Table of contents

• What is point cloud data? Why it’s starting to be used on job sites

• Challenges in sharing and viewing point cloud data

• Problems with traditional point cloud sharing methods (issues with dedicated software)

• Cloud point cloud sharing with a single URL (What is LRTK Cloud?)

• Steps to share point clouds with LRTK Cloud

• Benefits of cloud sharing (advantages for recipients)

• Useful extensions (overlaying drawings, heat maps, comments)

• Use cases for cloud point clouds (inspection attendance, meetings, remote collaboration)

• Easy deployment & secure cloud data management

• Simple surveying with a smartphone (acquiring point clouds with LRTK)

• FAQ

What is point cloud data? Why it’s starting to be used on job sites

Point cloud data (point clouds) are 3D data composed of countless points obtained by instruments such as laser scanners or photogrammetry. Each point contains XYZ coordinates (position) in real space and color information, and when displayed on a computer, they can reproduce a 3D space with the same shape as the real object. Complex shapes that cannot be measured with photos or drawings can be digitally recorded in detail with point clouds, which is a major strength. Such point cloud data has recently begun to be utilized on civil engineering and construction sites. Behind this trend is the spread of tools that make 3D measurement easy, such as drones, stationary 3D laser scanners, and smartphones with LiDAR functions. Furthermore, industry digitalization initiatives like the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s “i-Construction” have provided tailwinds, and point cloud data is attracting attention as a trump card for on-site DX (digital transformation).

Challenges in sharing and viewing point cloud data

Point cloud data is extremely useful, but when you try to share and utilize it among stakeholders, several challenges arise. First, the data size is very large. High-density point clouds can contain tens of millions of points, and file sizes ranging from hundreds of MB to several GB are not uncommon. It’s almost impossible to send by email attachment, and even if you upload to cloud storage, it can take recipients a long time to download. Second, viewing point clouds requires dedicated viewer software or a high-performance PC. Unlike common images or PDFs that anyone can easily open, viewing 3D point clouds requires a dedicated viewer or CAD software. However, not all field technicians, clients, or other stakeholders necessarily have such software or the skills to operate it. As a result, point cloud data that was painstakingly collected often ends up in a situation of “we want to show it, but we can’t.” Consequently, detailed on-site information sharing via point clouds is hindered, and communication often reverts back to relying on 2D drawings and photos.

Problems with traditional point cloud sharing methods (issues with dedicated software)

Currently, the common way to share point cloud data with others is to have the recipient also install a dedicated viewer or CAD software. However, this approach has the following problems:

• Time-consuming installation and configuration: Installing dedicated software and performing initial setup takes time. For corporate PCs, installation may require permission from the administration department, and smooth deployment is not always possible.

• High hardware and software requirements: Handling point cloud data smoothly requires a high-performance PC. In addition, if the viewer software itself is paid, licensing costs can add up, making it difficult to provide copies for all stakeholders.

• Degraded shared information: If you try to share point cloud data without dedicated software by converting it to still images or videos, the recipient cannot freely navigate the 3D space or perform measurements. This prevents the full value of the point cloud data from being communicated.

Thus, traditional methods always involve hassle and constraints when sharing point clouds.

Cloud point cloud sharing with a single URL (What is LRTK Cloud?)

So how can these issues be resolved? The answer is cloud utilization. LRTK is a solution that enables centimeter-level positioning and point cloud measurement with a smartphone, and by using the cloud service provided by LRTK, you can store acquired point cloud data in the cloud and share it with stakeholders using just a single URL. Even recipients who don’t have dedicated software or licenses can click the link and display the 3D point cloud in a browser. There is no need for troublesome file transfers or viewer installations, and anyone from field staff to clients can intuitively check the data. You can also optionally set a password or expiration date for the shared URL, providing security peace of mind. Furthermore, LRTK Cloud lets you centrally manage and view not only point cloud data but also any data collected on site, such as positioned coordinate points, trajectories, and site photos. The idea of “sharing point cloud data via a URL” has truly become a reality.

Steps to share point clouds with LRTK Cloud

The procedure for sharing point cloud data using LRTK Cloud is very simple. The basic flow is as follows:

• Upload data: Upload measurement data (point clouds, photos, etc.) from the LRTK smartphone app to the cloud. You can upload directly from the smartphone on site or upload later from a PC in the office.

• Issue a share link: Select the data you want to share on the cloud and click the “Share” button. A dedicated share URL is automatically generated (you can set a password or expiration date if needed).

• Distribute to stakeholders: Inform internal members, clients, partner companies, and others with whom you want to share the issued URL. You can share it simply by sending the URL via email or chat.

• View in a browser: Recipients just open the URL in their browser. Without logging in or installing software, they can immediately view the point cloud data in a web-based 3D viewer. Each person can freely change viewpoints and measure distances as needed.

In this way, when you want to “show someone a point cloud,” sharing is completed in just a few clicks. The difference in ease compared to traditional methods is obvious.

Benefits of cloud sharing (advantages for recipients)

The benefits for recipients who receive a share link are also substantial. The main points are as follows:

• No dedicated software required for immediate viewing: Click the received URL to instantly display the point cloud in your browser. No special app installation or complex operations are required.

• Works on smartphones and tablets: In addition to PCs, the point cloud can be viewed from a smartphone or tablet browser. For example, you can use a device on site to check the point cloud on the spot.

• Free manipulation of the 3D space: Recipients can rotate and zoom the displayed point cloud using a mouse or touch operations. They can inspect details from desired angles or take an overview to understand the whole site.

• Measurements on the spot: Similar to dedicated viewers, measurement tools for distances and heights are available in the browser. Questions like “How far is it between these two points?” can be answered by recipients measuring directly on the point cloud.

• Easy data transfer: If necessary, recipients can download the point cloud files themselves from the share link. There’s no need for separate file transfer services; recipients can smoothly obtain the source data via the link.

Because anyone with a browser can access 3D data, the hurdle for point cloud sharing drops dramatically. Even clients or managers unfamiliar with field work can grasp the situation intuitively by simply opening the received link.

Useful extensions (overlaying drawings, heat maps, comments)

LRTK Cloud offers a range of useful functions to make better use of on-site 3D data, not just sharing and viewing. Let’s look at some representative features:

• Overlay drawings and models: You can overlay design drawings or 3D design models on uploaded point cloud data. For example, overlaying a 2D plan drawing (such as a DWG) on the point cloud allows you to compare the actual construction status with the design.

• Heat map display: There is a “heat map” function that color-codes height differences between the point cloud and the design surface. It automatically calculates whether the current condition is how many centimeters (inches) higher or lower than the design and colors the point cloud accordingly. This is useful for checking embankment/cut volumes in earthworks or instantly confirming construction deviations.

• Comment function: While viewing the point cloud in the cloud, you can add comments (annotations) on the spot. You can place pins on points of interest and leave notes or share questions as comments on the data. Remote team members can communicate while looking at the same 3D view, reducing misunderstandings.

These functions allow not only passive viewing of point clouds but also one-stop workflows from comparing with design data to communication, which is a strength of LRTK Cloud.

Use cases for cloud point clouds (inspection attendance, meetings, remote collaboration)

When point cloud sharing is possible in the cloud, the range of possible uses on site expands dramatically. Here are some example use cases:

• Simplifying inspection attendance: For acceptance inspections with clients or supervising engineers, not everyone needs to gather on site. If point cloud data is shared in the cloud beforehand, details of the construction status can be checked from the office, shortening on-site attendance time on the day or even replacing it with remote attendance when appropriate.

• Sharing in internal meetings: Project stakeholders such as site agents, design personnel, and head office managers can display point cloud data opened via a shared URL on the meeting room screen and discuss while everyone looks at the same 3D data. Situations that were hard to convey with text or drawings alone become easier to share visually, smoothing decision-making.

• Remote collaboration across locations: Teams separated between a regional site and a city headquarters, or among branches, can collaborate seamlessly with a share link. Experts in remote locations can give advice, or headquarters can centrally manage data from multiple sites. The ability for the necessary people to access on-site 3D information when needed, without travel time or business trip costs, is a major advantage.

Accumulating point cloud data in the cloud also helps with construction history management. You can later trace “what the site looked like at this point,” which is powerful for evidence of progress and aligning stakeholder understanding.

For example, in a road construction project, the site was scanned with LRTK after each phase, and the point cloud data was shared with the client in real time. Previously, attendance for progress confirmation was required each time, but by sharing point clouds continuously, problem areas were discovered and corrected in advance, allowing the final inspection to be completed smoothly. In this way, cloud sharing of point clouds is beginning to contribute to reduced rework and smoother communication on site.

Easy deployment & secure cloud data management

As we’ve seen, using LRTK Cloud makes sharing and utilizing point cloud data much smoother. It’s also worth noting that the system has a very low barrier to introduction. LRTK is a solution that combines a smartphone (iPhone) with a small dedicated device, so you can operate it without conventional stationary 3D laser scanners or special high-performance PCs. The app is intuitive, and advanced expertise is hardly required. Deployment on site is as simple as attaching the LRTK device to the person in charge’s iPhone and starting measurements.

Data management security is also well ensured. By entrusting data to the cloud, you can reduce the risk of data loss due to PC loss or failure. Communications are encrypted, so there is no worry about data leaking to parties other than those you share with (if you set a password, even if a third party learns the link, they cannot view it). You can organize point clouds and survey data on the cloud by project, making it usable as an internal information-sharing platform. Access control is also supported, enabling flexible operation such as “only specific internal departments can view” or “only share part of the data with external partners.”

Although DX tools can raise concerns about deployment and security, LRTK minimizes those worries and is designed so that anyone can start using it easily and securely.

Simple surveying with a smartphone (acquiring point clouds with LRTK)

So far, we’ve looked at the challenges of point cloud data sharing and LRTK Cloud as a solution. If you can easily share 3D data with a single URL, multiple stakeholders can perform collaborative work based on the same data, and those benefits translate directly to on-site operational efficiency. Specifically, you can expect faster information sharing and communication, reduced travel time, and prevention of mistakes and rework.

Moreover, LRTK has the major advantage that point cloud measurement and surveying itself can be performed astonishingly easily. Centimeter-level accuracy (half-inch accuracy) field measurements that previously required specialized equipment can now be done with just a smartphone. For example, tasks such as capturing current terrain, managing as-built conditions, or recording buried objects can be scanned with LRTK in a short time, converted to point cloud data, and shared on the cloud. The barrier to introducing cutting-edge ICT on site is significantly lowered, making 3D data utilization accessible even for small-scale construction work or municipal operations.

If you are facing challenges in sharing point cloud data, consider introducing LRTK. With ease that overturns conventional thinking, it can be your first step toward on-site DX. Why not proactively advance the increasing demand for on-site “3D-ization”?

FAQ

Q: Do I need special software to view a shared link? A: No, you don’t. Shared links can be viewed simply by opening them in common web browsers such as Chrome or Safari. No dedicated app installation is required on PCs or smartphones, and you won’t need to go through the hassle of obtaining permission to install software on corporate PCs.

Q: Do people who receive a shared link need an LRTK account or license? A: No, they do not. Recipients can view the data without registering as an LRTK user or having a license. As long as they know the link, anyone can open the specified point cloud data (if a password is set, please provide the password along with the share link).

Q: Is the security of shared data okay? A: Yes. LRTK Cloud encrypts communications and stores data securely. You can set passwords and expiration dates for share URLs as needed, so even if a link leaks, there is no worry about third parties viewing it. Of course, you can also deactivate a link yourself if you want to stop sharing.

Q: Can smartphones and tablets really display 3D point clouds? A: Yes, mobile devices are supported. In practice, you can use an iPhone or iPad on site to open point cloud data from a shared link and check it on the spot. Intuitive operations such as swiping to change viewpoints and pinching to zoom allow you to handle 3D data easily on mobile devices (for very large datasets, using a Wi‑Fi connection is recommended).

Q: Can viewers perform measurements or save data? A: Yes. Measurement tools for distance and height are available on the shared link screen, and viewers can download the point cloud files themselves if needed. However, viewers cannot overwrite the original data. Viewing, measurement, and commenting are allowed, while the original data remains safely stored in the sharer’s cloud.

Q: Can information other than point cloud data be shared? A: Yes. LRTK Cloud allows you to share various survey-acquired data together with point clouds. For example, high-precision GNSS-positioned coordinate points and geotagged site photos can be viewed on a map along with point clouds. Because point clouds and related materials can be shared on a single platform, recipients can check all necessary information in one place.

Q: What is required to use LRTK? A: LRTK consists of a palm-sized positioning device (LRTK Phone) that attaches to an iPhone and a dedicated smartphone app. To use it, prepare a supported iPhone (models with a LiDAR sensor improve measurement accuracy) and install the dedicated app. You can immediately start high-precision surveying and point cloud measurement. The LRTK device contains a high-accuracy GNSS receiver and, when combined with the smartphone’s LiDAR camera, achieves centimeter-level accuracy (half-inch accuracy) in point cloud measurement. The device body is a palm-sized housing with a built-in battery and antenna, making it portable. The solution also includes cloud services, so backup of acquired data and issuance of share links can all be done from the smartphone.