What Can You REALLY Do with a Point Cloud?

Welcome! In this video, we'll show you the new capabilities available for working with point clouds in K-MINE.

First, we've significantly expanded the range of file formats you can import. We've also added the tools needed to process point clouds directly from survey instruments, without leaving the K-MINE environment.

For better visualization, you can now adjust the display thickness of individual points. This makes the point cloud easier to interpret.

The noise filter helps remove incorrect points, including those that appear to be floating in the air and those at the edges of the cloud that don't belong to the survey.

If the noise filter doesn't remove a particular group of unwanted points, you can use the standard software tools. For example, you can clip the point cloud by setting upper and lower elevation boundaries.

Another common obstacle in mine surveying is equipment captured during the survey. To remove it, draw a contour around the unwanted area and apply a visibility filter.

Several filtering modes are available, including filtering between surfaces, filtering by any specified constraint, and filtering by all constraints applied to the visible point cloud.

Choosing the appropriate filters for each situation helps achieve the required result.

Using the Compute Normals command, we calculate normal directions for the point cloud. We can then reconstruct a Poisson surface and continue working with the resulting geometry.

Let's look at several operations that can be performed using a processed point cloud.

First, we can digitize bench crests by drawing a polyline along the upper part of the rock mass. Changing the viewing angle makes this process easier.

Thanks to snapping to the selected surface, every point of the polyline is positioned directly on that surface.

This allows us to create the required bench crest and toe configurations, along with other mine design elements.

Next, let's calculate volumes using the Poisson surface and the bench crests we've created.

We build a wireframe from the design lines and review two states of mining operations using Custom Views.

After activating tunnel mode, we can adjust the viewing corridor and cross-section position directly in the workspace using the mouse.

The simplest and most accurate method presented here is volume calculation between two surfaces.

We select both surfaces and, if necessary, define the calculation boundaries. If we also need to determine mineral grade, we include the block model.

The calculation produces results quickly. We can then review cut-and-fill volumes identified during the surface analysis.

Displaying the visible part of the block model also makes it easier to identify the portion of the rock mass included in the calculation.

Another approach is calculating volumes using vertical lines. This method generates a detailed report with separate cross-sections and their calculated area and volume values.

We can also create cross-sections using a template. Once the template is selected, we only need to specify where the section should be placed.

Now let's examine another point cloud containing dense vegetation that significantly affects the survey results.

Our objective is to separate vegetation from the ground surface so that the terrain can be digitized correctly.

First, we define the working area and apply the Terrain filter.

With the appropriate settings, the point cloud is divided into two groups. The first contains points representing the ground surface. The second contains objects that are not needed for mine surveying, such as vegetation, people, vehicles, and buildings.

We apply additional filtering to reduce noise and remove unwanted points.

Finally, we reconstruct a Poisson surface from the processed data and examine the result.

Point cloud processing is also useful for underground mining operations.

When we have both a mine design and a point cloud representing the actual state of underground workings, we can examine how closely the completed excavation matches the design.

To do this, we reconstruct a Poisson surface from the actual underground workings and enable the design geometry for comparison.

Using a selected line, we define a section plane and move along the workings, examining their condition step by step.

If necessary, we can create a cross-section in the specified plane.

Make the most of K-MINE's new point cloud processing tools—and may your mine workings be safe and profitable!