0 8 -- Third-Party Tools

Applies to: C1 and S20 (unified unless noted)
Related: Master Index | 04-3DGS-Workflow | 05-Hybrid-Workflows | 06-RTK-GCP

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Overview

The SHARE C1/S20 ecosystem benefits from a rich set of third-party tools. This section covers what each tool does, when to use it, and community-validated workflows.

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CloudCompare

Website: https://www.cloudcompare.org/
License: Open Source (Free)

Primary Uses

• Align multiple point clouds (via GCPs or ICP)
• Apply global shift (RTK -> local coordinates for Blender)
• Subsampling + SOR filtering (before Postshot import)
• Noise removal
• Metric-to-imperial conversion (potential)

Key Workflows

Align Scans (via ICP):
1. Import both .las files
2. Select both point clouds
3. Tools -> Registration -> Align (point pairs picking)
4. Pick common points in both scans
5. Apply alignment
6. Refine with ICP: Tools -> Registration -> Fine registration (ICP)

RTK to Local Coordinates:
1. Open RTK point cloud in CC
2. Apply transformation/global shift to re-center
3. Export non-georeferenced copy
4. Keep original + local versions for different use cases

Pre-Postshot Cleanup:
1. Import sparse point cloud from RS2 export
2. Edit -> subsample (reduce point count)
3. Tools -> Clean -> SOR filter (remove outliers)
4. Save cleaned version
5. Minimum gaussians = number of points -- plan accordingly

Resources

• YouTube: James Dietrich -- 6-video CloudCompare course
• YouTube: Topometrics -- "How to merge two 3D scans from a laser scanner in CloudCompare"

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Reality Capture / Reality Scan (Epic Games)

Website: Epic Games platform
License: Free (with Epic account)
Version: v2.1.1 (as of May 2026)

Primary Uses

• Camera alignment using LiDAR point cloud
• Handle scans >10 minutes for GS pipeline
• Add external photos (DSLR, drone, phone)
• Export cameras as CSV or COLMAP format

Key Capabilities

• Imports LiDAR .las point clouds
• Supports FULL_OPENCV camera model
• Imports trajectory files for camera positioning
• COLMAP import/export

C1 Data Import Settings (Verified Working)

1. Import undistorted left/mask, right/mask images
2. Apply trajectory: xyzopt.txt as image X/lon, Y/lat, Z/alt, Omega, Phi, Kappa
3. Euler as XYZ photogrammetric OPK conversion
4. Coordinate system: Computer Vision
5. Ignore first line: Yes
6. Local Euclidean
7. Use focal length to group camera intrinsics
8. Accuracy from file and edit missing components
9. Import colored LiDAR .las: Mobile LiDAR, Exact, Geo=Yes, Local Euclidean, Use camera poses from priors, Single camera

Export Workflow

1. After alignment, export cameras as CSV or COLMAP
2. CSV header fix: Replace first line with: #name,x,y,alt,yaw,pitch,roll,f,px,py,k1,k2,k3,k4,t1,t2
3. Export sparse point cloud (for Postshot import)
4. Clear cache before export: Workflow -> Settings -> clear cache (avoids 1KB export files)

EXIF Warning

• EXIF orientation tags override trajectory poses -- strip before importing
• Fix: exiftool -overwrite_original -Orientation= -n "path\to\phone\photos\*.jpg"

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Postshot (Jawset)

Website: https://www.jawset.com/
License: Paid
Version: v1.1 (May 13, 2026)

Primary Uses

• Train 3D Gaussian Splats
• 4 quality levels for camera alignment (v1.1)
• Community-preferred for GS quality

Input Requirements

• cameras.csv from RS2 (with fixed header)
• ALL photos (C1 undistorted + external)
• Subsampled point cloud from CloudCompare

Key Features

• Photometric compensation averages all photos (auto settings OK)
• "Most of the GS I've posted was trained in Postshot" (iris.digital.pl)
• Easier than Lichtfeld Studio

Limitations

• Paid -- no month-to-month pause option confirmed
• Slower alignment than RS2 for camera matching
• Cannot import point cloud for reference -- needs external alignment first

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Lichtfeld Studio (LFS)

Website: https://lichtfeld.io/
License: Open Source (Free)

Primary Uses

• Train, edit, automate, and render 3DGS in single desktop app
• Python plugins + MCP integration
• Runs locally on GPU

Key Features

• Supports COLMAP import with GUT (native fisheye processing)
• Full editing suite
• "Newer to me but also not too complex" (iris.digital.pl)
• Free alternative to Postshot

Limitations

• Requires COLMAP format input
• Point cloud orientation axis may be off -- transform creates offsets (avsupport)

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SuperSplat (PlayCanvas)

Website: https://superspl.at/
License: Free

Primary Uses

• Editor and viewer for splats
• CANNOT train splats
• Color correction, black point adjustment, cleanup

Limitations

• "Can't salvage blown highlights" (avsupport)
• By uploading you agree to terms -- they may own your data

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Blender

Website: https://www.blender.org/
License: Open Source (Free)

3DGS Plugin

• Kiri Engine free 3DGS plugin (urienofrheged)
• Splats not natively supported in Blender
• Steep learning curve

RTK Coordinate Issue

• Does NOT handle large 64-bit RTK coordinates well
• Data appears "divided and incomplete" (olahaldor)
• Fix: re-center to local coordinates via CloudCompare first

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D5 Render

Website: https://www.d5render.com/
License: Free/Pro

Primary Uses

• Combine 3DGS with 3D models for architectural visualization
• Much easier than Blender for this purpose

Key Features

• Supports 3DGS import (latest update)
• Free tier available
• Used for archviz

Limitation

• Free plan: saved 3DGS disappears on file reload -- only 3D model remains (avsupport)

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BricsCAD BIM

Website: https://www.bricsys.com/
License: Paid

Primary Uses

• Structural CAD modeling from LiDAR scan data
• BIM workflows

Workflow

1. Import point cloud
2. Trace in plan view for floor plan
3. For elevations: slice/dice point cloud into separate views before importing
4. Closer to AutoCAD than Revit in workflow style

Tutorials

• Payo: "From LiDAR Scan to CAD" https://youtu.be/Y0LpGf1ui84
• Payo: "LiDAR Scan to CAD Workflow - SHARE AI CAD Generator" https://youtu.be/KEKvEhuGEx4

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Other Tools

Metashape (Agisoft)

• Standard edition: NO Python/CLI, NO LiDAR import, NO Reference CSV
• Pro required for LiDAR point cloud import -- "Metashape Standard blocks point cloud import entirely" (avsupport)

Twinmotion

• Does point clouds but NOT 3DGS
• Point clouds look "a little difficult to look at for the untrained eye" (avsupport)

Unreal Engine

• 3DGS plugin exists but was unstable ~1 year ago (jrameau)
• Requires beefy computer

Houdini

• Can automate RTK coordinate transformation
• Alternative to CloudCompare for coordinate work

Arrival.space

• Web-based viewer with portal navigation
• Connect multiple scans via portals for virtual tours

SplitView Studio

• Merge point clouds
• https://splitview.studio/

Stitch3D

• Web-based .las viewer
• "Unreasonably expensive"; trial limited to one project (avsupport)

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Recommended Tool Chains

Quick GS (under 10-min scan)

PCS -> SuperSplat

Quality GS (>10-min scan)

PCS -> Reality Scan 2 -> Postshot -> SuperSplat

Open Source GS Pipeline

PCS -> Reality Scan 2 -> COLMAP export -> Lichtfeld Studio -> SuperSplat

Scan-to-CAD

PCS -> CloudCompare -> BricsCAD BIM / Revit

Multi-Scan Alignment

PCS -> CloudCompare (ICP + GCP) -> (optional: Leica Register 360)

ArchViz Presentation

PCS -> D5 Render (3DGS + 3D models) -> video/image export