Reading a Point Cloud — E57, RCP, and IFC for Builders

When a design team asks for “the point cloud,” they rarely mean a single thing. The file format determines which software can open it and what they can do with it. Here is what each format is, in plain language, so you can request the right deliverable instead of relaying acronyms you do not control.

The one-line summary

Ask for E57 if you want a universal, software-neutral file; ask for RCP/RCS if the team works in Autodesk tools; ask for IFC only when you specifically need a structured BIM model, which is a different deliverable from a raw cloud.

The formats

E57

The neutral, open standard. An E57 file holds the points, their colour, and the scan positions, and nearly every reality-capture and modelling tool can read it. If you are not sure what the design team uses, ask for E57 — it is the safest default and the easiest to convert from.

RCP / RCS

Autodesk’s project format. RCS is a single indexed scan; RCP is a project that references many RCS files. If the team works in Revit, Civil 3D, or AutoCAD, this is what drops in cleanly with no conversion step. We deliver RCP when the downstream tool is Autodesk.

IFC

Not a point cloud at all — IFC is a structured BIM exchange format describing modelled elements (walls, doors, systems). You only need IFC when someone has actually modelled the building from the scan. Asking for “the IFC” when you wanted raw points is the most common mix-up we see.

What registration means and why it matters

Raw scans are individual captures from each position. Registration stitches them into one coordinate system so measurements are consistent across the whole building. An unregistered set of scans is far less useful — always confirm your deliverable is registered, and that it is georeferenced if site coordinates matter.

How to request the right thing

Tell us the software your design team uses and what they intend to do. If they are measuring and referencing, E57 or RCP is enough. If they are modelling, we will scope that separately. For the full service, see point cloud export or our work for architects and engineers.