User manual

38 FastSCAN
7.1.2 Export Formats
FastSCAN
TM
lets you export your data in the following formats:
Polyworks Line Scan (.psl) A binary file format for saving the sweeps only. It con-
sists of raw scan data requiring further processing.
3D Studio (.3ds) The file format used by 3D Studio and supported by 3D Studio
Max; also supported by other programs. This format supports cloud of points or
triangle mesh data.
Ascii (.txt) ASCII stores a plain-text list of vertex locations. Each line contains the x,
y, and z location of a single vertex, separated by spaces.
AutoCAD (.dxf) A file format used by Autodesk, AutoCAD, and other CAD pro-
grams. Supports cloud of points or triangle mesh data, the latter as 3DFACEs or
POLYLINEs, which may be supported differently by various programs.
IGES—Initial Graphics Exchange Format (.igs) IGES is a complex format that can
be used to exchange many different types of data. These files tend to be much larger
than other export formats. The FastSCAN
TM
program can save three different types
of IGES:
• NURBS patch—Entity 128: A triangle mesh with each triangle represented as a
separate B-spline surface. This format is very inefficient and many programs may
run out of memory when trying to load it.
• Copious data—Entity 106: A triangle mesh with optional normal vectors. This is
the preferred mesh format as it is more efficient than Entity 128.
• Point Cloud—Entity 116: Automatically used when exporting as Cloud of Points.
Inventor (.iv) The native file format of SGI Inventor. Supports triangle mesh data
only.
Lightwave Object (.lwo) The file format of the Lightwave animation software; also
supported by other programs. This format supports cloud of points or triangle mesh
data.
AAOP/OP3(.aop, .op3) These file formats are used by prosthetic and orthotic
CAD/CAM vendors (named after the American Academy of Orthotists and Pros-
thetists (AAOP)). Exportable via the AAOP Export Wizard.