In 3D modeling, a point cloud is a dense set of spatial data points (with X/Y/Z coordinates, often plus color) that captures an object’s or environment’s shape—raw input from tools like LiDAR or 3D scanners. It’s unprocessed: each point maps a tiny surface part, so it needs cleaning, aligning, or meshing to become a usable 3D model. For example, architects use building scan point clouds for accurate as-built models, while game developers convert them to low-poly assets. If you’re new, try free tools like CloudCompare to visualize and simplify data first—this makes it easier to work with in software like Blender or Revit.
