CloudCompare Open-Source 3D Point Cloud & Mesh Processing Software
CloudCompare is a free, open-source 3D point cloud and mesh processing software used by professionals worldwide for point cloud comparison, segmentation, registration, and analysis.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- CloudCompare Project (Open Source)
- Category
- Point Cloud Processing
- Pricing
- Free
- Starting Price
- Free
- Best For
- Researchers and academics processing point cloud data
We use CloudCompare for professional projects. See our workflow →
What is CloudCompare?
CloudCompare is a powerful open-source 3D point cloud and triangular mesh processing software originally developed by Daniel Girardeau-Montaut at EDF R&D. Since its public release, it has become one of the most widely used free tools in the 3D scanning and surveying industry.
The software excels at point cloud comparison and change detection, making it invaluable for monitoring structural deformation, construction progress, and environmental changes. Its cloud-to-cloud (C2C) and cloud-to-mesh (C2M) distance computation algorithms are industry-standard tools used by researchers and professionals alike.
At THE FUTURE 3D, we use CloudCompare as a complementary tool alongside commercial software like Leica Cyclone and FARO SCENE. Its ability to handle massive point clouds, perform quality checks, and compute precise comparisons makes it an essential part of our quality assurance workflow for projects across Southeast Florida.
CloudCompare Key Features
Comprehensive capabilities that make CloudCompare a professional choice for point cloud processing.
Point Cloud Comparison (C2C/C2M)
Compute distances between point clouds or between a cloud and a mesh. Essential for change detection, deformation analysis, and QA/QC workflows.
Registration & Alignment
Align point clouds using ICP (Iterative Closest Point) and manual point-pair picking. Support for transformation matrices and fine registration.
Segmentation & Classification
Segment point clouds manually or using CANUPO plugin for automated classification. Filter by elevation, intensity, return number, and custom scalars.
Volume Computation
Calculate volumes using 2.5D grid-based methods. Useful for stockpile measurement, cut/fill analysis, and earthwork calculations.
Cross-Section & Profile Extraction
Extract cross-sections and profiles from point clouds for engineering analysis. Export to DXF for CAD integration.
Plugin Ecosystem
Extensible through plugins including RANSAC shape detection, PoissonRecon mesh generation, qAnimation for fly-throughs, and many more community-contributed tools.
CloudCompare Pricing & Plans
Contact CloudCompare Project (Open Source) for custom pricing options.
CloudCompare
- All features included
- No license required
- Community support
- Open-source (GPL v2)
Don't Want to Buy Software?
At THE FUTURE 3D, we own CloudCompare licenses and use it for client projects. You get professional point cloud processing deliverables without purchasing software yourself. Get a free project quote →
CloudCompare Pros & Cons
Advantages
- Completely free and open-source with no license restrictions
- Handles very large point clouds (billions of points) efficiently
- Industry-standard C2C and C2M comparison algorithms
- Cross-platform: Windows, Mac, and Linux
- Active community and regular updates
- Extensive plugin ecosystem for specialized tasks
Limitations
- No official technical support (community-driven only)
- User interface is less polished than commercial alternatives
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Limited BIM integration compared to commercial tools
Who Should Use CloudCompare?
CloudCompare is Best For
- Researchers and academics processing point cloud data
- Professionals needing free point cloud comparison tools
- QA/QC workflows verifying scan-to-design accuracy
- Change detection and deformation monitoring
- Budget-conscious firms needing capable point cloud processing
Consider Alternatives If
- Users needing polished, commercial-grade UI experience
- Teams requiring dedicated vendor support
- Full BIM workflows (consider Autodesk ReCap or Leica Cyclone)
- Automated processing pipelines without customization
Technical Specifications
System Requirements
- Operating System
- Windows 10/11, macOS, Linux
- RAM
- 8GB minimum, 32GB+ for large clouds
- Storage
- 500MB for installation, project-dependent
- GPU
- OpenGL 2.0+ compatible GPU recommended
Supported File Formats
Integrations & Compatible Platforms
How We Use CloudCompare
Our professional workflow leveraging CloudCompare for client projects.
Import processed point clouds from Leica Cyclone or FARO SCENE
Perform cloud-to-cloud comparisons for change detection
Run QA/QC checks comparing scans to design models
Extract cross-sections and profiles for engineering review
Compute volumes for stockpile and earthwork analysis
Export comparison results and visualizations for client reports
Deliverables We Produce with CloudCompare
Related Services Using CloudCompare
Compatible Equipment
CloudCompare works with data from these scanners and drones that we use.
CloudCompare Services Near You
We provide professional point cloud processing services using CloudCompare across Southeast Florida. 1-hour response time.
CloudCompare FAQ
Is CloudCompare really free?
Yes, CloudCompare is completely free and open-source under the GPL v2 license. There are no paid tiers, subscriptions, or hidden costs. You can download it from cloudcompare.org.
Can CloudCompare handle large point clouds?
Yes, CloudCompare can handle billions of points using its octree-based data structure. For very large datasets, 32GB+ RAM and a fast SSD are recommended for smooth performance.
What is cloud-to-cloud comparison in CloudCompare?
Cloud-to-cloud (C2C) comparison computes the distance between two point clouds, visualizing differences as a color-coded map. This is essential for change detection, deformation monitoring, and quality control.
Does CloudCompare work on Mac?
Yes, CloudCompare is cross-platform and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. All platforms have the same feature set.
How does CloudCompare compare to Leica Cyclone?
CloudCompare is free and excels at point cloud comparison and analysis. Leica Cyclone is a commercial tool optimized for Leica hardware with better BIM integration and support. Many professionals use both.
Can CloudCompare register (align) point clouds?
Yes, CloudCompare supports both manual point-pair registration and automatic ICP (Iterative Closest Point) alignment. It can align multiple scans and compute transformation matrices.
What file formats does CloudCompare support?
CloudCompare supports all major point cloud formats including LAS, LAZ, E57, PLY, PTX, PTS, XYZ, OBJ, and many more. It can import and export over 20 different file formats.
Can THE FUTURE 3D use CloudCompare for my project?
Yes, we use CloudCompare as part of our QA/QC workflow alongside commercial software. It is particularly valuable for change detection, deviation analysis, and volume computations. Contact us for a free quote.
Need Professional Point Cloud Processing Services?
We use CloudCompare for client projects across Southeast Florida. Get a free quote for your project—no software purchase required.