2.2 The Two Workflows
Point clouds and 3D Gaussian Splats are fundamentally different outputs from the same raw data. The choice determines your software, your processing path, and what the deliverable can do.
Point Cloud Workflow
A point cloud is a dense collection of measured 3D coordinates captured by LiDAR. Dimensions taken from it reflect real geometry.
Processed in LixelStudio (activation requires a license code tied to the device serial number, three codes per device)
What Point Clouds Are Used For:
- As-built documentation
- BIM modeling and Revit import
- Dimensional verification and deviation analysis
- Construction coordination and clash detection
- Facility management baseline documentation
- Georeferenced survey deliverables (RTK or GCPs)
Export: LAS, LAZ, E57, PLY, OBJ (with texture), RCP.
The L3, L2 Pro, and K2 produce point clouds. The PortalCam does not.
3D Gaussian Splat Workflow
3DGS produces a photorealistic visual model rather than measured geometry. When viewed in LCC Studio or shared via a URL, the result looks like a photograph you can walk through in three dimensions.
Processed in LCC Studio (Free generates models; Premium adds Map Fusion, Aerial Reconstruction, Aerial-Ground Fusion, HD Enhancement, and Spatial Recognition)
What 3DGS Models Are Used For:
- Client walkthroughs and stakeholder presentations
- Virtual tours and web sharing
- Visual progress documentation
- Spatial reference for non-technical audiences
- Gaming and XR environment assets (Premium SDKs)
Export: .lcc and .lcc2 (Free); .ply, .usd, .usdz*, 3D Tiles** (Premium); .obj or .ply mesh (no texture).
*USDZ requires firmware ≥ 3.0 and Single Model reconstruction. USD (recommended) targets NVIDIA Omniverse Kit 110.0+ with ray tracing via 3DGRUT; USDZ targets Omniverse Kit 107.3+ via 3DGUT/NuRec without ray tracing. **3D Tiles limited to models with ≤ 4 million Gaussian points.
Do not use 3DGS measurements for engineering or construction deliverables. LCC Studio includes Coordinate, Distance, and Area measurement tools, but results are for reference only. For dimensionally reliable deliverables, use the point cloud workflow.
Side by Side
The two outputs cannot be converted between each other after processing.
The same raw L3, L2 Pro, or K2 data can be processed through LixelStudio, LCC Studio, or both. A point cloud cannot become a 3DGS model, and a 3DGS model cannot become a point cloud.
The PortalCam Limitation
The PortalCam produces 3DGS output only. It cannot produce point clouds. If your project requires measured deliverables, use an L3, L2 Pro, or K2.
PortalCam data is processed exclusively in LCC Studio using the LCC Scan field app. If you own both a PortalCam and an L3, L2 Pro, or K2, they operate on parallel, independent pipelines. See the Software Map for the complete pairing reference.
Running Both Workflows from One Scan
L3, L2 Pro, and K2 raw data feeds both pipelines from a single capture session. No special scan settings are needed. Confirm your required deliverables before scanning to ensure your field technique supports both: adequate loop closures, camera data enabled, and sufficient session overlap.
- LixelStudio installed, activated, and tested before the project
- LCC Studio installed with NVIDIA driver 581.90 or later. Verify your license tier supports required features
- Plan for additive processing time from both pipelines
- Do not run both processing jobs on the same machine simultaneously. Process one to completion, then start the other
What LCC Studio supports on the K2. XGRIDS lists the K2 for Single Model reconstruction, Map Fusion, and Aerial-Ground Map Fusion, and lists the Lixel K series for HD Enhancement. Those fusion and enhancement modes need Premium. A K2 single scene is bounded by the device capture ceiling and by workstation memory, not by any time limit in the software, so multi-segment 3DGS work does not require a particular device.
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