Table of Contents

• Expansion of point cloud data use and the importance of viewers

• Issues with traditional point cloud viewers

• What is a cloud-based point cloud viewer?

• Advantages of cloud-based point cloud viewers

• Comparison points for cloud-based point cloud viewers

• New possibilities opened by LRTK

• FAQ

Expansion of point cloud data use and the importance of viewers

In recent years, construction and civil engineering sites have increasingly acquired 3D point cloud data using drones, laser scanners, and smartphone LiDAR, and are using it for construction management and surveying. Point cloud data are spatial coordinate data made up of countless measured points, and because they can record the shapes of terrain and structures in detail, they are useful for a wide range of applications such as as-built management, earthwork volume calculations, and displacement monitoring. At the same time, point cloud data tend to be large in file size (millions to hundreds of millions of points, reaching several GB to several tens of GB), which poses challenges for handling and sharing. A point cloud viewer (software for viewing point cloud data) is an indispensable tool for visualizing acquired point clouds in 3D space and taking measurements, but traditionally it has been common to install dedicated software on high-performance PCs. To make the valuable 3D information obtained on site useful in real work, it is important to establish an environment where anyone can easily view and analyze point clouds. One solution attracting attention for achieving this is the cloud-based point cloud viewer that requires no installation. This article整理s the current status and challenges surrounding point cloud viewers, explains the benefits of cloud-based solutions and comparison points for various services, and finally introduces LRTK, which opens new possibilities for cloud point cloud viewers.

Issues with traditional point cloud viewers

Traditional use of point cloud data has faced several hurdles from data acquisition through processing and viewing. First, there is the issue of PC performance. Handling large-scale point clouds requires high-spec workstations, and even loading point clouds on the order of millions of points can make a typical office PC sluggish or cause it to freeze. Since CPU, GPU, and memory are heavily taxed, expensive hardware investments are often unavoidable for running dedicated software. Processing time also grows with data size; merging (alignment) and analysis of point clouds can sometimes take hours or even overnight. The inefficiency of “not being able to do other work until heavy processing finishes” has lowered productivity.

Next, the complexity of data sharing and management has been a problem. The conventional workflow was to take point cloud data obtained on site home on a USB stick or external HDD, open and process it on a limited number of in-house PCs, and compile the results into drawings or reports. This process introduced time lags before the 3D information obtained on site could be put to use. Moreover, copying enormous point cloud files each time and distributing them to stakeholders tended to cause version control confusion. People would wonder “which is the latest version?” and repeated redistribution after updates was common, meaning valuable digital data were not fully shared. Site personnel might be unable to verify acquired data on the spot, notice missing areas only after returning to the office and processing the data, and have to revisit the site—wasting time. In workflows where the field and office are separated, real-time collaboration is difficult, leading to missed opportunities to utilize point clouds.

What is a cloud-based point cloud viewer?

A cloud-based point cloud viewer emerged as a new approach to solve these issues. This system allows point cloud data to be displayed, shared, and analyzed via cloud servers on the Internet, and users can view 3D point clouds simply by accessing them from a web browser on a PC, tablet, or smartphone. No dedicated software installation is required; all that’s needed is an Internet connection and a compatible browser. High-performance servers are provided on the cloud side, performing storage and rendering of large point cloud data on the server, so comfortable viewing is possible without depending on the user’s device specs. For example, if you upload a site-wide point cloud with tens of millions of points to the cloud, you can still smoothly perform 3D viewing and simple measurements in the browser. The user’s device only streams rendered images and necessary data, so typical laptops and tablets can handle it without issue.

Most cloud-based point cloud viewers achieve interactive 3D display in the browser using technologies such as WebGL. You can drag or pinch on the screen to view the point cloud from any angle and zoom in and out to check details. There’s no need to launch heavy software; click a URL link received by email and the 3D point cloud appears immediately in your browser—this convenience is a key feature. Cloud-hosted viewers are platform-independent, so whether Windows, Mac, or an iPad carried on site, the point cloud can be viewed in the same way. In short, the strength of a cloud-based viewer is that “as long as you have a browser, you can view point clouds anywhere.”

Advantages of cloud-based point cloud viewers

Cloud-based point cloud viewers offer various advantages not present in traditional operations. The main benefits are summarized below.

• No need for high-performance PCs: Because processing and rendering of point cloud data are performed on the cloud, users can work on ordinary PCs or tablets. The cloud server optimizes and provides lightweight rendering of large datasets, so even point clouds on the order of tens of GB can be handled without a workstation equipped with a dedicated GPU.

• No dedicated software required—anyone can view: Because viewer functions are provided on the web, recipients can check point clouds without installing software. By sending a shared URL, you can share 3D data with in-house designers, site supervisors, and clients, and the recipient can view it in a browser without logging in or holding a license. Stakeholders without specialized software can grasp the situation in 3D, facilitating smoother information sharing.

• Centralized data management and instant sharing: Consolidating point cloud data in the cloud lets multiple team members access the same up-to-date data. If someone uploads additional measurement data, it is integrated immediately and everyone can see the updated 3D information. This eliminates version mismatches from file handoffs and allows the team to share a single source of truth. Because data uploaded on site can be viewed immediately by the office, real-time collaboration is also possible.

• Collaboration and remote presence: Sharing data on the cloud enables geographically separated participants to view the same 3D point cloud and discuss it. For example, a site-scanned latest point cloud can be checked immediately by engineers at headquarters, who can then instruct on additional measurements as needed—realizing remote support. Inspections can be completed online, leading to faster decision-making. The walls between site personnel and office managers disappear, dramatically improving team collaboration efficiency.

• Easy measurement and analysis tools: Many cloud viewers include simple analysis functions such as distance, area, and volume measurement. You can measure the distance between two points on a 3D point cloud or specify an arbitrary area to calculate earthwork volume—simple surveying tasks can be completed in the browser. Without expensive surveying software, necessary figures can be produced on-site for quick use in decision-making and reporting.

• Extended features like AR: Point cloud data in the cloud can be used for AR when linked with mobile devices. For example, overlaying cloud-hosted point clouds on a tablet camera feed can provide a see-through experience of “where the point cloud should be” on site. It becomes easy to visualize the estimated position of buried objects through the ground or overlay a planned 3D model on the site scenery. Providing such advanced features on a cloud platform enables intuitive 3D communication not only with specialists but also with non-technical stakeholders and customers.

Comparison points for cloud-based point cloud viewers

Numerous cloud-based point cloud viewers and related services are available on the market. Since their delivery formats and areas of expertise differ, it’s useful to compare them on the following points when considering adoption.

• Data capacity and display performance: Confirm whether the service can handle the scale of point clouds you want to work with. Some services can smoothly display data at the hundreds-of-millions-of-points level using LOD (level of detail) techniques and tiling. Conversely, free tools or lightweight viewers may impose data limits or require lowering resolution. For large-scale projects, an important comparison axis is “how smoothly can the service display very heavy point clouds?”

• User interface and usability: The tool may be used by a wide range of people from site workers to clients. Consider whether the UI is simple and intuitive, and whether Japanese-language display and support are robust. A UI that lets beginners move the viewpoint and take measurements without confusion will be easier for non-expert site managers and partner staff to use.

• Feature richness: Services differ in how much analysis and editing they support beyond simple viewing. Check whether the functions you need—distance/area measurement, cross-section creation, point cloud trimming (removing unnecessary parts), and overlaying other 3D models—are available. If you only need viewing, a lightweight free viewer may suffice, but if you plan to expand usage in the future, a feature-rich platform has advantages.

• Data import/export and integration: Compare supported upload file formats (LAS, PLY, E57, PTX, etc.), file size limits, and whether processed data can be exported (downloadable results). If you need to hand off edited or analyzed data to other CAD software, the ability to export in common formats is convenient. Also consider integration with other systems (availability of APIs) and whether the platform can manage and display non-point-cloud data (design drawings, photos, etc.) as an integrated solution—this may be an evaluation point depending on use case.

• Cost and licensing: Pricing models vary. Some services charge monthly by number of users and storage, others contract by project, and some offer free and paid tiers. Check whether costs match project scale and usage frequency, and what’s possible with a free plan. If you have in-house IT infrastructure, you could host an open-source web viewer library on your own servers. This requires initial setup effort but can reduce running costs and keep data on-premises, which is valuable for some organizations.

• Security and access control: When handling sensitive data such as bridges or plants, cloud security measures are important. Verify encryption of communications, whether you can set viewing permissions per project, and support for password-protected shared links. Trusted services often disclose data center certifications and confidentiality clauses in contracts, which provide reassurance.

New possibilities opened by LRTK

To make the most of cloud-based point cloud viewers, it’s key to establish operations that assume cloud integration from the data acquisition stage. One solution to watch here is LRTK, a new surveying solution that utilizes smartphones. LRTK is a system comprising a small GNSS receiver that mounts to a smartphone and a dedicated app, enabling anyone to easily perform high-precision point cloud measurements and cloud sharing.

With LRTK, point cloud measurement that formerly required expensive 3D laser scanners or surveying specialists can be performed easily by site personnel themselves. While scanning the surroundings with a smartphone’s LiDAR function, the LRTK device provides real-time centimeter-level position corrections (half-inch level), assigning high-precision absolute coordinates to all acquired point cloud points. The obtained point cloud data can be uploaded to the cloud immediately from the smartphone, allowing on-the-spot 3D model verification and necessary measurements. For example, LRTK can quickly create point clouds of embankments or the upper parts of slopes where volume measurement is difficult, and automatically calculate the volume in a short time. Distance, height, and area can be measured within the app, so site staff can grasp quantities immediately, expanding opportunities to perform simple surveying tasks in-house that previously required external specialists.

Point clouds uploaded to the cloud are automatically provided in lightweight rendering by the LRTK cloud viewer. Sharing a URL link lets in-house supervisors and partner companies view 3D data in real time. Recipients can view and measure in a browser without software, enabling a seamless workflow of “acquire with LRTK → upload to cloud → immediate sharing.” This allows site managers to actively handle 3D data and use it for situational judgment and reporting even when surveying specialists are not present. LRTK is innovative in that it supports the entire workflow from smartphone-based point cloud acquisition to cloud utilization—one-stop. By combining high-precision RTK positioning and cloud usage, LRTK opens new possibilities for “anyone, anytime, anywhere” 3D surveying and sharing.

Point cloud data are increasingly becoming accessible to everyone on site, not just a handful of specialists. Combining installation-free cloud-based point cloud viewers with solutions like LRTK makes it realistic for heavy equipment operators to perform their own as-built 3D checks or for site agents to routinely record progress as point clouds. Lowering the barriers to data acquisition and sharing accelerates on-site digital transformation (DX), and can dramatically improve operational efficiency and accuracy. When considering adopting a cloud-based point cloud viewer, be sure to consider these new possibilities that LRTK brings. It can make 3D utilization on site more familiar and drive projects forward with unprecedented speed and flexibility.

FAQ

Q: What environment is required to use a cloud-based point cloud viewer?

A: No special software or high-performance machines are required. A PC, tablet, or smartphone that can connect to the Internet and a modern web browser are sufficient. Major browsers such as Chrome, Edge, and Safari support WebGL, so typical devices that run those browsers can view 3D point clouds without issue. The convenience of using a tablet on site and a laptop in the office means you can work from whatever device you have on hand.

Q: Can very large point cloud datasets really be viewed smoothly?

A: Yes. Cloud services optimize data and perform streaming rendering, so datasets on the order of tens of millions to hundreds of millions of points can be handled surprisingly smoothly. By loading only the necessary portions sequentially and automatically adjusting point density according to viewing distance, these technologies reduce bandwidth and rendering load. Initial upload may take time, but once the data are in the cloud, 3D viewing is normally smooth even from standard PCs and tablets.

Q: Can I measure distances and volumes on point cloud data?

A: Many cloud viewers include tools for distance measurement and area/volume calculations. Clicking two points on the screen can display the distance, and specifying an arbitrary polygon area can automatically calculate earthwork (volume). For example, in LRTK Cloud you can confirm the coordinate values of acquired point clouds and complete distance, area, and volume calculations in the browser. Even without specialized CAD software, on-site dimensional checks and rough as-built quantity estimates can be measured with sufficient accuracy.

Q: I’m uneasy about entrusting sensitive point cloud data to the cloud. Is security ensured?

A: Cloud service providers take security seriously. Communications are encrypted via HTTPS or similar protocols, and data centers are managed in secure environments. Many services offer robust access control features, allowing per-project viewing permissions and the issuance of password-protected shared URLs for third-party sharing. LRTK Cloud also provides password-protected URL sharing when you want to show data to someone without a license. If you prefer to operate entirely within your organization, some services offer on-premises server deployment options, so consider needs accordingly.

Q: Can people who are not good with IT or who are non-technical use these tools?

A: For basic “view-only” usage, cloud-based point cloud viewers are generally intuitive. Basic operations—dragging the 3D view, using the mouse wheel or pinch to zoom—feel similar to 3D games or map apps. Site personnel and customers without specialist knowledge can get the information they need by following simple operation guides. For example, LRTK’s app and cloud viewer emphasize a simple UI so that newcomers who haven’t received site training can start using them in a short time. If questions arise, you can share them on the cloud and have a technical expert support you—this style of use helps non-technical users handle 3D data easily, which is one of the major benefits of cloud utilization.