Five Benefits of Introducing the Browser Point Cloud Viewer LRTK! The Secrets of Efficiency, Cost Reduction, and Intuitive Operation

Table of Contents

• Benefit 1: Easy to deploy with no installation required

• Benefit 2: Cost reduction without dedicated software

• Benefit 3: Major productivity gains via the browser

• Benefit 4: Intuitive UI that anyone can use

• Benefit 5: Smooth collaboration through cloud sharing

• Summary

• 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 has traditionally required installing dedicated software and using high-performance PCs, which presented a barrier. The browser-based point cloud viewer "LRTK" solves these issues. A browser point cloud viewer is a web application that allows point cloud data to be displayed and manipulated on the internet. By placing data in the cloud, users can view detailed 3D models simply by accessing a website. Unlike traditional standalone software, it is less affected by PC load or differences in operating environments, and multiple users can view the same data simultaneously. By introducing LRTK, which allows point clouds to be displayed, shared, and measured using only a browser, you can achieve improved site efficiency, cost reduction, and intuitive operation that anyone can use. This article organizes five benefits of introducing the browser point cloud viewer LRTK and explores the secrets behind them.

Benefit 1: Easy to deploy with no installation required

The LRTK browser point cloud viewer requires no special software installation on PCs or tablets. It runs as long as a web browser is available, freeing users from tedious 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 device with internet access. It supports multiple OSes (Windows and Mac are both OK), so it can be used uniformly across various in-house environments without additional plugin configuration. This enables smooth rollout from on-site office PCs to corporate desktops, as everyone uses the same tool. There is no need to distribute or update apps on each user’s device, reducing IT management costs. Because LRTK is provided as an online service, the latest version is always available, and users do not need to perform update tasks. New features and improvements are automatically applied, allowing users to handle point cloud data in the best possible environment at all times.

Benefit 2: Cost reduction without dedicated software

Introducing LRTK can also yield significant cost savings. There is no need to purchase dedicated point cloud processing software or replace hardware with high-performance workstations, so the initial investment can be reduced.

Examples of major costs that can be reduced:

• License purchase costs for dedicated software

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

• Outsourcing costs for point cloud processing or surveying contracts

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

Previously, software license fees and hardware budgets on the order of millions of yen were barriers, but with a browser viewer you can utilize your existing PCs. Even when multiple people in a company handle point cloud data, there is no need to purchase individual software licenses for each person, enabling a low-cost one-per-person setup. In addition, because data can be shared in the cloud, the frequency of traveling to distant sites or exchanging paper drawings is reduced, contributing to savings in operational expenses (travel and printing costs, etc.). Moreover, if you can perform as-built measurements and volume calculations in-house that were previously outsourced to surveying companies, you may be able to save on those outsourcing costs. In these various ways, LRTK greatly improves the cost performance of point cloud utilization. Lowering the cost barrier makes 3D point cloud adoption more accessible to small businesses that may have previously hesitated. Being able to use the latest technology within a limited budget is a major managerial advantage.

Benefit 3: Major productivity gains via the browser

Introducing a browser point cloud viewer directly leads to increased fieldwork efficiency. Since point cloud data can be shared instantly via the cloud, necessary information becomes immediately accessible. For example, if point clouds captured in the field are uploaded to the cloud right away, headquarters or other sites can check them in a browser immediately. Previously, survey results had to be taken back for analysis and feedback returned to the field days later; with LRTK, results can be reflected on the same day. Real-time information sharing speeds up decisions and verifications during construction and helps prevent rework.

Also, as long as you have point cloud data, you can grasp detailed conditions and take measurements without visiting the site, greatly reducing the need for site visits and additional measurement work. Reducing frequent travel and re-surveys and being able to monitor multiple sites efficiently from a desk are major workflow improvements. Furthermore, tasks that were previously cumbersome—such as format conversion of point cloud files or creating drawings—are simplified because measurements and checks can be performed directly in the browser, contributing to shorter overall workflow times. In practice, some sites report that feedback on construction progress, which used to be weekly or monthly, can be performed daily or on demand after adopting LRTK, delivering a marked speed-up. These incremental improvements directly increase overall project productivity.

Companies that have actually implemented LRTK report that "communication between the field and the office has become smoother, and coordination work has become much more efficient."

Benefit 4: Intuitive UI that anyone can use

An intuitive user interface that can be used without specialized knowledge is another major attraction of LRTK. Browser-based operations are simple: you can freely rotate and zoom point cloud models by dragging the mouse or scrolling. There is no need to memorize complex commands; you can perform distance measurements or cross-section displays by simply clicking icons and menus on the screen. 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 expertise in specialized software, but LRTK automates much of that analysis. Results are obtained with button operations without worrying about difficult settings, making it easier for beginners to produce outcomes. There is no need for complicated setting adjustments or formula input; the tool is designed so anyone can handle 3D data intuitively. The screen also provides guidance and tutorials for first-time users, and many users report that "following the menu produced results."

This accessibility is crucial for on-site adoption. If point cloud data is difficult to handle, it risks becoming an unused asset. With LRTK, field staff themselves can actively use the tool, greatly expanding the scope of data utilization. Reducing the time spent figuring out how to use the tool lets teams focus on the original goals of site analysis and decision-making.

Benefit 5: Smooth collaboration through cloud sharing

Because LRTK centrally manages point cloud data on a cloud platform, information sharing within and outside teams becomes markedly easier. Once data is uploaded to the cloud, stakeholders can access the same latest data from their browsers. There is no need to send heavy point cloud files by email or hand them over via USB. For example, a site manager and an engineer at headquarters can hold a meeting while viewing the same 3D point cloud on LRTK, even if they are in different locations. You can also share the same 3D data with remote clients or partner companies and discuss it together. Even if parties cannot visit the site, you can share immersive information and shorten the time required for explanations and approvals. The idea is to "share the entire site online," so subtle depressions or positional relationships that drawings or photos alone cannot convey are intuitively shared. This prevents mistakes and rework caused by misunderstandings and enables all stakeholders to make speedy decisions with a common understanding.

Because data resides in the cloud, version control is also easy. You always refer to the latest point cloud model and do not have to worry about accidentally using an old file. You can set access rights as needed to safely share data with external partners or clients. LRTK is truly a tool that powerfully supports team collaboration centered on point cloud data.

Summary

We introduced five benefits you can gain by adopting the browser point cloud viewer LRTK. From the ease of no-install deployment to cost reduction, efficiency improvements, usability, and information-sharing capabilities, LRTK significantly lowers the barriers to point cloud data utilization and brings new value to field operations. 3D point cloud technology, once limited to specialists, becomes an accessible everyday tool, contributing to on-site DX (digital transformation). As digitalization advances across the construction industry—driven by initiatives like the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's i-Construction—easy solutions like LRTK help promote the spread of 3D technology at the small-business and site levels. Once you take the first step, new horizons for field DX should open. Data that lay dormant at the site can become a "treasure trove," offering opportunities to overturn conventional wisdom. It truly amounts to field reform.

Moreover, with LRTK, acquiring point cloud data itself is also very simple. By combining a smartphone with a small GNSS receiver (LRTK device), you can walk the site and capture high-accuracy point clouds. Captured data can be uploaded to the cloud on site, and distance, area, and volume can be measured immediately in the browser. In other words, even without heavy machinery or traditional surveying equipment, LRTK makes it possible for anyone to perform simple site surveying. The convenience 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 acquisition, cloud sharing, and browser viewing are seamlessly connected, small sites and beginners can safely start utilizing 3D data. Why not use LRTK to improve your company’s efficiency and promote DX? Your smartphone can become your next-generation surveying tool and greatly contribute to improved site productivity. Take the next step with LRTK, the emerging standard for point cloud utilization. If you are interested, please check the official LRTK website.

FAQ

Q: Do I need special PCs or software to use the LRTK point cloud viewer? A: No, you do not need special hardware or software. LRTK can be used via a web browser with a typical computer and internet connection. It works on standard web browsers on both Windows and Mac, and no plugin installation is required. Because processing is handled on the cloud side, it runs fine even without an expensive graphics card–equipped PC. It is convenient to access from various devices, such as tablets in the field and desktop PCs in the office.

Q: Can very large point cloud datasets on the order of tens of millions of points be displayed smoothly? A: Yes, LRTK is designed to handle large-volume point cloud data smoothly. It uses techniques such as tile partitioning of data on the cloud and LOD (level-of-detail) loading that sequentially fetches points according to the display area, so site data on the scale of tens of millions of points can be navigated smoothly in the browser. Only the data required for the current zoom or rotation is transferred, minimizing unnecessary wait times. Of course, rendering speed is affected by network speed, but with a typical high-speed internet connection, large datasets can be viewed without stress.

Q: Are there security concerns when sharing data uploaded to the cloud? A: LRTK cloud ensures data security 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 also encrypted, enabling safe transmission over the internet. When sharing data externally, you can grant view-only permissions, for example, to control access. This makes cloud handling secure. Additionally, because you do not need to send large files via email attachments, the risk of information leakage is reduced.

Q: Can point cloud data obtained with 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. Uploading common file formats such as LAS or PLY allows you to view and measure them in the LRTK browser viewer just like your own point clouds. Being able to integrate data collected with different measurement devices on one platform simplifies project-wide data management and sharing. LRTK is useful not only for point clouds you capture in-house but also as a tool to make effective use of existing asset data.

Q: What measurement and analysis functions are available in the LRTK viewer? A: The LRTK browser viewer includes a full set of basic measurement and analysis functions. In addition to measuring the distance between any two points, it can automatically calculate the area and volume of regions enclosed by multiple points (and supports extracting arbitrary cross-sections). For example, you can estimate excavation volumes on the point cloud or check structural displacement in cross-section views—simple analyses can be completed in the browser. There are also features to leave notes (comments) on the point cloud data and to attach photos taken on site to the point cloud for display, allowing you to combine visual information with measurement results. 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 with internet access. You can check point cloud models while on the move or easily show data to colleagues on site. However, for detailed analysis or long sessions, larger-screen PCs are more suitable, so it’s best to choose the device according to your use case.

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, covering everything from measurement devices to the cloud service. It provides not only viewer functions but also a one-stop solution from high-accuracy point cloud measurement using a smartphone plus a small GNSS device to data management and sharing. It includes features tailored to the needs of Japanese construction sites (such as support for surveying coordinate systems and robust Japanese-language support) that generic third-party viewers may struggle to address. This makes it a practical tool that can be used on site even by those without specialized knowledge. Compared to combining multiple different software and devices, LRTK reduces interoperability issues and data fragmentation. Because everything is handled by one solution, you spend less time troubleshooting. These strengths have earned LRTK high praise at many sites.

Q: How can I learn about LRTK deployment methods and pricing plans? A: The LRTK official website provides case studies and detailed information. If you have questions or would like a quote, please contact us via the inquiry form on the official site. Our specialists will carefully support you according to your company’s needs. We also accept demo requests and technical questions at any time, so please feel free to get in touch.