Comparison of Browser-Compatible Point Cloud Tools Useful On Site: What Efficiency LRTK Delivers

Table of Contents

• Current state of point cloud data utilization and the need for browser viewers

• What a browser-compatible point cloud viewer is

• Why browser-compatible point cloud tools are useful on site

• Advantages of browser-compatible point cloud tools

• Points to consider when comparing point cloud viewers

• What efficiency LRTK delivers

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Current state of point cloud data utilization and the need for browser viewers

In recent years, the use of 3D point cloud data captured by laser scanners and drones has spread in areas such as social infrastructure maintenance and construction/civil engineering sites. Thanks to high-performance equipment and smartphone LiDAR, obtaining high-accuracy point clouds on site has become relatively easy. With tailwinds such as i-Construction promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the movement to utilize point cloud data from surveying through design, construction, and maintenance is accelerating year by year.

However, how to "share and view" the point cloud data after scanning remains a major challenge. Even if you hand over the point cloud data you painstakingly obtained to clients or stakeholders, there are many cases where they are puzzled and ask, "How do I view this data?"

In fact, point cloud data cannot be opened with OS-standard software, and a dedicated viewer is required to view it.

If recipients of point cloud data cannot freely view and utilize it, its value cannot be fully realized. Providing an appropriate viewing method tailored to the recipient’s usage environment is the key to promoting data utilization and improving customer satisfaction.

Currently, there are various options for viewing point cloud data, such as free open-source software, high-performance specialized software, point cloud support features in general-purpose CAD/BIM software, and cloud-based viewing services. However, many methods require installing dedicated software or a high-spec PC, and the operation can be complex, so they are not necessarily easy for everyone to use. These hurdles can be a major obstacle, especially when handing data to non-technical clients or when you want to check contents on site immediately.

Furthermore, point cloud files tend to be very large, which can cause problems such as being unable to send them as email attachments or long download times.

In fact, a survey report by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan pointed out that "the current situation requiring expensive software or high-performance PCs is hindering the utilization of point clouds," and emphasized the need for open-source software that can view and process point clouds and web applications that run in the browser. Against this background, browser-compatible point cloud viewers that allow easy sharing of point cloud data without installation are beginning to attract attention.

What a browser-compatible point cloud viewer is

A browser-compatible point cloud viewer, as the name suggests, is a point cloud data viewing tool that runs on a web browser. Users do not need to install dedicated software on their PCs; they can open a browser such as Chrome or Edge and access a web app or cloud service to display point cloud data in 3D.

Typically, when you upload a point cloud file (e.g., LAS or PLY) to an online viewer, the point cloud is visualized on the browser screen. You can freely move the viewpoint with mouse or touch operations to observe the point cloud, and basic operations such as measuring object dimensions and adding annotations are also possible. Many services perform rendering on the cloud side, so they operate smoothly without depending on the performance of the local device.

In short, by using a browser-compatible viewer, "anyone can view point clouds as long as they have an internet connection and a browser." Because the same data can be accessed from a field laptop, tablet, or smartphone, point cloud data can be utilized regardless of location or device.

Why browser-compatible point cloud tools are useful on site

Browser-based point cloud tools have great power for rapid decision-making and smooth information sharing on site. Here are some reasons.

First, a high-performance workstation is not always available on site. Even when only a tablet or a general-purpose laptop is available, a browser-compatible viewer can handle it. Because data processing is performed in the cloud, large point clouds can be displayed even on low-spec devices. There is no need to pre-install dedicated software, so if someone on site suddenly says, "I want to see this point cloud," you can respond immediately.

Also, information sharing from the field to the office becomes easier. Traditionally, data was brought back on a USB memory stick for inspection and analysis on an office PC, but by uploading to the cloud, remote colleagues or supervisors can immediately view it in a browser. For example, you can share point clouds scanned at a construction site to the cloud on the spot, and office-based engineers can check them in real time and give instructions.

Furthermore, it helps communication with stakeholders who cannot visit the site. Remote experts or clients can view the site’s point cloud data from their PCs, leave comments, or discuss while screen-sharing during meetings, allowing everyone to accurately grasp the "site situation." This speeds up on-site decision-making and enables rapid response and prevention of rework when problems occur.

Thus, browser-compatible point cloud tools greatly assist in practice as a bridge between site and office, and between technical and non-technical personnel.

Advantages of browser-compatible point cloud tools

By introducing a browser-based point cloud viewer, you can gain many advantages such as:

• No installation required: No need to install a dedicated app; you can start using it just by accessing a link.

• Device- and OS-agnostic: Whether Windows, Mac, tablet, or smartphone, the same viewer functions are available as long as there is a web browser.

• No high-performance PC required: If rendering and data processing are performed on the cloud side, a typical local PC can comfortably display large point clouds.

• Centralized data management in the cloud: Large point cloud files can be organized in the cloud, and authorized people can access them when needed. By setting access permissions, you can prevent data leakage to unauthorized parties.

• Simultaneous viewing and collaboration by multiple people: Multiple members in different locations can open the same point cloud data simultaneously, check the situation on their own screens, and discuss in online meetings, facilitating collaboration.

• Intuitive and easy operation: Many browser viewers offer a simpler UI than specialized software, allowing anyone to use a 3D viewer without difficult training. Even non-technical clients can move the viewpoint themselves to check, smoothing explanation and consensus building.

• Practical functions such as measurement and annotation: You can measure distances and areas or leave comments at specific points on the browser, enabling on-the-spot confirmation of dimensions and recording of instructions.

• Remote site pseudo-experience: High-detail point clouds allow people to grasp site conditions as if they were visiting, even from a distance. Situations such as witness inspections or disaster response where site visits are not necessary are increasing.

These benefits are expected to improve operational efficiency and speed up decision-making using point cloud data.

Points to consider when comparing point cloud viewers

To choose the best tool for your company from many point cloud viewers, consider and compare the following points.

• Supported data formats and data capacity: Check whether the viewer supports the point cloud file formats you work with (LAS, E57, PLY, etc.). Some tools may require conversion to proprietary formats. Also confirm the maximum amount of point cloud data (number of points) that can be loaded at once, as some tools have limits; capacity support is important when dealing with large-scale point clouds.

• Display performance and usability: It is important to compare whether the tool can smoothly render large amounts of point cloud data and whether operation is not too sluggish. Web viewers may be inferior in rendering performance compared to native apps, but check if they operate without stress in normal use. Usability aspects such as whether the interface is intuitive and whether viewpoint movement and zoom are comfortable are also important.

• Measurement and analysis functions: Compare how much measurement and analysis can be done in the viewer. Check whether it supports not only simple two-point distance measurement but also area/volume calculation, arbitrary cross-section extraction, partial filtering display of point clouds, and elevation difference checking between points—functions likely needed on site. Advanced features may include detecting changes by comparing differences between multiple time-series point clouds.

• Data sharing and collaboration: For cloud-based services, check whether a shareable URL can be issued to stakeholders, whether viewing accounts can be easily issued, and how easy it is to share. Features that allow real-time comment exchange with other users or collaboration to view data simultaneously greatly smooth coordination between the field and remote locations.

• Support system: Post-introduction support is also important. Check whether there is a contact point for inquiries about operations, and whether Japanese manuals and FAQs are well prepared, which is reassuring for beginners. Note that open-source tools may lack official support and rely on user communities or information sites for troubleshooting.

• Cost: Compare software costs and billing models. Free tools allow low-cost trial use but may have functional restrictions or prohibit commercial use. For paid services, confirm whether fees are monthly or perpetual licenses, and whether charges vary by number of users or data capacity. Choose a plan that fits your budget and scale of use.

• Security and operational aspects: When using cloud services in particular, confirm security aspects such as data confidentiality and storage location. If your company’s security policy restricts external cloud use, consider on-premises products or systems installable on internal servers. Also consider account management ease as user numbers grow and interoperability with other systems (such as API provision).

What efficiency LRTK delivers

Among the many point cloud-related tools, LRTK is attracting attention as a solution that dramatically improves efficiency from on-site point cloud acquisition to utilization. LRTK is a system that enables high-accuracy point cloud measurement by combining a smartphone with dedicated devices, generating point cloud data that can be "measured and used immediately" far more easily than conventional laser scanners or surveying instruments.

With LRTK, a GNSS receiver (RTK positioning) with centimeter-level accuracy (half-inch accuracy) is mounted on a smartphone equipped with a LiDAR sensor, and by simply walking around the site you can obtain detailed 3D point clouds of the surroundings. Because the acquired point clouds are assigned world coordinates (absolute coordinates) in real time, there is no need for post-processing alignment (georeferencing). If you upload the measured point cloud data to the cloud on site, you can immediately check and share it in a browser without returning to the office—another major advantage.

For example, final-form measurements that used to take a veteran surveyor a full day can be completed in a short time by a field person with a smartphone using LRTK, and the results can be shared in the cloud with stakeholders to calculate volumes and dimensions. Tasks that previously required arranging specialist contractors or preparing large equipment can now be carried out by in-house staff as needed, greatly improving on-site responsiveness. Because there is no need to bring bulky equipment to the site, measurements in hazardous locations can also be carried out more safely. With a simple workflow that can be handled without specialized skills, LRTK simultaneously enables labor saving and speed-up of surveying work while making seamless data linkage from the field to the office.

In this way, LRTK contributes greatly to improving on-site productivity as an innovative tool that streamlines the entire process from point cloud acquisition to utilization. It is increasingly expected to be a key technology supporting on-site digital transformation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is point cloud data?

A: Point cloud data is data that represents three-dimensional shapes by a collection of many points that make up an object or terrain. Each point includes X, Y, Z coordinate values and is acquired by laser scanners or photogrammetry. Because it consists of countless points, it can record the shape of objects and surrounding conditions with high accuracy and is used across a wide range of fields such as surveying, design, and maintenance.

Q: What is a point cloud viewer?

A: A point cloud viewer is software for displaying and viewing acquired 3D point cloud data on a computer. It renders raw data stored as a collection of points into a 3D space so that people can visually inspect it, freely move the viewpoint, and zoom in and out to check details. Many viewers include simple analysis functions such as distance measurement and cross-section display, making them indispensable tools for utilizing point cloud data.

Q: What environment is required to view point clouds in a browser?

A: Basically, a device that can connect to the internet is sufficient. No special-spec PC or dedicated device is required. For example, by accessing the URL of the cloud point cloud service from a web browser such as Chrome or Edge on a laptop or tablet, you can display point cloud data on the spot. However, because data sizes can be large, a reasonably fast and stable network connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data) is desirable.

Q: Are there free point cloud viewers available?

A: Yes, several exist. There are open-source point cloud viewers and cloud services that are free up to a certain scale. Free tools have the advantage of low cost to try, but they may have functional limitations or require self-support. If you plan to use them seriously for business, check whether they have the necessary functions and whether commercial licensing terms are met before introduction.

Q: Can point cloud data be viewed in an offline environment?

A: Cloud-based web viewers cannot be used in environments with no internet connection. In such cases, you need to save the data to your device in advance and use an offline viewer (a standalone point cloud viewer or a viewing environment via a locally set up web server on a PC). For example, if the site is out of radio range, prepare an installed point cloud viewer on a laptop as a countermeasure.

Q: What can and cannot be done with point cloud viewers?

A: Point cloud viewers can handle "viewing and measuring" tasks such as displaying point cloud data, simple measurements, cross-section checks, and adding annotations. However, they generally cannot edit point cloud data or perform detailed analysis. Tasks such as deleting unnecessary points, noise removal, merging point clouds, or creating 3D models from point clouds—i.e., "processing and conversion" work—must be done with dedicated point cloud processing software. Viewers should be regarded primarily as tools for viewing, sharing, and situational understanding.

Q: Can high-precision surveying really be done with a smartphone?

A: Under certain conditions, yes. Recent smartphones are equipped with LiDAR sensors, and by combining these with high-precision GNSS (RTK), point cloud measurements approaching the accuracy of conventional surveying instruments can be performed. In fact, systems like LRTK that link smartphones and GNSS receivers have demonstrated that, with proper setup, surveying with an error range of several centimeters (several inches) is possible. Of course, accuracy is affected by the surrounding environment (obstructions and radio conditions), but the fact that precision surveying that once required specialized equipment can now be done easily is expected to greatly innovate field work.