Table of Contents

• What is drone point cloud generation?

• Traditional point cloud processing methods and their challenges

• Point cloud generation services evolving in the cloud

• Main benefits of using the cloud

• One-stop automatic output from orthoimages to DXF cross-sections

• Why it’s easy to use even for beginners

• Expanding drone point cloud applications across many fields

• Summary

• Frequently Asked Questions

What is drone point cloud generation?

In recent years, surveying methods using drones (unmanned aircraft) have rapidly become widespread. This technique analyzes numerous photos taken from above and reconstructs terrain and structures as three-dimensional models called point cloud data. A point cloud is data that represents shapes with countless points in space; what used to be obtained by ground surveying or laser scanners can now be automatically generated from drone photos. This drone point cloud generation enables efficient 3D surveying of vast areas or dangerous sites without people having to enter them directly.

Drone point clouds are beginning to be used in various applications such as site surveying for civil engineering works, infrastructure inspections, and post-disaster assessments, and accuracy has improved to levels suitable for professional use. Especially with the construction industry’s DX promotion led by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s “i-Construction,” digitizing site data in 3D has become an essential trend. One innovation that has emerged in this context is point cloud generation using the cloud. By performing large-scale photo analysis automatically on the cloud and obtaining high-precision point cloud models in a short time, this method can rightly be called a “new standard.”

Traditional point cloud processing methods and their challenges

First, let’s review the traditional methods before the arrival of the cloud. To generate point clouds from drone images, you typically use photogrammetry software (photogrammetry tools). These dedicated programs are installed on your own high-performance PC, and you import and analyze dozens to hundreds of photos. While the traditional method can produce high-precision point clouds and orthoimages, it had several major challenges.

• Need for high-performance PCs and software: Photo analysis requires large amounts of memory and GPU power, so processing point clouds composed of hundreds of thousands to millions of points required high-spec PCs. The software is often specialized and expensive, creating a high adoption barrier for small and medium-sized companies and local governments.

• Long processing times and effort: Loading large photo datasets and performing feature extraction and 3D reconstruction take time. It was not uncommon for someone to return to the office and run computations overnight on a PC, only to obtain the point cloud the next day. There are many configuration items, and improving analysis accuracy required expert knowledge.

• Data management burden: Generated point clouds and orthoimages can be very large (sometimes several GB), requiring an environment for storage and sharing. Simply exchanging data among stakeholders could be a hassle, and many file formats required dedicated viewers or CAD software to open.

• Manual post-processing: To use point clouds, additional post-processing such as removing extra points, aligning data, or creating cross-sections is sometimes necessary. Traditionally, surveyors manually placed points in CAD to draw cross-sections or removed unwanted points in point cloud processing software, leading to human error and increased workload.

Thus, traditional drone point cloud generation faced many challenges in terms of cost, time, and effort, and drone photos obtained were sometimes not fully utilized.

Point cloud generation services evolving in the cloud

Attention has turned to services that can complete point cloud generation entirely in the cloud. With cloud services, users simply upload photos taken by a drone to a website, and the server automatically performs the photo analysis. By using powerful cloud servers over the internet, large-scale point cloud processing becomes possible without a high-spec PC on the user side.

The mechanism of cloud point cloud services can be summarized as follows. First, the user creates a project in a browser and uploads multiple photos taken by the drone. Then a photogrammetry algorithm runs on the cloud, matching corresponding points between photos to reconstruct the 3D shape. Through advanced parallel processing and optimization, hundreds of photos can be processed in a short time. When analysis is complete, a point cloud model is generated in the cloud, and users can review and download the results via a web browser.

The key point is that all heavy computations are performed on the cloud side, so the user’s PC load is minimal. You can operate from a laptop or tablet, and check results from the office, on the go, or at home. No dedicated software installation is required, and the convenience of completing everything within a web browser is a major advantage. Domestic cloud services also offer Japanese-language support, which gives users with limited expertise peace of mind.

Main benefits of using the cloud

Switching to cloud-based point cloud generation addresses the challenges of traditional methods and brings many benefits. Here are the main advantages.

• Significant time savings: Because powerful servers perform parallel processing, the time required for point cloud generation is reduced. For example, analyses that used to take half a day on a conventional PC can in some cases be completed in tens of minutes to an hour on the cloud. If you can obtain analysis results on the same day as the field survey, you can immediately move to the next step, improving overall project efficiency.

• No need for high-performance PCs: Since the cloud provides resources, users can work with standard-spec PCs. There is no need to purchase expensive workstations or GPU-equipped machines, reducing capital investment costs. Anyone in the company can use it from their own PC, enabling flexible, location-independent operation.

• Labor-saving through automation: Processing after upload is automated, so you don’t need to manually configure many settings. The service provider handles software version control and updates, ensuring you always use the latest optimized environment. Users simply wait for the results, reducing the burden on specialized operators.

• Centralized management of large datasets: Point clouds and orthoimages are stored in the cloud, allowing project-based centralized data management. Some services offer virtually unlimited storage, securely accumulating past survey data. You can share access rights with stakeholders as needed and view and use the same data remotely.

• Reliable backups and security: Cloud services typically include backup and redundancy, so you don’t have to worry about data loss if a PC fails. They also implement encryption for communications and access control measures, allowing you to entrust sensitive survey information with confidence.

In this way, using the cloud enables time and cost reductions, improved work efficiency, and secure data management. Compared to traditional methods, the benefits are many, making it a highly valuable approach to adopt.

One-stop automatic output from orthoimages to DXF cross-sections

A notable advantage of cloud services is that they provide not only point cloud data itself but also related derivative products in one package. Typical examples are orthoimages and cross-sections (DXF format). An orthoimage is a high-resolution, orthorectified image created by stitching multiple drone photos and correcting distortions to present a true top-down view. Because dimensions are accurate like a map, it can be used as a plan view background. A cross-section is a drawing that shows the sectional shape when a 3D point cloud or terrain model is sliced at an arbitrary plane, and it is essential for civil engineering design and quality control.

Some cloud services automatically create ortho mosaic images when performing photo analysis and point cloud generation. When a point cloud is generated, the detailed orthoimage of the underlying surface is output simultaneously, so you can get an overview without additional processing or separate software. Orthoimages can be used in survey drawings and reports, and can be imported into GIS systems or CAD software for situational assessment. High-quality orthoimages make it easier to share realistic aerial maps of a site among stakeholders.

Another noteworthy feature is the ability to export cross-section DXF data directly from the cloud-based point cloud viewer. Traditionally, obtaining necessary cross-sections from a point cloud required manually drawing lines in CAD while referencing the point cloud. Cloud services allow you to simply specify two points on the browser screen to define the cross-section line, and the desired cross-section is generated instantly. For example, you can cut out longitudinal sections of slopes or road cross-sections at arbitrary positions and angles. The generated cross-section is displayed on the screen and can also be downloaded in DXF format. Since DXF is a common CAD data format, it can be easily incorporated into your company’s design drawings or other CAD software.

Having orthoimages and cross-sections available in one stop means you can obtain practical deliverables from drone-acquired data without extra field surveys or manual drawing work. Producing ortho maps and cross-sections in a short time from shooting is revolutionary. This greatly reduces the workload for surveyors and directly speeds up report creation and design review.

Why it’s easy to use even for beginners

When introducing new technology, a common concern is “Can we actually use this?” Cloud-based drone point cloud generation services are designed to be easy for beginners to handle. Here are several reasons why.

First, operations are simple and intuitive. Many services provide Japanese-language web interfaces where analysis starts as soon as you upload images following the steps. Specialized parameter settings are adjusted automatically behind the scenes, so users can obtain results without understanding complex theory. The ease of “just throw in the photos you took and get a point cloud” is reassuring for those starting drone surveying.

Second, support systems are well developed. Domestic cloud services typically offer phone and email support, operation manuals, and training videos, providing mechanisms to assist beginners. Having a contact point for questions alleviates on-site anxiety. Some services offer professional on-site support for deployment or comprehensive follow-up during trial periods, enabling technicians unfamiliar with IT or drones to adopt the technology smoothly.

Furthermore, cloud services are continuously updated and improved. Users do not need to perform complex version-up tasks themselves and automatically benefit from new features and accuracy improvements. For example, cases that were previously difficult may become manageable after a latest update, creating an environment where the more you use it, the more useful it becomes.

Overall, cloud-based drone point cloud services achieve low barriers to entry through simple operation and robust support. This makes them suitable for a wide range of users, from site survey staff to local government officials, who can adopt them with confidence.

Expanding drone point cloud applications across many fields

As cloud-based point cloud generation has become more accessible, its range of applications has expanded. Drone point clouds are attracting attention as a key to improving operational efficiency not only in civil engineering and construction but also in various public and private sectors.

For example, in civil construction sites, conventional time-consuming site surveys can be completed quickly with drone flights and cloud analysis. By using point clouds and cross-sections for pre- and post-earthworks terrain comparison or for calculating fill and excavation volumes in quality control, you can achieve highly accurate quantity estimates and quality management. Construction managers will see reduced on-site surveying, improved safety, and the ability to make objective decisions based on data.

Local governments also benefit from drone point clouds. For river and road maintenance, there is a trend to incorporate periodic drone aerial surveys into monitoring. Scenes that previously required staff to descend onto dangerous slopes or riverbeds can be handled safely and quickly by collecting data from the air. Orthoimages help update GIS ledgers, and cross-sections derived from point clouds can be used to measure sediment accumulation or estimate disaster damage. With limited personnel, efficient infrastructure inspection is possible, contributing to DX (digital transformation) initiatives within local governments.

For corporate construction DX staff, drones combined with the cloud are an easy-to-start digital reform tool. Even without advanced 3D expertise in-house, companies can obtain results by using external services, so many are beginning with pilot implementations. Converting drone field records into point clouds and automatically checking progress by overlaying them with design drawings may become a future standard for construction management. There is also a movement to integrate massive field-collected data in the cloud for management decisions and future design and planning, and drone point clouds are becoming central to the construction industry’s data utilization.

Thus, cloud-generated drone point cloud data contributes widely across industries and organizations. Initial use can be partial, but by gradually sharing data internally and externally and linking with other systems, greater value will be created. As a technology that changes conventional practices on site, drone point cloud utilization is expected to continue expanding.

Summary

Cloud services that generate high-precision point cloud models from drone photos and automatically produce orthoimages and DXF cross-sections are becoming a new standard in surveying and the construction industry. This approach allows anyone to obtain reliable 3D data in a short time without high-performance PCs or advanced expertise, fundamentally changing conventional surveying practices. Surveyors, local government staff, and construction DX promoters alike can all benefit.

By removing traditional burdens and constraints, using cloud-based point cloud generation can dramatically improve both operational efficiency and deliverable quality. In particular, with simple surveying using LRTK, uploading drone photos to the cloud automatically generates point clouds with absolute coordinates and provides orthoimages and cross-sections in one go. The ease of use for non-experts and robust domestic support make it possible for beginners to adopt quickly. Embrace advanced technologies and take a step forward in surveying DX by adopting drone point cloud generation as the new standard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What equipment or software is needed to generate drone point clouds? A: Basically, all you need is a drone equipped with a high-resolution camera and an internet connection. Fly the drone over the target area, upload the photo data to a cloud service, and point cloud generation can be performed without preparing specialized software yourself. For higher-precision surveying, a drone with RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) capability is beneficial, but even without it, placing a few known ground control points (GCPs) can improve accuracy. A computer that can run a web browser is sufficient, and no dedicated software installation is necessary.

Q: What level of accuracy can point cloud data achieve? A: The accuracy of point clouds generated from drone photos varies with flight altitude, camera performance, and surveying methods. With sufficient photo overlap and the use of RTK-equipped drones or ground control points, high-precision results with horizontal and vertical errors on the order of a few centimeters can be expected. Even without RTK, photogrammetry algorithms can produce models with high relative accuracy, but if absolute coordinate accuracy is required, correction with control points is recommended. In any case, it is possible to achieve accuracy comparable to conventional ground surveying, and operations can be tailored to meet required accuracy levels.

Q: Is it safe to store confidential data on the cloud? A: Many cloud services place great emphasis on data security. Communications are encrypted, and server-side measures such as access control and intrusion prevention are implemented. Data centers operate under strict security controls, so confidential survey data can be entrusted with confidence. Backups are also performed automatically, so data remains in the cloud even if a user’s PC fails. When contracting with a service provider, review the privacy policy and terms of use to confirm how data is handled, and choose a trusted vendor.

Q: Can beginners really operate it? Is specialized knowledge required? A: Yes, operations are simple, so you can feel reassured. Many cloud point cloud services are designed with UIs that non-specialists can use; following on-screen instructions to upload photos is usually all that’s required. You rarely need to worry about complex terminology or detailed settings. Choosing a service that provides Japanese manuals and support will let you resolve questions by contacting the provider. In practice, users ranging from drone and surveying novices to veterans have adopted the technology and achieved results. Starting with a small project to become familiar with the workflow before full-scale use is a practical approach.

Q: How can generated point clouds and orthoimages be used? A: Point clouds and orthoimages have very wide applications. From point clouds you can determine site elevation differences, create cross-sections at arbitrary locations for comparison with design drawings, and more. Orthoimages can be overlaid as background maps in CAD drawings to check whether the as-built condition matches the design. You can also measure distances, areas, and volumes on the point cloud for earthwork quantity calculations and progress management, or monitor terrain changes over time. Additionally, incorporating 3D models into CG software enables clear visualizations for stakeholder presentations. These data are valuable across surveying, design, construction management, and maintenance, so we encourage proactive use.