---
title: "Importing Point Clouds"
slug: "importing-point-clouds"
tags: ["3D Localization", "AIR3D", "3D"]
updated: 2026-10-27T23:12:37Z
published: 2026-10-27T23:12:37Z
canonical: "ims-handbook.cenosco.com/importing-point-clouds"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://ims-handbook.cenosco.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Importing Point Clouds

When your 3D Observation Project has been created and loaded you can import Point Clouds and Reality Meshes from the cloud storage.

> [!NOTE]
> Point Cloud Import Limitations
> 
> IMS directly supports importing Point Clouds in the .E57 file format; however, IMS *is not able to convert .LAS and .LAZ files containing more than 1,425,078,282 points*.
> 
> To import .LAS/.LAZ format files containing more points than the limit:
> 
> - Split the .LAS/.LAZ files into smaller files and import each smaller file separately; or,
> - Convert the .LAS/.LAZ files directly into .E57 format prior to importing into IMS.

## Selecting and Importing Point Clouds

### Importing a Point Cloud

To import a Point Cloud:

- Open your 3D Observation Project (if not yet open).
- Click on the *3D Localization* button to open the 3D Localization – Point Cloud side panel.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/pic%201(854).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A27%3A15Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A27%3A15Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=ghRiyl80MWrs8VSR8dCO62cxTOUY5%2FU3qQPBASomvTI%3D)

- If the Point Cloud needs to be aligned with the 3D model, enter the Transform information fields: X, Y, Z for translation in meters and R for the rotation angle about Z-axis in degrees.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/image-1685087611456.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A27%3A15Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A27%3A15Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=ghRiyl80MWrs8VSR8dCO62cxTOUY5%2FU3qQPBASomvTI%3D)

Transform on import.

- Click **Browse** to browse through the cloud storage.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/image-1685087222054.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A27%3A15Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A27%3A15Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=ghRiyl80MWrs8VSR8dCO62cxTOUY5%2FU3qQPBASomvTI%3D)

Click **Browse**

- Select the Point Cloud files that are relevant to the Project. If all Point Clouds in the folder should be imported, click **Select All**.
- Click **Select** to prepare the selected Point Cloud files for import.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/image-1685088119623.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A27%3A15Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A27%3A15Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=ghRiyl80MWrs8VSR8dCO62cxTOUY5%2FU3qQPBASomvTI%3D)

Dialog for browsing cloud storage and selecting Point Cloud files for import.

> [!NOTE]
> Supported File Types
> 
> IMS is able to import Point Cloud files in E57, LAS, LAZ, and other formats that [CloudCompare](https://www.cloudcompare.org/) application can handle.

- You can use the Point density slider to set the Point Cloud quality for the 3D Localization.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/image-1685088599863.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A27%3A15Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A27%3A15Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=ghRiyl80MWrs8VSR8dCO62cxTOUY5%2FU3qQPBASomvTI%3D)

Select Point Density for import.

If a single Point Cloud was selected for import:

- Click **Start Import** to import the selected Point Cloud.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/image-1685088385045.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A27%3A15Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A27%3A15Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=ghRiyl80MWrs8VSR8dCO62cxTOUY5%2FU3qQPBASomvTI%3D)

Dialog to import of a single Point Cloud.

If multiple Point Clouds were selected for import, the Point Clouds can be merged into a single Point Cloud:

- Check the Merge point clouds on import check box.
- Click **Start Import** to merge and import the selected Point Clouds.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/image-1685088908183.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A27%3A15Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A27%3A15Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=ghRiyl80MWrs8VSR8dCO62cxTOUY5%2FU3qQPBASomvTI%3D)

Dialog to import multiple Point Clouds.

You can also use Point Clouds that have been used previously:

- Select the Use Existing tab.
- Click **Browse**.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/image-1685089298164.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A27%3A15Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A27%3A15Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=ghRiyl80MWrs8VSR8dCO62cxTOUY5%2FU3qQPBASomvTI%3D)

Using existing Point Clouds.

- Select one or more Point Clouds from the list.
- Click **Select**.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/image-1685089448047.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A27%3A15Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A27%3A15Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=ghRiyl80MWrs8VSR8dCO62cxTOUY5%2FU3qQPBASomvTI%3D)

> [!NOTE]
> Note
> 
> Importing Point Clouds can take several hours (depending on the size of the selected Point Cloud files). Import progress will be shown in the 3D Observation Grid View and an e-mail will be sent to initiator of the Point Cloud import when the Point Cloud import is complete.

If IMS detects that storage space is inadequate, the Point Cloud Import will be cancelled, and IMS will display a warning. Clicking **Try Again** will take you back to the Import Point Cloud dialog.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/image-1699522685069.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A27%3A15Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A27%3A15Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=ghRiyl80MWrs8VSR8dCO62cxTOUY5%2FU3qQPBASomvTI%3D)

Insufficient Storage Space warning.

### Cancelling a Point Cloud Import

Importing a Point Cloud can be cancelled after import has started. To cancel the import:

- Click **Cancel** in the Import Point Cloud dialog.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/image-1699522506427.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A27%3A15Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A27%3A15Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=ghRiyl80MWrs8VSR8dCO62cxTOUY5%2FU3qQPBASomvTI%3D)

Cancel Point Cloud Import.

You will be taken back to the Import Point Cloud dialog.

### Importing Reality Meshes

To import Reality Meshes:

- Navigate to IMS Settings → Data Transfer → Upload 3D Meshes.
- From the dropdown, select the desired Site/Plant/Unit map to which you want to attach the Reality Mesh.
- Click **Browse**.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/image-W9MMG65P.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A27%3A15Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A27%3A15Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=ghRiyl80MWrs8VSR8dCO62cxTOUY5%2FU3qQPBASomvTI%3D)

Click **Browse** to upload new Reality Meshes.

- Select the Reality Mesh from the Azure storage browser dialog and click **Select**.
- The upload progress will be displayed on the Upload 3D Meshes page.

> [!NOTE]
> Supported File Types
> 
> IMS is able to import reality meshes consisting of Wavefront OBJ files for geometry definition, and Material Template Library (MTL) and JPG files for defining material types.

### Images and Annotations Import

Immediately after the Point Cloud import, the Images and Annotations import process will be triggered. As with the Point Cloud import, an e-mail will be sent to the initiator, when the import is complete. This operation could take up to an hour, depending on the number of images that will be imported.

When all of the Images and Annotations have been imported, the Images list will be populated in the side panel.

![A screenshot of a phone  Description automatically generated with medium confidence](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/3d-localization-image-nkz1yxr1.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A27%3A15Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A27%3A15Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=ghRiyl80MWrs8VSR8dCO62cxTOUY5%2FU3qQPBASomvTI%3D)

Images list.

### Point Cloud - Functions

### Load Point Cloud

Click **Load Point Cloud** to load and show the low-density version of the Point Cloud that was previously imported.

![Graphical user interface, application  Description automatically generated with medium confidence](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/3d-localization-image-e5ufnj1v.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A27%3A15Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A27%3A15Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=ghRiyl80MWrs8VSR8dCO62cxTOUY5%2FU3qQPBASomvTI%3D)

Load point cloud button.

### Hide Point Cloud / Show Point Cloud

Once the Point Cloud is loaded, you can hide / show the Point Cloud by clicking **Hide Point Cloud** / **Show Point Cloud** (see figure below).

### Point size

You can change the Point Cloud Points size by moving the Point Size slider.

![A picture containing diagram  Description automatically generated](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/3d-localization-image-lh5or7tj.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A27%3A15Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A27%3A15Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=ghRiyl80MWrs8VSR8dCO62cxTOUY5%2FU3qQPBASomvTI%3D)

Point Cloud appearance and manipulation.

### Load High Resolution Point Cloud

High Resolution Point Cloud can be loaded for specific areas or geometries in the model. To load the Point Cloud:

- Select the desired geometry in the model.
- Click the **Point Cloud** button.

![A picture containing diagram  Description automatically generated](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/3d-localization-image-lh5or7tj.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A27%3A15Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A27%3A15Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=ghRiyl80MWrs8VSR8dCO62cxTOUY5%2FU3qQPBASomvTI%3D)

Point Cloud appearance and manipulation.

A bounding box will appear around the selected geometry. You can move and resize the bounding box.

- Click **Move** or **Resize** to adjust the box to your needs.
- Click **Move** or **Resize** to deselect that function.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/image-1681813011928.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A27%3A15Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A27%3A15Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=ghRiyl80MWrs8VSR8dCO62cxTOUY5%2FU3qQPBASomvTI%3D)

Adjusting Size and Position of 3D Bounding Box.

- Click **Load Point Cloud**.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/image-1681813372937.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A27%3A15Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A27%3A15Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=ghRiyl80MWrs8VSR8dCO62cxTOUY5%2FU3qQPBASomvTI%3D)

Click **Load Point Cloud**.

When the Point Cloud has been loaded, you can adjust the Opacity and Point Size to suit your needs using the **Opacity** and **Point size** sliders.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/image-1681814095031.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A27%3A15Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A27%3A15Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=ghRiyl80MWrs8VSR8dCO62cxTOUY5%2FU3qQPBASomvTI%3D)

Adjust **Opacity** and **Point size** using the sliders.

To unload the Point Cloud, click **Unload Point Cloud.**

### Filters

Click **Filters** to filter the Image list by the following:

- Selected / Not selected for calculation.
- Reviewed / Not Reviewed.
- Image status (None, Invalid, Calculated).
- Has Annotations (show only images that have at least one annotation).

![Graphical user interface, application  Description automatically generated](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/pic%201(857).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A27%3A15Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A27%3A15Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=ghRiyl80MWrs8VSR8dCO62cxTOUY5%2FU3qQPBASomvTI%3D)

Click Filers to open the filters.

### Settings (for the Point Cloud)

Click **Settings** to change default calculation settings. This calculation settings will be used when 3D Locations for all images annotations are [calculated](/v2024-2/docs/3d-location-calculations). The following Settings are available:

- Maximum search distance - Point Cloud points that are farther than this value will not be considered for the calculation.
- Search radius/cluster distance - The 3D localization algorithm first clusters the Point Cloud points into point groups by using this value – all points that are inside this radius will be clustered into one group.
- Minimum number of points in cluster - A point group will be created only if it contains minimally this number of points, otherwise it will be skipped.
- 3D distance for annotation cluster - This is used in the last stage, when the [project is being resolved](/v2024-2/docs/resolve-3d-project). If there are multiple Annotations from different images whose 3D location is within the radius of this value, and they share the same Issue Class and Severity, they will be clustered into one Annotation.

![Graphical user interface, text, application, chat or text message  Description automatically generated](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/pic%201(858).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A27%3A15Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A27%3A15Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=ghRiyl80MWrs8VSR8dCO62cxTOUY5%2FU3qQPBASomvTI%3D)

Default calculation settings.

### Results

Click **Results** to be informed with all calculated 3D positions in a grid form. The following grid columns are available:

- 
  - Photo Id
  - Annotation - The Issue class and Severity.
  - Distance from camera - The distance from the calculated 3D Location to the camera.
  - Distance from center - The distance from the center of the 2D Annotation to the projected 3D Location on the image, in pixels.

Note: If no calculation has been performed, this grid will be empty.

![A screenshot of a computer  Description automatically generated](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/pic%201(860).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A27%3A15Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A27%3A15Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=ghRiyl80MWrs8VSR8dCO62cxTOUY5%2FU3qQPBASomvTI%3D)

Calculation results.

### Calculate and Resolve

There are two more buttons:

- **Calculate** - This is used for [3D position calculations](/v2024-2/docs/3d-location-calculations) for all Image Annotations.
- **Resolve** - This is used in the [last stage](/v2024-2/docs/resolve-3d-project), when all 3D positions are calculated, and all Images are reviewed – it triggers project resolving.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/pic%201(861).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A27%3A15Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A27%3A15Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=ghRiyl80MWrs8VSR8dCO62cxTOUY5%2FU3qQPBASomvTI%3D)

Resolve and Calculate buttons.

## Image properties

Each item in the Images list consists of the following:

- A check box that indicates if image will be used for the calculation and in the project Resolving.
- Calculation Status, which can be None (grey), Invalid (red) and Calculated (green).
- Review Status, which can be Not Reviewed (grey), Reviewed (blue). You can set the Status on the Image details, after you reviewed the calculations results.
- Image name.
- A button that will open the Image in the [Image Gallery](/v2024-2/docs/review-images), in a new tab.
- Image thumbnail – Note that the thumbnail will be generated the first time that you open the image in alignment mode (by clicking on the thumbnail placeholder).

![Graphical user interface  Description automatically generated](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/pic%201(862).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T17%3A27%3A15Z&se=2026-10-28T18%3A27%3A15Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=ghRiyl80MWrs8VSR8dCO62cxTOUY5%2FU3qQPBASomvTI%3D)

Image item in the images list.