Table of contents

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

• Challenges of sharing and viewing point cloud data

• Problems with existing methods that require dedicated software

• What is LRTK Cloud that lets you share with a single URL

• How to share point clouds with LRTK Cloud (steps)

• Benefits for recipients (no software, mobile support, measurement possible)

• Extended features like drawing overlays, heatmaps, and comments

• Field use cases (inspections, meetings, remote sharing)

• Easy to deploy & secure cloud data management

• Adopt easy surveying and point cloud capture with LRTK

• FAQ

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

Point cloud data (point clouds) are three-dimensional data composed of innumerable points obtained by laser scanning or photogrammetry. Each point contains real-world XYZ coordinates (position) and color information; when displayed on a computer, the collection of points recreates a 3D space that closely resembles the real object. A major strength is that complex shapes that cannot be measured in photos or drawings can be digitally preserved in detail as point clouds. In recent years, point cloud data has begun to be used in civil engineering and construction sites. Behind this trend is the spread of easy measurement methods such as drones, 3D laser scanners, and smartphone LiDAR functions. In addition, digitalization initiatives like the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s i-Construction have supported adoption, and point clouds are drawing attention as a trump card for on-site DX (digital transformation).

Challenges of sharing and viewing point cloud data

Point cloud data is very useful, but when it comes to sharing and using it among stakeholders, several challenges arise. First, the data size is large. High-density point clouds can reach tens of millions of points, and file sizes of hundreds of MB to several GB are not uncommon. Email attachment is impractical, and even sharing via cloud storage requires long download times. Second, viewing point clouds requires dedicated software and advanced PC environments. Unlike ordinary images or PDFs, 3D point clouds cannot be opened by anyone immediately; without a dedicated viewer or CAD software, you cannot display or manipulate the 3D point cloud. Site technicians and clients do not necessarily have such software or skills, so situations often arise where "we can’t show the point cloud we collected." As a result, detailed sharing of site conditions via point clouds is hindered, and communication can regress back to relying on 2D drawings and photos.

Problems with existing methods that require dedicated software

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

• Installation and setup are troublesome: Installing and initially configuring dedicated software takes time. There are cases where permission to install software on company PCs is not granted.

• High environmental requirements: Smooth manipulation of point clouds requires high-performance PCs. The software itself may be commercial and require license fees, so it’s not easy to provide it for multiple users.

• Degraded shared information: If you try to share point clouds without software by converting them to still images or videos, recipients cannot freely navigate the 3D space or perform measurements. The original value of the point cloud data is not fully conveyed.

In this way, traditional methods involve effort and limitations when sharing point clouds.

What is LRTK Cloud that lets you share with a single URL

So how can we solve these problems? The answer is cloud utilization. LRTK is a solution that enables centimeter-level positioning and point cloud measurement with a smartphone, and using the cloud service provided by LRTK, you can save acquired point cloud data to the cloud and share it with stakeholders using a single URL. People who don’t have dedicated software or licenses can view the 3D point cloud in a browser simply by clicking the link. Complicated file transfers and viewer installations are unnecessary, and anyone from site personnel to clients can intuitively check the data. You can optionally set password protection or an expiration date for the shared URL, so security is also reassuring. Furthermore, LRTK Cloud can manage and display not only point clouds but also surveyed coordinate points, trajectories, and site photos all together, allowing all data collected on site to be shared in one place.

This makes the idea of "sharing point cloud data via URL" a reality.

How to share point clouds with LRTK Cloud (steps)

The procedure for sharing point cloud data using LRTK Cloud is very simple. Basically, follow these steps:

• Upload the data: Upload measurement data (point clouds, photos, etc.) to the cloud from the LRTK app. You can send it directly from the smartphone over site connectivity, or upload via PC after returning to the office.

• Issue a sharing URL: Select the data you want to share on the cloud and click the "Share" button. The system will generate a dedicated sharing URL (you can set a password or expiration date if needed).

• Distribute to stakeholders: Inform internal members, clients, contractors, or other intended recipients of the issued URL. Just send the URL by email or chat.

• View in the browser: The recipient opens the sent URL in a browser. Without logging in or installing software, they can immediately view the point cloud data in the 3D viewer. They can move the viewpoint, measure, and freely inspect the data on the spot.

In this way, if you want to show someone a point cloud, you can complete sharing with just a few clicks. The difference in effort compared to traditional methods is obvious.

Benefits for recipients (no software, mobile support, measurement possible)

There are significant benefits for recipients (those who receive the sharing link). Main points include:

• No dedicated software needed—view immediately: Click the delivered URL to immediately view the point cloud in the browser. No special app installation or complex operations are required.

• Mobile and tablet support: Viewable from desktop PCs as well as smartphone and tablet browsers. You can use a device on hand at the site to check point clouds on the spot.

• Free manipulation of the 3D space: Recipients can freely rotate and zoom the displayed point cloud with mouse or touch gestures. They can check details from desired angles or get an overview as needed.

• Measure on the spot: As with dedicated viewers, you can measure distances and heights in the browser. Questions like “How far is it between these points?” can be answered by recipients directly measuring on the point cloud.

• Easy data transfer: If needed, recipients can download the point cloud data itself from the sharing link. Without using separate file transfer services, recipients can obtain the original data smoothly via the link.

With just a browser, anyone can interact with 3D data, greatly lowering the hurdle for point cloud sharing. Even clients or supervisors who are not familiar with site work can intuitively grasp the situation by simply opening the link.

Extended features like drawing overlays, heatmaps, and comments

LRTK Cloud offers convenient features that allow deeper use of site data beyond just sharing and viewing. Here are some representative functions:

• Overlay drawings and models: You can overlay design drawings or 3D design models on uploaded point clouds. For example, display a 2D plan (DWG, etc.) on top of the point cloud to compare and review completion status.

• Heatmap display: A “heatmap” function colors point clouds to show differences from a design surface. It automatically calculates whether the current state is a few centimeters higher or lower than the design and visualizes it on the point cloud. This is useful for checking earthwork volumes or quickly spotting construction deviations.

• Comment function: You can write comments (annotations) while viewing the point cloud in the cloud. Place pins on points of interest to leave notes or share questions directly on the shared data. Members in different locations can exchange information on the same 3D screen, reducing misunderstandings.

These features allow not only viewing point clouds but also design comparisons and communication in one place—one of LRTK Cloud’s strengths.

Field use cases (inspections, meetings, remote sharing)

When point cloud sharing via the cloud is enabled, the scope of use on site expands in many situations. Some expected use cases include:

• Streamlining inspection attendance: For acceptance inspections with clients or supervising engineers, not everyone needs to gather at the site. If point clouds are shared in advance, detailed checks can be made from the office, reducing on-site attendance time or replacing it with remote attendance.

• Sharing in internal meetings: Project stakeholders—site agents, designers, and head office managers—can display the shared URL on a meeting room screen and review the point cloud together. Situations that were hard to convey with text or drawings become easier to share with 3D data, smoothing decision-making.

• Collaboration with remote locations: With a point cloud sharing link, distance between a rural site and a city headquarters or between branches becomes irrelevant. Experts can provide advice remotely, and headquarters can centrally manage data from multiple sites. Accessing 3D site information at the necessary time without travel time or travel costs is a major advantage.

Additionally, accumulating point cloud data in the cloud helps manage construction history. You can retrospectively check “what the site looked like at this point,” which is powerful for proving progress and aligning understanding among stakeholders.

For example, on a road construction project, each stage was scanned with LRTK and point cloud data was shared in real time with the client. Previously, attendance was required for completion checks, but sharing point clouds allowed problem areas to be identified and corrected in advance, enabling smoother final inspections. Such use of point cloud sharing is beginning to contribute to reducing rework and facilitating smooth communication on site.

Easy to deploy & secure cloud data management

As described above, using LRTK Cloud makes sharing and using point cloud data significantly smoother. Moreover, the low system deployment hurdle is another advantage. LRTK is a solution using a smartphone (iPhone) and a dedicated device, so you can operate without stationary laser scanners or special high-performance PCs. The app is intuitive and requires almost no specialized knowledge. Deployment on site is as simple as attaching the LRTK device to an iPhone and starting measurement.

Data management security is also ensured. Storing data in the cloud reduces the risk of data loss from PC loss or failure. Communication is encrypted, so there is no worry of data leaking to unauthorized parties (if you set a password, even if someone accidentally learns the link, they cannot view it). You can organize point clouds and survey data by project in the cloud, making it useful as an internal information-sharing infrastructure. Access control is also available so you can restrict viewing to internal departments or share only partial data with external parties, allowing flexible operation.

Although concerns about deployment and security often accompany DX tools, LRTK minimizes those worries so anyone can start using it easily and securely.

Adopt easy surveying and point cloud capture with LRTK

We have introduced issues around sharing point cloud data and LRTK Cloud as a solution. The advantage of being able to easily share 3D data via URL directly impacts on-site operational efficiency. You can expect faster information sharing and communication, reduced travel time, and prevention of mistakes and rework.

Moreover, with LRTK, the point cloud measurement and surveying work itself is also easy. High-precision site measurement that previously required specialized equipment can be done with just a smartphone. For example, understanding current terrain, completion management, and recording buried objects can be quickly converted into point cloud data using LRTK and then shared to the cloud. The barrier to introducing cutting-edge ICT on sites is greatly lowered, making 3D utilization accessible even for small-scale projects and municipal work.

If you are worried about sharing point cloud data, consider adopting LRTK. With its unprecedented ease, you can take the first step toward on-site DX. As demand for site “3D-ization” continues to grow, this is a great opportunity to advance it.

FAQ

Q: Do I need special software to view the shared link? A: No, you do not. The shared link works by opening it in common web browsers such as Chrome or Safari. There is no need to install a dedicated app on PC or smartphone, and you do not need to obtain installation permission on corporate PCs.

Q: Do recipients need an LRTK account or license? A: No. Recipients of the sharing link can view the data without LRTK user registration or a license. Anyone who knows the link can open the specified point cloud data (if a password is set, convey the password when sharing).

Q: Is the shared data secure? A: LRTK Cloud encrypts communications and stores data securely. You can set passwords and expiration dates for shared URLs as needed, so there is no worry about third parties viewing data if a link leaks. You can also disable a link yourself when you no longer want to share it.

Q: Can I really view 3D point clouds on smartphones and tablets? A: Yes, mobile devices are supported. In practice, you can use an iPhone or iPad on site, open the sharing link, and check point clouds on the spot. Intuitive gestures such as swiping to move the viewpoint and pinch-to-zoom allow you to handle 3D data (for large data sets, using Wi‑Fi is recommended).

Q: Can viewers measure and save data? A: Yes. Tools for measuring distance and height are available on the shared link screen, and viewers can download point cloud files if necessary. Viewers cannot overwrite the data; their access is limited to viewing, measuring, and commenting. The original data remains safely stored in the sharer’s cloud.

Q: Can I share more than point cloud data? A: Yes. LRTK Cloud allows sharing various surveying data in addition to point clouds. For example, GNSS-obtained coordinate points and site photos (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 at once.

Q: What do I need to use LRTK? A: LRTK consists of a small positioning device attached to an iPhone (LRTK Phone) and a dedicated app. Provide a compatible iPhone (LiDAR-equipped models improve measurement accuracy) and install the app, and you can immediately start high-precision surveying and point cloud measurement. The LRTK device includes a high-precision GNSS receiver and, combined with the phone’s LiDAR camera, achieves centimeter-level point cloud measurement. The device is palm-sized with a built-in battery and antenna, offering excellent portability. The cloud service is included, so backup and sharing link issuance of acquired data can all be completed on the smartphone.