Getting more data from the "Compute cloud/mash distance" tool

[ACoste]

Hello everyone!
I have bee using Cloud compare to compare morphologies of CT scanned dolphin skulls. More specifically I have been comparing the surfaces of the brain case to identify differences between fossil and modern species. However I was wondering if it is possible to obtain further data from the "Compute cloud/mash distance" tool which I could then carry statistical tests out on (e.g. T test).
Any advice or help would be most appreciated!
A Coste

[daniel]

Well, the best way is to export the resulting distances (the output "scalar field") along with the cloud as an ASCII file. You'll get X Y Z and the distance on each line.

This kind of file can then be imported into Excel (if you don't have too many points) or Matlab and R for instance.

[ACoste]

I'm really struggling to export the file into an understandable file. I have tried by saving the data as a a Maya ASCII mesh ( only ASCII type file I have found so far) and do not understand any of the output. I feel as though I'm doing this wrong.

[daniel]

I deduce you are comparing two meshes (did you check that the compared mesh vertices are dense enough? Otherwise you might consider 'sampling' points on this mesh first).

Anyway in your case you just have to select the mesh 'vertices' first (they are the ones holding the distance values - and they are below the mesh in the db tree). Then you'll be able to save them as an simple ascii file ;)