Convert NavVis Datasets to TopoDOT IPRJ Format Easily

Introduction

The iprj.exe application is a console-based tool designed to convert datasets from the NavVis datasets into TopoDOT IPRJ format, making the converted data ready for further processing and analysis.

Supported Formats

• NavVis Dataset: A format used for capturing, storing, and processing spatial data, including panoramic images and point cloud data. This format is an input data for the conversion. (The required content of an input dataset is detailed below in the Usage Examples.)

• TopoDOT IPRJ Format: A project format compatible with TopoDOT, a MicroStation add-on for extracting features from point clouds and images. This format is an output for the conversion.

System Requirements

• Windows 10 or newer.

• NavVis IVION Core or Enterprise.

• NavVis VLX data processed with IVION Processing.

• Bentley Systems CAD platform (e.g., MicroStation, OpenCities, OpenRoads) — CONNECT Edition recommended​

• TopoDOT License.

How can I get it?

1. Ask your NavVis account or customer success manager about the connector.

2. Sign up to get access at launch.

Command-Line Options

Where can I learn more?

The following is a video that gives you an overview of the ToppDOT IPRJ converter.

How do I get the TopoDOT converter

Contact your Customer Success Manager to get access to the tool.

Usage Examples

Preliminary actions

Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and navigate to the directory with the installed application:

cd /d \path\to\iprj\converter

Preparing the input dataset folder

1. Download the following artifacts from IVION for each input dataset

   • The dataset archive (.nvd)

   • The panorama images (.zip)

2. Prepare archives:

   • Rename the .nvd file extension to .zip.

   • Extract both the renamed .zip (formerly .nvd) and the panorama .zip.

3. Assemble input dataset folder:

   • From the extracted NVD archive:

     • Copy the info and anchors subdirectories into the input folder.

     • Copy the root directory files sensor_frame.xml and dataset.json into the input folder.

   • From the extracted panorama archive:

     • Create a subfolder called pano inside the input folder.

     • Copy all extracted panorama images into this pano subfolder.

Single Dataset Conversion

For conversion of a single dataset, the input directory must include:

1. Subdirectory info: Contains files like *****-info.json

2. Subdirectory pano: Contains files like *****-pano.jpg

3. Subdirectory anchors: Includes the origin.json file

4. Root directory files:

   • sensor_frame.xml

   • dataset.json

The example of basic content required for the single dataset conversion is shown in the image:

To convert such a case the following command should be executed:

iprj.exe --dataset \path\to\BasicDataset --output \desired\location\of\result

Multiple Datasets Conversion

Every subset of Multiple Datasets conversion should align with the requirements for a Single Dataset Conversion structure and content.

The example of required content for the Multiple datasets conversion is shown in the image:

To convert such a case the following command should be executed:

iprj.exe --dataset \path\to\root\MultipleDatasets --output \desired\location\of\result --multiple

Help Command

To receive information about available options the following command should be executed:

iprj.exe --help

Output Example

The example of the resulting IPRJ project folder structure:

For multiple datasets, there will be multiple subfolders with the images.

Progress Log Example

During execution, the application logs progress, showing a progress bar and descriptive messages for each stage of the conversion process.

Troubleshooting

Error Messages

Error messages are marked with the [ERROR] tag. The error fails the further conversion of the current specific dataset. This commonly provides additional information about what has gone wrong so it can be addressed accordingly.

The set of common errors listed above:

• dataset.json file not found in dataset directory

• sensor_frame.xml file not found in dataset directory

• info folder not found in dataset directory

• pano folder not found in dataset directory

• anchors folder not found in dataset directory

• No info files in "info" folder

• No panorama files in "pano" folder

• Error parsing dataset: General error indicating a corrupted dataset or an exception during processing.

Warning Messages

Warning messages are marked with the [WARNING] tag. They do not block further conversion but still notify about some important matters that may affect the result or even cause some issues with the output.

• origin.json file not found in dataset directory. Default origin will be used with position= (0,0,0) and quaternion= (0,0,0,1).

• Count of info files does not match with capture locations count

• Count of panorama files does not match with capture locations count

View of the Output

The converted IPRJ project can be viewed by importing it into the MicroStation application with TopoDOT plugin installed.

The basic import workflow is the following:

• Open MicroStation application with TopoDOT installed. Open existing or create a new DNG file.

• Import one or more point clouds from the original NavVis datasets.

Click Load/Unload => Load Point Cloud from File menu from the Point Cloud section of the Menu bar:

• Open the Image Browser menu and click File->Import Images. Import the IPRJ file produced by converted based on the same dataset as point cloud:

• Select the required image from the Image Browser menu and click the Load Image button. Review the result in the View window:

• Optionally, improve the quality of the display by hiding points that should not be visible in this specific view by using the Fence tool and Crop outside the fence tool: