Table of Contents

• Benefit 1: Easy to deploy with no installation required

• Benefit 2: No dedicated software needed — cost reduction

• Benefit 3: Major productivity gains via the browser

• Benefit 4: Intuitive UI that anyone can use

• Benefit 5: Smooth collaboration through cloud sharing

• Conclusion

• FAQ

In recent years, the use of 3D point cloud data has been rapidly expanding in the construction and civil engineering sectors. However, handling such point cloud data traditionally involved hurdles like installing dedicated software and requiring high-performance PCs. The browser-based point cloud viewer "LRTK" solves these problems. A browser-based point cloud viewer is a system that displays and manipulates point cloud data as a web application on the internet. By placing data in the cloud, users can view detailed 3D models simply by accessing a website. Unlike conventional standalone software, it is less affected by the load on a PC or differences in operating environments, and multiple users can view the same data simultaneously. By introducing LRTK, which allows display, sharing, and measurement of point clouds entirely within a browser, you can achieve many benefits such as on-site efficiency improvements, cost reduction, and intuitive operation that anyone can use. In this article, we summarize five benefits of introducing the browser-based point cloud viewer LRTK and explore the secrets behind them.

Benefit 1: Easy to deploy with no installation required

LRTK’s browser-based point cloud viewer requires no special software installation on PCs or tablets. It runs on any web browser, freeing you from cumbersome setup and version management. For example, whereas previously each PC needed a dedicated viewer to view point cloud data, with LRTK you can start using it immediately on any internet-connected device. It supports multiple OSes (Windows or Mac), so it can be used uniformly across various corporate environments without additional plugin configuration. This enables smooth rollout from field office PCs to headquarters PCs by using the same tool consistently. There is no need to distribute or update apps on each user’s device, reducing IT management costs. LRTK is provided as an online service and always offers the latest version, so users do not need to perform updates themselves. New features and improvements are applied automatically, allowing you to work with point cloud data in the best possible environment at all times.

Benefit 2: No dedicated software needed — cost reduction

Introducing LRTK can also be expected to significantly reduce costs. You don’t need to purchase specialized point cloud processing software or invest in high-performance workstations, which lowers the initial investment.

Examples of major costs that can be reduced:

• License purchase costs for specialized software

• Hardware purchase costs such as high-performance PCs and servers

• Outsourcing fees for point cloud processing or surveying

• Travel expenses to sites and costs for printing and binding drawings

Previously, software license fees and hardware budgets on the order of several million yen were barriers, but a browser viewer allows you to make use of existing PCs. When multiple people within an organization need to handle point cloud data, there is no need to buy software licenses for each person, enabling a low-cost setup even with a one-device-per-person approach. Additionally, because data can be shared in the cloud, the frequency of traveling to distant sites or exchanging paper drawings is reduced, which cuts various operational expenses (travel costs, printing costs, etc.). Moreover, if tasks such as as-built measurements or earthwork volume calculations that were previously outsourced to surveying firms can be completed in-house, those outsourcing costs could also be saved. In these various ways, LRTK significantly improves the cost performance of point cloud utilization. Lowering the cost barrier makes 3D point cloud adoption accessible even to small businesses that had hesitated to adopt 3D technology. Being able to leverage the latest technology on a limited budget is a major managerial advantage.

Benefit 3: Major productivity gains via the browser

Introducing a browser-based point cloud viewer directly contributes to on-site operational efficiency. Because point cloud data can be shared instantly via the cloud, required information becomes immediately accessible. For example, if point cloud data captured in the field is uploaded to the cloud right away, headquarters or other locations can confirm it in a browser immediately. Whereas surveying results used to be taken back for analysis and fed back to the site days later, with LRTK results can be reflected the same day. Real-time information sharing accelerates decision-making and verification during construction, helping to prevent rework.

Also, if you have point cloud data, you can grasp detailed site conditions and take measurements without visiting the site, greatly reducing the effort of site checks and additional measurements. Reducing frequent business trips and re-surveys, and being able to monitor multiple sites efficiently from a desk, are major workflow improvements. Moreover, tasks that used to be complicated—such as format conversion of point cloud files and drawing generation—are simplified by directly measuring and checking on the browser, contributing to overall workflow time reduction. In practice, some sites that adopted LRTK report that feedback on construction progress which used to be weekly or monthly can now be done daily or on an as-needed basis, achieving a remarkable speed-up. These cumulative improvements directly enhance project-wide productivity.

Actual user companies that adopted LRTK have reported that “information transmission between the field and office has become smooth and coordination work has become much more efficient.”

Benefit 4: Intuitive UI that anyone can use

An intuitive user interface that can be operated without specialized knowledge is another major attraction of LRTK. Browser operations are simple: you can freely rotate, zoom, and pan point cloud models with mouse drag and scroll. There is no need to memorize complex commands; by following on-screen icons and menus and clicking, you can perform distance measurements or cross-sectional displays. For example, clicking two points you want to measure will display the straight-line distance, and drawing a polygon will automatically calculate the area or volume of that region. Previously, calculating volume from point cloud data required complex procedures and know-how in specialized software, but LRTK largely automates such analyses. Because results can be obtained with button operations without worrying about difficult settings, even beginners can produce outcomes easily. There is no need for complicated setting adjustments or formula input; the system is designed so anyone can intuitively handle 3D data. Guidance and tutorials for first-time users are also provided on screen, and some users report that “I got results just by following the menu.”

The fact that anyone can operate it is crucial for on-site adoption. Point cloud data you painstakingly collected can go to waste if it’s difficult to handle. With LRTK, on-site staff themselves can actively use the tool, greatly expanding opportunities for data utilization. Time spent struggling with how to use the tool is reduced, allowing teams to focus on the primary objectives of site analysis and decision-making.

Benefit 5: Smooth collaboration through cloud sharing

LRTK centrally manages point cloud data on a cloud platform, making information sharing within and outside the team much easier. Once data is uploaded to the cloud, stakeholders can access the same latest data from their own browsers. There is no need to send large point cloud files by email or exchange USB drives. For example, a site manager and engineers at headquarters can hold meetings while viewing the same 3D point cloud in LRTK even if they are in different locations. You can also share the same 3D data with remote clients or partner companies and exchange opinions. Even when you cannot visit the site, you can share immersive information and shorten the time required for explanations and approvals. With the concept of “sharing the entire site online,” subtle bumps and positional relationships that are hard to convey with drawings or photos alone can be intuitively shared. This helps prevent mistakes and rework caused by misalignment of understanding, enabling all stakeholders to make speedy decisions on a common basis.

Because the data is in the cloud, version control is also simple. Always referencing the latest point cloud model eliminates the worry of accidentally using old files. You can set access permissions as needed to share data securely with external partners or clients. LRTK is truly a tool that strongly supports team collaboration centered on point cloud data.

Conclusion

We introduced five benefits of adopting the browser-based point cloud viewer LRTK. From the ease of no-install deployment to cost reduction, efficiency gains, usability, and information sharing, LRTK significantly lowers the barriers to point cloud data utilization and brings new value to on-site operations. 3D point cloud technology, which used to be the domain of specialists, is becoming an accessible tool for everyone and contributes to promoting on-site digital transformation (DX). As digitalization progresses across the construction industry—such as initiatives like i-Construction promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism—easy-to-use solutions like LRTK are helping spread 3D technology at the small-business and site level. Once you take the first step, new horizons for on-site DX will open. Data that used to lie dormant at sites can become a “treasure trove,” expanding opportunities to overturn conventional wisdom. It truly represents on-site reform.

Furthermore, with LRTK, acquiring point cloud data itself is also very simple. By combining a smartphone and a compact GNSS receiver (LRTK device), you can obtain high-precision point clouds just by walking the site. The acquired data can be uploaded to the cloud on the spot, and distances, areas, and volumes can be measured in the browser immediately. In other words, even without heavy machinery or conventional surveying equipment, LRTK enables anyone to perform simple site surveying. The ease of completing 3D surveying with just a smartphone brings great benefits to sites that had previously given up on 3D technology.

LRTK is an all-in-one platform that can be introduced without expensive dedicated equipment or advanced skills. Because point cloud data acquisition, cloud sharing, and browser viewing are seamlessly connected, even small sites and beginners can confidently start using 3D data. Why not take this opportunity to leverage LRTK to improve your company’s efficiency and promote DX? Your smartphone can become your next-generation surveying tool and significantly contribute to improving on-site productivity. Take the next step with LRTK, the new standard in point cloud utilization. If you’re interested, be sure to check LRTK’s official website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need special PCs or software to use LRTK’s point cloud viewer? A: No, you do not need special hardware or software. LRTK can be used via a web browser with a standard PC and internet connection. It works on both Windows and Mac as long as a standard web browser is available, and no plugin installation is required. Because processing is handled on the cloud side, it works even without an expensive graphics card-equipped PC. It is also attractive that you can access it easily from a tablet in the field or a desktop PC in the office.

Q: Can very large point cloud datasets with tens of millions of points be displayed smoothly? A: Yes, LRTK is designed to handle large-capacity point cloud data comfortably. Since data is tiled in the cloud and features LOD (level-of-detail) techniques that progressively load points according to the display area, site datasets on the order of tens of millions of points can be navigated smoothly in a browser. Only the necessary data is transferred based on zoom and rotation, so there is no unnecessary waiting. Of course, rendering speed is affected by network speed, but with a typical high-speed internet connection, large-scale data can be viewed without stress.

Q: Are there security concerns when sharing data uploaded to the cloud? A: LRTK’s cloud secures data through user authentication and access permission settings. Uploaded point cloud data can only be viewed by authorized members, so there is no worry about unauthorized third-party access. Communications are encrypted, enabling safe transmission over the internet. When sharing data externally, you can grant view-only permissions, etc., to maintain control. Because large files do not need to be attached to emails, this also reduces the risk of information leakage.

Q: Can point cloud data acquired by other devices be viewed in LRTK? A: Yes, LRTK supports various point cloud data formats (LAS, PLY, XYZ, E57, etc.), and data captured by other 3D scanners or drones can be imported and displayed. For example, uploading common formats like LAS or PLY allows them to be viewed and measured in LRTK’s browser viewer just like your own point clouds. Being able to integrate data gathered with different measurement devices on a single platform simplifies project-wide data management and sharing. LRTK is useful not only for your own acquired point clouds but also as a tool to effectively use existing asset data.

Q: What kinds of measurements and analyses are possible in the LRTK viewer? A: LRTK’s browser viewer includes a full set of basic measurement and analysis functions. You can measure the distance between any two points, and automatically calculate the area or volume of an area enclosed by multiple points (it also supports extracting arbitrary cross-sections). For example, you can estimate excavation volumes on point clouds or check structural displacement with cross-sectional views—simple analyses can be completed in the browser. There are also features to leave notes (comments) on point cloud data and link site photos taken in the field to the point cloud, allowing you to combine visual information with measurements. With these functions, you can perform necessary simple surveying and analysis with LRTK alone without launching specialized CAD software.

Q: Can I view point cloud data from a smartphone browser? A: Yes, LRTK can be used from smartphones and tablets that can connect to the internet. You can check point cloud models on the go or easily show data to colleagues on site. However, for detailed analysis or long sessions, a larger-screen PC is easier to work with, so it’s recommended to choose the device according to the task.

Q: What are LRTK’s strengths compared to other point cloud viewers? A: A major strength of LRTK is that it is an all-in-one solution developed in-house, from measurement devices to cloud services. It provides not only viewer functions but also a one-stop offering from smartphone + compact GNSS-based high-precision point cloud measurement to data management and sharing. Features tailored to the needs of Japanese construction sites (such as support for surveying coordinate systems and comprehensive Japanese-language support) are more fully developed than typical third-party viewers. This makes LRTK a practical tool that can be used confidently on site even by those without specialized knowledge. Compared to combining multiple different software and devices, it also reduces the risk of interoperability issues and data fragmentation. Because everything is covered by LRTK, you spend less time troubleshooting. Thanks to these strengths, LRTK is highly regarded at many sites.

Q: How can I learn about LRTK’s implementation methods and pricing plans? A: LRTK’s official website contains implementation examples and detailed information. If you have questions or would like a quotation, please feel free to contact us via the inquiry form on the official site. Our specialists will carefully support your company according to your needs. Demo requests and technical questions regarding implementation are also accepted at any time, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.