The functionalities in this tab can be used if a Wifi connection in the HottScan Modeller software has been established. For the initial connection establishment the scanner has to set to the Hotspot mode. The blue Wifi LED left hand side to the tablet symbol should light up.
Windows network connection
The workstation on which the modeler is used requires a WLAN module. After the scanner is started, the scanner is searched for in the Windows network environment. The network name of each scanner is HottScan_I_AP
After clicking on the network name, clicking on the [Connect] button opens a dialog for entering the password.
Network security key
The network security key is the serial number of the scanner. The serial number is found at the bottom of the device.
The serial number is entered without a separator, for this device the string is d101173404
Remote control modeller
Now the prerequisites are fullfilled to establish a connection with the scanner in the software.
A dialog appears for entering / selecting the scanner's IP address. All scanners have the same IP address 192.165.200.1 in HotSpot mode
Basic functions
After the successful connection, all buttons can be clicked:
The following functions are located on the left side from top to bottom:
| Connect/Disconnect | The connection is established or disconnected depending on the initial state. An existing connection is indicated by the blue WLAN symbol; if there is no WLAN connection, the gray WLAN symbol is displayed.
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| Battery level | If at least version 1.1459.1 of the system software is installed on the connected scanner, the charge status of the battery is displayed
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| New Wifi | If there is a WLAN router in the office, the scanner can be connected to the office WLAN. The network name and password are entered in the following dialog.
In order to connect to the scanner in the office via the network, the scanner must be operated in client mode and the IP address of the scanner must be entered in the office network when connecting. The scanner's IP address can e.g. can be determined via the user interface of the WLAN router. |
| Hotspot Config setup | The password for the scanner can be changed here in hotspot mode. The hotspot name, the new password and the old password are entered in the dialog.
Store the new password carefully; if it is lost, extensive work may be required to restore the delivery status. |
| Update | If a scanner is connected to a stationary WLAN in client mode and has Internet access via the WLAN router, this button can be used to update the scanner's system software. The following dialog shows the current version and the version available for download.
If the version available for download is newer than the installed version, the [Update] button is activated. After clicking on [Update] the system software will be updated automatically. |
| Restart | The scanner will shut down and restart. |
| Switch off | The scanner will shut down and turn off. This function corresponds to the function of a button on the scanner. |
| Start scan | The scan starts, this function corresponds to the function of a button on the scanner. |
| Abort scan | When a scan has started, the Cancel Scan button becomes active. The ongoing scan can be canceled. |
In the lower area, communication with the scanner is displayed in a window with a black background.
Settings tab
The active scan program can be set in the settings tab. A list of scan programs is offered.
By default, two scanning programs are installed on the scanner. Selecting a program updates the brief information below the list. Among other things, the number of positions the program captues to is displayed here.
The selected scan program can be activated with the [Activate scan program] button. This program is now executed each time a scan is started. This setting remains even after the device is restarted.
If an older version than 1.1459.1 is installed on the scanner a query appears when changing the scan program:
If you answer the question with "Yes", the WLAN connection is disconnected and the scanner carries out a calibration run. Then the WLAN connection in the modeler must be restored. As of version 1.1459.1 of the scanner, these steps are no longer necessary.
The "Small Scan Program" captures a complete panorama with the minimum number of positions. This scan program has a runtime of approx. 2 minutes. The standard scan program offers more positions and therefore more measuring points. The running time is approx. 3 minutes. This scan program is more suitable for larger and more complex rooms.
The button [Download scan program ...] allows you to save a scan program. These files can be edited and transferred back to the scanner via [Upload scan program ...].
Write scan programs
Scan programs are XML files that can be edited with a text editor. XML files must be in a certain format, so it is helpful to use an editor that automatically checks the correct syntax, e.g. "Notepad ++".
To write a new scan program, you should download the "Small scan program" and save it under a different name. This file can now be edited. The changes you should make are the positions under "<Positions>" and the comment in "<Comments Text =" ... "/>".
Positions can be added and removed at will, however, there must be at least one position and a maximum of one thousand positions. Both extremes make little sense. The minimum number of positions (36 positions) with images is realized in the "small scan program", fewer images do not result in a closed panorama. On the other hand, it makes sense to keep the number of positions as small as possible, since each position increases the scanning time. The number of laser measurements should be large enough to capture important room details. Before filling the scan program with a large number of measurement points, you should consider enriching scans with manual measurement points or interactive scan programs.
The positions indicate at which points the scanner should take measurements and / or images. Each position is defined by two angles. The value “PanPos” corresponds to the angle on the horizontal, while “TiltPos” indicates the angle on the vertical. Since the scanner cannot rotate a full 360 °, the limit values must not be exceeded. For “PanPos” this meant that the value must be between + 175 ° and -175 °. Here 0 ° points towards the charging socket of the scanner, positive values turn the scanner to the right and negative values accordingly to the left. For "TiltPos" the limits apply from + 90 ° (scanner looks vertically upwards) to -75 ° (scanner looks diagonally downwards). 0 ° again correspond to the direction of the charging socket.
The following three values can each be set to zero or one, with the value "1" corresponding to "Yes" and the value "0" corresponding to "No". "CaptureImage" specifies whether an image should be taken at the position. These images are used for the panorama calculation. "MeasureDistance" specifies whether a laser distance measurement should be carried out at the same position. These measured values are required for the modeling and can be seen in the panorama. The last point "LightOn" determines whether the light should be switched on when the image and the laser measurement value are taken.
Note: The lighting on the scanner must be switched to flash mode so that the "LightOn" setting is used in the scanning program.
A brief description of the scan program can be entered under "Details -> Comments -> Text". This is shown in the modeler when the program is selected from the list.
When the scan program has been completed and saved, the program can be uploaded to the scanner in the modeler. The name of the scan program is automatically changed on the scanner and a short message appears if the upload was successful.
If the scan program is inappropriate, an error message is displayed when trying to upload.
Uploaded scan programs can be removed from the scanner with the [Delete scan program] button. This function is only available if at least version 1.1459.1 is installed on the scanner. The predefined scan programs cannot be deleted
Manual positions tab
Procedure
Manual positions supplement automatic scans with individual measuring points. The basic steps are repeated cyclically.
Step 1
The visible red laser point is aligned with the desired target by hand. The drives are not energized, so the laser beam can be easily directed to the target. If the target is further away from the scanner location, it can be difficult to hit it exactly.
Step 2
The visible red laser point is set exactly with the direction buttons. Through the fine adjustment with adjustable step size, the desired measuring point is met exactly. The drives are energized and should no longer be moved by hand.
Step 3
Once the desired measuring position has been reached, the distance is measured and an image is taken.
Each measured position is automatically added to the last scan. If the scanner cannot find the last scan, the measurement is discarded.
Important: The tripod of the scanner must not be moved between the automatic scan and the addition of an individual measuring point, otherwise the manual measuring points will not match the automatically created measuring points.
Functions
The "Laser on" option is located at the top left. When changing to this work area, the laser is always switched on automatically. The laser can be switched off during a longer break or when required. To the right of this is the "Show position" option.
If the option is selected, all displays at [Measure position] are updated and the image of the target area is recorded and displayed. This option is not active by default because the time required to measure the position increases.
The step size can be set under the blue text. The step size 1 corresponds to the smallest angle by which the scanner can be moved per click. Step size 25 corresponds to 25 times the smallest step angle. By selecting the step sizes, the time for exact adjustment of the laser measuring points can be reduced.
The buttons with the directional arrows move the scanner with the set increment with every click.
The buttons with the directional arrows move the scanner with the set increment with every click.
Clicking the circle or semicircle to the right of the buttons rotates the scanner directly to the clicked position. The current viewing direction is shown in red by the arrows. Pan = 0 and Tilt = 0 corresponds to the "line of sight" in which the charging socket is pointing.
If the scanner was moved manually, the angles are no longer correct. In this case, the angles are updated by clicking in the middle of the PAN circle.
Each time you click on [Measure position], the position is photographed, measured and the data “attached” to the last scan. The manual positions appear in a separate node in the 3D navigator and are displayed in light green for visual differentiation. The angle and distance of the measured position are displayed below the button.
A camera image recorded with the scanner is displayed on the right. The display occurs automatically when the option "Show position" has been selected and a position has been measured or after clicking on the [Add image] button.
The camera image can be displayed in four levels (100/200/400/800%) to e.g. to recognize the red laser spot better.
If necessary, the displayed image can be saved in the local file system using the [Save image] button.
Interactive scan programs tab
In addition to the measuring points that are recorded in the Manual positions tab, an adjustable number of measuring points can be recorded in the Interactive scan programs tab and added to the last scan.
There are several predefined programs to choose from. Depending on the scan program selected, the start and / or target point is determined by rotating the scanner to the desired positions and pressing the corresponding buttons [Set start point] and [Set target point]. For this it is helpful to switch on the laser.
Two diagonally opposite points of a horizontal rectangle are selected for the "Rectangle" scanning program. The positions of the scanner are saved and in between the specified number of measuring points is calculated automatically. The number of measuring points to be recorded is set using the numeric buttons and the schematic representation and the estimated scanning time of the scanning program are adjusted.
When selecting "Line", another selection must be made to define the program. From the point of view of the scanner, the measuring points lie on a straight line.
| Einfach | A simple line from the starting point to the destination |
| Horizontale Punkte | A horizontal line starting at the starting point. Ends at the horizontal position of the target point. No vertical movement. |
| Vertikale Punkte | A vertical line starting at the starting point. Ends at the vertical position of the target point. No horizontal movement. |
| Voll Horizontal | The specified number of points is distributed on a line at the height of the starting point. |
Voll Vertikal | The specified number of points is distributed on a line perpendicular to the starting point. |
[Run scan program] starts the program with the settings made and adds the points to the last scan. The Test option can be activated to approach the selected points without recording data. This is helpful if you want to make sure that the measurements are taken at the desired positions.
Scandownload tab
This tab can be used to transfer scans directly via WiFi.
Notes tab
Scans can be enriched with notes that will later be available when modeling. To be able to use the notes, the scanner must first be set into hot spot mode.
Click on [Update preview panorama] to display the preview panorama of the last scan. On the left side there is a selection of different types of notes. The selected note can be placed in the preview panorama via [Add note]. The storage takes place automatically. A colored note is symbolized by a colored rectangle and can be edited with [Change note] or removed with [Delete note].
