Table of Contents

• High shareability of browser point cloud viewers

• 3D data display that is easy for non-specialists to understand

• Comparison of major point cloud web viewers

• Strengths of the LRTK web viewer

• Simple surveying enabled by LRTK

• FAQ

View Point Cloud Data in the Browser! LRTK’s Strengths Revealed by Comparing Web Viewers

In recent years, the use of 3D point cloud data acquired by LiDAR scans or photogrammetry has been increasing in construction, civil engineering, and surveying. However, many people may be troubled by the question of "how to view and share" large-volume point cloud data. Even if you want clients or stakeholders within your company to view point cloud data, you often face problems such as “it can’t be opened without specialized software” or “the files are too large to send.”

This article explains the advantages of viewing point cloud data in a browser, compares the types and features of representative web point cloud viewers, and then introduces the unique strengths of the LRTK web viewer. At the end of the article, we also touch on simple surveying enabled by LRTK and propose easy ways to start using point cloud data.

High shareability of browser point cloud viewers

One of the biggest advantages of viewing point cloud data in a browser is its shareability. By using a point cloud viewer that runs in a web browser, sharing point cloud data becomes significantly easier. In the past, point cloud files of several GB had to be handed over on hard drives, or only people with specialized software could view them. With a browser-compatible viewer, you can upload data to the cloud via the internet and share a URL link, allowing anyone inside or outside the company to view 3D data without software.

For example, you can have meetings with remote stakeholders while simultaneously viewing the same point cloud data. If the latest 3D survey results captured on site are immediately shared via the cloud, project members can understand the situation without visiting the site. Because web viewers can be accessed not only from PCs but also from tablets and smartphones, it is also attractive that you can check point clouds whenever needed regardless of location or device.

Moreover, cloud-based point cloud viewers often offer robust features for managing access rights to data and centrally organizing multiple point cloud datasets and related documents. Modern platforms allow you to share observations through chat and comment functions, and to overlay point clouds with drawings or photos for comparison. An environment where point cloud data can be shared and viewed in the browser smooths project-wide information sharing and speeds up decision-making.

3D data display that is easy for non-specialists to understand

Another benefit of browser point cloud viewers is their ease of understanding for non-specialists. High-functionality software dedicated to point cloud data often has complex interfaces specialized for CAD or analysis. In contrast, point cloud viewers available in browsers are characterized by intuitive UIs that anyone can handle. Users can freely change viewpoints with mouse or touch operations such as dragging and zooming, allowing those without specialized knowledge to intuitively understand 3D space.

Browser viewers also often include the minimum necessary measurement and inspection functions, so users can operate them easily without memorizing complicated procedures. For example, with a length measurement tool you can measure the distance between two points, or display cross-sections to check elevation differences in terrain—tasks that can be done with a single click. This is a helpful point for clients who receive the data. There is no need to install heavy software; simply opening the data in a browser makes it immediately clear what the data represents.

Being able to visually grasp 3D data enables sharing information that is difficult to convey by drawings or photos alone. Viewing point clouds that reproduce actual terrain or structures makes it easier to grasp dimensions and spatial arrangement, so even non-experts can better imagine the current situation. This kind of clarity is an important advantage for expanding the adoption of point cloud data.

Comparison of major point cloud web viewers

Currently, there are several options for displaying point cloud data in a web browser. Each has different characteristics, so it is important to choose the right one according to your purpose and budget. Here we compare representative types of web point cloud viewers.

1\. Open-source web viewers – For those with technical expertise, open-source point cloud viewers are an option. A representative example is Potree. Potree is an open-source 3D point cloud rendering library using WebGL that manages data with an octree structure to render large point clouds smoothly. You need to host point cloud data on your own server or website, but once set up you can provide a browser-accessible point cloud viewer. The advantage of open source is that it is free and flexible, but on the other hand, initial setup requires expertise and effort for data conversion and server construction.

2\. Free online point cloud viewers – Recently, free web services that display point clouds just by uploading files have appeared. For example, simple online viewers that support specific formats (like PCD) allow visualization by drag & drop into the browser without installing software. These are convenient for research or personal use, but often have limited supported formats and data size limits. They may also lack measurement functions or security guarantees, so careful consideration is needed for business use.

3\. Cloud-based point cloud sharing services – Using commercial cloud services provides a one-stop solution from uploading to viewing point cloud data. In Japan, ScanX (by Locus Blue) and MONOLIST (by M-Soft) are known, offering platforms that support browser-based point cloud viewing. These are paid services, but they come with robust support and rich features. Integrated features useful for business include technologies for fast streaming display of large point clouds, attribute information management, overlaying drawings, and user management functions. The advantage of cloud services is the ease of use without specialized knowledge, and ongoing updates by the provider can be expected. However, when entrusting highly confidential data, you should check the terms of service and security measures.

4\. Manufacturer’s native viewers and platforms – Laser scanner manufacturers also provide viewers and cloud services for sharing point clouds acquired by their own scanners. For example, solutions like Trimble Connect from Trimble or TruView from Leica allow direct upload of data from measurement devices to the cloud and online viewing and annotation by stakeholders. These offer advanced functionality integrated with measurement equipment, but they may be aimed at users of the manufacturer’s devices or require expensive licenses. If you are already using a particular manufacturer’s ecosystem, these can be strong options, but watch for versatility and cost.

As described above, there are varied ways to handle point clouds in a web browser, from building your own open-source solution to using a cloud service. Consider ease of introduction, initial costs, rendering speed, supported data formats, and interoperability with other tools to choose the method that best fits your company’s needs.

Strengths of the LRTK web viewer

So, among the many options, what makes the LRTK web viewer stand out? LRTK is a solution that supports the entire workflow from acquiring 3D point cloud data to managing and utilizing it, and its cloud web viewer includes convenient features shaped by feedback from the field.

Broad range of measurements without software – The LRTK viewer runs entirely in the cloud, and users can operate point cloud data simply by opening a browser. There is no need for installation or updates, and a major feature is that distance, area, and volume measurements can be performed directly on the web. For example, you can measure the distance between any two points on the acquired point cloud or select an area to calculate its surface area with one click. LRTK also supports volume measurement, such as calculating the volume of fill or excavation, so users without specialized software can immediately obtain the necessary numerical values.

Clear positional context through map integration – Point cloud data uploaded to the LRTK cloud is assigned absolute coordinates in the global geodetic system. Therefore, the viewer can overlay point clouds with map data (for example, maps or aerial photos from the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan). This makes it possible to intuitively understand where the point cloud was captured. A standalone point cloud can make it difficult to grasp overall positional relationships, but visualizing it against a map background makes the real-world location and extent immediately clear.

Unified display of multiple datasets – The LRTK web viewer can simultaneously load and overlay multiple point clouds and 3D models. For example, you can easily compare changes by overlaying point clouds captured at different times or combine point clouds with design BIM models to compare pre- and post-construction. Being able to switch seamlessly between multiple datasets on one screen eliminates the need to open individual files, making data comparison and progress management smoother.

Comfortable rendering performance – Large point cloud datasets are optimized and delivered via LRTK’s cloud infrastructure, enabling smooth browser-based viewing. With proprietary rendering technology, even dense point clouds of tens of millions of points can be rendered responsively in 3D. The viewer works on low-spec PCs and tablet devices, providing a consistent viewing experience across sites from field offices to headquarters. Because data is stored in the cloud, viewers do not need high-performance GPUs or large local storage.

Secure sharing and access control – In the LRTK cloud, data is securely stored per project, and access permissions can be flexibly configured. There are sharing modes that allow access only by people with the link, as well as fine-grained settings to assign view or edit permissions per user, making it safe for corporate use. Communications with the cloud are encrypted, reducing the risk of external leakage even for highly confidential survey data.

As described above, the LRTK web viewer is equipped with features to enable anyone, anywhere, immediately to make effective use of point cloud data. These strengths meet the needs of field teams that handle point clouds on a daily basis. Next, let’s look at how using LRTK can concretely change field operations.

Simple surveying enabled by LRTK

LRTK is groundbreaking not only for its viewer functions but also for making point cloud data acquisition easy. Traditionally, obtaining precise 3D survey data required expensive laser scanner equipment and specialized survey teams. LRTK offers a solution that combines a smartphone with a small dedicated device so that anyone on site can quickly perform point cloud measurements.

For example, with LRTK’s system you can hold a smartphone in one hand and simply walk around the site to capture the surrounding 3D point cloud. By utilizing high-precision GNSS positioning and a smartphone’s built-in LiDAR scanner (or photogrammetry techniques), the acquired point cloud is automatically assigned geodetic coordinates. In just a few minutes of scanning, point clouds consisting of millions of points can be uploaded to the cloud and immediately checked in the web viewer.

This enables site personnel to perform what had previously been tasks for specialists—such as on-site “as-built” surveys and volume calculations—as simple surveying themselves. For example, you can quickly scan a slope to calculate earthworks volume, or compare terrain before and after construction on the spot to evaluate progress. Because LRTK automatically merges and corrects point clouds in the cloud, users can acquire survey data with the sensation of “just taking a photo” without needing specialized data processing software.

Of course, acquired data can be shared immediately via the LRTK web viewer. If you want to show scanned data to a supervisor or client in the office, simply upload the point cloud from your smartphone to the cloud and send the share link. Because the browser reproduces 3D data with high fidelity, it is easy for others to understand site conditions at a glance, even when they are difficult to explain verbally.

LRTK-enabled simple surveying is attractive because it is cost-effective and speedy compared to conventional methods while providing sufficient accuracy for many needs. Even sites that had given up on 3D surveying due to a lack of specialist staff can incorporate 3D data into daily work by adopting LRTK. Combined with a browser-based environment for utilizing point cloud data, consider using it to support your site’s DX (digital transformation).

Finally, we summarize common questions (FAQ) about viewing point cloud data and using LRTK.

FAQ

Q. Are there point cloud viewers I can use for free?

A. Yes, several exist. A representative desktop tool is the open-source CloudCompare, which provides free, high-functionality point cloud viewing and editing. Potree is another open-source option that runs in web browsers and is free to use. However, using these tools in a business context requires knowledge for data conversion and environment setup. If ease of use is a priority, consider commercial cloud services or solutions like LRTK.

Q. Are there limits to the size of point cloud data that can be displayed in a browser?

A. Browsers themselves have memory limits, but many web viewers are designed to handle large datasets. Techniques such as tiling point clouds and using streaming (LOD) to load only visible areas allow smooth viewing even for data on the scale of hundreds of millions of points. LRTK’s cloud viewer also employs proprietary optimizations to display large-scale point clouds without issues. However, because data is delivered over a network, loading speed can be affected by the quality of the connection.

Q. If I share point cloud data via a link, does the recipient need to perform any special operations?

A. No. Clicking a shared link launches the point cloud viewer in the browser and displays the data. The recipient does not need to install software or perform file conversions. Opening the URL sent by email or chat allows them to freely view the 3D point cloud. The viewer’s intuitive interface makes it suitable for sharing information with people unfamiliar with point clouds.

Q. Can surveying really be done with a smartphone?

A. Recent smartphones with built-in LiDAR sensors can perform short-range 3D scanning. LRTK combines the phone’s LiDAR function with high-precision positioning technology to obtain point cloud data usable for serious surveying. Even phones without LiDAR can perform scanning using photogrammetry techniques that generate point clouds from multiple photos. While there are limits compared to dedicated measurement equipment in terms of accuracy and range, with proper care a smartphone alone can be sufficient for 3D recordkeeping and measurements on site.

Q. Can LRTK’s point cloud viewer share data with external parties?

A. Yes. LRTK’s cloud allows per-data sharing settings, ranging from public modes where anyone with the link can view, to password-protected limited sharing, to access restricted to specific users. If you want to show data to an external client, you can issue and send a view-only link; the recipient can then check the 3D data in their browser. No software is required for viewing, and you can prevent information leakage by disabling data download permissions.