Point cloud is either partially or completely invisible after import into 3ds Max

Autodesk Support

Oct 8, 2023

Products and versions covered

Issue:

After importing a point cloud RCP file, the point cloud is either not visible or is "sketchy" and shows a pared-down subset of the entire cloud data.

Causes:

The RCP (ReCap Project) file is just a container for the associated linked RCS (ReCap Scan) scan data. The top level of a ReCap project contains the RCP file and a support folder with the project name.

Example:
  • MyProject.rcp (file)
  • MyProjectSupportFolder (folder)
Inside the support folder would be the actual point cloud scans (rcs) and other files. Any file renaming will break the links in the project file.
  • Using ReCap, open the RCP file. If it loads correctly export it as a unified project. This will combine all scans into one RCS file. That should always load as it is self-contained and doesn't have external links.
  • Sometimes, the laser scan data is capturing the geographic local height of the scan, measured by meter over sea level. The imported point cloud is then automatically transformed to this location in 3ds Max and ReCap, and therefore might not be visible at the grid or ground level as expected.

Solution:

The RCP file is not always required, load the RCS file and continue to work as normal.

To get the point cloud visible in the 3ds Max viewport, follow these options:
 

Reset Point Cloud Transformation in 3ds Max

  1. Load the point cloud into 3ds Max by following the instructions in this article: How to render Point Clouds in 3ds Max 2018 and more recent versions.
  2. Select the point cloud object in the scene graph.
  3. Click in the viewport and press the "F" key for flying to the object.
  4. Right-mouse-click on the point cloud and chose the options icon next to Move.
User-added image
 
  1. Enter a value to transform the point cloud up or down to the origin on the height axis, depending on the units and axis setup:
 
User-added image

 

Reset Point Cloud Transformation in ReCap

  1. Start ReCap and load the RCP (ReCap Project) file.
  2. Click the monitor icon on the left side.
  3. At the roll-out menu, click the point icon and chose Update Origin.
User-added image
  1. Click the part of the scan that should be in the origin (the area will be highlighted with a yellow sphere) and confirm with Enter.
  2. By confirming with Enter, the yellow sphere on the scan will be in the 0/0/0 location
  3. Export the scan and then import the point cloud in 3ds Max as usual.



Reassign an Arnold material to the Point Cloud in 3ds Max

  1. Open the Slate Material Editor in 3ds Max.
  2. Create a new Arnold Standard Surface Material and drag it into the material view.
  3. In the material editor, go to maps > Arnold > User Data.
  4. Create a new User Data RGBA node and drag it into the material view.
  5. Connect the User Data RGBA node output with the Base Color input of the Arnold Standard Material.
  6. Type colors into the attribute name field of the User Data RGBA node.
  7. Select the point cloud in the scene graph.
  8. Assign the Arnold Standard Surface material to the point cloud.
See this example video that shows the procedure: Render a Point Cloud object

Products:

3ds Max; ReCap;

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