Window Scan

This article will cover how to perform a Window Scan while using Collage Site.

Window Scan

Window scanning allows you to capture scans inside of a user-defined area, or “window.” This allows you to focus a scan to a specific area within the live video panel.  Since you are only scanning the specific area you are setting, the scan result will highlight only the area you need, reducing unnecessary data points that could cause unnecessary noise and increase your scan time.



There are two methods to setting your window scan:

  1. Setting top left and bottom right corners on the screen
  2. Press and drag to create a box

Setting Corners:

  1. To begin, go to the Workflow tab and select ‘Scan’ and then select ‘Window Scan’.

  2. To set the Window scan by selecting the corners, begin by positioning your instrument camera reticle on the TOP LEFT corner where you want your scan box to start. Note that with BOTH the GTL and GLS you can use the laser pointer to help validate the position of the corner you are selecting. You can turn this on by selecting the Laser Pointer toggle at the top of the workflow panel. When ready, select the gray Set Top Left Corner button. You will see a red corner appear where the reticle is placed and the ‘Set Top Left’ button will turn green and now say ‘Clear Top Left Corner’. If you need to adjust the corner, select the ‘Clear Top Left Corner’ button and repeat this step. You will note that the button will turn gray again and the red corner will disappear if you clear it. Once you are satisfied with the position of the Top Left Corner, proceed to the next step.

Important Notes:

  • When setting the corners for your window scanning area, please do not set the corners too close to the curvature of the lens. If the corners of the drawbox are too close to the curvature of the lens the instrument will not be able to take a preview image and the scan will not be able to start.

  • The Target Distance option is a setting for accurately displaying the position of the reticle on the live image. If the distance to the surface or object that you are aiming at is 5m or less from your scanning instrument, you should change this to Close to reduce the display error of the reticle. If the object or surface is more than 5m from your instrument, you should set this to Far.



  1. Now adjust your camera reticle to center on the position of the bottom right corner of your scan, remembering that you can use the laser or the zoom function (instrument dependent) to validate the position. When ready, select the gray ‘Set Bottom Right Corner’ button. Once set, you will see that a bottom right corner will appear, the button will turn green and say ‘Clear Bottom Right Corner’, and that there is now a red box outlining the area you have defined for the window scan.



  1. Adjust your additional scan details to meet your task parameters and when ready, select ‘START SCAN’.
     

Important Note: Ensure that the red box on screen accurately covers the area that you need scan data from, especially when performing a 180 degree or greater scan. If the red box is not accurate or does not cover the entire area that you need, clear the corners and try setting the parameters again.

Press and Drag:

  1. This is the simplest method and you may use your finger or stylus to select the area for your scan. As with the previous method, to begin, go to the Workflow tab, select ‘Scan’ and then select ‘Window Scan’.

  2. Once you are in the workflow, simply press on the location you wish to select for the scan with your finger or a stylus. While continuing to press, drag your finger to create a box around the desired scan area. You will see a red box adjust dynamically as you drag your finger. Once satisfied with the selection area, release your press. The ‘Set Top Left’ and ‘Set Bottom Right’ buttons will turn green and their text both change to ‘Clear Top Left’ and ‘Clear Bottom Right’. If you are satisfied with the selection, continue by adjusting your additional scan details to meet your task parameters.



  1. When ready, select START SCAN. 

Important Note: Ensure that the red box on screen accurately covers the area that you need scan data from, especially when performing a 180 degree or greater scan. If the red box is not accurate or does not cover the entire area that you need, clear the corners and try setting the parameters again.

Note:

After you have set your scan parameters, regardless of which window scan method is used, you will see an estimated scan time populated at the top of the workflow tab. Once you select START SCAN, you will see a scan progress indicator in the workflow panel. If you do not wish to continue with the scan, you may cancel the scan while it is scanning. Additionally, you may pause the scan at any point and resume as needed. For further details on Pause Scan, please see Pause Scan.

When the scan is complete, you will see a banner notification letting you know the scan is completed, and showing you a preview image of the scanned area. If you are satisfied with the capture, select KEEP. If you do not want to keep the scan, select DISCARD.If KEEP was selected, the scan will then transfer from the instrument to Collage Site and begin to import and process the scan for visualization and manipulation.