How to Easily Share Point Cloud Data via URL? Solve It with Just a Smartphone Using LRTK!

Table of Contents

• What is point cloud data?

• Challenges of sharing point cloud data

• Benefits of sharing point cloud data via URL

• What is LRTK? A point cloud surveying tool that works entirely on a smartphone

• URL sharing of point cloud data enabled by LRTK

• Benefits and use cases of LRTK

• LRTK excels in simple on-site surveying too

• Summary: Sharing point clouds via URL is this easy with a smartphone

• FAQ

What is point cloud data?

Point cloud data is data constructed from a large collection of points in three-dimensional space. Each point contains position coordinates (X, Y, Z) and often color information, and the ensemble of points can represent the shape of objects or terrain in detail. Point clouds are acquired by laser scanners, LiDAR, photogrammetry, and other methods, and are being used across a wide range of fields, from construction and civil engineering to surveying, manufacturing, and cultural heritage documentation.

For example, on a construction site you can scan terrain and structures as point clouds to create a current 3D model. Traditionally, status could only be shared via 2D drawings or photos, but using point clouds makes it possible to capture objects spatially and understand them intuitively. Because of their precision and visual clarity, point clouds are increasingly used for as-built management, design checks, construction records, and asset management.

However, because point clouds are so detailed, they also tend to be very large in data size. High-density scans can contain millions to hundreds of millions of points, and file sizes often range from several hundred MB to several GB. For large-scale point clouds covering entire cities, data sizes can reach the scale of several hundred GB. Handling such large point cloud datasets brings several challenges for storage and sharing.

Challenges of sharing point cloud data

When trying to share point cloud data with stakeholders, you may face several difficulties. The main challenges include:

• Files are heavy: As mentioned above, point cloud files can be very large, making uploads and downloads time-consuming whether sent by email or via cloud storage. On slow networks, sending and receiving can take hours, which does not meet the need for rapid on-site sharing.

• Special formats and viewers are required: Point clouds are stored in specialized formats such as LAS, PLY, and E57. Recipients need compatible software or a point cloud viewer to open them. High-functionality point cloud processing software can be expensive or complex to operate, so it’s not realistic to expect all stakeholders to have an easy-to-use environment. Moreover, displaying and manipulating high-resolution point clouds may require high-performance PCs.

• Time lag between site and office: Traditional workflows often require taking point cloud data back to the office for processing and visualization on a PC before distributing it. This makes it difficult to share the latest on-site status immediately, causing a time lag in information sharing between field personnel and the office.

• Difficulty of use: While point clouds are intuitive as collections of points, raw data can still be hard to work with. Simply handing over a file does not guarantee the recipient can properly view it in 3D or take cross-sections to extract needed information. Therefore, additional work such as preparing cross-section drawings or quantity tables for different viewers may be required when sharing.

Given these challenges, there is demand for a way to smoothly share point cloud data in a form that anyone can easily handle. One promising solution is to share point cloud data via a URL.

Benefits of sharing point cloud data via URL

Sharing point cloud data via a URL means uploading the data to the cloud, enabling it to be viewed in a web browser, and then sending the link (URL) to recipients. The recipient simply clicks the URL to view the 3D point cloud in a browser without needing dedicated software. This approach offers several advantages.

• No software required—anyone can view it: Recipients only need to open the link, so there’s no need to install a special viewer. As long as they have a web browser, they can view point clouds on PCs, tablets, or smartphones. This makes it easy for customers or internal departments without technical expertise to access 3D data.

• Easy distribution: Sharing a single URL via email or chat is far simpler than distributing huge files. If the latest data is always stored at the link destination, there’s no need to send individual files to multiple people; everyone can access a single source of truth. This reduces worries about version mismatches or forgotten sends.

• High-performance PCs are not required: Rendering and analysis of point clouds are handled on the cloud side, so recipients do not need powerful machines to view them smoothly. Tasks that previously required a workstation to manipulate high-resolution point clouds can often be done on a standard office laptop or tablet when shared via URL. Sending data from the field to the office via the cloud is also safer and quicker than using internal servers or USB drives.

• Interactive use: Cloud-based point cloud viewers often include measurement and commenting features. Recipients can measure dimensions directly in 3D, place markers, or add comments to provide feedback. This enables interactive information sharing rather than just exchanging static materials.

As described above, URL-based point cloud sharing is highly effective as a way to distribute heavy data easily and allow anyone to check 3D content anywhere. Next, let’s consider how to practically implement such convenient sharing.

What is LRTK? A point cloud surveying tool that works entirely on a smartphone

To practically use URL-based sharing of point clouds, it’s important to be able to acquire high-quality point cloud data easily. Enter LRTK. LRTK is an all-purpose surveying tool designed to enable anyone to perform high-precision point cloud surveys easily by combining a smartphone with a compact positioning device.

LRTK attaches a dedicated small GNSS receiver to a smartphone (iPhone) and uses the phone’s built-in LiDAR scanner together with the receiver. The GNSS receiver supports Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning, achieving centimeter-level positioning accuracy (cm level accuracy (half-inch accuracy)). This lets you assign absolute coordinates (world coordinates) to point clouds captured with a smartphone, obtaining 3D site information with surveying-grade accuracy. Tasks that previously required expensive laser scanners or specialized surveying equipment can be completed with just a smartphone and a palm-sized device with LRTK.

The actual workflow is simple. Attach the LRTK device to your smartphone, launch the dedicated app, and start scanning. Then just walk around the area you want to measure while the smartphone automatically captures surrounding point clouds. For example, scanning a medium-sized development site can be completed with about 5 minutes of walking. No special操作 is required, and the intuitive operation is straightforward enough for field workers to use without prior specialized training. The obtainable point cloud covers up to about 60 m (196.9 ft), capturing details from terrain to structures.

Point clouds acquired with LRTK can also be output in formats compliant with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's guidance for construction completion management. In other words, LRTK doesn’t just scan; it can produce deliverables at the precision and in the format required for submission as construction as-built measurement results. The fact that such high-precision 3D data can be acquired with only a smartphone is LRTK’s greatest feature.

URL sharing of point cloud data enabled by LRTK

So how do you share point cloud data captured by LRTK via URL? The key is LRTK’s cloud integration feature. After completing a scan in the LRTK app, you can upload the data to the dedicated cloud with a single tap. On the cloud, uploaded point clouds are processed and stored automatically, and users can access their data from a browser.

3D data synced to the cloud can be viewed from both PCs and smartphone browsers. Moreover, the cloud viewer allows advanced analysis and visualization—such as measuring distances and areas or displaying cross-sections—via button operations. If you upload point clouds captured on site to the cloud the same day, colleagues in the office can immediately open the data to check the situation or measure necessary dimensions.

LRTK Cloud also provides a function to issue a shareable link (URL) for each point cloud dataset. This allows you to show the same point cloud data to external partners or customers who don’t have LRTK licenses or the app. Anyone with the share link can click it to open a browser-based point cloud viewer that reproduces nearly the same 3D view as the sender. The recipient does not need any special equipment or software.

With this sharing link feature, it becomes much easier to explain the latest construction status online to clients or owners, or to consult with engineers at distant branches about site conditions. Sharing the site’s “now” with anyone via a link dramatically speeds up communication. And because data is securely stored in the cloud, there’s no worry about lost USB drives or accidental mis-sends.

Benefits and use cases of LRTK

Using LRTK streamlines the entire workflow from point cloud acquisition to sharing, which is a major attraction. Below are the main benefits of adopting LRTK and practical situations where it excels.

Main benefits of introducing LRTK:

• Rapid information sharing: Processes that used to take days to weeks—from field surveying to drawing creation and distribution—can be completed the same day with LRTK. Syncing point clouds to the cloud and sharing via URL enables near-real-time information exchange between the field and the office.

• Cost and effort savings: Because measurements are completed with just a smartphone and LRTK device, there is no need to rent large equipment or hire specialist surveyors. This reduces equipment transport and personnel coordination costs and effort. Sharing deliverables via the cloud also reduces paper drawings and USB exchanges, simplifying procedures.

• Easy operation for anyone: The intuitive app interface allows users without specialized knowledge to perform measurements, enabling field workers to capture point clouds and share them immediately. There have been cases where field staff used LRTK effectively without prior specialized training. Ease of use is an important factor in promoting ICT on-site.

• High accuracy and quality: Combining GNSS and LiDAR provides centimeter-level precision (cm level accuracy (half-inch accuracy)) and high point density, yielding high-quality 3D data. Using control points (reference points) allows accuracy verification and adjustment, producing deliverables suitable for as-built management. Quickly sharing high-quality data ensures all stakeholders can discuss based on reliable information.

• Multipurpose utilization: Captured point clouds can be used in various ways in the cloud. For example, you can automatically generate mesh models (3D models) from point clouds and compare them with design data, or use AR features to overlay a virtual completion image on-site. These uses can all be handled within LRTK’s cloud platform, eliminating the need to transfer data to other software.

Expected use cases:

• Sharing construction progress: Record daily changes in terrain and structures as point clouds and share URL links with clients or head office so they can check progress in 3D without visiting the site. Details that are hard to convey with photos or text become immediately clear with point clouds.

• As-built inspection and pass/fail judgments: Measurement results compliant with as-built management guidance can be shared on the cloud immediately, allowing inspectors in remote locations to review measurements almost in real time. You can overlay drawings and point clouds to check quality and provide feedback to the site promptly if issues are found.

• Disaster site documentation and response: In emergencies such as landslides or accidents, LRTK can quickly record the site in 3D and share it with headquarters. Stakeholders can gather around the shared point cloud via the URL to assess damage and plan initial responses, increasing the speed of action.

• Asset management and maintenance: During plant or infrastructure inspections, scanning point clouds to document current conditions and sharing them with relevant departments enables experts to assess the state remotely. Comparing with past point clouds makes it easy to track deterioration and plan countermeasures collaboratively.

LRTK excels in simple on-site surveying too

So far we’ve covered point cloud acquisition and cloud sharing with LRTK. But LRTK’s advantages go beyond that. LRTK is also powerful for “simple surveying”—small measurement tasks on site.

For example, imagine you suddenly need a dimension on site. Traditionally, you might have to fetch a tape measure or measuring instrument or call a survey team. With LRTK, you can grab your smartphone, scan the surroundings, and immediately obtain 3D data. Uploading to the cloud and measuring distances or areas there lets you grasp the required dimensions instantly. Volume calculations for embankments or spoil can be performed quickly on-site, allowing immediate updates to earthwork quantities and estimates.

LRTK also supports AR display using captured point cloud data. For example, you can record buried pipes as point clouds, and after paving, use smartphone AR to view the pipes through the surface and accurately identify their positions. This helps plan safe excavation that avoids buried utilities in future works. In this way, LRTK supports a wide range of field tasks, from routine quick measurements to advanced AR applications.

Summary: Sharing point clouds via URL is this easy with a smartphone

We explained the solution of sharing point cloud data via URL and introduced LRTK as a tool to realize it. Even very large, specialized point cloud data can be captured with a smartphone using LRTK, uploaded to the cloud, and shared simply by sending a URL. Recipients can view 3D data without special software, dramatically improving efficiency in internal and external information sharing.

LRTK significantly transforms the time-consuming processes of surveying, measurement, and data sharing. Being able to rapidly 3D-ify and share necessary on-site information speeds up operations and accelerates consensus-building and decision-making among stakeholders. As an answer to “How can I easily share point cloud data via URL?”, LRTK is certainly one of the best solutions. If you’re interested, why not try this new smartphone-based surveying workflow for yourself?

FAQ

Q: Is the cloud always required to share point cloud data? A: Traditionally, data could be passed with USB drives or hard disks, but the cloud is recommended for smooth sharing. LRTK comes standard with cloud sync and URL sharing features, allowing you to upload data and issue share links without extra steps. Using the cloud removes the need to copy huge files each time and lets everyone reference the latest data online.

Q: How does someone who receives a share link view the point cloud? A: It’s very simple. Clicking the sent URL automatically launches a point cloud viewer in the web browser. The recipient does not need to install special software. Using the browser with mouse or touch controls, they can rotate, zoom, and move the viewpoint to inspect the 3D data from various angles. As long as the browser is supported, it can be viewed from a PC or a smartphone.

Q: Can the accuracy and quality of LRTK point cloud measurements be trusted? A: Yes. LRTK combines high-precision GNSS (RTK) positioning with a smartphone LiDAR scanner, ensuring centimeter-level position accuracy (cm level accuracy (half-inch accuracy)). Point density is high and captures shape details well. If needed, you can correct using known control points to achieve quality comparable to conventional terrestrial laser scanner surveys. There are cases where LRTK-acquired data has been used for public construction as-built measurements, so its reliability is proven.

Q: Can you really perform point cloud surveys with only a smartphone? Is no additional equipment required? A: LRTK is a solution consisting of a smartphone and a dedicated GNSS receiver (and an app). The GNSS receiver is palm-sized and attaches to the smartphone, giving the appearance of measuring with just a phone. Strictly speaking, a small attachment device is used, but no large tripods or PCs are required. All devices are battery-powered and operate cablelessly in the field. High mobility makes it easy to perform point cloud surveys even in mountainous or elevated locations where transporting conventional equipment is difficult.

Q: Can LRTK be used offline? Can you collect and share point clouds in areas without reception, like deep mountains? A: LRTK supports Japan’s satellite positioning service (Michibiki’s CLAS signal), enabling high-precision positioning even where cellular signals don’t reach. Collecting point cloud data on-site without an internet connection is possible. Data obtained offline can be uploaded to the cloud later when you move to an area with reception, and you can then issue share links. In other words, you can first measure in remote areas and share with stakeholders after returning to the office.

Q: How can I introduce LRTK? A: LRTK is currently offered as a product for the surveying and construction industries. If you’re interested, contact LRTK’s official website or an authorized dealer for details on introduction methods, pricing, or to request a demo. You’ll likely experience efficiency gains from this new smartphone-based surveying approach. Please feel free to inquire.