02 -- PointCloud Studio

0 2 -- PointCloud Studio

📑 Table of Contents — click to navigate

01 — Hardware Setup Device specs, firmware, SD cards, batteries, connectivity, accessories
02 — PointCloud Studio Installation, versions, settings, project management, data processing
03 — Scanning Workflows Field scanning strategies, movement, environment, multi-scan projects
04 — 3DGS Workflow Gaussian splat generation, settings, GPU requirements, processing time, quality
05 — Hybrid Workflows Combining LiDAR with external cameras, drones, RealityScan, Postshot pipelines
06 — RTK & GCP RTK setup, GNSS fusion, coordinate systems, control points, accuracy
07 — Troubleshooting Common issues and community-verified solutions
08 — Third-Party Tools CloudCompare, RealityScan, Postshot, LFS, D5 Render, Blender, BricsCAD
09 — Bot Knowledge Official answers, product specs, known limitations from bot and support team

Applies to: C1 and S20
Related: Master Index | 01-Hardware-Setup | 04-3DGS-Workflow | 07-Troubleshooting

Versions

Version	Date	Key Features	Status
v2.2.4	Stable	GCP feature, Dynamic Object Filtering	Works
v2.4.0-Beta.1	Apr 3, 2026	First 3DGS-capable beta	Old
v2.4.0-Beta.4	Apr 14, 2026	SFM option, improved coloring	Superseded
v2.4.0-Beta.7	Apr 29, 2026	Various fixes	Superseded
v2.5.0-Beta.9	May 28, 2026	Fixed CUDA error; 3DGS only in Data Calculation	Current

Download Links

Beta.4: https://pub-48d9b6cd156f4aa082af525643268fd1.r2.dev/SHARE_SLAM/software/point-cloud-manger/share/iso/SHARE%20PointClouds%20Studio-v2.4.0-Beta.4-Windows-x64-Setup-full.iso

Beta.7: https://pub-48d9b6cd156f4aa082af525643268fd1.r2.dev/SHARE_SLAM/software/point-cloud-manger/share/iso/SHARE%20PointClouds%20Studio-v2.4.0-Beta.7-Windows-x64-Setup-full.iso

Installation

Requirements

OS: Windows x64 only (no Mac support)
GPU: NVIDIA with CUDA 12.8+, compute capability 7.5
VRAM: 12GB+ recommended for 3DGS
Disk: NVMe SSD strongly recommended

Clean Install

Uninstall previous version via Windows
Delete residual data: %APPDATA%\PointClouds Studio, %LOCALAPPDATA%\PointClouds Studio, %PROGRAMDATA%\PointClouds Studio
Delete: %APPDATA%\share-pointclouds-studio (ser0ka)
Run installer as Administrator
Install Visual C++ Redistributables (x64 + x86)

Migration to Different Drive

For project data:
1. Copy C:\Users\<you>\SHARE Product\ to target drive
2. Create junction: mklink /J "C:\...\SHARE Product" "D:\SHARE Product"
3. Or check Settings -> "Project Storage Path"

For application:
1. Uninstall -> decline "remove personal data" prompt
2. Install Beta ISO -> choose target folder during setup

Cannot Run Beta and Stable Together

Must uninstall previous version first (Frank, Apr 13)
GCP feature (v2.2.3+) not available in Beta -- you choose one or the other
Save old project files before switching

Data Processing Workflow

Basic Point Cloud Processing

Create New Project -> point to raw data folder (from SD card)
Work folder: Define in Settings before starting
Select scan in project list -> Mapping Parameters appear on right side
Select All button (Beta.9): CHECKED by default -- uncheck it first, then check individual scan to see parameters (tool_guy_365)
Choose parameters:
Scene type: Indoor or Outdoor
GNSS Fusion: ON if RTK data available
Undistorted Photo Output: OFF unless you need SFM/Gaussian generation
SFM (Structure from Motion): Available from Beta.4 -- improves point cloud coloring
Click "Start Calculation"

3DGS Generation

In Beta.7 and earlier:
1. Process point cloud first
2. Go to Data Management -> click "+" -> browse to project's output/ folder
3. Select quality, scene type, iterations
4. Click Process

In Beta.9 (current):
1. 3DGS generation must be enabled during Data Calculation, not after
2. If you missed it: click "Data Calculation" again -> select project -> enable "Gaussian Generation" (Luna)
3. This ONLY works if project still exists in PCS history -- not if data was moved

See 04-3DGS-Workflow for full 3DGS parameters and settings.

Project File Structure

SHARE Product/
 [Project Name]/
     output/
        Undistort/
           left/              (undistorted images)
           left_mask/
           right/
           right_mask/
           ImgPose.txt        (camera poses: filename, x, y, z, roll, pitch, yaw, qx, qy, qz, qw, timestamp)
           xyzopk.txt         (Omega/Phi/Kappa format)
           TransformedCam.json (44 camera-to-world transforms)
           Left_undistort.opt  (XML: camera params)
           Right_undistort.opt
        images/                (raw fisheye)
        colorized.las          (colored point cloud)
        info/
           calibration.yaml
           trajectory.txt
        FrameOptPose.txt
     rawData/

Settings & Parameters

Calculation Parameters

Parameter	Options	Notes
Scene Type	Indoor / Outdoor	Outdoor = new algorithm; Indoor = old algorithm. Try Indoor for outdoor scans if Outdoor gives bad results (mr_red1991_63830)
GNSS Fusion	ON / OFF	Requires RTK data
Horizontal Setting	EPSG code	Do NOT select CRS with "(Ft)" suffix -- causes stretched geometry (tool_guy_365)
Undistorted Photo Output	ON / OFF	OFF for faster processing. ON enables SFM but can cause extreme processing delays (74+ hours at 3%)
SFM	Auto-enabled with Undistorted Photo Output	Improves coloring but CPU-intensive; unsigned Python tools may be blocked by Windows Security
Dynamic Object Filtering	ON in v2.2.4 only	Removes people/moving objects. NOT available in Beta versions

Data Calculation Window (Beta.9)

Select All is new and checked by default -- uncheck to see per-scan options (tool_guy_365)
3DGS generation checkbox must be enabled during this step

Known Issues & Workarounds

Processing Stuck at Low Percentage (3%, 33%, 45%)

Percentage	Likely Cause	Fix
3% for 74+ hours	Undistorted Photo Output (SFM) ON	Turn OFF, re-process (tool_guy_365)
33% with "map creation failed"	Beta version incompatibility with older hardware	Update to Beta.9; check free NVMe space; disable Windows security (feedresender)
45% for hours	Normal for large scans -- timer is inaccurate	Wait it out (mr_red1991_63830, avsupport)

CUDA Version Error (Beta.7)

Symptom: "Nvidia card needs a newer CUDA version" despite latest drivers
Affected: RTX 4090 + Studio driver v610.47 / CUDA v13.3
Fix: Update to V2.5.0-Beta.9 (May 28, 2026)

Unsigned Python Tools

Symptom: Processing stalls at certain percentages
Cause: Windows Security blocking unsigned .dll and Python plugins
Fix: Disable Smart App Control in Windows Security (philippkreiser); disable security features during processing (ser0ka)

Download Progress Bug

Download progress shows >2000% during PCS install (olahaldor)
Let it keep running -- restarts from 0 around 2300% and completes

Project File Corruption

Do NOT rename calculated folders or output files (.e57, .ply) on disk -- corrupts project (nicken)
Importing old projects requires a .zip created via Export, containing project.metadata.json
Alternative: Use "Import Point Cloud" button from Home screen for .LAS and .PLY files directly

Computer Sleep

Processing will fail if computer goes to sleep -- disable sleep in power settings (avsupport)

Feature Requests (Community)

Priority	Feature	Requested By
High	Cross-section tool (crop box minimum width = 1-2 points)	AVsupport
High	ESC key to cancel actions	AVsupport
High	Ability to remove image groups from dataset before 3DGS	AVsupport
High	3DGS from cropped/segmented point cloud only	AVsupport
Medium	Viewpoint reset / Eye tool	AVsupport
Medium	Asset rename follows through to file level	AVsupport
Medium	COLMAP format export	AVsupport
Medium	Volume measurement tool (documented but not in software)	AVsupport
Medium	Previous processing parameters visible in Attribute panel	AVsupport
Medium	Improved masking for static artifacts (operator, phone in frame)	AVsupport
Low	Decimal degree output (WGS84) instead of UTM	Tool Guy
Low	MacBook support	feedresender
Low	Progress percentage with decimal places (e.g., 14.01%)	Tool Guy

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