Table of Contents

• High shareability of browser-based point cloud viewers

• 3D data display that’s 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 Web viewer comparisons

In recent years, there has been growing use of 3D point cloud data acquired by LiDAR scanning and photogrammetry in construction, civil engineering, and surveying. However, many people still struggle with the question of “how to view and share large point cloud datasets.” Even when you want clients or internal stakeholders to view point cloud data, you often encounter problems like “it can’t be opened without specialized software” or “the files are too large to send.”

This article explains the benefits of viewing point cloud data in a browser and compares the main types and features of Web point cloud viewers. It then introduces the particular strengths of the Web viewer provided by LRTK. At the end of the article we also touch on simple surveying using LRTK and propose easy ways to get started using point cloud data.

High shareability of browser-based point cloud viewers

One of the biggest advantages of viewing point cloud data in a browser is its shareability. Using a browser-based point cloud viewer makes sharing point cloud data dramatically easier. In the past, it was common to pass around point cloud files that could be several GB on hard drives, or to have viewing restricted to people who possessed specialized software. With a browser-enabled viewer, you can upload data to the cloud over the internet and share a URL link, allowing anyone inside or outside the organization to view 3D data without any software required.

For example, you can hold meetings with remote stakeholders while everyone views the same point cloud data simultaneously. If you immediately share the latest 3D survey results from the field via the cloud, project members can understand the situation without visiting the site. Browser viewers are accessible not only from PCs but also from tablets and smartphones, so you can check point clouds whenever and wherever needed, regardless of device.

Cloud-based point cloud viewers also offer robust features for managing access rights and centrally organizing multiple point cloud datasets and related documents. Modern platforms include chat and comment features to share observations, and can overlay drawings or photos with point clouds for comparative review. An environment that allows sharing and viewing point cloud data in the browser smooths project-wide information sharing and speeds up decision-making.

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

Another benefit of browser point cloud viewers is their clarity, making them easy for non-specialists to understand. High-end point cloud software often focuses on CAD and analysis and has complex interfaces. In contrast, browser-based point cloud viewers are characterized by intuitive UIs that anyone can operate. With mouse or touch controls you can drag and zoom to freely change viewpoints, allowing users without specialized knowledge to grasp 3D space intuitively.

Browser viewers also often include essential measurement and inspection features so users can operate them without memorizing complicated procedures. For example, you can measure the distance between two points with a length measurement tool or display cross-sections to check terrain elevation differences with a single click. This is a welcome point for clients receiving the data. There is no need to install heavy software—just open the browser and the data will clearly show “what the data represents” at a glance.

Being able to visually grasp 3D data enables sharing information that is hard to convey with drawings or photos alone. Viewing a point cloud that reproduces the actual terrain or structures makes it easier to sense dimensions and spatial arrangement, so even non-experts can form a clear image of the current situation. This clarity is an important advantage in expanding the use of point cloud data.

Comparison of major point cloud Web viewers

There are several options for displaying point cloud data in a web browser, each with different characteristics, so it’s important to choose the right one for your purpose and budget. Here we compare representative types of Web point cloud viewers.

1. Open-source Web viewers – For technically proficient users, open-source point cloud viewers can be 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 it enables a point cloud viewer accessible from any browser. The advantages of open source are that it’s free and flexible, but the downside is that data conversion and server setup require specialized knowledge and effort for initial configuration.

2. Free online point cloud viewers – Recently, free web services that display point clouds by simply uploading files have appeared. For example, simple online viewers that support specific formats (such as PCD) let you visualize point clouds by drag-and-dropping into the browser without installing software. These are convenient for research or personal use, but supported formats are often limited and there may be upload size limits. They may also lack measurement functions or security assurances, so careful consideration is needed for business use.

3. Cloud-based point cloud data sharing services – Commercial cloud services offer a one-stop solution from uploading to display. Domestically, platforms like ScanX (LocusBlue) and MONOLIST (M-Soft) are known for providing browser-based point cloud viewing. These paid services come with more support and features. They integrate technologies for fast streaming of large point clouds, attribute management, overlaying drawings, and user management—functions useful in business settings. The benefits of cloud services are ease of use without specialist knowledge and ongoing feature improvements via provider updates. However, when entrusting highly confidential data, you should check the terms of use and security measures.

4. Manufacturer native viewers and platforms – Laser scanner manufacturers also provide viewers and cloud platforms to share point clouds captured by their devices. For example, solutions such as Trimble Connect and Leica TruView allow direct upload from surveying instruments to the cloud and enable online viewing and annotation. These solutions offer advanced functions integrated with measurement equipment but are often targeted at users of the vendor’s devices and can require expensive licensing. If you already use a specific vendor ecosystem, these can be strong options, but consider generality and cost.

As shown above, ways to handle point clouds in the web browser range from self-hosted open-source options to cloud-based services. Consider ease of introduction, initial cost, rendering speed, supported data formats, and interoperability with other tools to choose the best approach for your company’s needs.

Strengths of the LRTK Web viewer

So, among the many options, what makes LRTK’s 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 field feedback.

No software installation required and a wide range of measurements – LRTK’s viewer is fully cloud-based, so users can operate point cloud data simply by opening a browser. There is no installation or update hassle, 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 captured point cloud or select an area to calculate its surface area with one click. It also supports volume measurements such as embankment or excavation volumes, allowing users without dedicated software to instantly obtain necessary figures.

Map integration for clear spatial context – Point clouds uploaded to the LRTK cloud are assigned absolute coordinates in the global geodetic system. This makes it possible to overlay point clouds on map data (for example, the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan’s topographic maps or aerial photos) in the viewer. This feature helps users intuitively understand where the point cloud was captured. While a standalone point cloud can make it difficult to grasp overall spatial relationships, visualizing it with a map background instantly reveals real-world location and extent.

Unified display of multiple datasets – The LRTK Web viewer can load and overlay multiple point clouds and 3D models simultaneously. For example, you can overlay point clouds captured at different times to compare changes, or combine point clouds with design BIM models to compare pre- and post-construction states. Because multiple datasets can be seamlessly switched on a single screen, the time-consuming process of opening files individually is eliminated, making data comparison and progress management smoother.

Smooth rendering performance – Large point clouds are optimized and delivered via LRTK’s cloud infrastructure, enabling smooth browser viewing. Proprietary rendering technology allows interactive 3D display even for dense point clouds with tens of millions of points. It runs on low-spec PCs and tablets, providing a consistent viewing experience across sites from on-site offices to headquarters. Since the data resides in the cloud, viewers do not need a high-performance GPU 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 such as link-only access, password-protected limited sharing, and user-specific viewing permissions, so data can be safely shared in enterprise settings. Communications with the cloud are encrypted to reduce the risk of leakage of confidential survey data.

In these ways, the LRTK Web viewer is well-equipped with functions to help “anyone, anywhere, immediately” make effective use of point cloud data. These strengths respond to the day-to-day needs of field teams working with point clouds. Next, let’s look at the concrete changes LRTK can bring to field operations.

Simple surveying enabled by LRTK

LRTK is revolutionary not only for its viewer features but also for making the acquisition of point cloud data itself easy. Traditionally, obtaining precise 3D survey data required expensive laser scanner equipment and specialized surveying teams. LRTK offers a solution that allows anyone on site to perform point cloud measurement quickly by combining a smartphone with a compact dedicated device.

For example, with LRTK you can hold a smartphone and walk the site to capture the surrounding 3D point cloud. By combining high-precision GNSS positioning with a smartphone’s built-in LiDAR scanner (or photogrammetry techniques), captured point clouds are automatically assigned geodetic coordinates. In just a few minutes of scanning, millions of points can be captured and uploaded to the cloud, where they are immediately available in the Web viewer.

This enables site personnel to perform what used to require contractors—such as as-built surveys and volume measurements—as simple surveys themselves. For instance, you can quickly scan a slope to calculate earthwork volumes or compare pre- and post-construction terrain to evaluate progress on the spot. Because LRTK automatically registers and corrects point clouds in the cloud without specialist processing software, users can obtain surveying data with the same ease as “taking a photo.”

Of course, acquired data can be shared immediately via the LRTK Web viewer. If you want to show scanned data from the field to a supervisor or client in the office, simply upload the point cloud from your smartphone to the cloud and send the shared link. Because the browser can faithfully reproduce 3D data, the current situation that is hard to explain verbally can be understood at a glance.

LRTK-enabled simple surveying is attractive because it is faster and more cost-effective than traditional methods while providing sufficient accuracy for many needs. Even sites that had given up on 3D surveying due to lack of specialist staff can adopt LRTK and incorporate 3D data use into daily operations. Together with a browser-based point cloud utilization environment, consider using LRTK to support on-site DX (digital transformation).

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

FAQ

Q. Are there free point cloud viewers available?

A. Yes, several exist. A representative example is the open-source CloudCompare. This is a desktop application that offers high-functionality point cloud viewing and editing for free. There is also the open-source Potree, which runs in the web browser and is free to use. However, using these tools in business contexts 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 on the size of point cloud data that can be displayed in a browser?

A. Generally, browsers have memory limits, but many Web viewers use techniques to handle large datasets. For example, by tiling point clouds and using streaming technologies (LOD) that load only the displayed area, datasets on the scale of hundreds of millions of points can still be viewed smoothly. LRTK’s cloud viewer also uses proprietary optimizations to display large point clouds without issue. However, since data is loaded over a network, loading speed can be affected by the communication environment.

Q. If I send a point cloud via a shared link, does the recipient need to perform any special actions?

A. No. Clicking the shared link launches the point cloud viewer in the browser and displays the data. The recipient does not need to install software or convert files. Opening the URL received by email or chat allows free viewing of the 3D point cloud. The intuitive interface also makes it suitable for sharing information with first-time viewers and non-specialists.

Q. Can surveying really be done with a smartphone?

A. Modern smartphones include LiDAR-sensor-equipped models that enable short-range 3D scanning. LRTK combines smartphone LiDAR and high-precision positioning technologies to obtain point cloud data usable for practical surveying. For phones without LiDAR, photogrammetry techniques that generate point clouds from multiple photos can be used. While there are limits compared to dedicated surveying equipment in terms of accuracy and range, with proper technique you can capture 3D records and perform measurements on site using only a smartphone.

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

A. Yes. In the LRTK cloud you can configure sharing settings per dataset, ranging from public modes accessible to anyone with the link, to password-protected limited sharing, or permissions restricted to specific users. To show data to external clients, issue a view-only link and send it; the recipient can then view the 3D data in their browser without any software. You can also disable downloads to reduce the risk of information leakage.