Key takeaways
Traditional surveying is time-consuming and collects limited data, often requiring careful planning to avoid missed points.
Point cloud software transforms dense 3D data into usable maps and models, improving accuracy and efficiency.
Laser scanning captures massive, detailed point clouds for precise mapping.
Photogrammetry and drone mapping generate accurate 3D point clouds quickly, reducing fieldwork.
SLAM technology records dense 3D data in real time, ideal for complex or confined environments.
Professional point cloud software saves time, streamlines workflows, and ensures reliable, high-quality results.
Introduction
In the past, most surveyors and construction professionals measured terrain, natural environments, and objects using traditional techniques and point cloud software workflows based on total stations, GNSS devices, measuring tapes, and laser distance meters. With these tools, they collected only the minimum required data, typically a limited number of 3D points or distances.
For a standard survey map, a surveyor usually collects around 200–300 points in the field. These points are later processed in CAD or point cloud software to create the final map.
The main advantage of this approach is the small data volume, which makes office work fast and straightforward. However, fieldwork is time-consuming and demanding, often requiring two people and 2-3 hours of measurements. Surveyors must carefully decide what to measure on site to avoid missing data, return visits, and confusion later during processing.
Complete reality capture with a point cloud software
Today, surveying and construction workflows are rapidly changing. Modern technologies can capture millions of points in minutes, creating highly detailed digital representations of natural and man-made environments. These datasets are known as point cloud data, and they completely transform how we work.
If you’re new to the topic, you can learn more about the point cloud in our blog post What is a point cloud.
In short, a 3D point cloud is a large collection of tiny points in three-dimensional space. Each point has precise X, Y, and Z coordinates and represents a real location on a real surface:
- ground,
- walls,
- roofs,
- trees,
- rocks,
- vehicles,
- or entire buildings.
But capturing point cloud data is only half of the process. To turn this massive amount of information into usable results, you need a powerful point cloud software.
Reason #1: Laser scanning produces massive point clouds
One of the first major technologies that enabled large-scale point cloud creation was terrestrial laser scanning.
A laser scanner is placed on a tripod and rotates 360 degrees, capturing everything around it from a single station. To avoid blind spots, the scanner is moved to multiple locations, repeating the process. The result is an extremely detailed and realistic 3D point cloud, often enriched with colour data from integrated cameras.
Modern high-end laser scanners can:
- Capture up to 2 million points per second
- Reach distances of 250 meters or more
- Generate point clouds with hundreds of millions of points in just a few minutes
Handling this volume of data is impossible without specialized software. In the office, you need a point cloud software that can efficiently manage, visualize, and process large datasets and provide tools to extract CAD lines, points, and surfaces for final survey maps.
You can learn more on the topic in our free webinar Create a survey map in 3Dsurvey.
Reason #2: Photogrammetry and drone mapping changed everything
Another game-changing technology is photogrammetry, especially when combined with drone mapping. Over the last decade, this approach has revolutionized surveying, mining, and construction workflows.
Using aerial or terrestrial images, photogrammetry software can calculate highly accurate 3D point clouds from 2D photos.
For example, a 100 × 100 m stockpile can be mapped from 80 m AGL in just 5–10 minutes. This flight produces around 200 images, which are processed in software like 3Dsurvey to generate 50 million or more points.
To turn photogrammetry results into usable deliverables—such as:
- CAD-ready lines and contours
- Volume calculations
- Profiles and cross-sections
- Surface and terrain models
—you need a robust point cloud software.
Advanced point cloud software allows you to:
- Automatically classify points (ground vs. non-ground)
- Generate digital terrain models (DTM)
- Extract 3D CAD lines and points
- Calculate volumes for any selected area
- Create profiles and cross-sections
- Visualize terrain features clearly in graphs and 3D views
When point cloud processing, photogrammetry, and surveying tools are combined in one solution, it becomes Reason #2 why point cloud software is indispensable.
Reason #3: SLAM technology requires powerful processing
The latest and for some projects the most powerful technology is SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping).
Unlike stationary laser scanners, SLAM scanners are mobile. You simply walk through the area of interest while holding the scanner, and it captures millions of 3D points per second in real time.
SLAM technology is especially useful for:
- Building interiors
- Floor plan generation
- Confined or complex environments
- Fast documentation projects
However, SLAM data is dense, complex, and demanding. To clean, align, visualize, and extract usable results, a powerful point cloud software is a must.
That’s why SLAM represents Reason #3 you need point cloud software.
Want to know more about SLAM devices? We tested 7 of them so you don’t have to.
Pros and cons of point cloud–based technologies
Like traditional surveying tools, modern reality-capture technologies have both advantages and limitations.
Pros
- More than 10× faster fieldwork
- You capture more data than needed—no return visits to the site
- Measurements can be done later directly from the point cloud
- Highly realistic, easy-to-understand results
- Elegant and efficient fieldwork (e.g., flying a drone while staying in the shade)
Cons
- Longer processing time in the office compared to traditional methods
- Choosing the right points from dense point clouds can be mentally demanding
- Large data files require more storage and powerful hardware
Free vs. professional point cloud software
There are many free point cloud software solutions available on the market today. While they can be useful for basic visualization or experimentation, they often require a lot of time spent on setup, manual configuration, and learning complex workflows. In many cases, you also need to combine several different tools to reach a usable final result.
If you are a professional who values efficiency, reliability, and full control over your data, a professional point cloud software is the better choice. With an integrated solution like 3Dsurvey, you avoid unnecessary complexity, reduce processing time, and work in a single environment designed specifically for surveying, construction, and mining workflows.
Most importantly, you retain full ownership of your data while delivering accurate, high-quality results faster and with confidence. Start your 14-day free trial today!
Conclusion
Laser scanning, photogrammetry, and SLAM technologies have transformed surveying and construction by enabling fast and detailed reality capture. But without the right point cloud software, this data cannot be efficiently converted into practical results.
If you want to work faster, avoid return visits, and unlock the full value of point cloud data, investing in professional point cloud software is no longer optional, it’s essential.
