Release Notes for CAM2

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.

Deviation Markers Support for Mesh

When Point Cloud alignment are using mesh as the reference model, we now support the creation of Deviation Markers. This capability shared the same options and workflows, as if using CAD models, and the creation options are available within the View ribbon:

• Zone Size –  this is the diameter size of the zone around the picked point where data is considered.
• Pick Deviation – when activated, the user can user the cursor to select a point on the mesh surface.
  
• Generate – available when Pick Deviation is selected, and allows the user to create a grid, adjusting the cell size sliders, and the Deviation Markers are created when the user presses Enter.
  
• Key-In – the X,Y,Z position can be manually imputed, and the threshold value is used as a search radius, to project the Deviation Marker to the closest surface within the entered value.
  
• Import – the positions of the Deviation Markers can be determined by importing from a text file. File > Import > Deviation Markers
  

Cross Section – Height Display Improvements

When creating height in Cross Section Analysis mode, the display has been improved to allow users better positioning and allow the height value to be positioned inside or outside the dimension itself.

CAD Material Transparency Option

Users can now apply material transparency to CAD models, via Part Properties, where a percentage (0% is no transparency, 100% full transparency) can be entered.

The default value can also be set in Preferences > CAD > CAD Part:

Import CAD via Drag and Drop

It is now possible import / translate CAD by dragging and dropping the required files onto the 3D viewer.

FaroArm Driver Update

The FaroArm driver has been updated to version 6.10.48.

Scanning – Live Mesh Visualization

The goal of this development is to provide users the ability to visualise point cloud as mesh surfaces during the scanning process, whilst supporting all the capabilities currently available for Point Clous, such as alignments, feature extraction etc.

Once the Improved Point Cloud Visualization experimental feature is enabled, users can test this capability by activating in 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.

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

Axis Aligned and User Positioned Lengths

When creating lengths from features, we now provide a new Length Creation Wizard that allows users to select the features to be used, and which length to create:

1. Name - enter length name if required.
2. Features - select the 2 feature to calculate length between.
3. Treat as - select how to treat the feature as Point, Line or Plane (available options are feature dependent)
4. Lengths to Create - select which lengths are to be created.
5. Create - select to create chosen lengths.

Note: if more than 1 length is created, all length  will be placed into a  group folder with the feature list.

Once created, the created lengths will be individually displayed and automatically positioned outside of CAD / feature bounding box:

Using the cursor, users can select and drag lengths to the required position.

In addition, the dimension value can be dragged and positioned inside, or outside of the length leader lines:

Note: if the text length exceeds the distance between the length leader lines, only positioning outside is possible.

The Dimension Settings for have also been updated and apply to lengths and angles.
( Preferences > Display > CAD View > Dimension settings )

• Font – Font type and size can be edited
• General dimension color -  edit the color of the dimension lines and font.

Feature Extraction - Extraction parameters moved to the nominal

To improve the workflow when creating extracted features using Pick from CAD , the extraction parameters have been moved to the nominal feature, to allow users to configure these prior to extraction.

Feature Readings – Deviation Annotations

In this version we provide further improvements to the Feature Readings Selection, where users can display the deviation of feature whiskers.

Note: Deviations visible  size will remain fixed to screen as the user adjusts the zoom. Displaying too many deviation may impact readability and performance.

There are 2 methods to do this:

1. Selecting the feature and then the whisker in the 3D viewer, then from the context menu, select Show Deviation.
   
2. From within the Measurement Data panel, select the required readings, then from the toolbar options, select Show Deviation. To hide deviations select Hide Deviation.
   

Note: The default font style and display size can be customized via:
Preferences > Display > CAD View > Size and scale > Whisker Deviation Font

Device Manager Revamp

The user interface for managing devices has been updated to provided users a better experience whilst maintaining the same functionality as before:

1. + New – select from the drop down to add a new Device or Device Position.
   
2. Set Active – set the selected Device or Device Position active.
   1. An active Device or Device Position is identified by the green bar icon.
   2. The Root Device Position is indicated by the target symbol.
      
3. Remove – remove the selected Device or Device Position from the session.
4. Name – click into cell to edit the device name
5. Serial Number – device serial number, automatically populated when connected.
6. Measurement Window – toggle the display of the measurement window on / off.

Device Positions – add point reducible features to define a new position:

1. Add selected items in the Feature List by clicking
2. Add items from the cell drop down list
3. Remeasure all items by clicking
4. Remeasure individual items by clicking
5. Remove an item by clicking
6. Apply scale using the Fit scale toggle
7. To access the Use Nominal option select

Once a device position is calculated:

• the fit results for each feature are shown in the table.
• the overall results are shown at the bottom on the window.
  

Multiple devices and their positions are presented in the device list:

 
When TrackArm positions are present:

1. the Relocation Accuracy is displayed
2. users can select Relocate to remeasure and recalculate the existing position.
   
   Note: TrackArm positions are added via the Locate TrackArm Wizard (Devices Ribbon)
   
   When a Device Position is selected, additional options are shown in the toolbar:
3. Import – import a new device position from .fdp or .xdp file
4. Export – export an existing device position to .fdp or .xdp file
5. Clear – clear an existing device position.

Scanning Profiles – Point Quality Filter Default Change

Following user feedback, we have updated the Curvature and Smooth Profiles so that the Point Quality filter is set to ‘None by default, aligning these with the other profiles.

Report – Overall Inspection Status

We have updated the default templates, to include an Overall Inspection Status summary at the end of the report.

The status will now show one of the following:

• Pass -  all items included on the report are within tolerance.
• Fail – at least one feature on the report has an item out of tolerance
• Incomplete -  the report is empty or contains at least one feature that has not been measured or solved.

The Overall Inspection Status is available with the following templates only:

• Detailed
• Simple, Simple + Error Pass Fail, Simple + Error
• Tabular, Tabular Pass Fail
• Tabular Excel, Tabular Excel_No_Header

3D Viewer – Lighting Improvements

We have updated the simulated lighting within CAM2, to reduce the level of reflection of displayed features, Point Cloud, CAD, and Mesh.

Scanning – Live Mesh Visualization

The goal of this development is to provide users the ability to visualise point cloud as mesh surfaces during the scanning process, whilst supporting all the capabilities currently available for Point Clous, such as alignments, feature extraction etc.

Once the Improved Point Cloud Visualization experimental feature is enabled, users can test this capability by activating in 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.

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

This version includes significant improvements to automatically remove isolated artifacts, within the temporary mesh during the scanning

Feature Extraction: Advanced Filters

We have implemented advanced data filters to allow users more control when extracting features, which are contained within the feature properties:

1. Use CAD Surface Boundary -  3D features only.
   • When aligned to CAD, this will only select data from the surface selected when using Pick from CAD.
   • If disabled, the nominal geometry surface is used to select data from the point cloud.  (Selected data is shown in yellow)
     
2. Filter CAD edges within – only available if Use CAD Boundary is enabled.
   • This option allows the user to specify a distance from the surface boundary, where data will be ignored.
3. Use Threshold from Nominal – 3D features only.
   
   • This option allows the user to specify a distance from the surface of the nominal feature, where only data within this +/- value will be considered for feature extraction. Typically, this value will impact the form of the extracted feature.
     

Feature Extraction: Paraboloid

It is now possible to extract paraboloids using either Pick from CAD or manual extraction.

Feature Extraction: Improvements

The version brings the following feature extraction improvements:

• Improved extraction performance for line and plane features.

Point Cloud Selection Tools: Cursor Icons Updated

We have updated the cursor icons used when manually selecting areas of point cloud.

Pick from CAD  / Manual Probing: Cursor Icon Updated

The cursor icon when using Pick from CAD or Probing Mode extraction, has been updated:

Report: Display Feature Datum Letter

When a report includes datum features, CAM2 will now display the datum letter prior to the feature name for clearer reporting when using the Detailed, Simple, Simple + Error, Simple + Error Pass Fail, Tabular and Tabular Pass-Fail report templates.

Measurement Data Export Option: Show Overall Status

When exporting measurement data, users can now add the Overall Status of the inspection, which will be shown in the header of the resulting file.

This option is shown by default but can be enabled / disabled from within the Export Format Editor:

Context Menu: Capture View Data

The Capture View Data context menu option allows users to assign CAD views to individual features, which are shown when the feature is remeasured. We have renamed these options to Capture CAD View and added icons to align with the QuickTools panel option.

Export to CAD : Partial Torus

When exporting measured features to CAD, any partial torus will be exported as they are displayed in CAM2.

Scanning – Live Mesh Visualization

The goal of this development is to 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.

Once the Improved Point Cloud Visualization experimental feature is enabled, users can test this capability by activating in 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 be converting to mesh patches, as the user continues to capture.

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

The mesh displayed during scanning is temporary and consists of small overlapping mesh patches and once scanning is completed by the user, CAM2 will finalize to generate a new mesh.  During the finalization process, users can continue to use CAM2 to measure, create alignments etc. The mesh finalization progress is shown by the blue line displayed underneath the Point Cloud in the Feature List, and when 100%, the temporary mesh will be replaced.

Note: Hovering the cursor over the line will display the progress.

Mesh rendered point clouds support all point cloud functionality such as:

• Feature Extraction
• Point Cloud Editing
• Registration
• Cross Sections

In these modes the point clouds will be displayed as points, returning to mesh visualization once the mode is closed.

If aligned to CAD:

• with comparison active, the color map will be displayed as points.
• with comparison off, displayed as mesh.

Note: When opening existing files that contain point cloud, if the Point Cloud Rendering Style is set to Mesh, CAM2 will convert the point clouds to display as mesh, and during this time, users can continue to work as normal whilst the mesh is being generated in the background.

Arrange Labels to screen

The option is available for both front facing and non-front facing labels using the Arrange Labels icon in the View ribbon Label options, or by pressing the ‘L’ key:

Front Facing

When selected, the Arrange Labels option will reposition labels to the edges of the screen, to minimize label overlap.

If zoomed into an area, when selected the Arrange Labels options will only display and arrange labels for features that are visible in that view area.

Non-Front Facing

When non front facing labels are selected, the Arrange Labels option will reposition labels that are on the same plane to minimize overlap, using the bounding box of the CAD and features:

Note: Non front facing labels are designed for use with the 2D pre-set views which can be selected using the 4,5 and 6 keys, and with Visibility Based Display enabled, automatically hides feature labels that are not easily visible from these views. This provides users a quick and easy method to create report views.

Display Front Facing Labels Preference

The Front Facing Labels preference allows users to determine the default label type. The check box can be found in Preferences > Display > Labels > Labels Settings.

Feature Reading Selection

This capability provides users a quick and simply method to correlate the visualization of feature readings and whiskers, to the actual reading information contained within the Measurement Data panel.

To utilize this capability, users must:

1. Select at least 1 feature in the Feature list or 3D viewer
2. Enable Feature Readings and /or Whisker from the context menu (right click), so that the readings and whiskers are displayed in the 3D viewer.
3. Have the Measurement Data panel open and docked (pinned).
   

The Measurement Data panel top toolbar contains several options that can be used in conjunction with readings / whiskers:

1. Enable selected readings – ‘checks’ selection.
2. Disable selected readings – ‘unchecks’ selection.
3. Lasso selection tool – this can be used to select multiple readings / whiskers from the 3D viewer using the lasso selection tool.
4. Report – allows users to create and export a measurement data report.
5. Edit Probe settings – users can change probe and adapter type for readings, which will recalculate the compensated reading position.
6. Apply – this will recalculate the feature based upon the enabled readings.

Users can now:

• Temporarily display the deviation of a whisker / reading by hovering the cursor over to highlight it:
  
• Right clicking on selected readings / whiskers will display the context options:
  
  • Aim – (Laser Tracker) The laser beam will aim at the selected readings. If multiple readings are selected, the laser aim with cycle through all.
  • Delete – the selected readings will be deleted, and the feature recalculated. Note: This action cannot be undone.
  • Enable – enable the selected readings in the Measurement Data.
  • Disable – disable the selected readings in the Measurement Data.
  • Apply – recalculate the feature based upon enabled readings.
• Select a single whisker / reading in the 3D viewer by clicking with the cursor, which will select reading data in the Measurement Data panel. It is also possible to select a reading in the Measurement Data panel which will then be selected in the 3D viewer.
  
• Multiple readings / whiskers can be selected by:
  • Using the normal Windows controls, i.e., using the mouse in combination with Ctrl or Shift keys, or
  • Toggling the Multi-select icon from the Quick Access toolbar
    
  • Or using the lasso selection tool from within the Measurement Data toolbar, to select an area on the screen.
    
  • All readings / whiskers that touch the lasso area will be selected:
  • Holding the Shift key using the Lasso adds readings to the selection.
  • Holding the Ctrl key using the Lasso removes readings from the selection.

Note: When in lasso selection mode, pressing the ‘Space’ bar will toggle the selection mode on/off to allow user to interact with the viewer.

Feature Whiskers – Connected Style

Reading Whiskers are used to indicate the form of a measured feature, in addition to the current ‘Simple’ whiskers, we now provide a ‘Connected’ whisker style which better emphasis the true shape of 2D features. The Whisker Style can be selected via the context menu when at least one feature with readings is selected:

Feature Extraction - Thin Material Type - Hole / Pin

When extracting circles and slots from Point Cloud using Thin Material  sampling, we now provide a Type option in the Extract ribbon, which allows the user to determine whether to extract a ‘Hole’ internal feature or a ‘Pin’ external feature:

The default Type can be set via Preferences > Measurement > Point Cloud > Extraction.

Feature Extraction – Clear Extractions

We have implemented an option to clear extractions from selected features via the right click context menu. This will delete the ‘Actual’ feature only.

Feature Extraction – Performance and Repeatability Improvements

We have developed new extraction methods to provide significant improvements to the extraction speed and repeatability of cones, spheres, and torus features.

Feature Extraction – Minimum and Maximum Solvers

Minimum and Maximum solver methods are now available within the Feature Properties for extracted Planes, Cylinders, Cones, Spheres and Torus.

Feature Information Panel -Toolbar update

The Feature Information toolbar is now positioned on the top of the panel, and a new icon for ‘Show Only Selected’ has been integrated.

Drive Beam – Icons Updated

The Laser Tracker Drive Beam option icons and tooltips have been updated.

Constructed / Key-In Display Size Preference

We have implemented a Preference to determine the display size of constructed and Key-In planes, that support custom display size. This can be found in Preferences > CAD View > Geometry settings:

SDK Updated

The laser Tracker SDK has been updated to version 5.2.0.1

FaroArm Driver Updated

The FaroArm driver has been updated to version 6.9.14.

Laser Tracker – Enable measurement when Camera Drive is open

When connected to the Vantage Laser Tracker, users can now execute measurements within CAM2 whilst the Camera Drive window is open.

Laser Tracker – Custom Ports

Users can now customize the communication port range for Laser Tracker. This can be done when manually adding a new tracker:

Note: Once a tracker using custom ports has been added, it is possible to edit the range when the tracker is offline.

Control Station: Arm Gesture Controlled Notifications

When executing a program in Control Station, various notifications may be shown, such as when a feature out of tolerance, and the user must select an option to proceed.

FaroArm users can now progress notifications by ‘nudging’ the probe section of the arm left or right to highlight the buttons within the notification and pressing the green button will execute the highlighted option.

Note: Gestures are not applied to some notifications that require user input via keyboard, such as Session Information.

Control Center: PP & PPK Calculations

Control Center now provides users the calculated PP and PPK alongside the CP and CPK values, to indicate current and predicted capability. The PP and PPK values are also included when exporting reports from Control Center.

Control Center: UI improvements

Several improvements have been made to the UI to improve user experience.

QuickTool Recording Icons Updated

The QuickTool creation icons in the Automation ribbon and QuickTool pane have been updated to provide users clearer indication of what actions the icons perform.

We now only show 2 icons, Play and Record, however when either is activated, the icon will now change to Stop, to allow the user to end the action.

Measurement Data Panel -Toolbar update

The Measurement Data option toolbar is now positioned on the top of the panel, and new icons have been integrated.

1. Report – create and export measurement data report.
2. Edit Probe Setting – edit probe size  and adapter type.
3. Apply – recalculate the feature based upon enabled readings.
   

FaroArm Driver Update

The FaroArm driver has been updated to version 6.9.14 and is available in Device Center version 2.5 (1.32.216).

Feature Reading Selection

We continue to expose the Feature Reading Selection development, to allow users to try and provide feedback.

The goal of this development is to provide users a quick and simply method to correlate the visualization of feature readings and whiskers, to the actual reading information contained within the Measurement Data panel.

Align viewer XYZ triad to the active coordinate system

When using multiple Coordinate Systems, the viewer X,Y,Z triad now automatically updates to match that of the active coordinate system.

Feature Reading Selection

The goal of this development is to provide users a quick and simply method to correlate the visualisation of feature readings and whiskers, to the actual reading information contained within the Measurement Data panel.

To utilize this capability, users must:

1. Select at least 1 feature in the Feature list or 3D viewer
2. Enable Feature Readings and /or Whisker from the context menu (right click), so that the readings and whiskers are displayed in the 3D viewer.
3. Have the Measurement Data panel open and docked (pinned).
   

The Measurement Data panel top toolbar contains several options that can be used in conjunction with readings / whiskers:

1. Enable selected readings – ‘checks’ selection.
2. Disable selected readings – ‘unchecks’ selection.
3. Lasso selection tool – this can be used to select multiple readings / whiskers from the 3D viewer using the lasso selection tool.
4. Report – allows users to create and export a measurement data report.
5. Edit Probe settings – users can change probe and adapter type for readings, which will recalculate the compensated reading position.
6. Apply – this will recalculate the feature based upon the enabled readings.

Users can now:

• Temporarily display the deviation of a whisker / reading by hovering the cursor over to highlight it:
  
• Right clicking on selected readings / whiskers will display the context options:
  
  • Aim – (Laser Tracker) The laser beam will aim at the selected readings. If multiple readings are selected, the laser aim with cycle through all.
  • Delete – the selected readings will be deleted, and the feature recalculated. Note: This action cannot be undone.
• Select a single whisker / reading in the 3D viewer by clicking with the cursor, which will select reading data in the Measurement Data panel. It is also possible to select a reading in the Measurement Data panel which will then be selected in the 3D viewer.
  
• Multiple readings /whiskers can be selected by:
  • Using the normal Windows controls, i.e., using the mouse in combination with Ctrl or Shift keys, or
  • Toggling the Multi-select icon from the Quick Access toolbar
    
  • Or using the lasso selection tool from within the Measurement Data toolbar, to select an area on the screen.
    
  • All readings withing the lasso area will be selected:
    
  • Holding the Shift key using the Lasso adds readings to the selection.
  • Holding the Ctrl key using the Lasso removes readings from the selection.

CAD – Select Body from Surface

When selecting surfaces in CAM2 CAD workspace, we now provide an option to select the whole body that the surface belongs to. Simply select a surface or surfaces, then from the context menu (right click) choose Select body, and this will select the body or bodies appending to the selection, allowing users to assign surface and bodies to layer more efficiently.

Export Measurement Data to CAD – Convex Hull Plane Support

When exporting measured planes to CAD, which were created using the Convex Hull method, CAM2 now exports the polygon shape of the planes as rendered in CAM2.

Manual Camera – additional support

The Manual Camera option now supports Point Cloud and Auto Recognize Features measurement workflows.

Labels – Front Facing

Improvements have been made to labels when front facing, so that they always display in the fore front and will not intersect or be hidden by CAD or features.

Labels – Visibility Based Display

The Visibility Based Display Preference now also applies to Front Facing labels. This preference originally supported only non-front facing labels, and automatically shows or hides labels depending upon whether they are visible on screen or not.

This option is active by default and can be toggled via Preferences > Display > Labels.

Feature Extraction - Performance

We have developed new extraction methods to provide significant improvements to the extraction speed of Circles, Round Slots and Rectangular Slots.

Ellipse Min Solver

A minimum solver is now available for Ellipse measurement or extraction, from with the feature properties.

Round Slot Extraction – Standard Projection - Min and Max Solver

The standard project sampling method for Round Slot extractions now includes minimum and maximum solvers with feature properties.

Rectangular Slot Extraction – Standard Projection - Min and Max Solver

The standard project sampling method for Rectangular Slot extractions now includes minimum and maximum solvers within feature properties.

Manual Camera

We now provide users the ability to switch to a Manual Camera mode. This can be enabled by right clicking on the 3D Viewer, when a measurement window is active, and selecting Manual Camera. When enabled, this will disable the Dynamic Camera, allowing the user to have a fixed view  which they can manually manipulate.

To disable the Manual Camera and return to the Dynamic Camera mode, simply click the icon in the lower right-hand corner of the viewer.

Note: The camera behaviour will always default to Dynamic Camera mode when starting a new file.

Torus partial rendering

We now render tactile measured torus based upon the coverage of the readings. If the user measures less than 270° of a torus circumference, the torus is partially rendered. When reading coverage is 270° or more, a full torus will be rendered.

Display GDT callouts in Feature Information

We now render GDT callouts within the Feature Information of Control Station UI.

Measurement Data i, j, k values

When collecting readings using a 6Probe, Laser Tracker or FaroArm, CAM2 now records and displays the i, j, k value for each reading in the Measurement Data panel. These values indicate the probe orientation during reading collection, relative to the active Coordinate System.

Please note: Inspect Surface, Inspect Surface Point and Polyline features will report the surface normal i, j, k and not the probe orientation i, j, k.

Feature List Insertion Point

Within the Feature list, we now provide an insert feature option, that can be activated via the Insertion Point icon in the Feature List toolbar.

When active, the user can insert a line between features so that any features subsequently created will be position above the insert point.

Direct Access to LLP Compensation regardless of active probe

Device Center now provides direct access to compensate an attached LLP regardless of which probe type is active.

Once the selected compensation is complete, the active probe will be reset to that which was originally active.Previously users would have to use the Manage option to activate the LLP and then select the compensation from within FaroArm Manager.

Customize Viewer Operation

The workflow to customize the 3D viewer has been simplified to allow the user to directly access the Viewer Preferences by right clicking on the viewer and selecting Customize Viewer.

Pick from CAD – Single Point Circle as main ribbon option

The Pick from CAD – Single Point Circle icon has been moved into the main ribbon, from the Other group options, following user feedback.

Plane-lock Scanning - User defined bandwidth

When measuring 2D features that support Plane Lock Scanning, we now expose the Tolerance Bandwidth for users to edit. When hard probe scanning the feature, all points captured within the bandwidth are used to calculate the feature.

Note: Having a smaller bandwidth may improve results but can be more difficult to capture readings, moving the probe in a slower manner can assist.
 

Plane-lock Scanning – Cosine Compensation

When measuring 2D features that support Plane Lock Scanning, if the probed surface is not 90° to the Plane, probe cosine error can occur which will affect the resulting feature size.

We now provide an option which allows the user to enter the angle of the probed surface to the reference plane vector, to allow CAM2 to compensate for cosine error. The ‘use Cosine Compensation’ can be enabled from the feature properties.

 

Pick From CAD – Single Point Circles

Circular holes which are smaller than the device probe or SMR, are commonly measured using the Single Point Circle option. We now provide an option to generate nominal Single Point Circles using Pick From CAD.

This can save users significant time, eliminating the need to manually associate actual Single Point Circles to nominal Circles.

 

Live Polygon Rendering of measured Planes

We implemented the Polygon rendering (Convex Hull) or plane in CAM2 2021.7. In this version we now render the polygon live as readings are taken.

 

Feature Extraction - Ellipse

It is now possible to extract Ellipse features from Point Cloud, using either the manual Selection Tools, or Pick from CAD. When aligned CAM2 will automatically associate actual to nominal.

 

Viewer Grid -  align to active Coordinate System

When displaying the viewer 2D grid CAM2 aligns it to the active Coordinate System. If another Coordinate System is set active, the grid will align to it, if the orthogonal to the previous. Coordinate System.

If the new Coordinate System is not orthogonal, the grid will not be shown, but can be enabled after resetting to an orthogonal pre-set view using keys 4, 5 or 6.

 

User determined render size for Constructed Plane

When constructing a plane using the following methods, user can determine the render size of the resulting feature:

Plane by Bisection

Plane by Offset
(only available if CAM2 cannot determine the size from the selected base feature)

Plane Perpendicular

Control Station - Skip Feature Notification

Control Station allows the user to skip features by pressing the device red button before taking points. In some cases, this may be unintentional, so Control Station now shows a notification, allowing the user to skip or revert to measuring the feature.

Feature Axis Rendering

The axis of a feature is commonly used in constructions, dimensioning and alignments and the axis direction can influence the results obtained.

We now display the axis of round slots, rectangular slots, cylinders, cones, and paraboloids, to assist users. The render is intentionally more translucent than the feature to avoid confusion and selecting the feature will highlight the axis to provide better visibility.

Plane Polygon Rendering (Convex Hull)

CAM2 now provides an additional preference to display ‘actual’ planes as polygons (Convex Hull) after creation, in addition to the default rectangular (Minimum Bounding Rectangle).

This can be changed within Preferences > Measurement > General

Import Points/ Point Clouds - Grouping Separator

When importing points or point cloud, users can now determine the grouping separator(thousands) used in the file.

Export Points/ Point Clouds - Grouping Separator

When exporting points or point cloud, users can now determine the grouping separator(thousands) used in the exported file.

Ellipse - Maximum Solver

CAM2 now provides a Maximum Solver Method, to calculate the Minimum Circumscribed feature when measuring an Ellipse. The solver method can be changed via the Feature Properties.

Control Station – Construction Feature Remeasure

When constructed features or dimension are out of tolerance, Control Station now displays a warning, detailing the status of each feature used in the construction.

Users can then select to:

• Remeasure out of tolerance – remeasure only features that are out of tolerance.
• Remeasure All - remeasure all features regardless of state
• Skip – accept the result and proceed.

Pre-set Views aligned to active Coordinate System

The 3D viewer pre-set views, which can be activated using the 4,5,6,7,8, 9 and 0 keys, will now align to the active coordinate system. Previously the pre-set views always aligned to World, regardless of the active coordinate system.

User determined render size for Key-In Planes

When keying in a plane using the Point and Normal method, users can not determine the render size, i.e., display width and length of the plane.

Note: this option is not available for the 3 Point method, as the size is determined using the point data entered.

Ungroup feature from Group Folder

Users can now select feature within a Group folder and ungroup them via the context menu.

CAD Translator – support depreciation of Ideas .pkg format

Official support of I-deas .pkg formats has been depreciated. Some files may still translate however our vendor no longer supports addressing any issues found with this format.

For a full list of supported formats, see: Supported CAD Import/Export File Formats for CAM2
 

Cylinder extraction improvements

Improving noise removal algorithms.

Add support to standard projection for round slot features

Integrating support to standard projection for round slot feature extraction, as firstly exposed in experimental feature “Feature extraction improvements”.


 

Improve point distribution for slot extraction

Extraction algorithms improvements.


Rectangular slot


Round slot
 

Adjustment of the labels display plane

Adding adjustment of the label display plane depending if the application is in cross-section mode or not.

In Cross Section Mode


In the 3D view
 

Persisting label position

Label positions are persisted if the user toggles “Scale to screen” and “Capture Views” or changes label styles.
 

Updating icons in the point cloud workspace

Updating icons in the point cloud workspace


 

Add support to CAD surfaces grouping

Allows the assignment of a multi-selection of CAD surfaces to a new layer, by using the context menu (right click).


Right click to access the context menu and chose “Assign to new layer”


A new layer is created, containing the selected CAD faces
 

Add support to a multi-selection mode

Allows the user to make a multi-selection of features in the feature tab as well as CAD faces in the 3D environment, without needing to hold the Ctrl key.


Select the Multi Select option in the Quick Menu


Enable the Multi Select mode and select multiple features without the need to use the Ctrl key.
 

Enhance the auto-save use

Resetting the auto-save timer when the document is saved manually.

Best Fit Point Cloud

This option provides users a single click option to align all point cloud to CAD, avoiding the need to access the Point Cloud Alignment workspace. Once CAD and Point Cloud are present, the Best Fit Point Cloud icon will be available from the Home and Alignments ribbon.

When selected, CAM2 will compare the volume of the Point Cloud and CAD. If enough Point Cloud coverage exists, 80% of CAD volume, the alignment will be performed.

In the scenario where scan coverage is less than 80%, a notification will be shown and the Point Cloud Alignment mode will be opened, allowing the user to utilize other methods to assist alignment, such as point pairs.

CAD Translator Updated

The CAM2 Universal CAD Translator provides our user all support format as no extra cost, and this version includes updated formats as per the table in this article: Supported CAD Import/Export File Formats for CAM2

Rectangular Slot – Maximum Solver

This version now provides the Maximum solver for Rectangular slot, to calculate the minimum circumscribed rectangular slot. This now allows users to utilize Standard (best fit), Minimum (maximum inscribed) or Maximum (minimum circumscribed) methods to solve rectangular slots:

The maximum solver is available for both hard probed and extracted features, and can be selected from the Feature properties:

Autosave Toggle

CAM2 provides an autosave function, which can be enabled or disabled via Preferences. To enable users to easily turn Auto save on and off, we now provide a toggle in the upper left-hand corner of the UI.

Copy to Nominal

This option replaces the previous Make Nominal command and provides users a more flexibility than previously available. Copy to Nominal duplicates the geometrical information of the selected actual features and creates associated Key-In nominals.

This method maintains both actual and nominal features but removes dependencies that previously required other features to convert to nominal also.

Simply select the feature or feature in the Feature list, and from the right-click contextual menu, select Copy to Nominal:

Datum Alignment – Material Temperature Compensation

Material temperature compensation is now supported when creating Datum Alignments.

The Material options allow the user to :

1. Select a material from the material list
2. Manually enter the material temperature, or automatically measure the temperature using a connected external or device temperature sensor.
3. Create Custom Materials using the ⊕ icon:
   

Replace Report Image

We now provide the ability to replace existing Report images to eliminate the need for users to manually delete, add new and update reports.

Select the image in the View panel right click and select Replace image. Browse and select a replacement image and the report will automatically be updated.

Update View Data

As with report images, users are now able to update a View Data by simply manipulating the 3D viewer as required, and right clicking the View Data that needs changing in the View panel, and then selecting Update. The new Capture View will replace the previous and the report will be automatically updated.

Feature List - Multi-select toggle

Multi select enables users to select multiple items in the Feature List using only the mouse cursor, removing the need to  press and hold Ctrl while selecting. The Multi Select toggle is accessed via the Quick Access toolbar.

Auto-close Coordinate System wizard

Previously when creating coordinate systems, the wizard window would remain open, to allow another Coordinate System to be created.
To better support more common user workflows where multiple coordinate systems are not created sequentially, we now automatically close the Coordinate System wizard.

Publishing of .fcdx files

RPM now supports .fcdx compressed files, and these can be published to Control Server via the RPM plugin in CAM2.

Support to ‘Save as’ fcdx

When a QuickTool includes a ‘Save as’ step, Control Station now allow the user to save as .fcdx or .fcd.

Allow nominal planes to be used projection planes

We now allow nominal planes to be used as projection planes for measured 2D features. This option is disabled by default but can be enable via the Preferences > Measurement > Projection Plane options and checking the Allow nominal planes box.

When enable nominal plane will be available for selection from with the Projection Plane drop down within the Measure ribbon and the feature properties.

Dynamic zoom during Point Cloud capture

We have implemented new camera behavior while scanning to allow users to adjust the camera zoom, providing a visual overview of the area scanned.

While measuring, if the user moves the LLP out of range, they can move the probe away from the component to zoom out. The further away from the component the further out the zoom. In addition, placing the arm at the home position, whilst a Point Cloud measurement session is open, will zoom to extents of the scanned volume.

Scanning profiles – LLP driver settings overrides

While utilizing CAM2’s default scanning profiles, CAM2 has an ‘Apply Defaults’ option active, which resets the LLP driver settings to default to ensure the level of data captured matches that of the profile selected.

In some advanced workflows, users may need to utilize specific LLP driver filters, so had to disable ‘apply Defaults’ and then change the required settings within the LLP driver setting. We now display these options outside of the Scanning Profiles, providing easier access to more commonly used stings.

• Apply Defaults – when checked this reverts the LLP driver settings to their default values.
  
• HDR – when checked, enables HDR mode using the LLP driver values      (Overrides Apply Defaults value)
• Enable Reflection Filter – Allow to user to apply the LLP Driver Reflection filter providing a dropdown with Low (300), Medium (600), High (1000) pre-sets and Custom value (0 – 1000)  option. (Overrides Apply Defaults value)