AutoCAD Tutorials
Using Point Clouds
This tutorial helps you use point clouds in AutoCAD for tracing, modeling, and documentation.
Open your AutoCAD project
You can use a blank drawing or an existing project.
Insert the Point Cloud
Go to the Insert tab → Point Cloud panel → click Attach.
Browse and select a .rcp or .rcs file.
In the Attach Point Cloud dialog box, set the insertion point, scale, and rotation. The default settings are typically suitable for most projects. Make sure “Zoom to point cloud” is checked, then click OK and left-click in the drawing to place it.
Adjusting Position
Use commands like MOVE and ROTATE to fine-tune placement.
Switch views (top, side, isometric) for better control.
Changing Display Settings
Select the point cloud and go to the Properties panel.
Adjust Color Mode (RGB, Intensity) or Level of Detail.
How to Create a Narrow Vertical or Horizontal Slice (Section Plane)
To examine a specific part of a point cloud in detail, you can create a thin vertical or horizontal slice using a Section Plane.
1. Go to the Point Cloud tab on the ribbon - this appears when the point cloud is selected.
2. Click on “Section Plane” in the Section panel.
3. Choose an orientation:
Top or Bottom for horizontal slices,
Front, Back, Left, or Right for vertical slices,
Or use “2 Point” to define a custom slice direction.
Click to place the section plane in the drawing area.
4. Adjust the Section Plane position by selecting it and using the move arrows.
5. Under the Modify tab, click the drop-down arrow next to Plane, then select Slice.
This converts the section plane into a narrow slice through the point cloud, isolating just that portion for easier viewing and modelling.
6. In the Adjust tab, change the top value to adjust the slice position. You can also use the move arrows.
Change the bottom value to increase or decrease the slice thickness.
Clipping the Point Cloud
Use the POINTCLOUDCLIP command to define clip boundaries for focused work.
Snap and Trace Geometry
Enable Object Snap.
Use LINE, POLYLINE, SECTIONPLANE to trace and extract geometry from the cloud.
Want Help Getting Started?
If you need help to set up for the first time — or just want a quick consult—reach out via email.