Control Scanned 3D Data with HIPP

By DE Editors

HIPP (HighRES Integrated Point Processor), a reverse engineering (RE) toolset for point clouds from ReverseEngineering.com (La Jolla, CA), lets engineers model on the fly — in a live scanning session that can display oversized data-collection point clouds. The stand-alone software application gives engineers control over scanned data so they can scan, process, review, and output data in easy and standard file formats including ASCII, .dat, .txt, .xyz, and HighRES.

ReverseEngineering.com says HIPP gives engineers the technological access to manipulate their data in a flexible and controlled environment, as the software is a simplified front-end for laser-scanned reverse engineering, inspection, and measurement applications. HIPP is said to break down common barriers between the physical and digital worlds — especially those associated with needing to manipulate dense point clouds.

“HIPP software eliminates unnecessary steps and maximizes efficiencies in the transformation and manipulation of 3D scan data,” explains Braxton Carter, ReverseEngineering.com’s chief technology officer. “Users are no longer required to first create a polygon mesh model. HIPP allows users to work directly with raw data and the processed profile data for immediate analysis or export directly into CAD design applications as parametric models. Scan, analyze, view, export and model as you go.”

With HIPP, engineers have access to laser-scanned data at the click of the mouse, along with an easy data-file save, three-point alignment, point ordering and filtering, and multiple-plane configurations. Plus, to reflect the different levels in engineering challenges, HIPP is available in three “feature-rich” modules — HIPP Shop, HIPP Professional, & HIPP Ultimate — all of which can directly process raw digitized data from CMMs, PCMMs, retrofitted CNCs, laser trackers, laser scanners, and optical scanners.

What the Integrated Point Processor Can Do
HIPP offers features that save time — such as thinning, three-point alignment, creating custom planes “on the fly,” point ordering and filtering, multiple plane configurations, and adjustable probe tolerance maximizing accuracy.

Real-time laser scanned golf-club head with alignment set to shaft center.

HIPP files can integrate seamlessly with the HighRES CAD native integrated software, eliminating the risk of moving digitized geometry through the design and manufacturing cycle — and it is compatible with Windows XP/Vista operating systems.

Data sets can be imported upstream to ten of the major CAD systems as organized native entities, which the company says “completely” eliminates data translation issues. HIPP can integrate to leading CAD/CAM packages, including Autodesk AutoCAD/ Mechanical Desktop, Rhino, Autodesk Inventor, Siemens NX, KeyCreator, Solid Edge, Mastercam, SolidWorks, and Pro/ENGINEER.

Details: Three Modules
While there are, of course, differences among the three modules, they all offer engineers the following capabilities, using the company’s own terms: model-as-you-go technology, compatibility with industry standard hardware and imported scanned point clouds, ability to import and export existing part alignments and to digitize object alignments, and real-time data collection with onscreen display. Engineers can set laser-tracker gravity plane and home-laser tracker, see multiple viewing settings, restore previously viewed data, and display configuration with point cloud rendering.

HIPP’s multiple radial planes are set up to capture radial profiles through cloud for simplification.

The first module, HIPP Shop ($2995 - tier 1), enables companies to connect their reverse engineering design team to industry-standard scanning devices and probe retrofitted machining centers. This is a front-end solution to quickly grab data during the scanning process and output in industry standard formats for downstream applications.

In HIPP Shop, companies can align and scan physical objects and export to industry standard formats including ASCII or .txt, .xyz, .dat, and .res, and move scanned point clouds with their original alignments. They can perform easy import/export part alignments, and gain what the company refers to as “sophisticated” alignment control. The user-friendly graphical interface offers a real-time display, one can restore data-on-demand, and the software works with industry standard hardware. It is device dependent.

The differences between the three come in where HIPP Shop, the first tier module, leaves off — features that are offered only in Ultimate and Professional include the ability to save scanned data as .res, .dat, .xyz, ASCII or .txt; import 3D scanned data as .res, .dat, .xyz, ASCII or .txt; control x, y, yz, xz, and radial plan setup; perform a quick measure point to point distance with CMM; digitize scan-to-planes; and lock-to-planes data processing. Ultimately, and exclusive to the Ultimate module, are capabilities that include custom alignment; single points, circles, spheres, and lines; custom plane configuration; and thin data sets.

HIPP’s radial plane-point profiles after snap-to-plane within user-defined tolerance.

HIPP Professional ($5995 - tier 2) provides immediate access to point reduction techniques. It offers a full range of reverse engineering 3D scan management tools said to make it easy to process and clean dense point clouds in minutes. Features include simplified on-demand scan plan control; the ability to import 3D scanned data with object alignments, functionality to establish profile data relative to pre-determined tolerance needs, and the ability to perform review and measurement tasks in real-time. Plus, HIPP Professional works with industry-standard hardware and imported scanned point clouds.

HIPP Ultimate ($8995 - tier 3) offers customization attributes that the company says bring full control to the user. Designers can create planes and organize data-on-demand. HIPP Ultimate provides access to complex object alignments, customized plane control for model-as-you-go data acquisition, effortless point cloud “noise” reduction with thinning features that are described as sophisticated, and its custom configuration supports pre-existing or directly scanned oversized physical objects. It works with industry-standard hardware and imported scanned point clouds. In addition, large physical objects can be manipulated with custom configurations. It also is device and random point-cloud supported.

Easy-to-set-up scan planes dialog box allows for fast plane control to reduce and simplify point cloud.

For all three modules, the HIPP literature shows that compatible CMMs include retrofit CNC machines, MicroScribe, FARO, ROMER & 3D Creator. In both the Professional and Ultimate versions, however, the website indicates that hardware is not necessary.

HIPP’s XY plane-point profiles without thinning through golf-club head.

ReverseEngineering.com says that HIPP offers more solutions than the competition for bringing point cloud data directly into native CAD applications as parametric entities. Furthermore, with all three options, the company offers PASSES (Premier Annual Subscription Service) that include annual maintenance for software updates and new releases within a 12-month cycle.

Connect to ReverseEngineering.com (formerly HighRES).

Read why DE’s editors chose this as a Pick of the Week.

Specifics on HIPP are available on the product information page.

You can schedule your own HIPP web demo.

Read the technical sheet pertaining to HIPP.

View an instructive video showing HIPP in action.