HSPC Point Clouds in BricsCAD Explained
Quick answer: BricsCAD can process point clouds using the classic cache format, which gives the best graphical representation, or HSPC (Hexagon Smart Point Cloud), which stores metadata per point at the cost of slightly less dense-looking surfaces in some areas. HSPC is the default.
Classic Cache vs HSPC
The classic point cloud cache format offers strong compression and the best overall graphical representation. HSPC can look slightly less appealing in places, surfaces may appear less dense in some regions, but its real advantage is storing metadata for every point, which lets BricsCAD limit which points actually display based on that metadata.
What HSPC Enables
For a structured, classified point cloud imported in HSPC format, you can:
- Create and edit regions: store any cropping you apply to the point cloud. Regions save alongside the cache itself, so they’re available in every drawing you attach that point cloud to, not just the one you cropped it in.
- Toggle scan position visibility: rather than always showing the full registered point cloud (every fixed scan position combined), work with just one or more specific positions, reducing the displayed point count and improving performance without manually cropping.
- Use any classification: both the predefined classes supported in LAS/LAZ format and custom classifications you add yourself with
POINTCLOUDCLASSIFY. - Access geographic information: available in the Properties panel’s Misc category when present in the original data, and usable to overwrite the DWG’s own geographic information by setting the Geolocate property to On, possible only if the point cloud’s CRS matches the DWG’s CRS.
Setting the Point Cloud Format
Choose the processing format in the Settings dialog, via the POINTCLOUDHSPC system variable. The default is HSPC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which point cloud format gives the best visual quality? The classic cache format generally looks better, HSPC can appear slightly less dense in some regions in exchange for its per-point metadata capabilities.
Can I use a point cloud’s region crops across multiple drawings? Yes, with HSPC, regions are stored alongside the cache itself rather than in a single drawing, so they’re available wherever you attach that point cloud.
Can I overwrite my drawing’s geographic information using a point cloud’s geo data? Yes, via the Geolocate property in the Properties panel, but only if the point cloud’s coordinate reference system matches the drawing’s.
What’s the default point cloud processing format in BricsCAD? HSPC, controlled by the POINTCLOUDHSPC system variable.