Can a cloud-based point cloud viewer be used on-site? 8 items to check before deployment (connectivity, permissions, safety)

Table of Contents

• Item 1: Network Environment

• Item 2: Access Rights Management

• Item 3: Security

• Item 4: Usability

• Item 5: Display Quality

• Item 6: File Size

• Item 7: Device Compatibility

• Item 8: Support System

• Conclusion: Integration of cloud-based point cloud utilization and real-time positioning

In construction, civil engineering, and surveying sites, the use of 3D point cloud data has been progressing in recent years. Along with drones and 3D laser scanners, the spread of easy measurement methods such as smartphone LiDAR functions and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s promotion of i-Construction have made point clouds attract attention as a technology supporting on-site DX. However, various issues have been pointed out when sharing and viewing acquired point cloud data via the cloud. Point cloud files often reach several hundred MB to several GB, making email attachments impractical and downloads time-consuming. Furthermore, if recipients do not have a high-performance PC or dedicated viewer software, they may be unable to open point cloud data in specialized formats such as LAS or LAZ. In other words, situations often arise where you cannot show the data to the people you want to. In light of this situation, this article explains eight points to check before implementation when considering whether cloud-based point cloud viewers are practical on-site. We hope this will be helpful to site personnel when selecting and operating cloud-based point cloud viewers.

Item 1: Communication Environment

To handle point clouds in the cloud, first you must establish a reliable communications environment. Point cloud data contains an enormous amount of information as density increases, and in some cases can reach billions of points, resulting in data sizes on the order of GB to TB. Uploading and downloading such large volumes of data from the site to the cloud requires a high-speed, stable network connection. For example, if you try to share 3D point clouds acquired on-site with a remote location in real time, traditionally you had to physically bring back a hard drive containing the survey data or spend a huge amount of time transferring it to the cloud. At sites in mountainous areas or inside tunnels where only cellular connections are available, bandwidth can become a bottleneck and may hinder data sharing.

Fortunately, in recent years the spread of LTE and 5G has made practical communication speeds available in many areas. Even so, transmitting full-resolution point cloud data in real time still imposes a heavy load, so some services implement mechanisms to compress and downsample data as needed when sending and receiving. Many cloud-based point cloud viewers also take measures to reduce bandwidth by streaming only the visible area and by controlling level of detail (LOD) so they display smoothly in the browser. Therefore, when using them on-site it is important, along with a stable network connection, to confirm what level of network conditions the service requires to operate comfortably. In some cases, you should consider providing pocket Wi-Fi or satellite communications on site to supplement the network environment.

Item 2: Access Rights Management

When you store point cloud data in the cloud and share it with multiple stakeholders, careful management of access permissions is required. Point cloud data acquired on site contains detailed information about the surveyed terrain and structures and can sometimes be highly sensitive. Therefore, mechanisms are needed to securely share data only with those who require it. Many cloud-based point cloud viewers provide features such as issuing individual user accounts and configuring viewing permissions for shared links. For example, you can assign view and edit permissions to each project member to prevent critical data from being inadvertently modified.

Also, when publishing externally, there are services that let you issue password-protected URLs or set expiration dates. If you set a password or an expiration on the viewing link, even if the URL is leaked you don’t need to worry about unauthorized third parties viewing it. Some services allow you to disable downloading on the viewer’s side, and by limiting the scope of distribution you can reduce the risk of information leakage. When implementing this, it is important to choose a cloud viewer with appropriate access-control features that align with your company’s security policy and the sensitive information of the project.

Item 3: Safety

Since you entrust data to the cloud, ensuring safety (security) is also a point that cannot be overlooked. Especially in public works and large-scale projects, point cloud data may contain information that would be problematic if leaked to third parties. Providers of cloud-based point cloud services are taking various measures to provide a secure environment. Some services meet the latest security standards on major cloud infrastructures with proven global track records, enabling secure data management. In addition, many services implement encryption of communication paths (HTTPS) as standard, reducing the risk of data interception during upload and viewing. When storing data in cloud storage, it may also be kept in encrypted form or be backed up regularly.

As mentioned in the access rights management section, user-side security measures include setting passwords or expiration dates on viewing links and promptly disabling shared links that are no longer needed. Some services provide administrators with the ability to revoke links at any time, so cutting off access when a project ends is also easy. Furthermore, if a service allows sharing data in read-only mode, there is no risk of viewers accidentally overwriting the data. For these reasons, when adopting a cloud point-cloud viewer, confirm that mechanisms to ensure security—such as communication encryption, secure link-sharing features, and data tamper-prevention measures—are adequately in place.

Item 4: Operability

When using a cloud point cloud viewer on site, it is also important whether its operability is easy for field staff. No matter how feature‑rich it is, if the controls are complicated or the performance is sluggish, it cannot be used effectively on site and becomes a wasted asset. In fact, conventional point cloud processing software required specialized knowledge and was resource‑heavy, which contributed to keeping valuable 3D data confined to the site. By contrast, many recent cloud point cloud viewers run smoothly in the browser and offer intuitive interfaces. For example, on a web‑based 3D view you can freely move the viewpoint with a mouse or touch to inspect the point cloud model, and user‑friendly measurement functions are provided—such as being able to measure horizontal distance or elevation difference immediately simply by selecting two points.

A cloud-based point cloud viewer may not only display data but also offer useful functions for on-site work. For example, it can calculate the area or volume of any selected region on the acquired point cloud right there. If you have point cloud data of piled soil, you can compute fill or excavation volumes in the cloud with a one-click operation, without drawing cross-sections or performing manual calculations. Furthermore, dimensions of hazardous or inaccessible locations can be obtained safely and accurately by measuring on the point cloud. With a cloud viewer that excels in both operability and practical features, you can use the 3D data acquired on-site directly for analysis and decision-making. Before deployment, check the actual UI screens for how easy it is to pan and zoom and the usability of measurement tools, and verify whether the interface is intuitive enough for anyone on-site to use.

Item 5: Display Quality

The display quality of a cloud-based point cloud viewer is also an important factor in determining whether it is practical for use on site. Display quality refers to how faithfully the details of point cloud data are reproduced and how clearly they are presented on screen. When displaying point clouds in a browser, large data volumes can make it difficult to render every point, so resolution may be lowered or points may be downsampled for display. That in itself is a measure to keep performance responsive, but if the downsampling rate is too high and important details become invisible, it will interfere with practical work. For example, when using point clouds to detect cracks or check very small steps, care must be taken that insufficient point density does not cause misses. Also, if the point cloud includes color information (RGB), verify that the cloud viewer can display it properly. Objects that are hard to discern with gray points alone become easier to grasp intuitively with photo-like color point clouds.

In recent years, cloud solutions have applied technical fixes to this display-quality issue. Viewers developed specifically for point clouds have optimized data loading and rendering engines so they can handle hundreds of millions of points even in the browser, and there are cases where detailed point clouds can be viewed on typical PCs and tablets. Systems have also appeared that can simultaneously overlay point clouds with panoramic photos taken by 360-degree cameras and 3D models from the design stage. This makes on-site conditions that are hard to grasp from point cloud data alone clearer by adding the context of photos and drawings. Before deployment, it is advisable to verify—via display tests with sample data and vendor demonstrations—whether the display quality meets your company’s needs.

Item 6: File size

Consideration of the file size of point cloud data itself is also essential. Because cloud-based point cloud viewers handle large volumes of data online, the larger the file size becomes, the greater the burden in various aspects such as upload time, storage capacity, and communication costs. Fortunately, LAS-format point cloud data can be losslessly compressed by converting it to LAZ format, reducing the file size to about one-tenth. Therefore, when uploading point clouds to the cloud it is generally more efficient to use LAZ rather than LAS. In fact, even open point clouds provided by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan and municipalities are distributed using LAZ compression, making them easier for users to handle.

That said, even with LAZ, depending on the content of the point cloud a single file can be on the order of several GB, and if you repeatedly scan on a per-site basis the data will quickly accumulate. Therefore, when selecting a cloud service it is important to check the available capacity and the limits on the number of files. Some services provide as much as 1 TB of cloud space, enabling centralized management and sharing of large point cloud datasets from multiple sites. Assess whether a plan provides sufficient capacity given your company’s operating scale. Also pay attention to upload and rendering efficiency. Some services automatically lightweight data during upload (noise removal and appropriate decimation of point clouds), trimming unnecessary parts or tiling point clouds so that even huge datasets are easier to handle. On the other hand, because there are concerns that automatic processing might reduce the level of detail too much, also check whether settings are provided to adjust the degree of lightweighting.

Item 7: Device Support

Which devices a cloud point-cloud viewer can be used on will also affect whether on-site deployment succeeds. Even if you can use a high-performance Windows PC in the office, many actual construction sites rely mainly on tablets and smartphones. Fortunately, recent cloud viewers only require a web browser to run, so they are generally platform-independent and can be used on various devices. Increasingly, services can display 3D point clouds in common browsers such as Chrome and Safari, without requiring the installation of dedicated software or apps for viewing. As a result, they support mobile devices like iPhone and iPad, enabling workflows where the site can be checked in 3D from a smartphone even when no PC is at hand.

That said, it is also true that performance varies by device. In particular, displaying point clouds places a high load on graphics, so older devices may experience stuttering. If the cloud service reduces rendering load, general-spec PCs and tablets can handle large-scale point clouds. Some services now promote that they can be used on existing devices without requiring expensive workstations. Before deployment, it is reassuring to test whether the devices your field staff will use (field tablets, laptops, smartphones, etc.) run without problems. Also, because some functions may be limited depending on the browser, check the supported browsers and recommended specs. Having alternative options ready—such as switching from a tablet to a laptop—can prevent situations in the field where you “want to see it but can’t.”

Item 8: Support System

Finally, the support structure of the service provider is also important for continuing to use the system on-site with confidence. A cloud-based point cloud viewer is not finished at the time of installation; it only delivers value through the accumulation of daily operations, troubleshooting, and functional improvements. The first thing to check is the track record and reliability of the service provider. If the platform is already used by many users around the world, you can expect that system stability and support know-how have been built up. Conversely, for emerging services, it is wise to check whether they can respond quickly to inquiries domestically and whether manuals and the UI support Japanese.

Also, as an advantage unique to cloud services, the fact that you can always use the latest version should not be overlooked. With traditional standalone software, applying updates to each PC was a hassle, but with the cloud, feature additions and improvements are automatically reflected. Many cloud point cloud viewers are regularly updated based on user feedback, and their convenience continues to improve. For example, if a service evolves based on field feedback—such as support for new surveying standards or expanded operational features—you can rely on it for long-term use. Furthermore, you should also check the inquiry channels in case of system failures or questions. Confirm in advance whether phone or email support is available, and whether support is provided not only during weekday daytime but also at night and on weekends, so you can obtain assistance that fits your company's working hours.

Conclusion: Fusion of Cloud-Based Point Cloud Utilization and Real-Time Positioning

Above, we explained the eight perspectives to check before introducing a cloud point-cloud viewer. Overall, the takeaway is that, provided the communications environment is adequate, sharing and viewing large 3D point-cloud datasets in the cloud has already become a realistic option. In practice, it is increasingly possible to upload the latest on-site conditions to the cloud on the spot and have a remote office check them immediately and issue instructions, enabling real-time collaboration. By leveraging a cloud point-cloud viewer, site sharing—which was previously done with 2D drawings and photos—becomes dramatically richer, allowing all stakeholders to share the same "on-site truth" in 3D. As a result, this can reduce rework caused by misunderstandings and enable faster responses when problems occur, improving the overall efficiency and quality of projects.

Furthermore, in recent years, new possibilities have emerged by combining the use of cloud point clouds with the accuracy of real-time positioning. For example, by using a small RTK-GNSS receiver device mounted on a smartphone, anyone can easily achieve centimeter-level (half-inch-level) high-precision positioning. With a smartphone-mounted GNSS device like the LRTK series and a dedicated app, it is possible to obtain detailed 3D point clouds in a short time while walking even across large sites, and to share them with the office via the cloud. Because each point in the acquired point cloud is assigned precise coordinates, immediate comparison between as-built point clouds and design drawings and precise assessment of as-built conditions—tasks that were previously difficult—can be performed on-site. The fusion of cloud-based point-cloud sharing and real-time positioning technology further lowers the barrier between the field and the office, making truly “measure on-site, share on-site, and make decisions on-site” possible. As a trump card to take site DX a step further, be sure to pay attention to the combination of cloud point-cloud viewers and real-time positioning devices.