Upload large point-cloud OBJs by drag & drop — Easy management in the cloud

Table of Contents

• Challenges of managing increasingly large point cloud data

• What is LRTK Cloud?

• Benefits of centralized point cloud data management with LRTK Cloud

• How to use LRTK Cloud (step-by-step)

• Why LRTK Cloud improves on-site efficiency

• Simple surveying with LRTK enables anyone to use 3D data

• Frequently Asked Questions

Challenges of managing increasingly large point cloud data

In recent years, construction and surveying sites have been acquiring extremely large amounts of point cloud data (collections of 3D coordinate points) using laser scanners and drones. Point cloud data is valuable because it can record site terrain and structures in detail, but there are still challenges in managing this data. Traditionally, point cloud files collected on site were saved to USB drives or external hard disks and brought back to office PCs for storage and sharing. However, this approach tends to create the following problems:

• Data fragmentation and loss risk: When point cloud data becomes dispersed across multiple PCs and storage devices, it can be hard to know which is the latest data, and in the worst case data may be lost. Physical media handoffs such as USB drives increase the risk of loss or damage due to management errors.

• Sharing effort and time lag: To share point cloud data within a team or with partners, large files must be attached to emails or distributed via disks, which is time-consuming. There is a time lag before the office can check the latest data collected on site, hindering prompt decision-making.

• Need for specialized software and high-performance PCs: Viewing and editing point cloud data often requires specialized software and high-performance workstations, making it difficult to inspect data immediately on site or while traveling. The 3D data collected can end up unused despite its value.

To address these issues fundamentally, centralized point cloud data management using cloud services is effective. If point cloud data is stored together in the cloud, you can access needed data anytime, anywhere via the internet. The same latest data can be viewed simultaneously at the site and in the office, greatly reducing information-sharing time lags. Consolidating and backing up data in the cloud also prevents data dispersion and eliminates the hassle of transferring large files.

What is LRTK Cloud?

So what is the solution that addresses these challenges, LRTK Cloud? LRTK Cloud is a cloud service integrated with the high-precision GNSS positioning system "LRTK series," providing a platform to centrally manage and share point cloud and surveying data collected on site. The small RTK-GNSS receiver "LRTK Phone," which mounts on a smartphone, together with a dedicated app allows anyone to easily measure centimeter-level (cm level accuracy (half-inch accuracy)) positioning information and 3D point clouds. LRTK Cloud’s role is to securely store those measurement results in the internet cloud and make them usable.

By uploading data to LRTK Cloud, you can instantly share the latest 3D information collected on site with your internal team and stakeholders. There is no need to install dedicated software on a PC; simply access the service via a web browser to view point cloud data and surveying coordinates. LRTK Cloud is truly a next-generation platform that centrally manages all surveying data such as point clouds in the cloud and enables real-time sharing and utilization.

Benefits of centralized point cloud data management with LRTK Cloud

Using LRTK Cloud to centrally manage point cloud data in the cloud provides many benefits. Here are the main points.

• Secure management of large data in the cloud: Large point cloud files that used to consume local PC storage can be stored in the cloud. You can upload and accumulate the massive point cloud data or OBJ models collected on site as they are, so you don’t need to worry about the burden on local devices. Data is securely stored and backed up in the cloud, reducing the risk of data loss due to device failure or loss.

• Integrated display of multiple point clouds and models: With LRTK Cloud’s 3D viewer, you can display multiple uploaded point cloud datasets and 3D models (e.g., point cloud LAS data and design model OBJ) simultaneously and overlay them for comparison. Since each dataset includes the positioning coordinates (absolute coordinates) from the time of acquisition, they can be displayed in combination on a map while preserving accurate spatial relationships. For example, you can manage point clouds measured separately for different construction sections in the cloud and easily view the entire site’s 3D panorama on a single screen.

• 3D measurements in the browser: Even without specialized software, you can immediately inspect point cloud data in a web browser and measure distances, areas, and volumes. Anyone in the organization can easily use 3D data without expensive desktop software. LRTK Cloud, in particular, can calculate slopes and complex terrain areas and compute large earthwork volumes with one click.

• Smooth data sharing: LRTK Cloud includes a simple sharing feature via URL links. Select the point cloud data or deliverables you want to share and issue a dedicated URL with one click; send that link to others so they can view it. Recipients can open the 3D viewer without an LRTK Cloud account or login, so partners without special software can smoothly view and download point cloud data. Shared links can be protected with passwords and expiration dates to maintain confidentiality while sharing with stakeholders.

• Easy integration with other systems: Point cloud and positioning data consolidated in the cloud can be exported in various formats as needed. Coordinate lists can be exported as CSV for import into CAD or GIS, and 3D point clouds can be batch downloaded in common formats (e.g., XYZ or LAS) for use in other analysis software. Future development plans include functions to upload BIM/CIM design models and drawings and overlay them with point clouds for integrated management of design information.

• Robust security and reliability: Because construction and surveying data often contain sensitive information, LRTK Cloud implements thorough security measures such as encrypted communications and operation in secure data centers. With cloud backups, data can be quickly restored even if on-site PCs or equipment are damaged or lost. Compared to maintaining on-premises servers, using the cloud offers significant advantages in safety and reliability.

How to use LRTK Cloud (step-by-step)

Now let’s look at how to use LRTK Cloud in practice, step by step. To make it easy for first-time users to understand, we explain the whole flow from on-site data capture to sharing in the cloud.

1. Capture point cloud data and upload to the cloud

First, measure the 3D data on site. LRTK Cloud demonstrates its strengths when used in combination with the dedicated smartphone app (LRTK app). For example, using the small GNSS receiver LRTK Phone mounted on a smartphone and the app, anyone can easily acquire high-precision 3D point clouds. By leveraging LiDAR sensors and photogrammetry techniques, even beginners can perform wide-area point cloud measurements in a short time. After measurement, upload the acquired point cloud data to the cloud with a single tap from the app. The data is sent to the cloud account on the spot, and as soon as the upload completes, the office team can view the latest data.

If a network connection is available, upload from the site immediately and synchronize data with the office in real time. Even in locations with unstable communication such as tunnels, you can temporarily store data on the smartphone and upload everything later when you have signal. Once data is uploaded to the cloud, the whole team can reference the same data, enabling immediate sharing of acquired point clouds and prompt consideration of next steps.

If you want to import point cloud files from other devices you already have, that’s also supported. LRTK Cloud’s web interface has a file upload function where you can register externally acquired point cloud data (LAS or LAZ, OBJ models, CSV coordinate lists, etc.) by simply dragging and dropping files onto the browser on your PC. Point cloud data obtained by drones or laser scanners and any other 3D data can be centrally managed in LRTK Cloud.

2. View and measure point clouds in the cloud

After uploading, use the cloud web platform to make use of the data. From the LRTK Cloud management screen, select the desired point cloud data and launch the “3D Viewer” to display the point cloud in 3D in your browser. You can immediately check point clouds just collected on site from an office PC or tablet.

In the 3D viewer, you can freely change viewpoints with mouse or touch controls and closely inspect terrain and structural details. You can also measure the distance between two points, enclose regions with polygons to calculate area, or compute the volume of earthwork from multiple point cloud datasets with one click in the cloud. For example, if you have a point cloud of a collapsed slope, you can immediately calculate the volume of collapse material to aid situational assessment. Analyses that previously required expensive point cloud processing software and time can be done in LRTK Cloud, enabling rapid on-site use of data.

LRTK Cloud also offers map and cross-section display features; if point cloud data contains location information (latitude/longitude or coordinate system), acquisition points can be plotted on a map. If needed, you can download point cloud data from the cloud for detailed analysis with advanced in-house software. It’s efficient to grasp the overall picture quickly in the cloud and then perform detailed verification with specialized software.

3. Data sharing and on-site use

Once you have inspected and measured point cloud data in the cloud, share it with stakeholders to inform on-site decisions. LRTK Cloud lets you issue a shareable URL for each dataset. For example, when you want to show the completed point cloud model to a client or contractor, generate a link with one click from the dataset’s “Share” option and send it to them to allow viewing. Recipients can view the point cloud in the 3D viewer without registering for an LRTK Cloud account, so you can smoothly convey the latest 3D information even to those without specialized software.

This sharing feature allows all stakeholders to review fresh data collected on site the same day and move to the next actions. For instance, if you measure the height of a structure from point cloud data during foundation work and share it in the cloud, office staff can immediately check the difference from design values and issue correction instructions to the site as needed. Similarly, scanning a collapsed area in a disaster and uploading the point cloud to the cloud enables remote engineers to analyze the data and plan emergency measures promptly. Real-time data sharing via LRTK Cloud keeps the site and office synchronized throughout the project.

Additionally, large amounts of data accumulated in the cloud can be efficiently managed using organization and search functions. You can categorize by project or measurement date with folders and tag datasets with labels such as “terrain,” “as-built inspection,” or “drone survey” to quickly find the desired point cloud later. Archiving or deleting outdated data keeps access to the most current and useful information. These practices make point cloud data utilization in the cloud even more effective.

Why LRTK Cloud improves on-site efficiency

As described above, using LRTK Cloud enables fast completion of the process from point cloud acquisition to sharing. Here are the main ways this improves on-site work efficiency.

• Reduce rework through real-time sharing: Because point cloud data collected on site can be shared immediately via the cloud, the office can check back right away. If omissions or errors are found, additional measurements or corrective instructions can be issued on the spot, reducing the need to return to the site later. This cuts wasted time across the project and improves work efficiency.

• Faster decision-making: Since site issues and progress can be instantly understood from point cloud data and shared with all stakeholders, planning countermeasures and making decisions are accelerated. Cloud sharing is especially effective in time-sensitive situations such as disaster response or schedule delays. Eliminating information gaps between site and office enables timely situational judgments.

• Labor and effort savings: Traditional surveying often required carrying heavy equipment and working in two-person teams, but the LRTK series allows one person to complete tasks with a small device and a single smartphone. Data distribution after acquisition is automated in the cloud, eliminating the need for personnel to physically deliver USB drives. The ability to perform efficient site measurement and data organization with fewer people is a major advantage for construction sites facing labor shortages.

• Easy to adopt without specialized knowledge: LRTK’s point cloud acquisition and cloud operations are intuitive and designed to be usable even by those without specialized surveying skills. Complex software operations and difficult coordinate calculations are processed automatically by the cloud, so you don’t need advanced IT skills in your organization to adopt digital measurement tools. This facilitates ICT adoption and DX (digital transformation) across the organization and boosts overall on-site productivity.

By introducing LRTK Cloud, the boundary between site and office is lowered and fast, data-driven collaboration becomes possible. From daily construction management to emergency response, real-time 3D data sharing dramatically increases on-site productivity and decision-making speed.

Simple surveying with LRTK enables anyone to use 3D data

While LRTK Cloud improves on-site efficiency in data management and sharing, “simple surveying with LRTK” streamlines the data acquisition stage itself. Traditional surveying required carrying a heavy total station with two people or bringing large 3D laser scanner-generated point clouds back to the office for processing. Typical mobile GPS has errors of 5–10 m, making it unsuitable for high-precision positioning. The LRTK series lowers these barriers so anyone can perform high-precision 3D surveying after a short training session.

For example, just put the LRTK Phone device weighing a few hundred grams in your pocket and walk the site holding your smartphone to continuously acquire wide-area 3D point clouds. After only a few minutes of instruction, even beginners can operate the surveying system. In fact, even a slope about 100 m (328.1 ft) long can be neatly scanned in about 1 minute, and the acquired point cloud data comes with accurate position information (absolute coordinates) based on public coordinate systems. In other words, even without specialist skills, you can collect point cloud data with reliable positioning in a short time.

Data obtained by this “simple surveying” is automatically synced to LRTK Cloud. Because smartphone-measured data is instantly uploaded to the cloud and shared with the office for review, there is no need to carry expensive surveying equipment or a large PC on site. Even if phone storage is limited, you can delete data from the device after cloud sync, so you can continue surveying without worrying about storage. The combination of simple surveying with LRTK and cloud utilization dramatically streamlines the whole process from data acquisition to management and sharing.

Even sites new to 3D point cloud data can focus on “how to use the measured data” by adopting LRTK. LRTK handles the complex device operation and data processing, allowing field staff to concentrate on decision-making and creative tasks using the collected information. LRTK is truly an innovative solution that powerfully supports DX in construction and surveying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What do I need to use LRTK Cloud? A: To use LRTK Cloud, you need a cloud account issued by our company to log in. For on-site point cloud measurement, prepare a smartphone, the LRTK Phone device, and the dedicated LRTK app. You can view cloud data from an office or home PC or tablet using a web browser; no special software or high-performance PC is required.

Q: Is there a file size limit when uploading large point cloud data? A: LRTK Cloud can handle very large point cloud files as they are (datasets with tens of millions of points or files of several GB are no problem). As long as you have cloud storage capacity, you can generally use the service without size limits. However, uploads may take time depending on network conditions, so a stable connection is recommended.

Q: Can I upload third-party point cloud or surveying data? A: Yes. LRTK Cloud can import externally acquired data for centralized management. It supports common file formats such as LAS/LAZ for point clouds, OBJ for 3D models, and CSV for coordinate lists. By setting the coordinate system at upload, data measured with third-party devices can be used in LRTK Cloud aligned to your reference coordinates.

Q: Can it be used at sites without internet connectivity? A: Real-time cloud sync from the site requires internet connectivity, but you can store data on your smartphone or tablet in offline environments. At sites without coverage such as tunnels or mountainous areas, accumulate point cloud data on the device and upload it later when you reach a location with signal. Viewing and sharing on the cloud requires a connection, but measurement itself can be performed offline without issue.

Q: Is data stored safely in the cloud? A: Yes. LRTK Cloud takes comprehensive measures for security and data protection. All communications are SSL-encrypted, and data is stored in a secure cloud environment. Automatic backups are performed to prepare for unexpected events, allowing rapid recovery from cloud data in case of device failure or disasters. Shared links can be protected with passwords and expiration dates, and access controls can be flexibly managed.