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PointCloudSpatialThinner without altering z-coordinates

  • September 16, 2025
  • 3 replies
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gurvan777
Contributor
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Hello,

I would like to decimate my point cloud to keep one point every meter for example.

I tried PointCloudSpatialThinner but i suggest it extrapolates the coordinates to fit the best to the original cloud point.

The problem I have is I can’t change z-coordinates. Optimally I’d like to decimate my point cloud only on the x and y coordinates.

Does someone have a solution ?

Best regards,

Gurvan

Best answer by crystalwang

Hi ​@gurvan777,

 

I believe that the PointCloudSpatialThinner transformer can get the job done with a few tweaks.
Since it’s a custom transformer, we can add the PointCloudSpatialThinner transformer to the canvas > right-click to Embed it > right-click again to Edit Embedded Transformer.


Now, we’re inside the custom transformer. Double-click the PointCloudExpressionEvaluator transformer > click on the row with the Z component > click the minus (-) button at the bottom > click OK.


With this Z component deleted, running the PointCloudSpatialThinner transformer should only decimate your point cloud based on the X and Y coordinates.


Let me know if this works for your dataset!

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3 replies

crystalwang
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  • Safer
  • Best Answer
  • September 19, 2025

Hi ​@gurvan777,

 

I believe that the PointCloudSpatialThinner transformer can get the job done with a few tweaks.
Since it’s a custom transformer, we can add the PointCloudSpatialThinner transformer to the canvas > right-click to Embed it > right-click again to Edit Embedded Transformer.


Now, we’re inside the custom transformer. Double-click the PointCloudExpressionEvaluator transformer > click on the row with the Z component > click the minus (-) button at the bottom > click OK.


With this Z component deleted, running the PointCloudSpatialThinner transformer should only decimate your point cloud based on the X and Y coordinates.


Let me know if this works for your dataset!


gurvan777
Contributor
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  • Author
  • Contributor
  • September 25, 2025

Hi ​@gurvan777,

 

I believe that the PointCloudSpatialThinner transformer can get the job done with a few tweaks.
Since it’s a custom transformer, we can add the PointCloudSpatialThinner transformer to the canvas > right-click to Embed it > right-click again to Edit Embedded Transformer.


Now, we’re inside the custom transformer. Double-click the PointCloudExpressionEvaluator transformer > click on the row with the Z component > click the minus (-) button at the bottom > click OK.


With this Z component deleted, running the PointCloudSpatialThinner transformer should only decimate your point cloud based on the X and Y coordinates.


Let me know if this works for your dataset!

Hi ​@crystalwang ,

Thanks for your input. It worked partially but I learned I can edit custom transformer. After exploring others transformers I found PointCloudDupliucateRemover where it restores original XYZ after the point cloud is thinned. It does the job for me.

Have a good day !


crystalwang
Safer
Forum|alt.badge.img+14
  • Safer
  • September 25, 2025

Hi ​@gurvan777,

 

I believe that the PointCloudSpatialThinner transformer can get the job done with a few tweaks.
Since it’s a custom transformer, we can add the PointCloudSpatialThinner transformer to the canvas > right-click to Embed it > right-click again to Edit Embedded Transformer.


Now, we’re inside the custom transformer. Double-click the PointCloudExpressionEvaluator transformer > click on the row with the Z component > click the minus (-) button at the bottom > click OK.


With this Z component deleted, running the PointCloudSpatialThinner transformer should only decimate your point cloud based on the X and Y coordinates.


Let me know if this works for your dataset!

Hi ​@crystalwang ,

Thanks for your input. It worked partially but I learned I can edit custom transformer. After exploring others transformers I found PointCloudDupliucateRemover where it restores original XYZ after the point cloud is thinned. It does the job for me.

Have a good day !

I’m glad you were able to make it work for your workflow! Happy FME-ing!