Frequently asked questions 

A digital twin is a virtual replica of a real-world space or physical asset. Digital twins reflect the current asset condition and can be continuously updated with data from its physical counterpart. Digital twins can create simulations and predict future behavior, streamline collaboration and optimize operations.

A point cloud is the raw material of a digital twin. Point clouds are created by panning a 3D scanner back and forth over walls, piping, pieces of equipment, vehicles and much more. The scanner head emits a laser beam or optical-spectrum light and detects the reflection. The scanner measures the timing and intensity of the reflection. It creates millions of points each with a unique position and orientation in space. Multiple passes of a scanner create a dense cloud of points, hence the name. While raw point clouds are rich sources of information, they are too big to use in a digital twin. Prevu3D turns these raw point clouds into actionable data.

Exporting captured scans​

Before uploading data, it is necessary to export the captured data depending on the capture device and software used.

The better the scanner and quality of the registration, the better the mesh quality and accuracy.

Depending on the supported capture device (listed below) used for scanning, the export settings will need to be curated to satisfy all requirements for the upload process.

For the highest quality that Prevu3D has to offer, it is recommended to either use the Leica RTC360, or FARO S Series.

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Point Cloud File Formats:

Structured

• Scan locations are known, as data is captured from fixed positions (e.g., tripod scans).
• Includes both point cloud data and 360° panoramic imagery captured from tripod scans.
• Provides the highest point density since all raw data is preserved.
• Represents the typical data structure of a registered scan from a tripod-based scanner.
• Faro, Leica, ReCap, and other platforms can export structured .e57 files (Prevu3D’s preferred format).
• Photospheres can be generated within Prevu3D.

Unstructured

• Scan locations are not known.
• Typical of data collected with SLAM or mobile scanners, or point clouds generated through photogrammetry.
• Photospheres cannot be generated within Prevu3D.
• If 360° panoramic imagery is captured with a SLAM scanner, additional data (including image location and pose information) is required to align imagery to the point cloud. This information can then be used to generate Photospheres.

Unified

• Represents a merged point cloud with no station (scan location) information.
• 360° panoramic images are not available.
• Generally similar to unstructured data.

Prevu3D complements CAD and BIM tools by adding real-world spatial context through reality capture. Instead of designing in abstraction, teams can import CAD or BIM data into a true-to-scale digital twin environment to visualize how designs integrate with existing site conditions. This helps reduce rework, accelerate review cycles, and bridge the gap between design intent and reality.

Yes. Prevu3D allows stakeholders to access projects remotely through immersive virtual environments, making it easy to review layouts, monitor progress, and approve design changes without being on site. This reduces travel costs, shortens feedback loops, and gives distributed teams with full project visibility from anywhere in the world.

Prevu3D supports a wide range of reality capture technologies, including terrestrial LiDAR, mobile mapping systems, drone-based LiDAR, and photogrammetry. Users can import standard file types such as .e57, .las, and .ply directly into the platform. This flexibility allows teams to choose the scanning method that best fits their accuracy needs, project scale, and budget.

Prevu3D digital twins are created from high-resolution point clouds, delivering centimeter-level accuracy when data is properly captured and processed. The platform maintains spatial precision across imported datasets, allowing teams to validate designs, plan equipment placement, and perform measurements with full confidence.

Absolutely. Prevu3D streamlines project closeout by centralizing all documentation, including plans, photos, models, and inspection data, within a single, navigable 3D environment. Stakeholders can “walk through” completed sites, verify installations, and access accurate as-built information for seamless handovers and future reference.

Prevu3D combines the best of both worlds: a powerful desktop application for high-performance processing and editing, and a cloud platform for sharing, collaboration, and data management. Users can process large scans locally, then upload projects to the cloud for browser-based review and feedback.

Yes. Prevu3D supports real-time, multi-user collaboration, allowing multiple stakeholders to access the same project simultaneously to view, annotate, and edit data. This shared environment enables teams across design, engineering, and operations to work together efficiently while ensuring data remains consistent and up to date.

Prevu3D allows safety and operations teams to recreate real-world workspaces within immersive digital twins. These virtual training environments make it possible to identify potential hazards, simulate emergency scenarios, and train personnel on site-specific safety procedures—all without exposing anyone to real-world risks.

Yes. Through its RealityConnect™ integrations and open file compatibility, Prevu3D connects seamlessly with leading CAD, BIM, and enterprise asset management platforms. This interoperability keeps project data synchronized across systems, minimizing manual effort and eliminating data duplication.

Prevu3D is used across a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, engineering, automotive, food & beverage, and more. Any organization that relies on accurate spatial data can benefit from visualizing operations, planning redesigns, and collaborating remotely through digital twins.

Yes. The Prevu3D team provides personalized onboarding, interactive tutorials, and customer success sessions to help teams become productive quickly. From importing scans to editing layouts, our experts guide you through best practices and real-world workflows. Book a demo to learn more.

Absolutely. Prevu3D models can be exported in widely supported formats such as .obj, .fbx, and .glb for seamless integration with CAD, BIM, and visualization platforms. This ensures flexibility and data consistency across your entire design ecosystem.