Volumetric Analysis

This page describes how to perform volume calculations on point cloud data.

Main Toolbar > Extensions > Volumetric Analysis

Volumes
A volume calculation represents a way to quantify a positive or negative feature in comparison with a reference plane, for example, the volume of an excavation (cut) or the volume of a depot (fill).

Files & folders
All created files and folders are saved in a new folder <name-of-opc-file>.volumes next to the Orbit Point Cloud file.

Select dataset
Displays the available .opc files in the Dataset List, from which to choose the one on which the Volumetric Analysis will be calculated.

File menu drop-down
Choose where you want to store the results. A project represents an automatically created destination folder for a profile and it's cross-sections inside your runs point cloud folder.
For each profile, a new project will be created. Writing a new profile in an existing project will overwrite existing data in that folder.
Options to create a new project, open a recent project, close or delete a project are available.

A point cloud dataset must be available and active in the dataset list.
Based on this point cloud a fence can be drawn around the area for which the volumetric analysis will be applied.

• Draw - start drawing the fence by clicking on the Map Canvas. It is advised to draw on Map 3D in order to better appreciate the Z value of the fence vertexes. The fence can be edited in Map 2D after it was drawn, by repressing Draw
• Select - select an existing fence
• Stop - finish your fence
• Delete - delete the created fence

Represents the reference level for starting the calculation.
It can be either a plane based on the point cloud height or a DEM/TIN if available.
By default, a plane will be automatically calculated based on the lowest point of the fence.
But the height of your reference can be defined also by using Set Plane function and clicking on a desired location on the Map 3D, by entering a number or by adjusting the slider.

Press Calculate Volumes in order to perform the Volumetric Analysis.
This will require some time to complete. The results will be displayed below :

• Cut: the volume of areas bellow the reference plane in cubic meters
• Fill: the volume of areas above the reference plane in cubic meters
• Delta: the combined volumes bellow and above the reference plane
• Sum: the difference between the volume above and the volume below the reference plane

The results of the analysis can also be exported.
You can choose to export the contours of the fill/cut areas and also the point cloud.

Some tools to define the visualization of your selection and results.

• Show fence: enable the visualization of the fence
• Show Reference Plane: enable the visualization of the reference plane
• Show selection: displays only the selected part of the point cloud
• Result DEM: the display of the resulting DEM can be customized. Threshold: cell size of the created DEM