Undet Browser with Undet for Ares Commander

Undet Browser is a free stand-alone point cloud viewer explicitly created to help you view, analyze and navigate your digital data as a panoramic view. This will help you better and more quickly understand your scan data and share it with colleagues and customers.

Undet Browser solves the main problem where it is not always easy to view and understand the point cloud in a CAD model and where you often have to look at another screen loaded with a particular point cloud viewer. Most point cloud viewers work as separate software. Undet point cloud viewer works quite differently and offers unique features when point cloud viewer and Undet plugins are synchronized.

To create an Undet point cloud project compatible with Undet Browser, check the “Create Undet Browser Project” option in Undet Indexer settings. This option enables the creation of an Undet Browser project associated with your point cloud data, enhancing your ability to view, analyze, and navigate your data in panoramic views.

Technical requirements for your point clouds to use Undet Browser:

• Point cloud data must be structured with scan station center information.
• Supported file formats: *.E57, *.IPCP, *.FLS, *.ZFS, *.RCP, *.PTX
• Unstructured and not supported point cloud file formats: LAS, *.LAZ, *.PTS, *.PLY, *.DP, *.ASCII, *.TXT, *.XYZ.

Here is a video that covers essential Undet Browser features as a free point cloud viewer:

Undet Browser User Interface

	Moves between action history (Back / Forward).
	[Log out] – Log out to select a new project.
	[Refresh] – Refresh browser view.
	[Draw Points]—Enables/disables the function to place points in the CAD model by clicking in Panoramic Scan View. Available only with Undet plugins.
	[Add Annotations] – Enables/disables function to add an annotation in Panoramic Scan View (only Webshare Cloud users). Available only with Undet plugins.
	[Add Herfs] – Enables/disables function to add a hyperlink to the Panoramic Scan View screenshot when selecting a 3D point in the CAD model. Available only with Undet plugins.
	[Translate View Section] – Enables/disables function to update Undet Clipping Box location by clicking in panoramic scan view. Available only with Undet plugins.
	[Change Elevation] – Enables/disables function to assign Z value to draw new CAD object (line, polyline). Available only with Undet plugins.
	[Script] – Enables/disables to use written scripts. Available only with Undet plugins.
	[Settings]- Script settings dialogue to set the script you want to use. Available only with Undet plugins.
	[Scripting list] – Compilation of scripts for annotations.
	[Z Offset] –  Allows you to adjust the annotations you’ve input by a specific Z value.
	[Always on top] – Enables/disables “Always on top” windows mode.
	[About] – Undet Browser version/update information.
	[Help] – Link to Undet Browser user knowledge base.

NOTE: Several functions can be enabled at the same time.

 

Mini Map

Left Click on mini map – opens mini map full-screen for easier navigation between scan positions
Right Click on mini map – Opens additional menu where you can change Control mode, Undet Browser View, Refresh Groups or Crop Map for easier navigation

 

Navigation in Undet Browser

Navigation in the Undet Browser is possible by scanning positions and their groups, which usually represent different levels.

Groups (levels) – same as grouped in Scan Data manager
Scan positions

 

Colouring modes

The colouring slider INT/RGB improves data visibility with a default scheme of INT:50 / RGB:50. You can easily customize these settings to match your preferences and workflow needs, ensuring a personalized and clear visual experience. You can also change the background colour by clicking on this icon.

INT:10 / RGB:90	INT:90 / RGB:10

 

Measuring tools

In Undet Browser you will find measuring tools such as: get coordinates, get distance Z, get distance XY, get distance XYZ.

Get Coordinates	Get Distance Z
Get Distance XY	Get Distance XYZ

 

Post-processing tools

In the Undet Browser, users can modify their view by adjusting exposure, lights, shadows, and strength parameters. This feature empowers Undet Browser users to tune their visualization settings for an optimized and personalized viewing experience.

NOTE: Double-click on the parameter slider will change it back to the default value.

Specialized Undet Browser features to use with Undet for ARES Commander

First, to use all Undet Browser features, we must activate Scan Positions markers (BB) in the Scan Data Manager.

 

1. Open Undet Browser using Scan Positions markers (BB) 

Double-clicking the Scanning Station Sphere (markers) will open the Undet Browser.

In the ARES Commander model space, locate the scanning station symbol, represented as a sphere. Double-click the left mouse button on the center symbol of the scanning station (the sphere) to open the Undet Browser with the selected position view.

 

2. Sync Browser (View Sync) feature

This feature allows you to orientate the view from the nearest scan stations in Undet Browser to an unclear view of a point cloud slice with a single click.

Press the [Sync Browser] button in the ARES Commander model space and select a point cloud point from your model space by picking it. NOTE: Don’t forget to turn snap to point cloud points on.

The [Sync Browser] tool will locate the scan station view in the Undet Browser based on the point cloud point you picked. As a result of selecting the point cloud point, you will get the nearest scan station panoramic views oriented to the area around your selected point.

By pressing [Accept], you can choose the most relevant view from the available options.

 

3. Draw points feature

This feature allows you to send a 3D point to the CAD model by picking a point in Undet Browser view.

Activate the Draw Points function

Pick a point in Undet Browser

A 3D point is automatically inserted into the CAD Model as the picked point location through Undet Browser.

 

4. Add Href feature (available only with FARO SCENE Webshare Cloud service account)

This feature allows you to add a hyperlink to a screenshot of the panoramic scan view for the selected point.

Activate Add Hrefs (Draw Points need to be active).

Pick a point in Undet Browser.

Select your picked point in the Ares Commander model and turn on properties – you will find a Hyperlink to a saved screenshot of a panoramic view.

 

5. Translate View Section

This feature allows you to shift/translate the Undet Clipping Box location by clicking in the Under Browser scan view.

Create a Clipping Box in the Ares Commander model. NOTE: This feature shifts/translates the center of the active point cloud slice regardless of its size or thickness.

Activate [Translate View Section] in Undet Browser and pick a point in panoramic view to update your Clipping Box location.

As a result, your clipping box center moved to your picked point.

 

6. Change Elevation feature

This feature allows you to set the Z value for newly created CAD objects.

NOTE: To reset the Z value back to its default value of 0, use the ELEVATION command in ARES Commander and set it to 0.

Example: Polyline drawn with Change Elevation function turned off Z value – 0.

Activate Change Elevation and pick a point in Undet Browser for Z elevation.

Polyline Drawn with Change Elevation will have a Z value of the picked point.

 

7. View Sync feature with Undet plugin

View Sync” function is compatible only with Revit and SketchUp plugins. It does not work with ARES Commander and AutoCAD.

 

8. Scripts feature

This feature simplifies annotation by providing access to a comprehensive library of over 50 pre-built scripts. These scripts empower users to streamline and enhance their workflow when working with point cloud data. Whether you need to label specific features, apply measurements, or execute custom actions, Undet Browser Scripts offers many options for precise and efficient data manipulation. Detail Undet Browser Scripts Tutorial -> https://youtu.be/Wn5fhnwGpNs?si=FClzPXoOjpP0p_1x

NOTE: Undet Browser Scripts are not limited to the existing set. Users can write custom scripts, tailoring the tool to their unique project needs. This flexibility opens up a world of possibilities for users seeking to optimize their point cloud data analysis, annotation, and interpretation.

All instructions on how to use pre-built scripts and create custom scripts in Undet Browser are available in this comprehensive video tutorial: Undet Browser Scripts Tutorial (https://youtu.be/Wn5fhnwGpNs?si=FClzPXoOjpP0p_1x). This tutorial provides step-by-step visual guidance, making it easier to understand and leverage the powerful scripting capabilities of Undet Browser.

 

9. Offset feature

This feature allows you to set reference Z-level.

Z Offset – 0,00	Z Offset – 4,00

 

10. Always on top feature

This feature ensures the Undet Browser window stays visible above other programs, allowing easy access while working with Ares Commander or any application, preventing it from getting hidden in the background.

NOTE: For the most efficient work, we recommend using two screens: one for CAD and one for Undet Browser