From dots to decisions: How AI changes the point cloud data game

Posted: November 27 2025

Let me take you back to a time before point clouds. Engineers and designers were like treasure hunters with paper maps, tape measures, and high-vis vests.

Then came the laser scan. Suddenly, instead of guessing what was around the next corner, we could see it clearly—right from the comfort of our desks. Accurately. In 3D. Welcome to the world of point clouds.

What is a point cloud? What is it used for?

A point cloud is a digital representation of 3D space, made up of millions (or billions) of data points, captured using technologies like LiDAR or photogrammetry. Think of it as a digital replica of the real world—down to the millimeter. Point clouds are used in:

• Clash detection
• Engineering design
• Object detection ("Is that equipment or a component?")
• Floor plan generation (perfect for facility retrofits and revamps)

Why laser scanning?

Assets age. Changes happen. And the difference between "as-built" and "as-designed" is often the difference between on-time delivery and budget overrun.

Laser scanning provides:

• Safe data collection in hazardous or hard-to-access areas
• Millimeter accuracy
• Time savings vs manual measurements
• 5-15% reduction in rework costs (ENR)
• 30-50% fewer site visits (McKinsey)

Introducing AVEVA™ Point Cloud Manager (PCM)

AVEVA Point Cloud Manager is a cloud-based solution that registers, processes, visualizes, and integrates massive volumes of 3D scan data. Available via CONNECT, it becomes the cornerstone of your digital twin strategy.

AVEVA Point Cloud Manager has been honored at the Energy Industries Council (EIC) Awards – North & Central America 2025, celebrating its contribution to “Revolutionizing Industrial Design through Digital Connectivity.”

Features that make a difference:

• Handles thousands of scans and petabytes of data
• Imports LiDAR & photogrammetry data from terrestrial, wearable, and mobile devices.
• Visual walkthroughs via point cloud and BubbleView™ imagery
• Overlay of 3D models with reality capture data for hybrid visualization
• Tag assets, perform accurate measurements, and create annotations.
• Integrates with AVEVA Unified Engineering, AVEVA Asset Information Management, and 3rd party tools

Real-world impact:

• 30% cost savings (Bruce Power)
• 50% reduction in travel costs (Vivix Glass)
• 25% faster construction timelines (BLOM Maritime)
• Less risk, more confidence in brownfield and turnaround projects (Wacker Chemie)

When AI meets the reality of data

Imagine having billions of points—without labels or context. It’s like someone handed you a jigsaw puzzle of your plant—but forgot the picture on the box.

AI-powered object recognition and classification.

PCM uses AI to automatically identify objects within the point cloud—pipes, components, equipment, structures—based on pre-trained industrial AI models.

What does this mean for you?

• Fewer hours manually tagging features
• Auto-classify industrial object class
• Improved user experience with engineering and information management systems
• Prepare data for digital twin or AI analytics workflows

What used to be just a mountain of data points has evolved into a smart, structured dataset. By combining cloud, point cloud visualization, and AI classification, AVEVA Point Cloud Manager is transforming how capital-intensive industries approach:

• Maintenance planning
• Brownfield design and revamp
• Safety and compliance
• Engineering data handover

From fog to foresight

The next time you hear "point cloud," think less of fog and more of laser-sharp foresight. With AI in the mix, the cloud doesn’t just manage your data. It understands it.

Ready to turn your point clouds into powerful, actionable insights? Discover how AVEVA Point Cloud Manager can help transform the way you plan, build, and maintain your assets—starting today