calculate_point_normals

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why calculate_point_normals needs a policy

Calculating point normals computes surface orientation metadata for point cloud data, which constitutes a modification of the 3D model representation. This is reversible (can be recalculated), placing it in Write rather than Destructive.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'calculate_point_normals' suggests geometric computation that modifies point cloud attributes (normals). In photogrammetry workflows, calculating normals typically updates point cloud metadata or geometry representations.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access calculate_point_normals gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control calculate_point_normals

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Metashape MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for calculate_point_normals:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "calculate_point_normals": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "calculate_point_normals_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

calculate_point_normals stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register Metashape MCP Server — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Metashape MCP Server tools

Destructive clean_model Remove model artifacts based on filtering criteria. Destructive clear_dem Remove the DEM from the active chunk to free memory. Destructive clear_depth_maps Remove depth maps from the active chunk to free memory. Destructive clear_masks Remove masks from cameras. Destructive clear_model Remove the 3D model from the active chunk to free memory. Destructive clear_orthomosaic Remove the orthomosaic from the active chunk to free memory. Destructive clear_point_cloud Remove the dense point cloud from the active chunk to free memory. Destructive clear_tiled_model Remove the tiled model from the active chunk to free memory.

All 112 Metashape MCP Server tools →

Write tools on other servers

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Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Argument validation → Checking tool call arguments against schema and policy before they run.
Scoped token → Per-person credentials that grant a defined subset of servers and tools.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about calculate_point_normals

What does the calculate_point_normals tool do? +

calculate_point_normals. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Metashape MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on calculate_point_normals? +

Register the Metashape MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for calculate_point_normals: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Metashape MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is calculate_point_normals? +

calculate_point_normals is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit calculate_point_normals? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the calculate_point_normals rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.

How do I block calculate_point_normals completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for calculate_point_normals. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.

What MCP server provides calculate_point_normals? +

calculate_point_normals is provided by the Metashape MCP Server MCP server (jenkinsm13/metashape-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Metashape MCP Server tool call.

Start from Metashape MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →