399 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Learning Objectives After completing this chapter, you will be able to: ✓ Identify applications for point clouds in 3D design and model creation. ✓ Use Autodesk ReCap Pro to import, register, and index scan fi les. ✓ Clean up and adjust the display of point clouds. ✓ Attach a point cloud to an AutoCAD drawing fi le. ✓ Extract 2D geometry from a point cloud. A point cloud is a digital representation of an existing object that is constructed of large numbers of points in 3D space. A point cloud provides accurate 3D data that can be used for design and modeling purposes in a variety of applications, including building construction, surveying, manufacturing, accident and crime scene recon- struction, gaming, and computer animation. AutoCAD provides tools for working with point clouds to help in 3D visualiza- tion, design, and model creation. You can use point clouds to: • Visualize as-built conditions. • Create new vector-based drawings using the point cloud data as a reference. • Apply color mappings and transparency for improved visualization. • Crop regions to show what is needed or not needed for different projects. • Generate new geometry using extraction commands. Working with point clouds in AutoCAD begins with converting raw data from scan fi les into a supported point cloud fi le format. The resulting point cloud fi le can then be attached to a drawing fi le for reference purposes. Working with a point cloud is much like working with an external reference fi le. The process of importing and converting point cloud data is referred to as reality capture. The following sections provide an introduction to point clouds and the tools available for working with point clouds in AutoCAD. Point Clouds CHAPTER 15 15