FARO Releases SCENE 6.1, Offering Superior Management of 3D Laser Scanned Data

In the much less progressive days of yesteryear where the bad guys didn’t have to worry so much about how they looked on camera or who was taking video of them on a smartphone as they perpetrated a crime, it was perhaps a bit easier to get away and evade law enforcement. Now, it would seem many would need to be quite tech savvy themselves just to plan a crime. Even so, it’s doubtful that most realize the type of powerful technology being offered through 3D scanning. We’ve followed 3D scanning technology and manufacturer FARO as they’ve released new technology like robotic arms and used their systems in everything from analyzing shootings to employing virtual reality in the courtroom.

What you take away from the scanning capabilities that they offer is that the user is able to collect everything they need from a scene and then save it to mull over and investigate later. As their target clients for 3D measurement and imaging systems have forensics at the top of the list, quality and efficiency in performance are obviously top priority—even more than usual. But as magnificent as it is for users to be able to collect all this data, capturing invaluable information, how do they handle it all once they have it in ‘custody?’ That’s where FARO’s latest release comes into play with SCENE 6.1, offering what the 3D scanning manufacturer promises is the next generation of powerful software. The key is that it is meant for the processing and managing of 3D laser scanned data, whether the field is architecture or law enforcement.

SCENE 6.1 allows for modeling of freeform shapes to include stationary structures like statues, equipment, industrial components, and buildings—very helpful for those who are involved in construction or architecture. FARO has also added a meshing tool so that users are able to calculate, view, and export watertight 3D meshes in all of the standard formats. For those who do not have CAD systems with features such as native cloud support or 3D-Scan-to-Print applications, the FARO team sees this as an ‘ideal’ product for their needs, including printing historical artifacts or making scaled models of complex infrastructure.

The 6.1 interface also allows for full automation in processing target-based scans, meaning that users look forward to a much more streamlined and simple experience in using the technology. FARO has added extra verification steps to confirm accuracy and offer extra confidence in date captured, as well as allowing printable registration reports to be created in .pdf files for better control in terms of both documentation and monitoring.

“Scan-to-mesh workflows, target-based registration and the use of survey control has never been as intuitive and simple as with SCENE 6.1,” stated Joe Arezone, FARO’s Chief Commercial Officer. “Thanks to the integration of SCENE’s groundbreaking workflow driven user interface, our customers can now process their scan data in an even faster, more reliable and cost-efficient way.”

When you consider what a high-stress situation users in forensics and law enforcement may be encountering as they use 3D scanning software, needing to collect and then manage data as easily and reliably as possible, that makes the productivity improvements in SCENE 6.1 sound pretty attractive; however SCENE 6.1 is also meant for product designers, architects, engineers and construction specialists.

This release also includes:

• Faster scan processing
• New and improved noise reduction technique for better data evaluation
• Multi-layer map functionality to view buildings by individual levels for construction use

See FARO for more on their SCENE software. Discuss further in the FARO 3D Scanning Management Software forum over at 3DPB.com.