For some projects, the point cloud is all that is needed. For others, it becomes the basis for CAD or BIM modelling, design work, measurements, or long-term facility documentation. Choosing the right approach at the beginning can save time, avoid unnecessary modelling, and make the resulting data much more useful to the people who need it.

This guide explains what a point cloud is, how it is created, what you can do with it, and how to make sure the data you commission is fit for its intended purpose.

What is a point cloud?

A point cloud is a dataset of millions of three-dimensional points, each with precise XYZ coordinates in space. Depending on the scanner used, each point may also carry intensity data from the laser return and colour information from an integrated camera.

Together, these points form an accurate digital record of an object’s geometry at the moment of measurement. A dense industrial installation, a heritage building, a production hall — all of them can be captured as a point cloud with millimetre-level precision.

What a point cloud is not: an editable model. You cannot “move a pipe” in a point cloud or assign technical attributes to elements. It is a record of reality, not a design tool. That distinction defines everything that comes after.

How is a point cloud created?

Point cloud scanning — also called 3D laser scanning — works by firing a laser beam at a surface and measuring the time it takes to return. A 3D point cloud scanner repeats this operation millions of times per second, building up a dense representation of the surrounding geometry from each scanner position.

A single scan covers one viewpoint. To capture a complete object — especially one with complex geometry and many occlusions, like an industrial installation — multiple scan positions are required. These individual scans are then merged into a single registered point cloud through a process called registration.

The quality of the final dataset depends less on scanner range or resolution than on the number and placement of scan positions. A point cloud with complete coverage from many positions is dramatically more useful than a dense but incomplete dataset from too few. This is one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of point cloud scanning — and one of the most important to get right when specifying a project.

For more on this topic, read: 3D Scanning Data Quality: Why the Number of Scans Matters

Point cloud formats: what you will receive and what to do with it

The format in which you receive your point cloud determines what software you can use it in and what you can do with it downstream.

E57 — an open format, recommended for long-term archiving. Compatible with most point cloud processing and viewing software. If you only keep one copy of your data, keep it in E57.

RCS / RCP — Autodesk’s native format for ReCap. Imports directly into Revit and AutoCAD. The right choice if your design team works in the Autodesk ecosystem.

LFM — used by AVEVA E3D and other industrial-grade CAD systems. Essential for projects in petrochemical, energy, and process engineering environments.

PTS / PTX — formats associated with older Leica scanners, still widely encountered. Require conversion before import into most design environments.

One practical rule: always archive in E57, regardless of your working format. Software changes — E57 will remain readable.

What can you do with a point cloud?

The answer depends on your project goal. A point cloud is not a single product. Depending on your project goal, it can be the final deliverable — or the starting point for further work.  

Working directly on the point cloud — without modelling

For many use cases, the point cloud is sufficient as a final deliverable. Clash detection between a planned installation and existing infrastructure, dimensional verification, condition assessment, volume calculations — all of these can be carried out directly on the point cloud without creating a CAD model.

This approach is faster and less expensive than modelling. It is worth considering whenever the project goal does not require editable geometry. For a detailed discussion of when modelling is and is not necessary, see: Before You Commission a 3D Model — A Strategy That Saves Budget.

CAD or BIM modelling

When data needs to serve as the basis for a modernisation design, component prefabrication, or a digital twin, the point cloud becomes the starting point for modelling. An experienced engineer interprets the data and reconstructs installation geometry as editable objects in a CAD environment (such as AVEVA E3D) or BIM (Revit, AECOsim).

This is the most time-intensive and costly stage — but also the one that transforms raw data into a design tool. Point cloud modelling services cover this process end to end, from data receipt to model delivery in the required format and level of detail.

Mesh models

An alternative to CAD modelling, a mesh model represents object surfaces as a network of triangles. Meshes are generated largely automatically from point cloud data, making them faster and less expensive to produce than CAD models. They are well suited to visualisation, documentation of geometrically complex objects, and volume measurement. They are not suited to industrial installation design — they are not editable and cannot carry technical attributes. For a detailed look at what affects mesh quality and when mesh is the right choice, read: Mesh Models in 3D Scanning – What Affects Quality

Remote access via browser

Regardless of which downstream workflow you choose, the point cloud can be made available to all project participants through a browser-based access platform — so that designers, subcontractors, and maintenance teams can take remote measurements, review 360° panoramas, and verify installation details from any location, without specialist software.

At 3Deling, this is delivered through the Webpano platform.

Want to see how it works in practice? Watch a short Webpano demo — covering the key features from point cloud viewing and 360° panoramas to remote measurement and P&ID integration.

Software for viewing point clouds

If you want to work with point cloud data locally — outside a browser-based platform — you will need appropriate software.

Autodesk ReCap — the standard tool for point cloud work in the Autodesk ecosystem. Supports viewing, measurement, and preparation of data for import into Revit and AutoCAD.

Bentley Pointools — one of the most widely used tools for viewing and analysing large point clouds in industrial projects. Bentley Pointools View is available free of charge in its basic version and handles large files without performance loss — a practical choice for projects where files run to tens of gigabytes.

Leica Cyclone Register / Cyclone 3DR — Leica’s native software for registration and point cloud processing.

CloudCompare — free, open-source software for point cloud analysis and processing. Popular in academic environments and on projects with limited software budgets.

These tools solve one problem: how to work with point cloud data at a technical level. They require installation, specialist knowledge, and capable hardware.

Webpano — access for the whole organisation, not just specialists

Tools like Pointools, ReCap, and Cyclone are built for engineers and surveyors. They leave a different problem unsolved: how to give access to the same data to everyone else in the organisation — project managers, subcontractors, maintenance teams — without CAD licences, without installation, without training.

Webpano addresses this directly. It is a browser-based platform where scans, 360° panoramas, and 3D models are accessible from any location and device. A designer can take a measurement before a client meeting. A subcontractor can prepare a tender without a site visit. A maintenance technician can locate a valve and check its specification before entering a process zone.

Webpano does not replace CAD tools — it works alongside them. Data processed in ReCap or Cyclone is published to the platform and made available to everyone, not only those with a licence and the hardware to run it. A one-off scanning project becomes a long-term technical knowledge asset for the facility.

The most common mistake: data goes on a server and stays there

In many organisations, a point cloud reaches a network drive at the end of a project — and remains there for years, inaccessible to most staff, with no easy way to search it or take a measurement.

This is a waste of an asset that, with the right access infrastructure, could contribute to every subsequent project. Spatial documentation of an industrial plant is cumulative — its value grows with each project that uses it.

Planning a 3D laser scan of your facility, or looking for guidance on what to do with existing point cloud data?

Get in touch — we advise on the optimal processing and access strategy for your project and budget.

The post What Is a Point Cloud — and What Can You Do with It? appeared first on 3Deling - Experts in 3D Laser Scanning and Point Cloud Processing.

P&ID integration with 3D model and point cloud

The Importance of P&IDs in Industrial Plants

P&IDs (Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams) are among the most critical technical documents in industry. They are used in the design, construction, and maintenance of industrial installations – refineries, chemical plants, and other industrial facilities.

These diagrams illustrate pipelines, valves, process equipment, and control and measurement systems. They act as a roadmap of the facility, allowing engineers and operators to understand the operation of the entire system. P&IDs are essential for planning upgrades, conducting maintenance, and ensuring safety.

P&IDs serve as a common language for engineers across disciplines. They enable designers, contractors, and maintenance teams to work from a single, consistent set of information.

The Problem: P&IDs Often Do Not Reflect Reality

In practice, P&ID documentation is rarely fully up-to-date. Changes in the installation – valve replacements, added pipeline sections, or modifications to control systems – are not always reflected in the diagrams.

Common causes include:

• limited time and resources,

• dispersed responsibility across teams,

• documentation maintained on paper or in inflexible PDF/CAD files.

As a result, there are significant discrepancies between the diagrams and the actual state of the facility, increasing the risk of errors, delays, and issues during audits and compliance checks – particularly in critical situations, when a component needs to be redesigned quickly due to a failure.

Solution: P&ID Integration in WebPano

The new P&ID integration feature in WebPano allows P&ID diagrams to be linked with spatial data – either a 3D model or a point cloud.
Additionally, P&IDs can be updated based on 3D scanner data, ensuring that the documentation always reflects the real state of the plant.

How It Works in Practice

1. 3D Laser Scanning – the installation is measured using laser scanning technology, creating a detailed point cloud.

2. Data Import to WebPano – the data is uploaded to the online platform, where it can be viewed and analyzed.

3. P&ID Updates – diagrams are recreated or corrected based on the point cloud.

4. Integration – P&ID elements are linked to the corresponding parts of the 3D model or point cloud. Users can perform this linking themselves in WebPano or order it as a service from 3Deling, depending on their team’s needs and resources.

This allows a valve or pump symbol on the diagram to serve as a direct reference to the real object in the plant.
Integration also works when only a point cloud is available, which is significantly less expensive than a full 3D model, while scanning the facility in advance provides data for rapid design in emergency situations.

Why P&ID Integration with 3D Data in WebPano Is Better Than Traditional Methods

Traditional P&ID updates are done manually in CAD or PDF files. This process is time-consuming, prone to errors, and difficult to verify.

The WebPano approach combined with 3D scanning offers:

• Data Objectivity – the scan reflects the actual state of the installation.

• Centralized Online Access – all team members work from the same data.

• Information Integration – schematic documentation is directly linked to the 3D model or point cloud

• Change Transparency – every update is visible and easy to document.

• Remote Updates –thanks to 3D scan data and the WebPano platform, diagrams can be updated without physical presence on-site.

Business Benefits

• Safety – up-to-date P&IDs reduce the risk of accidents and operational errors.

• Reduced Downtime – planning upgrades and maintenance is easier with reliable data.

• Better Cost Management – accurate information supports CAPEX and OPEX planning.

• Audit and Compliance Support – documentation meets regulatory requirements.

• Clear Communication – designers, contractors, and operators work from a single, consistent dataset.

P&ID Integration in Practice

The benefits of P&ID integration in WebPano can be seen in the following video, which demonstrates both scenarios – using a 3D model first, followed by a point cloud only:

Watch the video

Moving Towards Digital Twins

P&ID integration in WebPano is a step toward building full digital twins of industrial installations. Up-to-date diagrams linked with spatial data provide a solid foundation for implementing monitoring, predictive maintenance, and process optimization.

Conclusion

P&ID integration in WebPano solves a key industry problem – outdated P&ID documentation. Linking P&IDs with 3D models and point clouds creates accurate, interactive, and easily accessible documentation.

This solution supports daily engineering work and business processes: from safety, through cost management, to regulatory compliance. Industrial facilities gain confidence that their documentation keeps pace with reality and supports informed decision-making.

The post P&ID Integration in WebPano – Updating Technical Documentation with 3D Models and Point Clouds appeared first on 3Deling - Experts in 3D Laser Scanning and Point Cloud Processing.