Cyclone Tips and Tricks

Hexagon Geosystems Track

June 2012

Built-in
Hotkeys

There are some very powerful built-in viewing hotkeys in Cyclone. Here are
some of them:
1. The '~' button will toggle between Pick Mode and View Mode
2. When in Seek Mode, hold the Shift Key and pick a point in the cloud,
the new view will appear as the scanner viewed the scene
3. When in View Mode, hold the Ctrl button and rotate the view. The
point cloud will pivot around your view position, and not the focal
point.
4. N copies selection to New ModelSpace including points, TINs and
modeled objects. C clears Fence.
5. Shift S opens the View Selectable/Visible tab in the View Properties
Dialog Box.
6. F Segments Cloud by Fence. Draw a fence around a specific area, pick
the cloud and Cyclone will cut the cloud using the parameters of the
fence. The segmented points can be easily deleted or put on their own
layer. This command may be used in conjunction with the limit box.
7. When in View Mode, the Alt Key slows down movement by a factor of
10.

Enhanced
Working
Format

Users have an option to use Enhanced Working Format to improve the

performance characteristics of their data. This new format is faster than a
full unify because it converts on a scan by scan basis. This format provides
enhanced load and display characteristics.
1. In Cyclone Navigator, select the Project Folder, select Tools, Enhanced
Working Format. The process is completed once all the scroll bars
disappear.
2. Individual Scanworlds may be converted to the Enhanced Working
Format if you dont want to do your entire scan project. Simply select a
Scanworld and select Tools, Enhanced Working Format.

Open GL
Modes

Setting a graphic language mode for Cyclone may help your computer
handle point cloud data more efficiently.
1. Close Cyclone. Launch the OpenGL modes from the Windows Start
menu, select All Programs, Leica Geosystems, Cyclone, Utilities, OpenGL
Modes.
2. From the Supported OpenGL Modes dialogue box, select a new
graphics mode. The default graphics mode has an asterisk next to it and
user chosen graphics mode is enclosed in brackets. To select a new
graphics mode, click a number in the Mode column and click Set Mode.
A combination of 32 (RBG) 32 (ZBuf) Y (DblBuf) Y (SW) Y (OpenGL)
works best for Cyclone on most computers. Click Exit. Open a
ModelSpace in Cyclone to check settings. If the point cloud is a
burgundy color, close Cyclone and try another OpenGL mode.

Preference
Settings

The main settings for the Cyclone program are found in the Preferences
menu. Preferences can be accessed from Navigator, ModelSpace or
Scanner Control under Edit, Preferences. This section will highlight a few of
the settings.
1. Click on Edit, Preferences from the pull down menu. There are two
levels in Edit Preferences, Default and Session. A Default selection
means changes you make will be remembered the next time you open
Cyclone. Session means it will only hold the current settings while you
have Cyclone open. Cyclone will revert back to the default settings
when opened again.
2. On the Registration tab:
Change the Max Iterations from 100 to 200 to aid your Cloud to
Cloud Registration
Change Cloud Reg: Default Max Search Distance: 0.100m Set
this to 300mm or 400mm to aid picking matching points
Change Reg: Default Subsampling Percentage : 3%. Increase by
20-40% for a better fit. Especially if you have a survey area with a
lot of horizontal area.
3. On the Fitting Tab, increase the default setting of the Number of Points
Warning Threshold to avoid the Slow Operation Menu when fitting
objects to dense point clouds.
4. In the ModelSpace tab:
Change default setting of Viewer Point Selection Transparency
from .75 to .3. This will lessen the contrast between selected and
non-selected areas of the point cloud. Closer to 1 increases the
transparency of points, closer to 0 makes points less transparent.
Change default setting of the TruSpace Quick Limit Box Range
from 3.281 to 10 feet or desired size.
Users may adjust the Grip Handle Size on selected objects. The
default and highest setting is 10. Lower values shrink the size of
the grips.
5. Under the Scan tab change Survey Mode to No if you want to eliminate
individual folders for each ScanWorld.

Preference
Settings

6. In the Point Cloud tab:

Changing the Load and Display of Points can help your computer
handle large data sets. Load: Max Points (Millions) and Display:
Max Points (Millions) deals with legacy data, data gathered in
versions of Cyclone 6.0 and earlier. Load pcE: Max Points
(Millions) and Display pcE: Max Points (Millions) pertains to data
gathered in Cyclone 7.0 and later.
Change Import: Compute Colors During Import to Yes. This
enables users to see the photo mapped to the point cloud. When
cyclone is installed the default is set to no.
7. Initialization tab:

Import/Export
Preference
Settings

Change the ModelSpace: Use Advanced Rendering to No and

TruSpace: Use Advanced Rendering to No if running Cyclone on
a computer with an older graphics card that doesnt support the
new Advanced Rendering engine.

Preference Customizations can be Exported and Imported into Cyclone.

The customizations affects your current hotkeys, toolbars and preference
settings. This is a good way to share settings between users in your
organization.
1. In Cyclone Navigator, go to Edit, Export Customizations. Save the
Cyclone-Customizations xml file to a location on your computer.
2. To Import Customizations, from Cyclone Navigator go to Edit, Import
Customizations. Navigate to the Cyclone-Customizations xml file, select
it and click open. A dialogue box reminds users that importing the
settings will replace all of our current hotkeys/toolbars, customization
and it is not undoable. Click OK to proceed.

Re-Ordering
Objects in
Cyclone
Navigator

Objects in Cyclone Navigator can be moved around to put them in the

desired order. When you import partial C10 data sets, ScanWorlds can get
out of order.
1. Click the object you want to move under the project or database,
hold down the left mouse key and Alt key to drag the object to the
new location.

Background
Settings

Backgrounds are a new feature to Cyclone 7.4 and they can be changed to
override the solid color backgrounds in a ModelSpace or TruSpace.
1. In the ModelSpace, from the drop down menus , select View,
Background Settings. Place a check in the Use Background Theme
dialogue box. This overrides the previous background in the
ModelSpace and TruSpace Windows
2. Choose one of the Background Modes Background Image, Gradient
Themes, or Sky/Ground Gradient Themes.
Background Image allows you to browse to the background
image of your choice
Gradient Themes

allows you to choose from five different sky

gradient themes, Grey 1, Grey 2, Blue/Grey,
Blue/Black, and Light Blue from drop down
menu

Sky/Ground Gradient option of five sky/ground gradient themes,

Winter Grey, Deep Blue, ModelSpace,
Daylight, and Open Field from drop down
menu.
3. Click Apply and OK.

Breaking
Polylines

There are a couple of ways in Cyclone to Break Polylines without loosing

scan points.
1. Go to Selection, Set Selectable. Uncheck the pick column (second
column) beside point cloud. Create a fence and use the short cut Shift I
to break the polyline. The points will remain because the pick column
on the point cloud is turned off. Dont forget to check it back on
immediately or your wont be able to seek on the point cloud for easy
navigation.
2. The other way to easily break a polyline is to select the polyline and put
a fence across the line where you want to break it. Go to Edit, Fence,
Delete Selected Inside. This breaks the line and leaves the scan data.

Output Box

For a very quick, easy way to get a true vertical distance of an overpass,
window or building height, use the output box.
1. Go to the View menu, click on Enable Output Box at the bottom of the
menu.
2. Click the View menu again and select Show Output Box. It will be blank.
3. Pick a point on a road surface or sidewalk, then a second point on the
underside of the bridge, roof or overhang.
4. From the Tools pull down menu, click Measure, Distance, Point to Point.
(D on your keyboard shortcuts)
5. The slope distance shows on the screen, but in the Output Box you will
see the true Vertical Distance.

Measurement
Dialogue Box

Another method to retrieve a vertical measurement in Cyclone is to use the

measurement dialogue box. The measurements can be copied to your
clipboard and pasted into Excel or a text document.
1. Go to Tools, Measure, Save Measurements.
2. Click on Tools again, Measure, Edit Measurements
3. In the Measurements dialogue box, right click on the column header
and select customize. Turn on all the columns.
4. Pick a point on a road surface or sidewalk, then a second point on the
underside of the bridge, roof or overhang.
5. From the Tools pull down menu, click Measure, Distance, Point to Point.
(D on your keyboard shortcuts)
6. The slope distance shows on the screen, but the Measurements
dialogue box displays the true Vertical Distance.

Point to
Unbounded
Surface

To see a true vertical height displayed in ModelSpace, use Point to

Unbounded Surface. This command requires a patch under the surface you
want to measure.
1. Select one of the fence tools and make a fence under the area you want
to measure. Make sure there isnt any noise behind the point cloud that
could cause the patch to be tilted when created. Go to Create Object,
Fit Fenced, Patch. Rotate view around to make sure the patch is lying
flat on the surface you intended.
2. Hit the space bar. With the multi-pick select the patch, then a second
point on the underside of the bridge roof or overhand.
3. From the tools menu, click Measure, Distance, Point to Unbounded
Surface. The true vertical distance will be displayed on the screen.

High/Low
Elevation
Points

Find high/low points within a specified area around a point in the point
cloud.
1. Single pick a point on the top of a utility pole, building or vehicle. Select
Tools, Measure, Find High/Low Point.
2. Type in the range you want to find high/low points and hit tab. Click
High Point or Low Point. The points within the search range are
highlighted. The highest point along the up axis is displayed.
3. To search the low point within the current range, select low point. Use
the slider to increase or decrease the range or enter a new value.
Select Create Vertex and Close. Repeat as necessary.
4. Select all the vertices and click Tools, Measure, Elevation to display the
elevation points. Capture the elevations with a snapshot.

Cross
Sections
from Picks

The alignment function is a valuable tool that enables a user to complete

many tasks. Occasionally there are times when only one cross section is
needed. This command creates one cross section between two pick points.
1. Roughly Multi-Select two points, one at the start and one at the end of
work area close to center of road or object.
2. Select Tools, Alignment and Sections, Create Sections from Picks.
3. The Create Sections dialogue box will appear. Select a depth (.25' or .5"
works well).
4. Check the Collect Points box. Select OK. This invokes the Sections
Manager.
5. To view the section, select the section in the list then in the pull down
menus, select Section, Activate Section. Turn off the reference plane to
see the points easily. Trace the sections with the 2D drawing tools.

Colorizing
Sections
Cuts

When you create cross sections, the points are segmented from the rest of
the point cloud. The color of the cross section points may be changed to
visually separate them from the rest of the point cloud.
1. Create a polyline from picks and create an alignment.
2. Create and view cross sections . Close section manager.
3. Select a point on the edge of the point cloud. Click View, Layers. Create
a new layer for the point cloud, select the layer and hit assign. The point
cloud will reside on this new layer. Turn the layer off.
4. With the section cuts visible, go to Selection, Select all. Then Create
Object, Merge.
5. Select the Cross Sections, go to Edit Object, Appearance, Edit Color
Map. Change the Scheme to Grayscale. The sections will turn gray.
6. Go back to the Layers menu and turn on the point cloud. The Cross
Sections will be visible from the point cloud.

Unify/Set
ScanWorld
Default Clouds

Using Unify ModelSpace from Cyclone Navigator often results in better

performance and has better resource allocation. Unify is used to combine
multiple points clouds into a single cloud in selected ModelSpaces. Do an
initial unify, clean the cloud and unify again. The cleaned point cloud can
be designated as the default cloud and loaded whenever a new
ModelSpace is created from a parent Scanworld.
1. In Cyclone Navigator, select the ModelSpace or ModelSpace View. Go to
Tools, Unify ModelSpace. Open the ModelSpace and clean point cloud.
2. Close point cloud and Unify ModelSpace again from Cyclone Navigator
3. The unified clean cloud can be designated as the default cloud. Open
the ModelSpace and go to Tools, Scanner, Set ScanWorld Default
Clouds.

Corner
Command

Corners may be created in the point cloud when there is data available on
three intersecting planes. The corner command creates three intersecting
patches on each plane and a vertex at the intersection point of the planes.
The vertex may be used as a registration target, a measurement point or to
create line work.
1. Find a corner in the scan and rotate view to see the three planes.
2. Make a rectangular fence around the corner. Go to Create Object, Fit
Fenced, Corner. Cyclone will create a patch on each plane and a vertex
at the intersection of the three planes. Hit spacebar.
3. Vertices can be changed into a registration target. Select the vertex, go
to Tools, Registration, Add/Edit Registration Label. Type registration
label. Click ok. Cyclone labels the vertex and copies the registration
label to the control space.

Adding Cloudto-Cloud
Constraints

Cloud-to-Cloud Constraints may be added a target based registration to

help tighten up the registration values.
1. Complete the target based registration.
2. Highlight the ScanWorlds you want to add a Cloud Constraint with.
3. In the Cloud Constraint pull down menu, click Add Cloud Constraint. In
the Add Cloud Constraint menu, select Use Current Registration. Click
OK. A new Cloud Constraint is added to the Constraint List, labeled as a
cloud/mesh constraint.

Merging Scan
Data between
ScanWorlds

In the field, if data captured from the scan position gets separated into
different ScanWorlds, it can be easily merged back together.
1. Open the ModelSpace you want to merge the data into.
2. Select File, Merge from ModelSpace. From the dialogue box, navigate
to the ModelSpace you want to merge and select open. The
ModelSpaces are merged.

Separating
Overlapping
Scan Data

In a Free Station application if a user forgets to hit Standard Setup (StdStp)

between scan positions, the data from two different positions could end up
in the same ScanWorld. The scan data can be separated into their
designated ScanWorlds. There is only one image saved per ScanWorld so
the images for the overlapping data could be lost.
1. From Cyclone Navigator, highlight the project folder and from the drop
down menu, Create Station. Highlight the Station and create a
ScanWorld. This creates a blank ScanWorld structure.
2. Expand the Scans folder under the position with the duplicate data. The
scans are symbolized with turquoise clouds. Identify the scans that
need to be moved. Drag and drop the scans into the Scan folder of
newly created Scanworld. The scans can also be copied and pasted into
the new ScanWorld. Cyclone will prompt you that your are attempting
to move data. Click OK. Highlight the target scans, select copy and paste
the associated target scans into the new Scan folder. Delete any
duplicate target data in the original ScanWorld. Create the ModelSpace
and ModelSpace View.
3. Open the ScanWorld with the duplicate data and turn off the point
cloud under View, Hide Point Clouds. With multi-pick, select the
vertices of the targets that need to be separated and copied into the
new ScanWorld. Select Edit, Copy. Open the ModelSpace of the new
ScanWorld and go to Edit, Paste to put the vertices into the new
ScanWorld. Select the vertices in the new ModelSpace and go to Tools,
Registration, Copy to Control Space.
4. Return to the ScanWorld with the duplicate data. Multi-pick the extra
targets and delete them. Turn on the point cloud under View and
uncheck Hide Point Clouds.

Setting the
UCS to an
Object

Users can change the UCS in Cyclone by placing the Coordinate System on
an object. This is helpful for any vertical surface. This command will orient
the X-Y plane of the coordinate system to the same plane as the object.
This is helpful when you want to create a 2D drawing on a surface, and then
extrude it to create a 3D object or creating a TIN on vertical surfaces.
1. Create a patch on the surface where you want the X-Y Plane to be set.
2. With Pick Mode, select the patch.
3. Select View, Coordinate System, Set to Object.
4. With Pick Mode, select the center Blue Handle to transfer pick to the
handle.
5. Under the View pull down menu, click Coordinate System, Set Origin

Setting the
UCS from
Two Axes

UCS can be set using a line or two near perpendicular lines. Setting two
axes is helpful when preparing a Point Cloud for CloudWorx.
1. Create a line between two pick points.
2. Create a second line perpendicular to the first line. For greater precision
on line creation, users may create a line from the intersection of two
planes.
3. Multi-Pick a point near the end of the line that illustrates the direction
you want the first axis to go. The first axis will be the direction that is
true to the actual line and the second axis will be approximated unless
the lines are exactly perpendicular.
4. Multi-Pick a point near the end of the second line that illustrates the
direction you want the second axis to go.
5. Under the View pull down menu, select Coordinate System, Set Using
Two Axes, X then Y. X then Y is what you want to use going AutoCAD. In
AutoCAD the X axis is to the left, Y axis is up the page and Z points
towards the user. Once the command is executed, the view on screen
may rotate around.

Setting the
UCS from
Points

Pick points may be used to set the UCS. With this method, you can assign
new coordinate values to a pick point, assign a new azimuth and elevations.
This method works well on building faces and other vertical planes.
1. With Multi-Pick Mode, pick three points on the point cloud.
2. From the View pull down menu, click Coordinate System, Set from
Points. Users have the option to assign a coordinate value for the first
pick point.
3. Set the Azimuth Point. Assign the Top and Bottom Points. Click OK. This
sets the plane to the Y-Z Axis.

Running a Dry
Traverse

If an error occurs with your Traverse in the field, you can try running it again
in Cyclone at your desk. Running a Dry Traverse is done in the Scanner
Control in the Traverse Editor. It is important to have good field notes and
all your scanner and target heights.
1. Delete any existing Registrations and Known Coordinates ScanWorld
from Cyclone Navigator.
2. Configure a Scanner. In Cyclone Navigator, go to Configure, Scanners. In
the Configure Scanners dialogue box, click add. Select the Scanner
Model in the Add Scanner dialogue box. Type in a name beside Scanner
Name. You dont need an IP Address. Click OK and Close. In Navigator,
expand the Scanners folder and double click on the scanner icon to
launch the Scanner Control.
3. The Select a Project dialogue box prompts users to select the Project
folder in the database. In the Scanner Control Panel, navigate to Station
1 and ScanWorld 1.
4. From the drop down menu select Project, Add/Replace Coordinate.
Enter the ID for your first scanner position along with its coordinate.
This can be an assumed coordinate. Click Add and Close. A dialogue box
states, 1 new coordinate has been added to the Known Coordinates file.
5. In the Scanner Control Panel, under Field Setup, select Known Azimuth
(3D point) beside Method. Fill in Station ID and HI for first Scanner
setup. In Target ID, type in the backsight Target ID and HT. If using a twin
target pole select the target type and Cyclone will fill in the height. Click
Calculate and Apply.
6. From the drop down menu click Window, Traverse Editor. Click Add. In
Select ScanWorlds dialogue box, select all the Stations including Known
Coordinates. Click Open. Known Coordinates will not be visible in the
list. If Stations are not in the right order, highlight it and use Move Up,
Move Down buttons to place ScanWorlds in the correct order.
7. Click the Propagate target/station IDs box in the editor. Select Station 1
and assign the Station ID and Height. Use the drop down or arrows
beside to fill in Backsight and Foresight IDs and Heights. Click on second
Station and fill in Station, Backsight and Foresight ID and HTs. After two
Stations, click verify to check validity of Traverse. Continue for all
Stations. After last Station click Verify. The Traverse dialogue box should
state the Traverse is valid. Some of the entries sometimes get dropped
in the Traverse Editor and may require users to check or enter values
again.
8. Click Display to show a ModelSpace of the Traverse created. Save it and
close.
9. Click Report to save your Traverse Report. Click Registration to open a
registration window. Go to Registration, Register. Freeze the
Registration to complete the process.

Reference
Plane Grid
Spacing

Calculating volumes in Cyclone is one of the many powerful tools . When

calculating a TIN to TIN volume, the resulting value may vary depending on
the grid spacing for the calculation. Unlike the TIN to plane calculation, the
spacing used for the TIN to TIN calculation is set from the Reference Plane.
The default value for the Reference Plane is a meter. If you need tighter grid
spacing for your volume calculation, here is how to change that value:
1. Under the Tools in the menu bar, click Reference Plane, then Edit Active
Plane.
2. Click the Grid Spacing bar to expand the section.
3. Edit the values.
4. Click Apply to preview.
5. Click OK to accept. Now you can re-calculate the volume and achieve
the level of accuracy that you are looking for.

ScanWorld
Visibility on
Key Plans

The ScanWorld Visibility can be adjusted easily on a Key Plan. The visibility
of any ScanWorld can be turned off or filtered by elevation or name.
1. Create and open the Key Plan. Click on Tools, Configure ScanWorld
Visibility. In the Visible column, uncheck any ScanWorlds you dont want
visible in the Key Plan. The ScanWorld visibility can also be filtered By
Name or By Elevation.
2. Place a check beside By Elevation. Put a value in the From and To boxes.
Click okay. Only ScanWorlds between the elevation range will be visible.
This is extremely helpful when your scan data is geo-referenced.

Short Cuts

Setting up Short Cuts in Cyclone can be extremely helpful for accessing

frequently used ModelSpaces or other folders deep in the database,
without having to navigate through the extensive folders . These Shortcuts
are accessed from Cyclone Navigator. Shortcuts may also be created on the
Windows Desktop, Start Menu, Quick Launch Bar or Windows Favorite and
function outside of Cyclone to launch.
1. To create a Shortcut in Cyclone, in Navigator select the object you want
to create a shortcut for. Select Create, Shortcut. This adds the shortcut
to the Shortcuts folder in Cyclone Navigator.
2. To create a Shortcut in Windows, from Navigator, select the object you
want to create a Shortcut for. Select Create, Shortcut in Windows. The
Shortcut is added to the specified location in Windows.

Animation

Placing cameras in the proper location and angle can prove challenging
when creating Animations especially if working with large data sets. Users
can create a test animation at a lower resolution to check the camera
angles, paths and views without waiting for the full animation to render.
1. Create animation. Set frame rate around 50 and the resolution at 800
by 600. The animation will render quickly and users will be able to
preview the product.
2. Once animation is perfected, increase the frame rate to desired level
and increase resolution to 1200 by 900.

Using Limit
Box in
TruSpace to
Define Limit
Box in
ModelSpace

Users can take advantage of the easy navigation in TruSpace to place a limit
box and the limit box will isolate data in the corresponding ModelSpace. In
this workflow the TruSpace and ModelSpace are linked and in sync with
one another.
1. From Cyclone Navigator, highlight a ScanWorld, right click and open
TruSpace. The point cloud must be on in the TruSpace. The point cloud
and the image can be on at the same time in the TruSpace. To turn on
the image in TruSpace, go to View, Images.
2. From the TruSpace, go to File, open ModelSpace View. Select the
ModelSpace View and click open.
3. In the ModelSpace, from the drop down menu, go to View, TruSpace,
Link TruSpace. Select the TruSpace and click Link. If you have more than
one TruSpace open close the additional TruSpaces. In the ModelSpace,
go back to View, TruSpace click on Sync TruSpace and Sync Quick Limit
Box. Now the TruSpace will be in sync with the ModelSpace.
4. Click on the Quick Limit Box in the TruSpace and left click with your
mouse where you want to place it. The Limit Box will show up in your
corresponding ModelSpace. The point cloud data will remain on in the
TruSpace. The size of the initial Limit Box is set in Preferences in the
ModelSpace Tab.

Removing
Point Cloud
Noise from
Sun Glare

Extra scan noise may be generated when scanning on bright sunny days.
The noise starts at the scanner location and shoots into the sky. This is
easily removed.
1. In the ModelSpace, from the drop down menu, go to View, TruSpace,
Show ScanWorlds.
2. With the pick tool, double click on the ScanWorld icon where you have
scan noise. This puts you in Panoramic Mode looking out through the
perspective of the scanner. With the View tool, rotate your view around
until you see the noise. Using one of the fence tools, make a fence
around the noise and click Shift I to remove it. Repeat this for any other
noise. Click on Perspective Mode to get out of Panoramic Mode.