PointCloudCreator

Creates a point cloud of specified size and density, with default component values.

Typical Uses

Testing a workspace
Creating point cloud placeholders

How does it work?

The PointCloudCreator creates a single point cloud feature, based on specified size, location, spacing, rotation, and components. Size may be defined either by an origin with X and Y Length (in ground units), or by extents (lower left and upper right coordinates).

Patterns may be created for z values and/or any other component.

Z Values

Z values may be applied in a selection of patterns:

Flat	The Z Minimum value is applied to all points, producing a flat point cloud.
Sloped	Z values are scaled between the Z Minimum and Z Maximum, producing an elevation gradient.
Trigonometric	Z values are assigned in a trigonometric pattern, producing waves that range between the Z Minimum and Z Maximum values. The Z Component Type must be floating-point - either Real32 or Real64.	Oblique view:
None	The point cloud will not have a z component - only x and y components.

Components

Other components may also be created and patterned. Standard component names may be selected from the drop-down, and user-defined names can be entered directly. The component Data Type, Min Value, and Max Value are specified.

All component values are applied in the same selected Value Pattern, shown here as an intensity component on a sloped point cloud:

Value Pattern		Value Pattern on a Sloped Point Cloud
Single Value	One component value is applied to all points. Note the color gradient represents the underlying z value of the Sloped point cloud - not the Single Value component value.
Checkered Pattern	A checkerboard pattern is applied, where one set of blocks is set to Component Values > Min Value. The alternating blocks are filled with a gradient of component values, scaled between Min Value and Max Value.
Checkerboard	A checkerboard pattern is applied, where one set of blocks is set to Component Values > Min Value, and the alternating blocks are set to Max Value.

Value Pattern

Value Pattern on a Sloped Point Cloud

Single Value

One component value is applied to all points.

Note the color gradient represents the underlying z value of the Sloped point cloud - not the Single Value component value.

Checkered Pattern

A checkerboard pattern is applied, where one set of blocks is set to Component Values > Min Value.

The alternating blocks are filled with a gradient of component values, scaled between Min Value and Max Value.

Checkerboard

A checkerboard pattern is applied, where one set of blocks is set to Component Values > Min Value, and the alternating blocks are set to Max Value.

Examples

Example: Creating a placeholder point cloud for workspace testing

In this example, we will create a point cloud for testing purposes, enabling us to run and test a workspace before the actual data is available. A PointCloudCreator is added to the workspace.

In the parameters dialog, we define the size of the point cloud by choosing Size Specification > Origin and Size.

Both the X and Y Component Types are Int32 (32-bit integers), and the X Length and Y Length are set to 1000, with Average Spacing (for points) along both axes as 1. The origin is 0,0 as defined by the X and Y Lower Left Coordinates.

Z values will be created in a Trigonometric pattern, and so the Z Component Type must be floating-point. Real32 is selected. The values will range between the Z Minimum and Z Maximum values of 0 and 100.

One component is added, classification, and its values will range from 0 to 18 in a Checkered Pattern.

These Z Values and Component Values selections will provide a range of values to test against in the workspace.

A point cloud feature is output as specified, and is passed along to the next transformer and can now be used in the workspace.

Viewing the feature from an oblique angle in the FME Data Inspector, note that the individual points have z and classification values interpolated between the specified minimum and maximum values.

Usage Notes

Choosing a Point Cloud Transformer

FME has a selection of transformers for working specifically with point cloud data.

For information on point cloud geometry and properties, see Point Clouds (IFMEPointCloud).

Point Cloud Transformers

PointCloudCombiner	Combines features into a single point cloud. Point cloud and non-point cloud geometries are supported.
PointCloudComponentAdder	Adds new components with constant values to a point cloud.
PointCloudComponentCopier	Copies selected component values onto either a new or existing component
PointCloudComponentKeeper	Keeps only specified point cloud components, discarding all others.
PointCloudComponentRemover	Removes specified components from a point cloud.
PointCloudComponentRenamer	Renames an existing component.
PointCloudComponentTypeCoercer	Alters the data type of point cloud components, and converts component values if required.
PointCloudConsumer	Reads point cloud features for testing purposes, including any accumulated point cloud operations. No additional operations are performed, and nothing is done with the features.
PointCloudCreator	Creates a point cloud of specified size and density, with default component values.
PointCloudExpressionEvaluator	Evaluates expressions on each point in a point cloud feature, including algebraic operations and conditional statements, and sets individual point cloud component values.
PointCloudExtractor	Serializes the geometry of a point cloud feature into a Blob attribute, encoding the contents according to a choice of common binary point cloud formats.
PointCloudFilter	Separates point clouds into multiple features, based on evaluating expressions including component values, and creates a separate output port for each expression defined.
PointCloudMerger	Merges point clouds by joining points where selected component values match (join key), including x, y, z, and other components. Component values are transferred between point clouds and output is filtered based on matching success and duplication.
PointCloudOnRasterComponentSetter	Sets point cloud component values by overlaying a point cloud on a raster. The component values for each point are interpolated from band values at the point location.
PointCloudPropertyExtractor	Extracts the geometry properties of a point cloud feature and exposes them as attributes, optionally checking for their existence, retrieving component properties, and finding minimum and maximum values. Extents may also be recalculated and updated.
PointCloudReplacer	Decodes a binary attribute containing encoded point clouds stored as Blobs, replacing the feature’s geometry with the decoded point cloud.
PointCloudSimplifier	Reduces the number of points in a point cloud by selectively keeping points based on the shape of the point cloud. The simplified and removed points are output as two discrete point clouds.
PointCloudSorter	Sorts the points within a point cloud by one or more component values.
PointCloudSplitter	Separates point clouds into multiple features based on component values, color, or first/last return.
PointCloudStatisticsCalculator	Calculates statistics on point cloud components and adds the results as attributes.
PointCloudSurfaceBuilder	Takes an input point cloud and reconstructs it into an output mesh.
PointCloudThinner	Reduces the number of points in (thins) a point cloud by keeping points at a fixed interval, a maximum number of points, or a set quantity of first or last points. Remaining points are discarded.
PointCloudToPointCoercer	Converts point clouds to point or multipoint geometries, optionally retaining attribute and component values.
PointCloudTransformationApplier	Applies a point cloud’s scale, offset, or transformation matrix to it, recalculating component values and removing the transformation values.

Configuration

Input Ports

This transformer has no input ports.

Output Ports

Parameters

Point Cloud Properties

X Component Type

Y Component Type

Select the data type of the x and y components. Options include integer and floating-point numeric types.

If an integer data type is chosen, and the corresponding Average Spacing Along X/Y value produces coordinates that are not integers, an appropriate Scale will be calculated and applied.

Size Specification

Select a method for defining the point cloud size along the x and y axes:

Origin and Size	Set an origin point and side lengths in ground units.
Extents	Set lower left and upper right coordinate pairs.

X Lower Left Coordinate

Y Lower Left Coordinate

Specify the lower left (origin) coordinates of the point cloud. The default is 0,0.

X Length

Y Length

When Size Specification is Origin and Size, specify the length of the point cloud along the x and y axes, in ground units.

Average Spacing Along X

Average Spacing Along Y

Specify the distance between points in the point cloud, in ground units.

X Upper Right Coordinate

Y Upper Right Coordinate

When Size Specification is Extents, specify the upper right coordinates.

Rotation

Specify a rotation angle if required. The default is 0.

Rotation angle is measured in degrees counterclockwise from horizontal, and measures the rotation of the primary axis from horizontal.

Z Values

Z Pattern

Select a method for assigning z values to individual points in the point cloud:

Flat	Every point in the cloud will have the Z Minimum value.
Sloped	Z values will range between Z Minimum and Z Maximum, arranged in a gradient throughout the point cloud. Note that if the Z Component Type is an integer, an appropriate Scale will be applied.
Trigonometric	Z values will range between Z Minimum and Z Maximum, arranged in a trigonometric pattern through the point cloud. Note that this pattern requires that Z Component Type be a floating-point type (Real32 or Real64).
None	The point cloud will not have a z component.

Z Component Type

Select the data type of the z components. Options include integer and floating-point numeric types.

Z Minimum

Z Maximum

Specify the minimum and maximum z values as required by the selected Z Pattern.

Component Values

Value Pattern

Select a pattern for component values to be assigned. All components will have the same pattern.

Single Value	All components on all points will be assigned the Min Value.
Checkered Pattern	A checkerboard pattern is applied, where one set of blocks is set to Min Value and the alternating blocks are filled with a gradient of component values, scaled between Min Value and Max Value.
Checkerboard	A checkerboard pattern is applied, where one set of blocks is set to Min Value, and the alternating blocks are set to Max Value.

Note If Checkered Pattern or Checkerboard are used with a string component, blocks will alternate between the two strings provided.

The Component Values table is used to specify additional components to be added to the point cloud. One complete line is required per component.

Component	Select or enter the component name. Standard names are available from the drop-down.
Data Type	Select a data type for the component. Choices include string and numeric types.
Min Value	Specify the minimum value to be used according to the Value Pattern.
Max Value	Specify the maximum value to be used according to the Value Pattern. Max Value is not used when the Value Pattern is Single Value.

Editing Transformer Parameters

Transformer parameters can be set by directly entering values, using expressions, or referencing other elements in the workspace such as attribute values or user parameters. Various editors and context menus are available to assist. To see what is available, click beside the applicable parameter.

How to Set Parameter Values

Defining Values

There are several ways to define a value for use in a Transformer. The simplest is to simply type in a value or string, which can include functions of various types such as attribute references, math and string functions, and workspace parameters.

Using the Text Editor

The Text Editor provides a convenient way to construct text strings (including regular expressions) from various data sources, such as attributes, parameters, and constants, where the result is used directly inside a parameter.

Text Editor

Using the Arithmetic Editor

The Arithmetic Editor provides a convenient way to construct math expressions from various data sources, such as attributes, parameters, and feature functions, where the result is used directly inside a parameter.

Arithmetic Editor

Conditional Values

Set values depending on one or more test conditions that either pass or fail.

Parameter Condition Definition Dialog

Content

Expressions and strings can include a number of functions, characters, parameters, and more.

When setting values - whether entered directly in a parameter or constructed using one of the editors - strings and expressions containing String, Math, Date/Time or FME Feature Functions will have those functions evaluated. Therefore, the names of these functions (in the form @<function_name>) should not be used as literal string values.

Content Types

String Functions	These functions manipulate and format strings.
Special Characters	A set of control characters is available in the Text Editor.
Math Functions	Math functions are available in both editors.
Date/Time Functions	Date and time functions are available in the Text Editor.
Math Operators	These operators are available in the Arithmetic Editor.
FME Feature Functions	These return primarily feature-specific values.
FME Parameters	FME and workspace-specific parameters may be used.
Creating and Modifying User Parameters	Create your own editable parameters.

Dialog Options - Tables

Table Tools

Transformers with table-style parameters have additional tools for populating and manipulating values.

Row Reordering

Enabled once you have clicked on a row item. Choices include:

Add a row
Remove a row
Move current row up one
Move current row down one
Move current row to top
Move current row to bottom

Cut, Copy, and Paste

Enabled once you have clicked on a row item. Choices include:

Cut a row - delete and copy to clipboard
Copy a row to the clipboard
Paste a row from the clipboard

Cut, copy, and paste may be used within a transformer, or between transformers.

Filter

Start typing a string, and the matrix will only display rows matching those characters. Searches all columns. This only affects the display of attributes within the transformer - it does not alter which attributes are output.

Import

Import populates the table with a set of new attributes read from a dataset. Specific application varies between transformers.

Reset/Refresh

Generally resets the table to its initial state, and may provide additional options to remove invalid entries. Behavior varies between transformers.

Note: Not all tools are available in all transformers.

For more information, see Transformer Parameter Menu Options.

Reference

Processing Behavior	Feature-Based
Feature Holding	No
Dependencies	None
Aliases
History

FME Community

The FME Community has a wealth of FME knowledge with over 20,000 active members worldwide. Get help with FME, share knowledge, and connect with users globally.

Search for all results about the PointCloudCreator on the FME Community.

Examples may contain information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Vancouver, Open Government Licence - British Columbia, and/or Open Government Licence – Canada.

Keywords: point "point cloud" cloud PointCloud LiDAR sonar