Link

In addition to the standard localization options, you can also register stations together using cloud to cloud algorithms that align the stations by matching the scans in each of the stations together. Note that there does need to be sufficient overlap between the scans to allow a match to be calculated.

If you are free scanning and choose the Keep and Link option afterwards, this process will be done automatically between the current scan and the scan from the prior station. However, you can also add additional links to close loops between scans, creating more complex link graphs with cross-links, and anything else you need to do to finish the registration in the field.

From an open project, open the right-hand panel, select the Workflows tab, and tap on the Link button to create or edit links between stations with scans.

Once the Link workflow selector panel is open you can choose from one of the workflows to create or edit links between stations with scan data:

• Link Station: Manually link two stations together and align them
• Optimize and Bundle Adjust: Distribute error across all links in the graph to optimize station position
• Registration Quality Report: See the registration metrics for the whole graph

Additionally, you can tap on existing links to interact with them. Tapping the link icon will open a drop-down menu on-screen that will give you several options depending on the state of that link:

Processed Links (Red, Yellow, or Green): Edit Alignment, Quality Report, or Remove links one by one:

• Edit Alignment: Open Manual Initial Alignment so you can edit the alignment of the scan and re-calculate the cloud to cloud constraint.
• Link Quality Report: Open the link quality report for that Cloud to Cloud constraint
• Remove Link: - Delete the link and any associated Cloud to Cloud constraint

Links are colorized by RMS error of corresponding points. You can change the RMS range/tolerance by tapping the button in the main Link menu.

Unprocessed Links (Blue): in some cases, like when initial registration fails for instance, you may see a link that is colored blue.This means that it is not fully processed. These have different options you can choose from because they are in a different state: Manual Initial Alignment, Auto Initial Alignment, or Quick C2C.

When the Link workflow selector panel is active you can also adjust the position and orientation of individual scans just like you can in the Visual Alignment option in the Localize workflow page. Review the Visual Alignment articles to get specific instructions on how to interact with scans using these tools.

All of these options allow you to directly edit the graph in the Link Workflow selector mode.

Please be sure to read Frequently Asked Questions if you experience any issues.