Open PCD Files in Your Browser
The scan came out of a robotics or SLAM pipeline as a PCD file. You don't need a ROS install just to look at it.
Start free and open PCD files straight in the browser — no ROS, no PCL, no install.
No install. Sign up free to try it with a sample dataset.
Already have a link someone shared with you? Open it directly — no account needed.
What is a PCD file?
PCD (Point Cloud Data) is the native file format for the Point Cloud Library (PCL), widely used in robotics, SLAM, and research pipelines to store 3D point coordinates and any attached fields such as colour or normals. It shows up more often from robotics and mapping workflows than from traditional survey pipelines.
That origin is also why PCD files are awkward to open outside their home ecosystem: viewing one usually means having PCL or a ROS environment set up first, which is a heavier lift than most people outside a robotics team want. A browser-based viewer skips that setup — open the file and see the scan.
How it works
- Sign up free — no card required to start.
- Open your PCD file in the browser viewer.
- Measure, annotate, and share a link with your team.
More than a viewer
Compare scans over time
Line up two scans of the same site from different dates and see what actually changed. Compare point clouds across time →
Measure in the browser
Distances and dimensions, checked directly in the viewer — no export to desktop software first. Measure point clouds in your browser →
Pin issues to the model
Flag a problem on the exact point in the scan and assign it to someone, instead of describing a location in a message. Annotate point clouds and assign issues →
Overlay against BIM
Put the as-built scan next to the design model and see where they disagree. Verify as-built against BIM →
Frequently asked questions
Is it really free?
Starting is free — sign up and explore the viewer with a sample PCD dataset. Uploading and working with your own files starts on the Starter plan, from $99 a month.
Is my data private?
Yes. Projects are private by default and access is role-based — only people you invite can open your scans.
Where do PCD files usually come from, and does that affect viewing them?
PCD files most often come out of robotics, SLAM, or research capture pipelines rather than traditional survey equipment. The viewer opens the point data directly, without requiring the PCL or ROS environment the file was originally produced in.
What do I need to view a PCD file someone shared with you?
Nothing to install and no account to create. Open the link they sent and the scan loads directly in your browser.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes — the viewer runs in a mobile browser, so a scan opens on a phone or tablet in the site cabin as well as at a desk.
Bring your team in. Start a free trial and open your first PCD file today.