What You Need to Know About Online Point Cloud Viewers

by Samantha Turner

Not everyone knows what an online point cloud viewer is used for. It is a tool that allows users to view and manage point cloud data from anywhere, by going on the internet and connecting to a platform. It makes it easier for many people to have access to them, no matter where they are located around the world. Here is more on the subject of online point cloud viewers.

More on Point Clouds and Viewers

To understand what is an online point cloud viewer, you first need to be given a definition of a point cloud. It is a collection of data points in 3D space that represents objects or spaces. Each point in the cloud is represented as X, Y, and Z, which are the axes determining a single spatial measurement on the object’s surface. These data points can be acquired from various sources, which include 3D scanners, Lidar sensors, or photogrammetry techniques.

Who uses Point Clouds?

There are many fields in which people use the point cloud technology. The most important ones are architecture, engineering, construction, and manufacturing. The professionals in these fields create 3D models of real-world objects and spaces, which can there be viewed by colleagues, clients and other individuals that are provided access to them through an online point cloud viewer. These viewers use modern technologies such as WebGL to display large sets of point cloud data. Once the point cloud file is opened on a viewer, the users can manipulate, zoom, rotate and visualize it in a 3D space.

What are the Qualities of an Online Point Cloud Viewer?

Professionals that have to work on shared projects that include point clouds often prefer to work with an online point cloud viewer platform. The first reason is that it makes sharing data easy, which increases the chance of success on collaborative projects. It is also known for being a simple and versatile solution, which doesn’t require a lot of learning in order for a person to use it (providing that they have worked with cloud points before).

Its ability to view any type of point cloud file is also a major advantage. In fact, there are a large variety, which include 3D/BIM models, IFC files and BCF files. If the point cloud viewer used can only recognize one of them, it will make it much harder for collaborations to take place. In that respect, and because it is a powerful tool, online point cloud viewers are often the preferred means to work on point cloud projects.

It also has to be noted that online point cloud viewers are a cost-effective solution to many individuals and companies. They often offer low monthly rates and even provide a free basic service to users who don’t need to work with them regularly.

Online point cloud viewers have certainly gained ground in the last few years and are bound to continue their growth, thanks to the various qualities that they provide to their users. For teams that collaborate on projects, there is certainly no better solutions.