Full Version: What is the best way to import point data into Moi?

Hello Everyone. It has been a long time since I've been on the forum (some of the old hands here might remember me modelling some ships wayback). I'm still using V2 but Moi is still my modeller of choice and I use it often for little projects. One big project I'm planning is to build my own car under South Australia's "street rod" rules. I won't bore everyone with too much detail about the car but if you are interested I've started a blog at http://biondettispecial.blogspot.com.au

A large part of designing this car is being done in Moi. I'd like to get it all nutted out before I start cutting & welding and so, would like to produce reasonably accurate 3D models of the components. I have tried simply measuring the parts but it is very difficult & time consuming to do. I have tried using a kinect to scan parts but the resolution isn't adequate and the point cloud you get is like a scatter gun and not much use for cad.

What I'm going to try now is a home made 3D scanner using a cheap Chinese laser distance measuring tool and a couple of steppers to move it in the horizontal and vertical. I have started modelling the parts for the scanner in Moi for 3D printing. An Arduino will be used to control the steppers, the firing of the laser and the reading of the distance and angle data. The plan is to have the Arduino write this data to an SD card.

Now to my question: what is the best way to get the resulting point data into Moi? Is there a way to import the point coordinates? Would it be possible using a custom script? Would an upgrade to V3/4 be required?

Cheers,

Mark
http://biondettispecial.blogspot.com.au

---

Hi Mark, good to see you back here!

There is a script you can use for opening a text file with x,y,z points in it here:
http://kyticka.webzdarma.cz/3d/moi/#ImportPointFile

The first one listed there should work with MoI V2. For MoI V3 or later use the one that says "updated for OSX" (even if you're on Windows).

- Michael

---