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FROM SPREADSHEET TO POINT CLOUD

April 2, 2020
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If you have a list of points’ coordinates (X, Y, Z) in a spreadsheet, you can easily turn it into a 3D point cloud.
Actually, they already are a point cloud but the file isn’t suitable for most softwares that deal with this kind of data.

Here are what you can do

Open the file in Excel, LibreOffice Calc or other similar softwares.

Points in a spreadsheet

Select the columns related to the X (East), Y (North) and Z (elevation).

Copy them.

Open a text editor (I really recommend open software Notepad++).

Paste the data.

Points in a text editor

(If necessary) replace all decimal separating commas with periods, or vicevesa.

Save the file in TXT format.

Open Cloud Compare software.

Open a new file and look for the one that you’ve just saved (the TXT format is listed in the ASCII cloud group).

Cloud Compare import txt file

Select “Apply all” in the window that will pop up.
Here you can check if numbers are related to their correct coordinate.

(If necessary) confirm the shifting proposed by Cloud Compare, for georeferenced data in projected coordinates with large numbers of East and North.
Click “Yes to all” but don’t worry because original data will not be lost, it’s just a way for Cloud Compare to better deal with 3d information and big files.

Cloud Compare change color

Now that you have the points in the 3D space you can edit them.
You may wanna change the color because it may be hardly visible in the default background.

Select the point cloud in the “DB Tree” panel, on the left of the main window.

Select “File – Save” and choose folder, filename and output format you prefer among those available (dxf, shapefile, las, ply, …).

Cloud Compare export point cloud in las file

Now you have a point cloud ready to be uploaded or edited in other softwares that you may wanna use.

If you’d like to have more information global shifting (see point 11 above) you can check this video on Metrical Talks You Tube Channel.

 

Ciao!

Paolo Corradeghini

Related posts:

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  3. CLOUD COMPARE – CSF FILTER AND GROUND POINTS
  4. Easy cross sections from a 3D model of a riverbed
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cloud compare  / point cloud

Paolo Corradeghini

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  • ABOUT ME

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    My name is Paolo Corradeghini.
    I’m an italian egineer.
    I was born in 1979 and i’m a surveyor.
    I’m passionate about outdoor sports and love to comunicate through writing and visuals.

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