Point Cloud Markers

You can detect and label scanned point cloud markers in FARO SCENE. The FARO SCENE project file (.lsproj) contains the position and description data for the markers.

These RAD (Ringed Automatically Detected) markers are a type of artificial target that can be used for scan registration. Each marker is unique, so that when an identical marker is found in two scans, the software pinpoints the center points of the markers in both scans. Following are examples of markers:

To find a point cloud marker, open the lsproj file in FARO Zone 3D . Click on the Point Cloud Marker tool to capture the data and place the arrow label at the center of each target.

Adding Coded Point Cloud Markers in FARO SCENE

From FARO SCENE, in planar view of a scan, click the Mark Points dropdown and select Mark Marker.

Targets that are directly perpendicular to the scanner (such as hotspots on perpendicular walls) can appear washed out in greyscale. To remedy this, angle the targets a few degrees from perpendicular to the scanner.

You can print the markers at a reduced size to cover less of the scanned area, but this changes the maximum distance at which the markers can be detected. The following table shows the distances at which markers can be detected depending on scan resolution and marker size. The markers must be placed orthogonally (at right angles) to the scanning direction to reach these limits.

Scan Resolution

Marker size 100%

15.5 cm (6 in)

Marker size 75%

11.7 cm (4.5 in)

Marker size 50%

8 cm (3 in)
1/8 3 m (9 ft, 10 in) 3 m (9 ft, 10 in) 3 m (8 ft, 2 in)
1/4 6.5 m (19 ft, 8 in) 5.2 m (17 ft) 4.2 m (14 ft, 9 in)
1/2 16 m (52 ft, 6 in) 8.3 m (27 ft, 2 in) 3 m (17 ft, 6 in)

You can find printable targets here.

Rules for using markers