Editing Regard3D+Blender+FreeCAD workflow

{{Workflow Example}}

Work in Progress... [https://community.osarch.org/discussion/474/floss-workflow-with-regard3d-blender-freecad#latest Forum discussion].

This wiki present a [[FLOSS]] workflow for an architecture job (documentation and registration of an existing house renovation), that involve the use of Regard3D, Blender and FreeCAD for Geometry Scanning, BIM modeling and CAD documentation.
This workflow is fully multi-platform (the three programs run on Windows, Mac, Linux).

[[File:FLOSS SummaryWorkflow.png|700 px]]

== Tools ==
As a basic requirement for this tutorial, it is necessary to have a medium level of knowledge about the tools used in this workflow.


[http://www.regard3d.org/ Regard3D]

[[Blender]]

[[Point_Cloud_Visualizer|Point Cloud Visualiser]]

[[FreeCAD|FreeCAD 0.19]]

== Geometry scanning ==
The idea is to gather geometry data of an existing building for further 3D modeling process. For this purpose, we will use open source photogrammetry software.

===== Creation of data set of photos=====
# Camera's metadata must include focus lens (you can add that information manually later). 
# Shoot several photos of the building with a camera or smartphone. In general it is good to take more than 60-80 images from different angles. Look for info about photogrammetry good practices.

===== Point cloud generation with Regard3D. =====
# For this step it is used Regard3D, but there are other photogrammetry programs that can be used. Refers to Software Directory for more options.
# Import image set. 
# Generate point clouds of the model (see [https://www.regard3d.org/index.php/documentation/tutorial tutorial] ).
# Export point cloud file (*.ply). You can save several point clouds files to cover all facades of the building.
# Mesh generation (Optional). Also, you can generate mesh surfaces with the point clouds. But, for this case I found efficient enough to work only with the point clouds. 


[[File:Regard3d.png|700px|none]]

== 3D Mesh modeling ==

Volumetric mesh reconstruction with Blender + point cloud visualizer (0.9.3v).
Using Blender You can visualise the point cloud and generate a volumetric mesh to get the general dimensions and shapes of the building. However, this step is optional, because you can directly import the point clouds into FreeCAD. Anyway, the point cloud visualiser has more manipulation options than FreeCAD.

===== Importing the point clouds =====
# Install point Cloud Visualiser add-on (0.9.3v).
# In blender create a empty object.
# Import a point cloud file in the empty object (you can use several empty objects to use several point clouds to recreate the whole building).
# Edit the point cloud position and scale it (in edit mode).
# Export new edited point cloud from empty object (to save the edition). Now you can load the new point cloud each time you open the blender file.

===== Geometry modeling =====
# Model the main volumes with Bleder, using the points as reference. 
# Opt 1) convert the Blender meshes into BIM models using BlenderBIM add-on.
#* Install BlenderBIM Add-on
#* Set the meshes as BIM objects
#* Export the model as IFC file

# Opt 2)Export the model as a mesh file (OBJ, STL...).

 
[[File:Blenderpointcloud.png|700px|none]]

== BIM modeling ==

Develop a BIM model with FreeCAD (using as reference the mesh or the IFC file from Blender).
Once you got a good mesh volume of the building geometry, export a stl file or IFC file to FreeCAD to recreate the main walls, windows, doors and aditional architecture details of the building with the [https://wiki.freecadweb.org/Arch_Module Arch Workbench]. For this workflow the idea is to save a file with only 3D models.

===== Importing the files to FreeCAD =====
# Opt 1) Import a mesh file.
#* If the result of the previous step was a simple mesh file, you can import and scale the mesh with [https://wiki.freecadweb.org/Mesh_Workbench Mesh Design workbench].
# Opt 2) Import a IFC file.
#* If the result of the previous step was a IFC file, FreeCAD can import IFC2x3 or IFC4 based files. See [https://wiki.freecadweb.org/Arch_IFC Arch IFC]. 
#* Check the FreeCAD Preference for additional options of [https://wiki.freecadweb.org/Import_Export_Preferences IFC import/export] feature.

===== BIM modeling =====
# Based on the mesh/IFC, generate or complete the BIM model using the [https://wiki.freecadweb.org/Arch_Module Arch Workbench] or eventually, [https://wiki.freecadweb.org/BIM_Workbench BIM Workbench].
# For each building, place the 3D model components (walls, structures, and other arch elements) into an [https://wiki.freecadweb.org/Arch_BuildingPart Arch Building Part]. 
# For each Arch Building Part, create [https://wiki.freecadweb.org/Arch_SectionPlane Arch Section Planes] (elevations, plans, sections, etc).
# For each Arch Section Planes, create [https://wiki.freecadweb.org/Draft_Shape2DView Draft Shape2DView] objects. You can edit the labels of these Shape2DView to refer view names.
#* Open [https://wiki.freecadweb.org/Draft_Module Draft Workbench]. 
#* Create all the Shape2DView projections, considering the necessary 2D views for the CAD documentation.
#* Arrange the Shape2DView projections in the 3D scene. Once you are done, you will not be able to move these projections anymore.
# Save and close this file. This file will contain the 3D geometries and the plain Shape2DView projections for future references.


[[File:FreeCAD BIM.png|700px|none]]
[[File:Freecad 3G2B1kQvK2.png|700px|none]]
[[File:Freecad BIM2.png|700px|none]]

== 2D CAD documentation ==

2D CAD documentation (sections, elevations, etc) with FreeCAD.
With the 3D model finished, I started to extract 2D sections and views from the model to produce a basic 2D CAD documentation for the authority's office registration. I will finish with TechDraw workbench for final drawings.

===== 2D drawings with Draft workbench =====



===== Page layout with TechDraw workbench =====











[[File:2DDrawingFC01.png|700px|none]]


[[File:2DDrawingFC02.png|700px|none]]


{{FreeCAD_Documentation}}
[[Category:FreeCAD]]