目次

• 点群データとは？現場で使われ始める理由

• 点群データ共有・閲覧の課題

• 専用ソフトが必要な既存手法の問題点

• URL一つで共有できるLRTKクラウドとは

• LRTKクラウドでの点群共有方法（手順）

• 受け取る側のメリット（ソフト不要・スマホ対応・計測も可能）

• 図面重ね合わせ・ヒートマップ・コメント機能など拡張機能

• 現場活用の事例（立会い・会議・遠隔共有）

• 導入も簡単＆データは安全にクラウド管理

• LRTKで手軽な測量・点群取得を導入しよう

• FAQ

点群データとは？現場で使われ始める理由

Point cloud data (point clouds) are three-dimensional data composed of a vast collection of individual points obtained by laser scanning or photogrammetry. Each point contains information such as XYZ coordinates (position) in real space and color, and when displayed on a computer, the aggregation of points can recreate a realistic 3D space. A major advantage is that complex shapes that cannot be measured from photos or flat drawings can be digitally recorded in detail as they are. Because of these benefits, point cloud data have recently begun to be used in civil engineering and construction sites. This trend is driven by the spread of easy measurement methods such as drones, 3D laser scanners, and smartphone LiDAR functions. Industry digitalization initiatives promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, such as *i-Construction*, have also been a tailwind, and point cloud data are attracting attention as a trump card for advancing on-site DX (digital transformation).

点群データ共有・閲覧の課題

Although point cloud data provide highly accurate and intuitive 3D information and are extremely useful, problems arise when you actually try to share and use them among stakeholders. The first issue is the large data size. Densely scanned point clouds can contain tens of millions to hundreds of millions of points, and file sizes of several hundred MB to several GB are not uncommon. Sending them as email attachments is difficult, and even if shared via cloud storage, downloads can take a long time. The second issue is that viewing point clouds requires dedicated software or a high-performance PC environment. Unlike common image files or PDFs that anyone can easily open, 3D point clouds cannot be displayed or manipulated without a dedicated point cloud viewer or compatible CAD software. Not all field technicians, clients, or stakeholders necessarily have such software or skills, so you often end up in a situation where you “can’t show the point cloud data you worked hard to acquire.” As a result, the detailed on-site information provided by point clouds may not be shared, and communication can revert to relying on 2D drawings and photos as before.

専用ソフトが必要な既存手法の問題点

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

• Installation and setup are cumbersome: Installing viewer software and performing initial setup takes time and effort. In some cases, installation permission on company PCs may not be granted, making the software unusable.

• High system requirements: Smoothly manipulating point clouds requires workstation-class high-performance PCs. Additionally, the viewer software itself may require paid licenses, and providing licenses for all stakeholders is not easy.

• Degradation of shared information: If you try to share point clouds without software by converting them into still images or videos, recipients cannot freely change the 3D viewpoint or perform measurements. This fails to convey the intrinsic value of point cloud data, degrading the information quality.

Thus, the traditional method always brings “effort and constraints” to point cloud sharing.

URL一つで共有できるLRTKクラウドとは

So how can these issues be solved? The answer is the use of the cloud. LRTK is a solution that enables centimeter-level positioning and point cloud measurement (cm level accuracy (half-inch accuracy)) with a smartphone alone. By using the cloud service provided by LRTK, acquired point cloud data can be stored in the cloud and shared with stakeholders via a single URL. Even recipients who do not have dedicated software or licenses can click a link and view 3D point clouds in a web browser. Complicated file transfers and viewer installations are no longer necessary, and anyone from field staff to clients can intuitively check the data. You can also optionally set password protection and expiration dates for shared URLs, giving peace of mind from an information security perspective. Furthermore, LRTK Cloud can centrally manage and view not only point cloud data but also related data such as positioned coordinate points, travel trajectories, and site photos, enabling one-stop sharing of all information collected on site.

In short, “sharing point cloud data via a URL” has become a reality.

LRTKクラウドでの点群共有方法（手順）

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 dedicated app to the cloud. You can upload directly from the smartphone at the site or batch upload later via PC in the office.

• Issue a share URL: Select the data you want to share in the cloud and click the “Share” button to issue a dedicated share URL that grants access to that data (you can set a password and expiration date as needed).

• Distribute to stakeholders: Send the issued URL to internal members, clients, subcontractors, or others you want to share with. Sharing is completed simply by sending the link via email or chat.

• View in a browser: Recipients just open the URL in a web browser. Without logging in or installing dedicated software, they can immediately view the point cloud data in the cloud’s 3D viewer. Recipients can rotate, zoom, and pan the data from any viewpoint and use measurement tools as needed to inspect freely.

With this flow, when you want to show someone a point cloud, sharing is completed in just a few clicks. The difference in effort compared to the traditional method is obvious.

受け取る側のメリット（ソフト不要・スマホ対応・計測も可能）

There are many benefits for recipients who are shared point cloud data. Key points include:

• No dedicated software required — view immediately: Clicking the delivered URL displays the point cloud in a browser; no special viewer software installation or difficult operations are needed.

• Smartphone and tablet compatible: Point clouds can be viewed from the browsers of smartphones and tablets as well as PCs. You can use a device on hand at the site to check point cloud data on the spot.

• Free manipulation of the 3D space: Recipients can freely rotate and zoom the displayed point cloud with a mouse or touch controls. They can check details from desired angles or view the whole site from an overhead perspective.

• On-the-spot measurements possible: As with 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 directly measuring on the point cloud.

• Easy data transfer: If needed, original point cloud files can be downloaded from the shared link. You can obtain the source data via the link without using separate file transfer services, enabling smooth data sharing.

Because anyone with a web browser can access 3D data, the barrier to point cloud sharing drops dramatically. Even clients or supervisors unfamiliar with fieldwork can intuitively grasp the situation just by opening the link.

図面重ね合わせ・ヒートマップ・コメント機能など拡張機能

LRTK Cloud offers useful features for deeper utilization of on-site data in the cloud, not just sharing and viewing point clouds. Here are some representative functions:

• Overlay drawings and models: You can overlay design drawings or 3D design models on uploaded point clouds. For example, overlaying a 2D plan (DWG, etc.) on a point cloud makes it easy to intuitively compare and examine discrepancies between as-built and design.

• Heatmap display: A “heatmap” feature automatically calculates differences between point cloud data and the design surface and color-codes elevation differences. You can visualize at a glance whether the current site is several cm (in) higher or lower than the design, which is useful for checking earthwork quantities and construction errors.

• Comment function: You can write comments (annotations) directly from the cloud point cloud viewer. Pinpoints and notes can be left on areas of concern, or questions can be recorded as comments on the data. Team members in different locations can communicate on the same 3D screen, reducing misunderstandings.

These features enable not only viewing point clouds but also one-stop comparison with designs and communication, which is a key strength of LRTK Cloud.

現場活用の事例（立会い・会議・遠隔共有）

When point cloud sharing becomes possible via the cloud, it delivers benefits across many on-site scenarios. Here are some anticipated use cases:

• Streamlining inspection attendances: For as-built inspections with clients or supervisory personnel, not everyone needs to gather on site. If point cloud data are shared in advance, details of the construction status can be confirmed from the office, allowing reduced on-site attendance time or replacement by remote presence.

• Sharing in internal meetings: Project stakeholders—site agents, designers, head office managers—can display the point cloud viewer via the share URL on a meeting room screen and discuss while viewing the same 3D data. Situations that were hard to convey with text or drawings become easier to understand through shared 3D data, facilitating smoother decision-making.

• Remote collaboration: Whether between a rural site and an urban head office or between branches, distance becomes irrelevant as long as you have the point cloud share link. Experts can advise remotely while viewing the site point cloud, or head office teams can centrally manage data from multiple sites. This enables required personnel to access on-site 3D information at the needed time without travel time or expense.

Accumulating point cloud data in the cloud over time also helps with construction history management. You can retrospectively check “what the site looked like at this point” for evidence of progress and shared understanding among stakeholders. For example, in a road construction project, the site was scanned with LRTK at the end of each phase and the point cloud data were shared with the client in real time. Previously, the client had to attend on-site for as-built confirmation, but sharing point clouds allowed problems to be identified and corrected in advance, enabling smoother final inspections. In this way, sharing and using point cloud data is beginning to contribute to reduced rework and smoother communication on site.

導入も簡単＆データは安全にクラウド管理

As described above, using LRTK Cloud makes sharing and utilizing point cloud data much smoother. Importantly, the hurdle for system introduction is low. LRTK is a solution using a smartphone (iPhone) and a small dedicated device, so you can operate without the expensive stationary laser scanners or specialized high-performance PCs that used to be required. The app is intuitive, and almost no specialist knowledge is needed. Getting started on site is as simple as attaching the LRTK device to an iPhone and beginning measurement.

Data management security is also ensured. Entrusting data to the cloud reduces the risk of data loss due to PC loss or failure. Communications are encrypted, preventing data leakage to anyone other than the intended recipients (if you set a password, strangers who happen to learn the link cannot view it). You can organize point clouds and survey data on the cloud per project, making it useful as an internal information-sharing platform. User-specific viewing permissions can be set, enabling flexible operation such as “only a specific internal department can view” or “share only this data externally.”

While DX tools often raise concerns about setup and security, LRTK minimizes those worries and is designed so that anyone can start using it easily and with confidence.

LRTKで手軽な測量・点群取得を導入しよう

This article introduced the challenges of point cloud data sharing and LRTK Cloud as a solution. The ability to share 3D data with a single URL directly contributes to on-site operational efficiency. You can expect benefits such as faster information sharing and communication, reduced travel time, and prevention of mistakes and rework.

Moreover, a major feature of LRTK is that point cloud measurement and surveying itself are easy. High-precision on-site measurement that used to require specialized equipment and expert skills can be achieved with just a smartphone using LRTK. For example, capturing current topography, as-built management, and recording buried objects can be quickly converted to point cloud data and shared to the cloud using LRTK. The barrier to introducing cutting-edge ICT on site is greatly reduced, making 3D data utilization more accessible even for small-scale projects and municipal work.

If you are struggling with point cloud data sharing, consider adopting LRTK. With usability that overturns conventional wisdom, you can take the first step toward on-site DX. As demand for “3D on-site” continues to grow, this is a great opportunity to move forward.

FAQ

Q: Is special software required to view shared links? A: No, it is not. Shared links work by simply opening them in common web browsers such as Chrome or Safari. There is no need to install a dedicated app on PC or smartphone, and you don’t need to go through the hassle of requesting software installation permission on company PCs.

Q: Do recipients need an LRTK account or license? A: No. Recipients of the shared link can view the data without registering as an LRTK user or having a license. Anyone who knows the link can open the specified point cloud data (if you shared with a password, please provide the password as well).

Q: Is the security of shared data okay? A: Yes. Communications with LRTK Cloud are encrypted and data are stored securely. You can set passwords and expiration dates for shared URLs as needed, so even if a link is leaked, third parties cannot view it. You can also invalidate links at any time from your management screen if you want to stop sharing.

Q: Can I really view 3D point clouds on a smartphone or tablet? A: Yes, mobile devices are supported. In practice, you can use an iPhone or iPad on site to open a shared link and check the point cloud on the spot. Intuitive touch operations such as swipe to change viewpoint and pinch to zoom allow you to handle 3D data easily (for large datasets, Wi-Fi connection is recommended for speed).

Q: Can viewers measure or save data? A: Yes. Measurement tools for distance and height are available on the viewer screen at the shared link, and if necessary, point cloud data can be downloaded as files. Viewers cannot overwrite the data; their permissions are limited to viewing, measuring, and commenting. The original point cloud data remain safely stored in the sharer’s cloud and are not altered.

Q: Can data other than point clouds be shared? A: Yes. LRTK Cloud allows you to share a variety of survey-acquired data together with point clouds. For example, coordinate points measured with high-precision GNSS and captured site photographs (with location information) can be viewed on a map together with point clouds. By bundling point clouds and related materials, recipients can check all necessary information in one place.

Q: What do I need to use LRTK? A: LRTK consists of a small positioning device (product name: LRTK Phone) that attaches to an iPhone and a dedicated app. Prepare a compatible iPhone (LiDAR-equipped models improve measurement accuracy) and install the app, and you can start high-precision positioning and point cloud measurement immediately. The LRTK device includes a high-precision GNSS receiver and, when combined with the smartphone’s LiDAR camera, achieves centimeter-level point cloud measurement (cm level accuracy (half-inch accuracy)). The device is palm-sized with an internal battery and antenna, offering excellent portability. The cloud service is included, and tasks such as backing up acquired data and issuing share links are all completed on the smartphone.