How to Share LAS Files with Clients (Without Asking Them to Install Software)

You’ve processed your LiDAR scan. The point cloud looks great. Now your client wants to see it.

And here’s where it falls apart: you email them the LAS file, they download it, and then you get a message saying “I can’t open this.” Because of course they can’t — LAS files require CloudCompare, QGIS, or another GIS tool that 90% of clients have never heard of.

Here are your actual options, from worst to best.

Option 1: Ask the client to install CloudCompare (not recommended)

CloudCompare is a free, open-source point cloud viewer. It opens LAS/LAZ files and it’s reasonably good at what it does.

The problem: it’s not a tool that a project manager, asset owner, or non-technical engineer is going to install. Even if they do install it, navigating a point cloud in CloudCompare requires learning the controls — left click rotates, right click translates, scroll zooms, and none of it is intuitive for a first-time user.

You’ll spend more time supporting the client through CloudCompare than it took you to do the survey.

When it works: When your client is a technical person — another surveyor, a GIS analyst, or an engineer who already has a point cloud viewer installed. In that case, just send the LAZ file directly.

Option 2: Convert to a video flythrough

Export a video of the point cloud — either a flythrough path or a rotating animation. Most photogrammetry tools can do this, and CloudCompare has a basic animation tool.

Pros: Universal format. Any client can watch an MP4.

Cons: Not interactive. Your client can’t zoom in to a specific area, measure a feature, or rotate to the angle they need. You’re showing them what you decided to show them, not letting them explore.

When it works: For a quick preview or a deliverable that supplements the actual data. Not a replacement for interactive access.

Option 3: Take screenshots and share a PDF

Extract key views from your point cloud viewer — top, front, sections — and compile them into a PDF with annotations.

Pros: Simple. Everyone can open a PDF.

Cons: You lose everything that makes point cloud data valuable — the ability to zoom, rotate, measure, and explore. A PDF of a point cloud is a picture of data, not data.

When it works: As a summary document accompanying other deliverables. Not as the primary deliverable.

Option 4: Host in Potree (open source, self-hosted)

Potree is a WebGL-based point cloud renderer. It can display massive point clouds in a browser — and it’s free and open source.

To use Potree for client delivery, you need to:

1. Convert your LAS/LAZ to Potree format (using PotreeConverter)
2. Host the converted files on a web server (S3, VPS, etc.)
3. Set up the Potree viewer HTML page
4. Configure access control if needed
5. Share the URL with the client

The result is a professional point cloud viewer in the browser. The client needs no software.

Pros: Free. Professional output. Browser-based.

Cons: You need to set up and maintain a web server. You need technical knowledge to configure Potree. No built-in sharing/access management. No branding.

When it works: For technically capable teams who are comfortable with server management, or for organizations with IT support.

Option 5: Use a spatial data delivery platform

Platforms like Swyvl are built specifically for this workflow. You upload your LAS or LAZ file, the platform converts it to a streamable format, and you share a link.

The client clicks the link and sees a full Potree point cloud viewer in their browser. They can zoom in, orbit, and measure. They don’t install anything.

You get a branded portal (your logo, your company colours), an organised record of every file you’ve delivered to every client, and a permanent link that doesn’t expire.

Pros: No infrastructure to manage. Professional delivery experience. Works for all file types (not just point clouds). Branded.

Cons: Monthly subscription cost.

When it works: For any surveyor delivering data to clients on a regular basis who wants a professional, repeatable delivery workflow.

What about LAZ vs LAS?

LAZ is simply losslessly compressed LAS. The data is identical — LAZ files are typically 10-20% the size of the equivalent LAS file. All modern point cloud tools support LAZ.

If you’re sending raw files to a client who has a viewer, always send LAZ. If you’re using a delivery platform, most handle both formats.

The simple answer

If your client is technical: send the LAZ file and tell them to open it in CloudCompare.

If your client is not technical (which is most clients): use a browser-based delivery platform. The 30 minutes you save on “how do I open this?” support emails pays for the subscription in the first month.

FAQ: Can I share a LAS file via Google Drive or Dropbox?

Yes, but they’ll still need software to open it. Google Drive shows a “no preview available” message. Dropbox is the same. The file gets downloaded, but the client still can’t view it without a point cloud viewer. Storage and sharing are two different problems.

FAQ: Is there a free way to view LAS files in a browser?

Potree, as described above, is free and open source — but requires self-hosting. Some Cesium tools also handle point cloud streaming. There’s no zero-effort free option that also looks professional.