD tool) - This can also be accessed via shift + pressing middle mouse wheel, but have added it to the ribbon as some 2D drafters aren't aware of this feature.

 

6.    UCS button - The UCS button is customised and  optimised for switching between aligning UCS to faces and World UCS and the Drawing Explorer UCS manager. When "snapping" a ucs to a solid face it surpresses 3D osnaps and OsnapZ setting) and gives precise instructions for snapping.

 

7.    Plan button (BricsCAD tool) - Added to give a top down view of the UCS XY plane. Both buttons have command line options to switch between Current and World UCS.

 

8.    Spot Height Tool - Now works in the vertical plane. In vertical plane it adds an elevation triangle rather than a cross. Also added "Textsize" and Bubbleviewer command line options. With regards textsize, by default the current TextStyle (or if not defined BricsCAD's "TextHeight" system variable are used).  The command line option simply adds an override.

Improved                                                                                                                                                                    

1.    Draw Box Solid - Enhanced to override BricsCAD's OsnapZ system viariable so when snapping to a point, the point's z value is always used, rather than Elevation system variable which could be miles away.

 

2.    Draw Box Solid - Enhanced to allow for the full range of BricsCAD Box command, so instead of crudely picking the three points of the box, you can choose to pick Center and also manually add the height of the box on the command line.  There are several advantages of this, but a compelling one it allows you to open up a Bubble view. Launch the command, select "Center" option and then pick the center point of the Box in the BubbleView, then step out of the Bubble and finish the command. NB If you want to extrude the box down, add a negative number on the command line for the box height.

 

3.    Pointcloud Save and Restore states - Can now be invoked transparently.  Useful for when tracing and need to quickly save a state then adjust on the "fly".

 

4.    Pointcloud Layer on/off changed to toggle button - The command is called "kpc_pointcloud_toggle". (Previously the similar point cloud hide/show had two separate buttons). The advantage of toggle buttons is that they are better for mapping to keyboard shortcuts, you only need to map/remember one, plus take up less space on the Ribbon.

 

5.    Pointcloud Layer lock on/off changed to toggle button - The command is called "kpc_pointcloud_lock_toggle". (Previously had two separate buttons).

 

6.    PointCloud Adaptive display on/off changed to toggle button – Previously was two butttons. It differs from the native BricsCAD button, in that it forces a regen and reports the adaptive display status onto the command line.

 

7.    Spot height tool - The tool now turns on 3D Esnap and snap to Ppintcloud point automatically.  Also now ignores OsnapZ user variable and always uses the Point Z value (rather than Elevation system variable).

 

8.    Crop Solid Save/Restore States - More pre-named ones can be accessed via the Ribbon.

 

9.    CropSolid Push/Pull - now works even if the CropSolid is hidden. You can also use tab to toggle faces, so easier to push/pull hidden faces.

Fixed                                                                                                                                                                    

1.    PointCloud - Hide/Show becomes PointCloud - On/Off - This is because with BricsCAD V23.2 onwards toggling PointCloud visibibility (dfx 70) has stopped wotking. Replaced with a command to turn off or on any layers which contain a Pointcloud. This is better anyway as its more understandable and works in a similar way to Pointcloud Lock/unlock functions.

 

Version 2.1   22nd December 2022

Fixed                                                                                                                                                                    

1.    The convert/unconvert to CropSolid Tools failed when more than one Point cloud is attached to the drawing. Now if more than one point cloud is attached, user will be asked to select point cloud after selecting/drawing the solid. Regression added v2.0.

 

 

Version 2.0   6th December 2022

Supported CAD versions

·         BricsCAD Pro (or higher) V23, V22

New                                                                                                                                                                    

1.    BricsCAD V23 supported.

 

2.    CropSolid Nudge, Extrude and Settings - Actions now go up and down the UCS Z axis (User or World) rather than the CropSolid Face elevation on the Point cloud. This allows CropSolids to be nudged "up" and "down" when drawing in the vertical plane.

 

3.    Convert Solid to CropSolid button - Differs from BricsCAD's PointCloudCropSolid command by being a one click action and accommodating for cropsolids or point cloud being on locked/frozen layers.

 

4.    Spot heights - Suffix (as well as Prefixes) now supported - Also behaviour improved, so can click/type to change/remove the Prefix, Suffix during the "while" loop not just the initial time the command is run.

 

5.    Point cloud lock/unlock buttons - Its much easier drafting over a locked pointcloud (the pointcloud snap to point esnap still works). These tools will lock/unlock any layer with a pointcloud on them.

 

6.    Quick CropSolid - Draw a 2D rectangle and create an instant Cropsolid. This is also useful for making cropsolids not aligned to the UCS.

Improved                                                                                                                                                                    

1.    Cropsolid Saved States - now retained from drawing session to drawing session.

 

2.    Cropsolid - Hide and Show solid - now invoked invisibly. So can be toggled while drafting.

 

3.    Cropsolid - Crop on and Crop off - now invoked invisibly. So can be toggled while drafting.

 

4.    CropSolid - Push/Pull actions - temporarily overrides esnaps and 3Desnaps (turns them off) as they sometimes get in the way. (This can be overridden mid command though).

 

5.    CropSolid - Push/Pull actions - temporarily makes hidden Cropsolids visible (so they can be push-pulled even when hidden). Also works if cropsolids are on a locked layer.

 

6.    CropSolid actions - are now ignored if the CropSolids are on frozen layers, (but still work if the layer is locked). This is so you can draft through the CropSolid whilst visible and locked.

 

7.    CropSolid Save/Restore Actions - Can select saved state numbers eg 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 by clicking the command line.

 

8.    "About" dialog - Warning icon changed to Information icon.

 

Fixed                                                                                                                                                                    

1.    Add Door - Failed if not in World ucs.

Depreciated

1. PointCloud 3D rotate functions - These functions aren't required now as CropSolid Nudge functions now work along the Z axis of User UCS planes. So can be used for nudging while tracing elevations.

 

Version 1.1   1st July 2022

Version 1.0   11th May 2022

Supported CAD versions

·         BricsCAD Pro (or higher) V22

First release

·         A suite of tools to aid the manipulation of the recently introduced POINTCLOUDCROPSOLID entities which can be used to crop point clouds in 3D but be modified like any other BricsCAD solid.