Release Notes for CAM2

1.    Creaform HandySCAN Black Elite Support

(Scan Professional, Expert)

Users now can utilize their Creaform device scans directly in CAM2, to perform alignments, analysis, reporting and repeat part inspection using QuickTools.

From the Home ribbon, select the Open Creaform OS icon, to open the Creaform Scan application:

The Creaform scanning application will open, allowing users to capture their required scans.

Once the scan is complete, selecting the Accept Scan icon will close the Creaform application and transfer the scan data to CAM2.

The transferred scan can now be used for alignments, feature extraction etc.

1.    Point Cloud Properties – Align to and Compare to options

(Expert, Scan Professional & Analyst editions)

To further enhance the Point cloud capabilities, CAM2 now provides users the option to align to one CAD model but compare to another (color map). This is particularly useful in Casting inspection workflows where users need to align to an ‘as cast’ model’, but compare the scan to an ‘as machined’ model, to assess if there is enough excess material needed for the machining process.  

The Point Cloud properties now have 2 options:

• Align to – this determines which reference item is used for the Point Cloud alignment (Best Fit or Iterative alignments)
• Compare to - this determines which reference item is used for the deviation comparison (color map).
  

Note: It is recommended that the ‘Align to’ CAD model is hidden to enable the color map to be visible when using different models.

2.    Iterative alignment (Point Cloud) – Manual Adjustment

(Expert, Scan Professional & Analyst editions)

To further support customer workflows, such as Casting Inspection, it is now possible to manually adjust a Point Cloud iterative alignment, by entering offsets and/ or rotations in X, Y and Z.

From the Home or Alignments ribbon:

• Select Manage to open alignments manager. 
  

1. Select the required alignment in the left-hand list.
2. Expand the Advanced Options
3. Toggle on the Manual Adjustment option. The manual adjustments options will now be shown: 
   
4. Translation – enter the requirement distances into the X, Y Z cells to translate (offset) the alignment in the required directions.
5. Rotation – enter the requirement angles into the X, Y Z cells to rotate the alignment around the required axis.
6. Center of Rotation – enter the X, Y Z position to be used for the rotation adjustments. By default, the origin (0,0,0) is used.
7. Select Modify to update the alignment using the entered values.

Note: Supports Iterative alignments that contain Point Cloud only.

3.    Construct by Best Fit – solver methods added

(Expert, Probe Professional, Probe Essentials & Analyst editions)

We now allow users to select the solver method when constructing a feature by Best Fit using Feature Readings. 

A typical use case is where a user requires that a measured hole diameter be reported using Standard (best fit), Minimum and Maximum fit results. Users can now simply Construct by Best Fit another Feature using the readings of existing measured features and apply the required solver method.

When the original feature is remeasured, the constructed features will automatically recalculate.

Note: the use of extracted features is not supported.

4.    Sensitivity Sliders added to automatic selection tool

(Expert, Scan Professional & Analyst editions)

To provide users more control when using the Connected, Disconnected and Outliers selection tools, we have added sensitivity slider that when changed will select either more or less data based upon the level chosen. The slider will be available by selecting the settings icon displayed in the top left-hand corner of the Viewer.

Once the slider position is changed, the selection will be recalculated.

Connected Data: 

• Increasing the level (+) will reduce the number of points selected as the allowable distance between point bodies is reduced.
• decreasing the level (-) will increase the number of points selected as the allowable distance between point bodies is increased.

Disconnected Data: 

• Increasing the level (+) will increase the number of points selected as the allowable distance from the main scan body to large clusters of points is reduced.
• Decreasing the level (-) will decrease the number of points selected as the allowable distance from the main scan body to large clusters of points is increased.

Outliers:

• Increasing the level (+) will increase the number of points selected as the allowable distance from the main scan body to small clusters of points is reduced.
• Decreasing the level (-) will decrease the number of points selected as the allowable distance from the main scan body to small clusters of points is increased.
  
  In some cases it may not be possible to increase the selection level due to the point spacing, and in this situation a notification will be displayed.
  
  

5.    Point Cloud: Protect Data

(Expert edition)

This capability allows users to ‘Protect’ a selected area of an existing Point Cloud, so that when a user adds readings or edits the data, the protected areas will not be changed.

A typical example is if a user needs to clamp the part at various positions during scanning but also needs scan the surface being held / clamped, to achieve a full scan of the component, after deleting the previously scanned clamp area of the Point Cloud.

• From the Measure ribbon Scan Editing group, select the preferred selection tool and select the area of Point Cloud to be protected.
  Note: We have implemented a new Foremost Face selection option, which will only select data on the visible surface, and not data behind. (This is not the same a Front Facing which will select any surface facing the user regardless of visibility)
  
• Then toggle on Protect which now be enabled, and the selected area will change to an aqua blue color.
  

It is now possible to add readings to the Point Cloud. Then select and delete unwanted data from the Point Cloud, however the protected selection will remain unchanged.

• To remove the protection, simply toggle off the Protect option, and the Point Cloud color returns to grey and is no longer protected:
  

6.    Point Cloud: Replace Data

(Expert edition)

This capability allows users to ‘Replace’ a selected area of an existing Point Cloud. A typical example is if a user has scanned a component which a larger point spacing, but requires much finer resolution only in certain areas, for example part markings.

• From the Measure ribbon Scan Editing group, select the preferred selection tool and select the area of Point Cloud to be replaced.
  Note: We have implemented a new Foremost Face selection option, which will only select data on the visible surface, and not data behind. (This is not the same a Front Facing which will select any surface facing the user regardless of visibility)
  
• Then select Replace and the selected area will change to a magenta color and a panel will open to allow the user to select the Point spacing prior to rescanning.
  
• Enter the required Point spacing and then click Continue and rescan the selected area.
• Scan the selected area and once ended, the rescanned area will change color back to grey.

The selected area will now display the data captured at the new point spacing.

7.    Target Registration

(Scan Professional, Expert & Analyst editions)

This capability allows users to register multiple scans using common targets, typically required in situations where it was not possible to capture the whole Target Network / component in a single scan.

• From the Alignment ribbon Registration group, select Open, to enter the Registration mode.
  

From the Point Cloud Registration ribbon:

• Select the Data Type from the first dropdown.
  
  This determines which data type is used for the registration.
  • Both – allows Point Pair picking on Point Cloud and Targets. 
  • Point Cloud – allows Point Pair picking on Point Cloud only.
  • Targets – allows Point Pair picking on Targets only.

To use targets for registration, select either Both or Targets as the Data Type, then:

• From the Point Cloud list, select a Static Point Cloud. This remains fixed in its original position during registration.
  
• From the Point Cloud list, select a Moveable Point Cloud. This will move to the Static Point Cloud position during registration.
• From the Point Cloud list, select a Moveable Point Cloud into the right window.
  
  If targets exist on both selected scans, select Preview to preview the auto registration which uses 3 matching targets from each scan.
• The auto selected targets are highlighted in the left window.
  

If the registration looks visually correct:

• Select Register from the ribbon. This will create a Registration Group, and the Moveable Point Cloud is displayed registered in the Static window.

The initial registration accuracy is shown in the lower right corner.

Note: The accuracy values is the max error between the Point Clouds not the targets, but this is not the final registration result.

Note: The accuracy values is the max error between the Point Clouds not the targets, but this is not the final registration value yet.

At this stage, it is possible to refine the registration by:

• Selecting the Registration Group in the list
• Then selecting Fine Registration from the Ribbon
  

The final registration accuracy is shown in the lower right corner. The previously detailed steps can be repeated for all scans that require registration.

Once all scans are fully registered, select Close from the ribbon to return to the main Features workspace.

In the unlikely event that the auto registration method using targets fails, it is possible to manually register by selecting Point Pairs on targets in the same way as is possible for Point Cloud.

8.    Dynamic Reading Size: ScanArm

(Expert edition)

When enabled, the Dynamic Resize Point Cloud Readings preference will adjust the Point cloud readings size automatically based upon the grid size used during scanning, to provide a surface like visualization as the suer zooms in.

The preference is enabled by default and can be found in Preferences > Display > CAD View > Size and Scale.

Note: When this preference is enabled, the manual Reading Size slider will not change the Point Cloud readings size.

9.    Hide CAD & Features when scanning Point Cloud

(Expert edition)

In some cases, when no alignment is active, imported CAD model and created features can obstruct the users view while scanning Point Cloud during the measurement process.

To improve user experience, we have implemented a Hide Feature & CAD when measuring Point Cloud preference located at Display > CAD View > Measurement.

When enabled, this will hide everything other than the Point Cloud being measured, but only if there is no active alignment.

10.    Updated translations

(All editions)

All supported languages have been reviewed and updated following addition of new development.

FaroArm Driver

FaroArm driver updated to version 6.11.21.

Additional Options for Custom Tolerances Color Schemes

Users now have additional custom tolerance settings when creating custom tolerance color schemes to allow more control of the number of colored intervals used during comparison.

• Interval: number of the colored segments based upon the selected percent of tolerance interval. 
  • Range = 10% > 100% intervals
• Upper range: the upper percent of tolerance to be colorized.
  • Range = +100% > +300 % at intervals of 5%
• Lower range: the lower percent of tolerance to be colorized.
  • Range = -100% > -300 % at intervals of 5%

Directional Sign Option for X, Y, Z Lengths

When creating the lengths between features the  ‘Display directional sign to X,Y,Z’ option will indicate the direction between the first and second feature, relative to the active coordinate system, when checked.

This capability is useful in certain workflows, such as Roller Alignment, where users need  to compare the fixed end point to an adjustment end point of a cylinder, relative to the active coordinate system.

The coordinate system is typically set by the main drive rollers, and by checking the end points of subsequent rollers using the Directional Sign option, users can understand how much to adjust the rollers in each direction, to ensure this are parallel to the main drive roller.

NOTE: When this option is enable only a ‘-‘ sign is shown if the length is in the negative direction of the coordinate axis, e.g. -8.22mm. Any positive direction will have no sign prefix e.g. 2.26mm.

Cross Section Analysis – View Enhancements

To improve user experience, when in Cross Section mode, it is now only possible to rotate the view in 2D. To complement this change we have implemented a new option Flip Camera View, which when selected will display the view from the opposite side of the cross-section plane.

Point Cloud Measurement Window Improvements

To improve user experience, when measuring a Point Cloud, we have removed options that are not applicable to Point Cloud from the Measurement Window toolbar:

Cross Section Analysis available in Probe Professional

Users can measure Cross Section Scans using a hard probe; however, Cross Section Analysis mode was not available. We have now added Cross Section Analysis mode to the Analysis group within the Home ribbon so users can perform analysis on their hard probed cross sections.

Point Cloud Mode:  Automatic Data Selection Tools

(Scan Professional, Expert and Analyst editions)

We now provide users 3 Automatic Data Selection tools, to help aid the cleaning and editing of Point Clouds, located in the Home ribbon of the Point Cloud Mode.

Connected Data

This option will automatically select connected data based upon a user cursor click on the Point Cloud:

• A single cursor click on the point cloud, and CAM2 will select all data deemed to be connected.
  
• Select multiple areas by holding the <SHIFT> key while clicking with the cursor.
  
• Deselect multiple connected area by holding the <CTRL> key while clicking with the mouse cursor.
  

Disconnected Data

This option will automatically select data that is disconnected from the largest body of scan and does not require any user click after enabling the option from the Toolbar.

Outliers

This option will automatically select isolated point or small groups of data and does not require any user click after enabling the option from the Toolbar.

Convert Visual Mesh to Nominal Mesh

(Scan Professional, Expert and Analyst editions)

It is now possible to convert the Point Cloud visual mesh, to a nominal mesh. This allows users to use this as a reference (CAD) or to further process in RevEng or other meshing applications.

Prerequisites: A scanned Point Cloud must have previously had the visual mesh created. (Point Cloud Properties > Visualization >Rendering Style > Mesh)

Then from the Features list, simply select the Point Cloud, right click and select Convert Visual Mesh to Nominal. The mesh will be saved into the same location as the fcd/fcdx file and imported into CAM2 as a CAD reference (colored gold).

QuickTool Support for Scan Professional and Leap Capture Scans

(Scan Professional and Expert editions)

It is now possible to create QuickTools in Scan Professional, that include a step to open Leap Capture and allow the user to perform their scans, as part of a repeat inspection workflow. The Automation ribbon contains the available QuickTool commands.

When included in a QuickTool, a Leap Capture Scan step will open Leap Capture, blocking the CAM2 UI, to allow users to perform the required scans.

A Leap Capture step can only be added into a QuickTool by using the ‘Record’ option.

Once the scans are complete, clicking the CAM2 icon in Leap Capture will trigger the CAM2 QuickTool to retrieve the scan data, and use this to replace any existing Target Network and Point Cloud data.

Any subsequent QuickTool steps, such as alignments, extractions, cross section and reports, will then be automatically calculated,

Note: RPM currently does not support Leap ST or Scan Proffesional QuickTools.

Report: Target Network support

(Scan Professional, Expert and Analyst editions)

It is now possible to include Target Network onto a report, where the position of each target will be displayed in a table:

Labels: Connector Line Style Customization

(All editions)

Users can now customize the label connector line style via the Labels Preferences:

Label Connector Customization (applies to all CAM2 editions)

Users can now customize the label connector line color and thickness via the Labels Preferences:

Active Coordinate System Visual Indication (applies to all CAM2 editions)

When users create multiple Coordinate Systems, all non -active Coordinate System triads will be displayed with transparency in the 3D viewer, so that the active Coordinate System triad is more prominent.

FaroArm Manager

The FaroArm Manager has been updated to version 6.11.15, and now includes manuals for all supported languages.

CRITICAL NOTE: CUSTOMERS MUST UPDATE TO THIS VERSION OF DRIVER AS THE PREVIOUS DRIVER (6.11.13) WAS TIME LIMITED, SO WILL CEASE WORKING ON 1^ST JANUARY 2025.

Licence Manager 2.1

The FARO Licensing Manager provides a single interface to manage all your FARO software licenses from one convenient application. Activate a new license, manage and update licenses, and view active maintenance plans/expiration dates.

1. Licenses (home screen) - Displays all licenses currently installed on the computer. Each listing includes the expiration date and other related information. A filter can be used to narrow the licenses displayed and the settings panel allows to change the license selected to run FARO applications.
2. Activate - Allows entry of a product key for activation of a new license.
3. Configure - Provides basic settings to configure network license servers or clients.
4. Notifications - Opens the Notification pane. The notification pane lists newly activated licenses, expired licenses, and update license results.
   

Notifications

The notifications pane contains a historic view of licensing-related activities. Clicking on any notification will display a pop-up window with additional details.

Listed below are some of the most common notifications: Product Expiration License Added License Updated License Removed Generic Error Message

New FARO Quantum X Model Support

CAM2 provides support for the new FaroArm models, Quantum X.S, Quantum X.M and Quantum X.E. Once connected to the PC, Device Center will automatically detect and make the device available for use in CAM2.

FaroArm Driver Update

The FARO Arm Manger has been updated to version 6.10.55.

Point Cloud Properties -  Mesh visualization

Users can now to choose the visualization method of each point cloud, either before or after capture, by selecting the required Rendering style under the Visualization section of the Point Cloud Properties.

Note: Selecting the Mesh rendering style prior to scanning, will then display live mesh as the data is captured, and after scanning is complete, the point cloud mesh will be recalculated to refine the live mesh. The progress line is shown underneath the Point Cloud in the Feature list:

Hoop Exchange (CAD Translator)

This has been updated to version 2024.3.0 and now supports the following CAD formats.

Hoop Visualize (Viewer)

This has been updated to version 3DF 29.00.

Hoop Exchange (CAD Translator)

This has been updated to version 2024.1.0 and now supports the following CAD formats.

Point Cloud Properties Updated

The Point Cloud Properties window has been updated, resulting in the content being reorganized into a Scan Arm tab, so that the Device Options are now displayed at the top of the window.

CAD Healing ‘None’ Preference

CAD Healing attempts to correct surface issues with CAD models, however in some cases, where the CAD model quality is very poor, healing may be unable to improve the surfaces quality, which can result in a failed import.

In this situation, users can change the CAD > Healing Preference to None, so that no healing process is applied, thus improving the chance if the CAD importing.

Default Save File Format

The default format for saving files has been changed to .fcdx. This format combines all the associated files, such as CAD models, Point Cloud storage etc into a single file, which requires less storage space. The .fcd format is still possible by changing the save file type prior to saving.

3rd Party Component Updates

Hoops Exchange has been updated to version 2023 SP1 and now supports the following CAD formats.

Gallery UI Updates

Control Center Gallery UI has been updated, so that it better scales to different screen sizes and ratios, to provide a better user experience when using mobile devices.

Dashboard UI Updates

Control Center dashboard UI has been updated, so that it better scales to different screen sizes and ratios, to provide a better user experience when using mobile devices.

Additional small enhancements have also been made to improve usability.

Highlighted Graph Marker

When selecting a data column, the corresponding marker will now be displayed in bold, so that the user can clearly identify the selected sample data marker within the graphs.

Gap Dimension

This option allows users to quickly establish the gap between parallel edges or faces, using a single of multiple readings.

The following Gap types are supported:

Planar Gaps

Where a gap or channel is located within a planar surface, users can measure the plane, and using a probe larger than the gap, scan along the gap using the polyline feature (user can determine the interval type / size).

Then using the Construct > Dimension > Gap from Features option:

Users can:

• Select an existing plane from the Feature 1 drop down
• and an existing  polyline from the Feature 2 drop down

The Gap size is calculated, including the Max and Min Gap size from the readings captured.

Note: If both sides of the gap are not coplanar, this will impact the accuracy of the calculated gap.
 

Circular Gaps

Where a gap or channel is located inside a hole or outside a shaft, users can measure either a circle or cylinder, and using a probe larger than the gap, scan around the gap using the polyline feature (user can determine the interval type / size).

Note: CAM2 will automatically compensate the gap size based upon whether the circle or cylinder was measured from the inside or outside.
 

Users can:

• Select an existing circle or cylinder from the Feature 1 drop down
• and an existing polyline from the Feature 2 drop down

The Gap size is calculated, including the Max and Min Gap size from the readings captured.

The nominal Gap value and tolerance can be entered into the Feature Information, and this will then colorize each Gap line, based upon its’ deviation.

Gap Dimension

This option allows users to quickly establish the gap between parallel edges or faces, using a single of multiple readings.

The following Gap types are supported:

Planar Gaps

Where a gap or channel is located within a planar surface, users can measure the plane, and using a probe larger than the gap, scan along the gap using the polyline feature (user can determine the interval type / size).

Then using the Construct > Dimension > Gap from Features option:

Users can:

• Select an existing plane from the Feature 1 drop down
• and an existing  polyline from the Feature 2 drop down

The Gap size is calculated, including the Max and Min Gap size from the readings captured.

Note: If both sides of the gap are not coplanar, this will impact the accuracy of the calculated gap.
 

Circular Gaps

Where a gap or channel is located inside a hole or outside a shaft, users can measure either a circle or cylinder, and using a probe larger than the gap, scan around the gap using the polyline feature (user can determine the interval type / size).

Note: CAM2 will automatically compensate the gap size based upon whether the circle or cylinder was measured from the inside or outside.
 

Users can:

• Select an existing circle or cylinder from the Feature 1 drop down
• and an existing polyline from the Feature 2 drop down

The Gap size is calculated, including the Max and Min Gap size from the readings captured.

The nominal Gap value and tolerance can be entered into the Feature Information, and this will then colorize each Gap line, based upon its’ deviation.

DevExpress (User Interface & Controls)

DevExpress has been updated to version 22.1.6

Hoop Visualise (Viewer Component)

Hoops Visualise has been updated to version 27.10.0.2

Hoop Exchange (CAD Translator)

Hoops Exchange has been updated to version 2022 SP2 U2 and now supports the following CAD formats. Please see the following article for supported import formats: Supported CAD Import/Export File Formats for CAM2

Note: this was incorrectly reported as updated in CAM2 version 2023.0.

Parasolid (CAD modelling kernel)

Siemens Parasolid has been updated to version 34.1

Gap Dimension

This option allows users to quickly establish the gap between parallel edges or faces, using a single of multiple readings.

The following Gap types are supported:

Planar Gaps

Where a gap or channel is located within a planar surface, users can measure the plane, and using a probe larger than the gap, scan along the gap using the polyline feature (user can determine the interval type / size).

Then using the Construct > Dimension > Gap from Features option:

Users can select the plane and polyline and the Gap size is calculated, including the Max and Min Gap size from the readings captured.

Note: If both sides of the gap are not coplanar, this will impact the accuracy of the calculated gap.
 

Circular Gaps

Where a gap or channel is located inside a hole or outside a shaft, users can measure either a circle or cylinder, and using a probe larger than the gap, scan around the gap using the polyline feature (user can determine the interval type / size).

Note: CAM2 will automatically compensate the gap size based upon whether the circle or cylinder was measured from the inside or outside.
 

Users can select the circle / cylinder and polyline and the Gap size is calculated, including the Max and Min Gap size from the readings captured.

The nominal Gap value and tolerance can be entered into the Feature Information, and this will then colourise each Gap line, based upon its’ deviation.

Scanning – Live Mesh Visualization

We now provide users the ability to visualize point cloud as mesh surfaces during the scanning process, whilst supporting all the capabilities currently available for Point Clouds, such as alignments, feature extraction etc.

Users can enable this capability via Preferences > Display > CAD View >Point Cloud Settings, then selecting Mesh from the Rendering Style options.

Whilst scanning, readings will initially be displayed as point cloud, but quickly converted to mesh patches, as the user continues to capture. After the scanning process CAM2 will automatically finalize the mesh in the background and replace the mesh patches.

Note: If Point Quality filter is used, any inferior quality ‘red’ points are deleted and not used to generate the mesh patches.

Construct ‘Best Fit from Feature Readings’

Users can now construct best fit geometry using the readings of existing measured actual features, to avoid the need to perform duplicate measurement. When Constructing a feature ‘By Best Fit’, checking  Use feature readings will make actual features available for selection.

Note: This method can also be used to construct a ‘copy’ of a measured feature.

Lengths – rotate display

User can now change the display orientation of lengths, by using the Rotate Length Display option available on the context menu (right click) when a length is selected. Each time the option is selected, the length display plane will rotate 90°.

Note: pressing the enter key after a length has been rotated will repeat the action.

Report – Overall Status Preference

When creating reports using certain templates, the overall Status of the inspection is shown at the end of the report. Users can now choose to enable / disable this via the Include Overall Status ribbon icon:

And the default behaviour can be set via Preferences > Report > Options > Other and check or uncheck Include Overall Status.

Report – Overall Status Preference – Ignore Coordinate Systems

When creating reports that support the Overall Status, if coordinates systems are included, these will not impact the resulting Overall Status. This previously would have resulted in an Incomplete status being reported.

Alignment Results Updated

The alignment results for iterative alignment types have been updated to include Scale and Standard Deviation.

Assign to Layer – Multi Selection Support

It is now possible to select multiple Feature in the Feature List and assign these to an existing layer via the context menu (right click).

CAD Translator Update

Please see the following article for supported import formats: Supported CAD Import/Export File Formats for CAM2

Export Points / Point Cloud – Grouping Separator None Option

When exporting Points or Point Cloud to text file from CAM2, users now have a None option available for the Grouping Separator (thousands), which results in ungrouped numbers, i.e., no thousands separator.

Gap Dimension

This option allows users to quickly establish the gap between parallel edges or faces, using a single of multiple readings.

The following Gap types are supported:

Planar Gaps

Where a gap or channel is located within a planar surface, users can measure the plane, and using a probe larger than the gap, scan along the gap using the polyline feature (user can determine the interval type / size).

Then using the Construct > Dimension > Gap from Features option:

Users can select the plane and polyline and the Gap size is calculated, including the Max and Min Gap size from the readings captured.

Note: If both sides of the gap are not coplanar, this will impact the accuracy of the calculated gap.
 

Circular Gaps

Where a gap or channel is located inside a hole or outside a shaft, users can measure either a circle or cylinder, and using a probe larger than the gap, scan around the gap using the polyline feature (user can determine the interval type / size).

Note: CAM2 will automatically compensate the gap size based upon whether the circle or cylinder was measured from the inside or outside.

Users can select the circle / cylinder and polyline and the Gap size is calculated, including the Max and Min Gap size from the readings captured.

The nominal Gap value and tolerance can be entered into the Feature Information, and this will then colorize each Gap line, based upon its’ deviation.