Re: point cloud to STL code - taking suggestions for features

> Last week I contributed some source code which takes
> a rectangular grid of digitized elevations, and outputs
> an STL (surface triangulated layer) file for subsequent
> conversion to gcode by other software (STLworks, Millwizard,
> Deskproto, etc).
>

Doug,
Your program is fine as is.

What I see as the key issue in digitizing is point cloud formats.
There isn't any kind of standard on what the point cloud file should
look like. In CAD we have DFX, in machining we have G-Code, in
digitizing we don't have anything. Microscribe output doesn't look
anything like faro.

The NIST/EMC e-group has a lot of recent posts (subject: Probing)on
3d cloud format. I think these disccussions are interesting but
perhaps mis-guided. The probing process needs to produce a file
format that can be used as input ot CAD/CAM.

Your program solves this problem for me. The output of my 3D Laser
Stripe Digitizer will be STL (via your code), sparse ascii xyz and/or
an r12 dxf point cloud (a layup). With your permission I will include
your program in my tutorial on laser digitizing. I'm probably a month
or two off on this.

Thanks agin for your help.

Roger

http://photos.yahoo.com/vrsculptor/