How Accurate Is My Laser Scanner Really?

A Practical Evaluation Using Point Cloud Software

Nicole
May 14, 2025
1:40 pm

Inhalt

Objective
Indoor Test
Analysis with Origins
Outdoor Test
CloudCompare
Conclusion

As part of a student project at HTW Dresden, Jannes, a student of Geomatics, set out to answer a key question: How accurate is the Lixel L2 Pro mobile laser scanner from XGRIDS really? Together with Laserscanning Europe, he developed a comprehensive testing setup to evaluate the absolute geometric accuracy of the scanner in both indoor and outdoor environments. The tools PointCab Origins and CloudCompare played a central role in analysis, visualization, and validation.

Objective:
Reliable Accuracy Through Comparison and Validation

The project investigated:

Indoor and outdoor precision of the L2 Pro
Comparison with a FARO Focus as a reference device
Influence of control points (GCPs) on accuracy
Point cloud comparison using CloudCompare
Distance and section analyses with PointCab Origins

The main question:
Does the scanner meet the ±3 cm accuracy claimed by the manufacturer – and under what conditions?

Indoor Test:
Controlled Conditions for Clear Results

In a hall at HTW Dresden, the L2 Pro was tested first without, then with, four control points. Faro checkerboard targets with known 3D coordinates were used to calculate spatial distances.

Results:

Without control points: Ø 9.2 mm deviation
With control points: Ø 5.3 mm deviation
Accuracy improvement through GCPs: ≈ 4 mm

Vertical accuracy – often problematic with mobile scanners – was also analyzed. In contrast to the smaller K1, the L2 Pro showed no significant vertical deviations, even in critical zones.

Analysis with PointCab Origins:
More Than Just Visualization

For evaluation, Jannes used PointCab Origins – especially for:

Section views
Distance measurements
Elevation differences

In several sections at 5 mm resolution, barely any deviations were found between the L2 Pro cloud and the FARO reference. Only at highly reflective surfaces (e.g., ventilation ducts), deviations of up to 2.9 cm appeared – still within specification.

Sebastian Zell, managing director of a Berlin-based specialist in architectural surveying, also underlines the importance of PointCab Origins for quality assurance:

“We use PointCab Origins to reliably and visually verify whether our point clouds are correctly registered – especially on large-scale projects.”

PointCab Origins proved invaluable in this project too: the software enables users to identify deviations at a glance – a key advantage for safe handover to CAD or BIM.

Watch the related video (GERMAN):
👉 Die perfekte Registrierung – Interview 1/3 | Punktwolken Software, Zielmarken, 3D-Laserscanner

Outdoor Test:
Accuracy in Real-World Conditions

A 600 m loop was scanned using the L2 Pro to evaluate how the distribution of GCPs (Ground Control Points – permanently surveyed points in the field) affected results:

Scenario 1: GCP spacing < 100 m
→ RMSE horizontal: 2.6 cm | vertical: 0.4 cm
Scenario 2: GCP spacing > 100 m
→ RMSE horizontal: 3.2 cm | vertical: 1.2–1.5 cm
Scenario 3: Poorly distributed GCPs
→ RMSE vertical: up to 14 cm

Conclusion: a strategic and dense placement of GCPs is essential for overall accuracy – especially for mobile scanners using SLAM technology.

CloudCompare: Making the Numbers Visible

CloudCompare was also used alongside PointCab Origins to:

Directly compare point clouds (Cloud-to-Cloud Distance)
Visualize deviations using color mapping
Distinguish differences in mm and cm ranges

Result: The L2 Pro point cloud stayed well below the 3 cm tolerance across large areas, often under 1.5 cm – confirming its suitability for precise as-built documentation.

Conclusion:
Quality Requires Verification – And the Right Tools

The project clearly shows: modern scanners like the L2 Pro can produce highly accurate results with the right workflow. But it’s only through tools like PointCab Origins and CloudCompare that the true reliability of the data becomes clear and measurable.

PointCab Origins offers:

Visual validation via intuitive section views
Direct distance and elevation comparisons
Confidence before CAD or BIM handover

If you aim for precision, you must not only capture your data – but verify it.

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Origins 4.2 R16 – More Control, Fewer Clicks

The new Origins 4.2R16 update brings practical improvements
that noticeably simplify everyday point cloud workflows.

EXTENDED DATA FORMATS - IMPORT/EXPORT

Import XGRIDS Panos – for a Structured Overview

What it’s for?

If you’re working with externally generated panoramic data, importing XGRIDS Panos is now easier than ever.

How it’s done:

Just go to “Tools > Import Elements > Import XGRIDS” and select the panoramicPoses.csv. Origins will read the data and create matching panoramas.

Bonus: A handy slider lets you skip images during import – for example, every second or third – which saves space and keeps things tidy.

Option to copy the images into project -> images will be copied under the PointCab Project Structure for easy sharing

Active by default: The option to copy images to the project. This integrates the images into the PointCab project, which is ideal when sharing the project with others.

Perfect for large datasets or multi-location projects.

NEW FUNCTIONS

Modeling Notes in Panos – visual, linked, efficient

What it’s for?

Modeling notes can now be displayed directly inside panoramas – no detours needed.

How it’s done:

Under “Tools > Import Points of Interest”, simply select the folder containing your prepared images with modeling notes. Origins automatically matches the images to the correct scans (as long as the filenames match the scan names). Any images that couldn’t be matched will show up under “Issues.”

There’s also an option to rename all note texts being added:
Under “POI Element Name,” enter a name to apply it to all texts. Leave it blank, and Origins will use the name of the image subfolder instead.

After importing, each text note – along with a clickable image link – will appear in the corresponding scan. The link can be opened directly in the Job Editor, so the matching image is just one click away. Plus, the images can optionally be copied into the project folder for easier sharing.

Ideal for those working with comments, review feedback, or detailed modeling guidance.

Clean Up with Structure: Delete Elements by Type

What it’s for?

The longer a project runs, the more clutter builds up – old measurements, outdated sections, irrelevant objects.

How it’s done:

With a simple fix:
Under “Tools > Delete Elements,” just select the type of elements you want to remove and delete them all at once. No more tedious clicking through.

One click – and the project is clean and organized again.