Each GR-Feature has its own auto-filter proximity settings built in. These initial settings are pulled from the User Options>Display Tab, GR Proximity Filter and saved with the feature. They can be accessed at any time through the Right-click Configure Cloud Trapping Filter option. This will open a unique feature type specific set of controls.
Enable Cloud Trap Filter. This option allows trapping to be filtered based upon proximity to the nominal geometry.
Enable Real-Time Updates. When enabled the geometry is fit dynamically to the cloud data as it is gathered. This can be very helpful in some cases and can cause slow downs depending on the data acquisition rate. With this option off, geometry is fit when trapping is completed.
Only Save Last Scanned Cloud Data. With this flag set, all previously acquired cloud data is cleared as input into the geometry relationship. With flag off, whenever you are trapping cloud data to a relationship, the most recently scanned cloud is appended to the list of any previously acquired cloud data such that any previously acquired cloud data is saved.
Use Associated CAD Faces. When filtering, consider the CAD faces as well as the nominal geometry. This will impact edge proximity.
Cloud Thinning Settings. This is the standard cloud thinning settings used in many places within SA. It allows you to sub sample the cloud used in the fit operation.
Apply. The Apply button can be used to trigger a re-sampling of the cloud data from the source cloud. And the Apply to selected option can be used to apply settings to a selection of features at once.
In order to maintain data integrity the source cloud is saved with a GR-Feature but not edited by it. Instead, a sub-sample of the source cloud is made as a copy and linked as well so that it can be used for the purpose of fitting and outlier rejection. This allows you to more unwanted outlier cloud points with edition the source cloud:
The 2023 version of SA added additional extraction methods for circles and slots to simplify hole extraction. These methods are based upon a standard developed for Volkswagen (VW) to facilitate automotive applications.
These extractions are available through the use of the right-click Configure Cloud Trapping Filter option. The reference or input cloud is saved and extractions are performed from this reference. This extraction process will build additional clouds within the GR Circle as show here:
Basic Filtering:
3D Interior Data. Provides the original interior cylinder extraction data only. This method typically needs an additional projection plane reference within the GR-Circle.
Advanced Filtering:
3D Hole. This method provides a complete 3D hole extraction. It offers the ability to extract a ring of data around a hole to define a local plane as well as extracting data from within the hole. It is assumed that the hole direction corresponds to the surface normal direction. The interior data is then projected to this local plane for the fit. The offset and width of the surface data can be set to define the local plane fit and the offset and width / height of data down inside the hole can also be set:
2D Hole. This fit methods is for sheet metal applications or other situations where data cannot be measured within the hole. A local plane is still extracted to define the surface orientation but only the boundary points are used to define the diameter of the hole.
These two methods fill almost all the extraction solutions needed for most parts.
Additional Advanced Filtering Options:
3D Hole in a Surface. This method provides an option to work with curved top surfaces rather than a planar surface:
3D Plunged Hole. Flanged holes a different from 3D holes in that the interior data is now above the projection plane and projected down onto it:
2D Plunged Hole. This method first establishes a local set of data for projection plane and then projects all the data to this plane and extracts using the boundary points, much the same as a 2D hole.
3D Plunged Hole in a Surface. Provides an option to extract data from a flange above a curved surface and uses the data within it to define the circle diameter.
2D Plunged Hole in a Surface. The same except only the boundary points are used to define the diameter.
Use the Apply to Selected and Set As Default options to apply settings between features and adjust the defaults for your application.
Additionally, all the relationships in a collection can e forced to be recomputed using the right-click category option Refresh Filtered Cloud Data.
The Auto Filter to Nominal Geometry >3D Geometry option can also be used to perform this filter process. It will link an input cloud to the geometry and apply an extraction. An option to “Use Filter Settings” is available to directly take advantage of the saved settings from with each feature or the Settings button will open options for filtering and sub-sampling.