Quick Answer

Export your SHARE3DCAM point cloud as an E57 file from SHARE PointClouds Studio, import it into Rhino with model units set to meters, verify position and scale, then use ClippingPlane for sectional viewing and object snaps for line tracing.

What This Guide Covers

This guide explains how to take point clouds captured by a SHARE3DCAM handheld SLAM LiDAR scanner and use them in Rhino 3D for spatial viewing and navigation, sectional analysis with ClippingPlane, line tracing and contour extraction, and assisted 3D modeling reference. SHARE3DCAM point clouds in Rhino serve as reference data, not as ready-to-edit solid models - they provide spatial ground truth for tracing, measuring, and modeling.

Who Should Read This

Step 1: Prepare the Point Cloud Format

Which format should I export SHARE3DCAM point clouds to for Rhino? Export as E57 - the most widely supported point cloud format in Rhino. Before processing, check the .e57 option in SHARE PointClouds Studio - the E57 file is generated automatically after export. Or after processing, right-click the LAS point cloud in the project panel, choose Export, and select E57 format. If the dataset is large, clip in SHARE PointClouds Studio before importing.

Step 2: Import into Rhino

Create a new Rhino file and set Model Units → Meters (mismatched units cause scale issues). Go to File → Import and select your E57 file. After import, verify position, orientation, scale, and that model units match the data.

Step 3: Navigate and Inspect

Use Rhino four standard viewports: Top for floor plan overview, Front for elevations, Right for profiles, and Perspective for 3D understanding. Rotate by holding the right mouse button and dragging. Pan with Shift + right mouse button. Zoom with the scroll wheel.

Step 4: Align for Modeling

If the building is rotated relative to axes, switch to Top view, select the point cloud, use the Rotate command to align walls with X/Y axes, and Move if repositioning is needed. Aligning walls to axes makes orthographic tracing and dimensioning significantly faster.

Step 5: Sectional Views with ClippingPlane

How do I view a cross-section of a point cloud in Rhino? Type ClippingPlane, draw a rectangle in the viewport, and a cutting plane is generated. Drag or rotate it to slice through the point cloud. Set Clipped Objects in Properties to restrict the clip to the point cloud only. ClippingPlane is a display tool - it hides portions visually but does not delete data. Permanently trim point clouds in SHARE PointClouds Studio first.

Step 6: Trace and Build Reference Geometry

How do I trace walls from a point cloud? Switch to Top view, enable Object Snaps with Point snap checked, then use Polyline or Curve to trace along boundaries. Extract wall centerlines, floor boundaries, window/door openings, ceiling heights, and beam/column positions. Use Extrude, Loft, or PlanarSrf to build surfaces and solids.

Step 7: Verify Uncertain Areas

Point clouds may have gaps around glass, mirrors, shadows, behind furniture, or at thin edges. Cross-reference with site photos or manual measurements - do not guess from incomplete data.

Quick Reference Checklist

Summary

Export E57 → Clip in SHARE PointClouds Studio → Import to Rhino (meters) → Verify position and scale → Inspect in 4 views → Align to axes → Section with ClippingPlane → Trace with Point snap → Verify gaps with photos. The SHARE3DCAM point cloud is your spatial reference - use it to trace, measure, and verify, then build the model with Rhino native tools.