Align the Database

This step will help to ensure consistent measurements are extracted by giving a common orientation to all of the scanned data. For Head and Face scans there are two alignment methods: Manual and Frankfurt Horizontal. Manual alignment allows for the user to orient the scans using a visual method, to suit a wide variety of projects. The Frankfurt Horizontal method is defined as a head position in which the right and left tragion and the left infraorbitale are in a horizontal plane with the nose facing forward.

For the purposes of this tutorial, we will orient a PLY file using the manual alignment technique. We will then align an Echo scan file using the Frankfurt Horizontal technique.

Manual Alignment

For this section of the tutorial, we will use the manual alignment tools to properly orient this dataset.

1. Select 'Database | Align...'

DigiSize - Database Menu

The Database Align window should now open.

DigiSize - Database Align

2. Press the Next Record button until you reach the record with Group descriptor of download and the ID of female2.

DigiSize - Database Align

3. Ensure that the Alignment Method is set to Manual.

DigiSize - Database Align

4. Use the Yaw, Pitch and Roll sliders to orient the scan so that it is facing directly into the viewer. We came up with values of Yaw:-4, Pitch:-3, Roll:+1.

DigiSize - Database Align

5. When you are satisfied with the alignment, press the Update Alignment button to save the information into the current database.

DigiSize - Database Align

Frankfurt Horizontal Alignment

For this section of the tutorial, we will use the Frankfurt Horizontal alignment tools to properly orient this dataset.

1. Press the Next Record button until you reach the record with Group descriptor of download and the ID of male.

DigiSize - Database Align

2. Press the Frankfurt Horizontal button to switch the alignment method. The window will update to support this method.

DigiSize - Frankfurt Horizontal

3. This imported file is facing away from the viewer, so we need to adjust this orientation. Simply move the Center Nose slider to 177 (180 degrees is just a little too far).

DigiSize - Center Nose

4. Press the Pick Frankfurt Horizontal Alignment Points button to begin the alignment process.

DigiSize - Frankfurt Horizontal Alignment

5. Using Shift + Left Mouse, select the Left Infraorbitale on the scan.

DigiSize - Point Picking

If you need assistance to select this point, click on the Definition... button for a description of the point and a graphic that illustrates the desired point.

6. Press the Okay button in the Pick Point (manual) window.

DigiSize - Pick Point (manual)

7. Pick the Right Tragion, then click the Okay button.
8. Pick the Left Tragion, then click the Okay button. The software will now compute the correct alignment and display the subject.
9. Close the Database Align window.
10. Continue to the Open Manager Tutorial.