What's new in SpatialAnalyzer

SpatialAnalyzer develops and implements changes fast. New features, bug fixes, and changes are implemented quickly so you can use them right away. Here’s a summary of what’s new in 2024.1.

• Graphical performance enhancements
• Feature inspection
• Cloud based inspection
• Reporting
• And many others
  
  

Graphical performance enhancements

SA can handle a lot of data being captured quickly. Multiple instruments can be measuring at the same time at very high rates, but SA’s graphics were struggling to present all this data effectively to the operator. In 2024.1 efforts were made to improve visualization both during scanning point clouds while capturing both 3D and 6D measurements.

Feature Inspection

SA 2024.1 introduces the ability to fully template a feature inspection process through incorporating advanced measurement methods. This significantly expands SA’s features measurement automation capabilities in any SA license package.

Cloud based Inspection

Meshing

SA’s meshing tools are expanded in 2024.1 – the prior “extended parameter” option is replaced with a new meshing service. This new extended capability is included as an extension of the General Mesh dialog and offers the ability to use saved JSON configurate files for customized presets.

Reporting

Trifoil Vectors

Added a “trifoil” vector group display mode for vectors. Much like a small frame, this deviation display shows the direction of the deviation components in the working frame and is ideally suited for large construction jobs where relative scaling of vectors is difficult.

Metrology Reporting Connection

SA now shares data with Metrology Reporting. The connection control is on the Reporting tab, making it easy to upload your job for shared visualization and analysis.

Cloud Based Feature Extraction

GR-Slots now offer a full range of extraction methods, much like those added for circles in the prior release. These include both 2D and 3D extractions, angled, plunged and surface hole cloud extraction options.

The data association process is also simpler in this version, as the separate Proximity Cloud selection has been eliminated. A cloud can now be directly associated with a GR-Feature and used as needed. A radio button provides optional direct fitting or enables a cloud to be used as the input for a dynamic filter process. This dialog has also been clarified for easier operations.

An option to "Use Filter Settings" has been added to the Filter Data to Nominal 3D Geometry utility. This option allows you to use the individual settings saved within existing GR-Features for the filter. Once complete, GR-Features now keep track of the input cloud for further processing as needed.

Cloud extraction in this version also offer significant improvements in filtering speeds as a result of improved data segmentation and threading.

Relationship Fitting

A major challenge in any optimization process is balancing speed and ensuring the optimum solution is found. SA’s current relationship fit process is the perfect balance in most situations. However, it can stop prematurely in complicated fits. We added a Direct Search method as a fall back several years ago that ensures the best solution is found, but it can be slow.

To add greater flexibility, this version adds two intermediate options; to split the difference between speed and performance.

A version of the Levenberg-Marquardt solver has been implemented to support optimizations via relationship minimization. This solver casts a somewhat wider net when solving for solution parameters. More information can be found here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levenberg-Marquardt_algorithm.

In addition, an option is added to follow the Gauss-Newton solver (our standard approach) with a subsequent gradient search backup.

The Move Object by Minimization Relationship and Move Collections by Minimization Relationships functions now offer these additional options.

Additionally, when using points-to-objects, projected points will be compared component-wise rather than as a simple signed magnitude to increase reliability in complicated fits.

Callout Selection

A new “Select All Callouts” option has been added to the Callout right-click menu. This option enables a user to quickly select all callouts in view for editing purposes.

Additionally, a new menu option “Select Same Type Callouts” is added to the right-click menu of callouts in the graphical view. This option enables selection of callouts of the same type, such as vector callouts, for common formatting.

2023.2 Instrument Updates

Added support for the new Hexagon Absolute Scanner AS1-XL. This scanner is supported with both Hexagon’s Absolute arms and AT960 trackers.

AT960 Laser Tracker support has been expanded to include LMF version 1.10. This includes support for precise Timestamps (PTP) in SA. The high precision timestamp can easily be recorded within SA through the use of Point Sets in a scan operation.

Hexagon Absolute Arms also support connections to RDS v.6.4. This includes full support for connecting to multiple arms within a single session through RDS. RDS still allows only one arm at a time to be run, but switching between them can be faster through the use of a logon dialog: Configure Instrument.

API Laser Trackers have been improved to include support for the V-probe “Smart Probe Button.” Button events are now provided from the vProbe2 and iScan3D and SA responds accordingly. These events include: 1) Single button press, 2) Double click, and 3) Button hold and each of these events can be customized as needed.

Leica Total Stations and Multi-Stations (MS60) has been expanded to include:

• A Query option is added to the Instrument Toolbar. This provides a means to record a full discrete measurement when a position update is desired.
• The level compensator button now displays an out of range icon. It also has been converted to a status display only to avoid accidental use. Compensator control is accessed through the settings.
  
• Several changes improve synchronization when changes were made onboard the instrument including level status, weather settings, and target definitions. This includes the ability to define targets onboard the instrument for use in SA. The Leica Captivate target icons are added to help clarify which definition was used to define a particular target.
  

AICON DPA has been updated to use Aicon SDK 20.00.09

Leica Pxx Scan Stations are updated to streamline operations. Additional, target scan options are now available. See readme for details. The MP command “Scan within perimeter” has been updated.

SpatialAnalyzer 2023.2 Videos Links

The following SpatialAnalyzer Video links are now available on YouTube:

• Feature Extraction from Clouds in 2023.2 - https://youtu.be/RoYzfwi-lqQ