What is the Point Cloud?

Posted 08/09/2021

Measured Survey

We use 3D Point Cloud equipment to scan and measure each single point in your property to produce 3D models which reproduce even the finest details.

Point Cloud surveys are measured as a collection of points that make up a 3D shape. Each point is defined by X and Y coordinates, but a LIDAR point also includes a Z coordinate. In its most basic sense, a point cloud is a collection or cluster of points. When points are viewed together, they represent a feature or detail in a space.

Point Clouds are generated by high tech 3D scanners which measure points on the external surfaces of objects.

In this article, we’ll explain how Point Cloud technology works, what we use it for and the number of benefits they provide for our clients.

How does Point Cloud scanning technology work?

A Point Cloud is an accurate digital record of a space and the objects within that space. To create this virtual representation, a space is scanned, and a large number of points are generated which make up the surface of objects.

Each individual point in a Point Cloud is part of the external area of objects in sight. These unrelated points, when viewed together, draw the features of spaces in your property. Each point has a defined location and colour, which means points can be reviewed, assessed, edited and filtered by property professionals including architects, engineers and interior designers.

It is possible to use software to identify some patterns in a Point Cloud, but human involvement is necessary to fully categorise a Point Cloud.

How we get the best results with Point Cloud scans

To acquire Point Cloud data, your equipment needs to be able to access or have visibility of the surfaces to be scanned.

Point Cloud data is accessed by visible access to objects and surfaces. This means multiple positions need to be used in order to scan all visible data within an area, because the scanning equipment can only ‘see’ and log what is within its field of vision.

The denser an object is, the longer it will take to scan. These are all factors to be considered when planning a Point Cloud scan.

Point Clouds address not only a fixed data point, but focus on elements such as colour and reflectivity. These and other factors can be measured. The more factors that are measured, the longer a scan will take to produce.

Why do we use Point Cloud equipment?

To summarise, there are many good reasons to use point cloud technology, as you have learned from reading this article.

For us the main reasons are:

It saves time and money – fewer man-hours are needed to perform a scan when using Point Cloud technology. It only takes a few minutes to set up, and we scan your entire building, producing highly accurate 3D models in less than a day
Provides 24/7 access – Point Cloud surveys will give you an accurate representation of a building to refer back to, wherever you are, whether the building is hard to reach geographically or your business or team members are based far away from the site
Fewer errors are made – compared to a traditional measured survey, Point Cloud scans are more accurate, and users receive a live representation of their projects to access at any time
Disruption is minimised – our scanner is quick to set up and anyone on your site can continue working while we carry out the survey

Talk to our team today

Contact our team to discuss your point cloud survey needs. Please let us know as much about your property as possible, as this will allow us to provide you with an accurate quote and proposal. Our contact form includes all the information we require to get back to you with precisely what you need to keep your project moving forward.

We’re looking forward to working with you.