Reality Capture
What is Point Cloud?
A point cloud is the raw output of 3D scanning: millions of individual points, each with a position (and often color), that together describe every surface the scanner saw. It is measurement data, not a model — nothing in it knows it is a wall.
In practice
Point clouds are the evidence layer: overlay them on the design model to verify as-built conditions, or model over them in scan-to-BIM. Their size (billions of points on large projects) makes processing and registration its own discipline.
Tools for Point Cloud
ScanToBIM
The Only ML Powered Conversion Service for Point Cloud Data to BIM Model
Matterport
3D digital twin platform for spatial intelligence
DroneDeploy
Aerial maps, 3D models, and progress tracking from drone and ground data
Related terms
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