What's New

SpatialAnalyzer 2026.1

Ready to get started?

Talk to an expert and discover what Hexagon can do for your organization.

This release focuses on advancing SpatialAnalyzer in four key areas:

  • Automation and Integration

    Introduction of OPC UA client capabilities enables SA to participate in closed-loop robotic inspection workflows.

  • Advanced Cloud Workflows

    Continued investment in point cloud processing, colorization, and visualization improves usability and scalability for large datasets.

  • Expanded Instrument Ecosystem

    Added and enhanced support for ATS800, LADAR, RTC360, and additional scanners expands measurement flexibility.

  • Performance and Scalability

    Improvements across cloud processing, feature extraction, and system architecture enable handling of larger and more complex datasets.

 

This release includes several under-the-hood improvements to enhance overall system performance and reliability:

  • Improved performance for cloud processing and visualization workflows

  • Enhanced responsiveness when working with large point cloud datasets

  • Stability improvements across cloud-based operations and feature extraction

  • General architecture updates supporting improved scalability and future development

These updates provide a more consistent and efficient user experience, particularly in high-data-volume inspection scenarios.

 

Import / Export Enhancements

Updated CAD Import Format Support:

Autodesk Inventor 2026 Creo 12.4.0 Parasolid 37.1
Autodesk Navisworks 2026 IFC2 2.3.0.1, IFC4 4.3 STEP AP242 Ed1/2/3
CATIA V5_6R2025 NX - Unigraphics NX2506  

 

Expanded cloud import/export formats

Added 3 additional import formats:

  • *.PLY: Point cloud files can now be imported into SA and have been added to the drag-and-drop auto-import tool. It's a text file containing 9 characteristics: X, Y, Z, surface normal (I, J, K), and intensity (R, G, B).

  • *.PSL: Polyworks file format, a native file type for saving and loading point clouds.

  • *.NSD: Technodigit 3D Reshaper file format, a native file type for saving and loading point clouds.

 

Added an additional export formats:

  • *.NSD: Technodigit 3D Reshaper file format, a native file type for saving and loading point clouds.

 

 

Geometry Relationship Inspection

Name Controls

Added direct access to the Name control for a GR-Feature or other relationship at the top of the relationship dialog.

 

Tree Status Indicator

If a geometry relationship had data (points or clouds associated) but the application couldn't fit or extract from cloud the needed geometry, the feature is now marked with the "attention" icon to indicate the problem. Sometimes, the feature settings should be adjusted to finish fitting / extraction successfully.

 

Auto Vector Name Control

This version adds the ability for Relationship Auto Vectors to have customizable prefixes.

This allows a user to:

  • set the Auto Vector Group default prefix for SA job,

  • customize the Auto Vector Group prefix per relationship,

  • adjust AVN, AVF and standard Auto Vectors as needed.

These new options are supported through MP and should allow MP scripting to be simplified.

 

Select CAD Faces

Points to Objects and Clouds to Objects relationships now have a right-click option to preview the associated CAD faces and adjust the selection:

 

Measure Batch of Features

This command has been adjusted to automatically adjust features without saved presets to use the instrument's default measurement methods. This allows a user to build features from CAD and directly measure them using the default settings without any pre-configuration.

 

GD&T Inspection

Updated Users Options dialog layout.

  • Added an additional option (Display Out Of Tolerance Values) to display the Measured Deviation only and hide the Distance Out of Tolerance value from the graphics and report control frame.

  • Updated and improved debugging geometry outputs for use with simultaneous evaluations.

 

Cloud Based Inspection

Refresh Filtered Cloud Data

  • Improved performance of Refresh Filtered Cloud Data operation. Additionally resolved several issues related to cloud renaming and resource memory management.

 

Construct Mesh from CAD

A new construction method has been added to build a mesh from CAD that can be used for the colorization process. This command produces a mesh with the fewest possible triangles that accurately represents the CAD model. This command is very similar to importing a CAD model using Import all surfaces as Mesh Graphical Entities option, and that process can be used as an alternative. 

 

Cloud to Cloud = Cloud

The cloud to cloud query option has at long last been replaced with a much more advanced option that offers full colorization controls through an easy-to-access right-click menu.

Cloud to Mesh = Single Mesh

SA now offers a cloud to mesh query method that can generate either a very nice colorized mesh or directly colorize the measured cloud.

 

Cloud and Mesh Colorization Controls

Both the colorization and color bar display for colorized clouds, voxelized clouds, and colorized mesh outputs can be accessed through a simple right-click option. This Colorization control offers direct access to the colorization controls which can efficiently be edited. This colorized cloud can be processed using our RGB filter to isolate particular color zones.

 

New Color Sampling Using Callouts

The existing voxel callouts can now be used to display the saved distance values or intensity values from colorized clouds. A new mesh callout has also been added that will display the local deviation values for a colorized mesh.

 

Expanded support for the Enhanced Cloud format. This new cloud format was added in 2025.2. In this version we have improved its performance with feature inspection and wired up MP/SDK integration.

  • RGB Display Controls now supported

  • Cross Section Clouds now supported

  • Cloud to Swatch Relationship now supported

  • All cloud-based MP commands now supported

Construction Operations

The perimeter construction tools have been expanded in this version to aid measurement guided measurement applications with CAD models. These perimeter construction tools can be accessed on the Instrument tab within the tools section:

CAD/Plane Intersections

  • From CAD Faces/Plane Intersection: This option has been added to allow selection of specific CAD faces when defining intersection perimeters.

  • From CAD/Plane Intersection: Constructing a perimeter from CAD / Plane intersection has been expanded to include a control for incidence angle.

Perimeters from Complex Curves

  • From CAD Bounding Edges (Curves): This option operates much like the 2D Feature construction operation and allows a user to hover over a particular edge and select it. This is great for selecting keyways or other complex contours for scanning.

 

 

 

New MP Commands

Relationship / Feature Operations

Cloud Point Processing 

Added MP support for intensity and RGB processing

  • Get Cloud RGB Values: This command returns statistics on the intensity or color values saved with a point cloud

  • Get Cloud RGB Values Near Point: This command returns statistics on the intensity or color values saved with a point cloud section that is within a given distance to a point.

  • Subdivide Cloud by Point Spacing: This command divides an input cloud into separate cloud groups that are separated by a given distance. An option exists to specify a minimum number of points per cluster.

  • Consolidate Mesh: Offers an option to reduce mesh elements into a single mesh

GD&T Controls

Excel Workbooks

 

OPC-UA Client Integration

Automated and robotic inspection is a growing part of industrial metrology. It offers speed and repeatability as well as an opportunity to automate this labor-intensive inspection process. SpatialAnalyzer is an excellent automation platform. Hexagon’s custom automation solutions team has extensive experience in high-accuracy inspection of aerospace components.

OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) is a machine-to-machine communication protocol for industrial automation. It provides a single, secure, and reliable cross-platform framework for accessing a variety of data available through server integration.

Key Benefits

  • Real‑time OPC UA communication: SA acts as an OPC UA client—subscribes to robot/PLC tags and publishes measurement feedback for adaptive control.

  • Event‑driven execution: SA Measurement Plans are triggered by robot states (e.g., Ready for Scan, Move Complete) via OPC UA events.

  • Closed‑loop, adaptive path control: Live metrology (position / orientation / deviation) drives on‑the‑fly trajectory corrections until tolerance is met.

  • Scalable, structured integration: OPC UA info models / semantic tags; bridges ERP and PLC/robot/SCADA; supports multi‑station / multi‑instrument synchronization.

 

New MP/SDK Commands

25 New MP/SDK Commands have been added in this release to support OPC.

 

Added support for Google Sheets integration using MP

Key Benefits

  • Easy Collaboration: Google Sheets allows multiple users to work on the same document in real-time, enhancing teamwork.

  • Automation: It can automate repetitive tasks, such as data consolidation and formula updates, saving time and effort.

  • Accessibility: Being cloud-based, Google Sheets can be accessed from any device with internet connectivity, making it convenient for users.

  • Integration: It integrates seamlessly with other Google Workspace tools and external data sources, enhancing its functionality.

  • Cost-Effectiveness: Google Sheets is free to use, making it a budget-friendly option for individuals and businesses.

 

New MP/SDK Commands

19 New MP/SDK Commands have been added in this release to support Google Sheet spreadsheet interaction and dynamic control.

 

 

Instrument Interface Updates

Leica Trackers and Arms

RDS 6.6 support

The ability to use RDS 6.6 has been added for both trackers and arms within SA. This new RDS version includes intensity with scan data from an AS1 scanner.

 

New Instruments Added

Leica RTC360 3D Laser Scanner

Direct WiFi connection and measurement controls are now supported using the Leica RTC360 Scanner within SA.

 

Leica TS20 Total Station Support

A new instrument model has been added to clarify support for the Leica TS20.

 

Laser Tracker Updates

Expanded Leica tracker button controls

Keyboard Tab and Enter keys can now be used with custom T-probe and AS1 buttons assignments. What's really fun about this is that it allows any dialog from SA to be navigated through and sections to be made using the T-probe as a remote control. This works great with dialog-based decisions from MP. This can be used with both the T-Probe and the AS1 scanner buttons.

 

Leica AT500, ATS600, AT930/960, ATS800 (all LMF trackers)

Upgraded the primary LMF dll v.2.0.0.17439 to .NET 8 version.

 

Leica ATS800

Linear Noise Reduction. In the General Settings (Gear tool) > Leica ATS, you can select the Max Angle Filter. This can be used for line, area, and ring scans to reduce stray cloud points during a scan, as needed.

 

API LADAR

 

Greatly expanded feature measurement

Updated support for feature measurement. This includes a long list of improvements:

  • N-point perimeter scans are now supported allowing measurement of complex shapes.

  • Add ability to directly select perimeters for scanning

  • Add support for the feature Trapping (SA Relationships, Measure Batch of Features)

  • Circles, Slots, Spheres, Cylinders (both Pins and Holes), and Plane (using N-Point scan and the nominal perimeter points)

  • Added ability to Save and Reuse scan paths created in iVision.

  • Added interface function to open the guided in-field calibration for LADAR based on scale bar.

 

Added LADAR specific MP commands:

 

API iLT Laser Tracker

A wide selection of minor improvements and updates have been made in this version for the API iLT tracker. Please refer to the SA Readme for more information.

REQUIRED UPDATE: API Firmware Version 1.76a, Release Date: 7 January 2026

 

Changes include: 

  • Updates for level measurements and Virtual Level operations

  • Updates for improving V-probe integration

  • Front / Back checks and Stable Point measurements

 

Hexagon HHScan

Version 2025.5 of HHSCAN introduced a minor axis to the data. This new format is supported, as well as the older format without the minor axis data.

 

Key Improvements Summary

SpatialAnalyzer 2026.1 delivers meaningful improvements across automation, cloud workflows, and hardware integration.

This release focuses on four major areas:

  • Cloud workflows – Significant expansion of cloud processing, colorization, and mesh interaction

  • Automation – OPC UA integration and expanded MP/SDK capabilities

  • Measurement efficiency – Improved default behaviors and feature workflows

  • Hardware integration – Expanded support for scanners, trackers, and LADAR systems

 

These enhancements enable users to:

- Reduce manual intervention through automation and event-driven workflows

- Improve measurement accuracy with enhanced cloud processing and feature extraction

- Streamline inspection workflows across a broader range of instruments

- Work more efficiently with large and complex datasets

Overall, this release strengthens SpatialAnalyzer as a scalable, automation-ready platform for modern metrology applications.