Introduction

The LabVIEW 3D Picture Control is a powerful tool that can be used to easily visualize and overlay data on real-world objects using the Sensor Mapping Express VI introduced in LabVIEW 8.6.

However, it can be difficult to locate existing models of bridges, vehicles, buildings or any object you may want to import and model.

For example, what if you wanted to overlay your sensor data on the Tumbler, the modern day Batmobile from The Dark Knight.

Let's walk through getting this model into LabVIEW.

You will need Google SketchUp and MeshLab, which both can be downloaded free of charge. Google SketchUp is free software that you can use to create 3D models of anything you like. Google also provides a vast collection of 3D images created by the community, which can be easily downloaded in your model...

Steps to Complete

1. Open SketchUp and click Get Models

2. Search for your model and select it

3. Once your model is imported, select File » Export » 3D Model. Save the .kmz file to your Desktop.

4. Rename the .kmz file to .zip (for example, rename tumbler.kmz to tumbler.zip)

5. Open the .zip file and locate the .dae file (located in the models folder inside the zip file)

6. Open the .dae file in MeshLab

7. In MeshLab, select File » Save As...

8. Select STL File Format (*.stl) and save your model (tumbler.stl for example)

9. Now open LabVIEW and use the Sensor Mapping Express VI, or the 3D picture control VIs to load and use the model in LabVIEW.

Congratulations! Now you can import nearly any 3D object into LabVIEW for Sensor Mapping and simulation.