Manage Drawings with Point Clouds
symbol in the 3-D part structure of the ICN. When saving model drawings or parts with point clouds, it is important to note the following:
Please note:
The point cloud data are not part of the SZA or KRA file. These files only contain a reference to the corresponding project point cloud, i.e. to the path where the point cloud is located during import. This reference can be changed later with the function Update point cloud references 
.
If you transfer files with point clouds to a third party, i.e. to another HiCAD workstation, then you must also pass on the folder with the project point cloud in addition to the SZA or KRA file. At the same time you have to make sure that this folder also exists on the "new workstation". The following exceptions apply:
- If the directory set as drive N in the filegrup.dat is part of the point cloud path, the point cloud will be found.
- If the directory set for drive N is moved, the point cloud is still found within this folder. However, this applies only if the point cloud has been added in a version from HiCAD 2020 SP1 onwards. This does not apply to already existing model drawings created with HiCAD 2020.
Example 1:
- The directory C:\HiCAD\Punktwolken is set as drive N.
- The point cloud file VHV Technikum.lsproj is located in the folderC:\HiCAD\Punktwolken\Beispiele\User\VHVTechnikum.
- The model drawing with the point cloud is saved.
- The drawing is then opened on a computer on which the same directory is set for drive N. The point cloud file is opened on the computer. However, the point cloud file VHV Technikum.lsproj is located in the folder C:\HiCAD\Punktwolken\VHVTechnikum.
In this case the point cloud is found because the directory set as drive N is part of the point cloud path.
Example 2:
The model drawing contains for example the project point cloud VHV Technikum (1). This is located in the folder C:\hicad\Install\Punktwolken.
When passing it on to third parties, the entire folder (2) must be passed on, in addition to the model drawing with the point cloud. On the "new workstation" this folder must then also be located at C:\hicad\Install\punktwolken. Otherwise the point cloud will not be found.
Missing reference when loading drawing files with point clouds:
If HiCAD does not find a point cloud contained in a drawing under the path saved in the construction when loading it, then the dialogue box Update point cloud references is automatically displayed. Point clouds that were not found under the specified path are marked with the 
symbol.
After clicking on the magnifying glass symbol and selecting the desired path / file, close the dialogue window with OK. The point cloud reference will be updated and the point cloud will be exchanged if necessary.
If several point cloud parts have a missing reference when loading a drawing file it is often the same reference. In this case, the reference does not have to be selected again for each part, but all parts with identical reference are updated accordingly. This means that it is sufficient to select the new reference for one of these parts.
Please note:
- When you convert point clouds for import into HiCAD, they are by default stored in the folder defined as drive N in the file filegrup.dat. It is recommended to use a uniform drive N on all workstations. This can be a network path or a local path. The ISD default is the sub-folder Punktwolken of the HiCAD installation. Point clouds must not be stored in sub-folders of the folder Punktwolken!
- If the path specified in the file filegrup.dat as drive N is a central network path to which all workstations have access, then no forwarding of the folder Punktwolken is required. In this case the SZA or KRA file.
-
If no licence for the Point Cloud module is active when opening a drawing file with point clouds, the following message appears:
The message disappears automatically after a few seconds, but can also be terminated with OK.
