This glossary defines the terms used in Aura Cloud and across its supporting articles. It is intended for anyone using or referring to Aura Cloud as part of the Emesent capture-to-share workflow.
General terms
These terms apply across Aura Cloud and the wider Emesent ecosystem.
Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Aura Cloud | The browser-based platform for sharing and visualizing point cloud data captured with an Emesent scanner and processed in Aura. |
Aura | The Windows desktop application used to process raw scan data into a finished point cloud. Aura 2.2 or later is required to upload point clouds to Aura Cloud. |
Emesent account | The shared account used to access Emesent products. A single Emesent account can hold separate licenses for Aura Cloud, Aura, and other Emesent products. |
Emesent scanner | The hardware used to capture scan data in the field for mapping or autonomy missions. |
Mission | A single planned and executed scan, captured with an Emesent scanner. |
Point cloud | A set of 3D data points produced by an Emesent scanner and processed by Aura. The point cloud is the main object viewed and shared in Aura Cloud. |
Scan | The act of capturing data with an Emesent scanner, or the resulting dataset before it is processed into a point cloud. |
Aura Cloud structure
These terms describe how content is organized inside Aura Cloud.
Term | Definition |
|---|---|
All projects view | The main landing area after sign-in. Lists every project in the account. |
Folder | A container inside a project used to group related point clouds. Folders can be nested. |
Project | The top-level container in Aura Cloud. A project usually represents a single site, client, or job and holds the folders and point clouds related to it. |
Project view | The view of a single project, opened from the All projects view. Lists the folders and point clouds inside that project. |
Viewing and sharing
These terms describe how point clouds are viewed and shared in Aura Cloud.
Term | Definition |
|---|---|
360° panoramas | A street-view-style navigation mode that uses captured panoramic imagery to step through scan locations. Turned on with the Show 360° panos toggle in the 3D viewer. |
3D viewer | The main viewing area for an open point cloud. Includes camera controls, clipping planes, and display settings. |
Clipping plane | A viewer tool that hides part of a point cloud along a chosen axis, used to inspect interiors or specific regions of the scan. |
Navigation target | A red, green, and blue axis marker placed in the 3D viewer by double-clicking a surface. The camera orbits around the navigation target. |
Orthographic camera | A 3D viewer camera mode that removes perspective, useful for measurements and plan-style views. |
Perspective camera | A 3D viewer camera mode that displays depth and distance naturally, useful for general navigation. |
Photo dome | A marker in the 3D viewer that shows the location of a captured 360° panorama. Photo domes appear as small blue 3D disks with the Emesent logo. Double-click a photo dome to enter the 360° panorama. |
Public link | A shareable URL that opens a point cloud in a browser. Recipients of a public link do not need an Emesent account to view the scan. |
Scan statuses
These statuses describe the state of a point cloud as it moves through the upload and processing pipeline. The status appears next to the point cloud in the project view.
Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Uploading | The point cloud file is being transferred from the local computer to Aura Cloud. |
Validating | [TBD: confirm definition and position in pipeline] |
Processing | The point cloud has been uploaded and is being prepared for online viewing. |
Ready | The point cloud is fully processed and available to open in the 3D viewer. |
Failed | Upload or processing did not complete successfully. The point cloud is not viewable until the issue is resolved or the upload is retried. |
Account and access
These terms describe accounts, access, and roles in Aura Cloud.
Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Aura Cloud license | The license on an Emesent account that grants access to Aura Cloud. Separate from the Aura license. |
Data region | The geographic location where Aura Cloud data is stored. One of three regions: Australia, the United States, or Europe. Assigned at account creation and fixed for the life of the account. |
Welcome email | The email sent to a new Aura Cloud user containing the sign-in URL and initial access instructions. |