System and method for measuring three-dimensional coordinates

A method of measuring three-dimensional (3D) coordinates using a first 3D measurement device and a second 3D measurement device in a cooperative manner, the method comprising:

• acquiring a first set of 3D coordinates with the first 3D measurement device, the first set of 3D coordinates including a second surface on the second 3D measurement device;
• determining an area where additional scanning is to be performed based on the first set of 3D coordinates and a parameter;
• transferring the first set of 3D coordinates to the second 3D measurement device;
• acquiring a second set of 3D coordinates of at least the area with the second 3D measurement device;
• registering the second set of 3D coordinates to the first set of 3D coordinates in real-time while the second 3D measurement device is acquiring the second set of 3D coordinates;
• and
• transforming the first set of 3D coordinates and the second set of 3D coordinates into a common coordinate frame of reference based at least in part on the second surface.