r/LiDAR

▲ 27 r/LiDAR+4 crossposts

Open source Visual and NDT Inspection Software

Hey everyone! After months of building, I'm releasing Open3DInspection – a browser-based 3D inspection and annotation platform for the oil & gas and NDT industries.

What it does:

  • Multi-format 3D viewer: OBJ, FBX, PLY, LAS/LAZ, Gaussian splats all in the browser
  • Georeferenced annotations: Pin inspections and annotations directly on your models with lat/lon coordinates
  • Local-first processing: Upload and process 3D data locally—nothing leaves your computer
  • Self-hosted: No SaaS subscriptions, no vendor lock-in. Run it yourself.

Why I built it:

I work in oil & gas previously, and inspection workflows are painful. Teams use disconnected tools—CAD viewers, spreadsheets, marked-up PDFs. I wanted something modern that actually works with the data people already have: drone imagery, LAS point clouds, photogrammetry outputs.

Tech stack:

  • Frontend: React + TypeScript + Vite (dev experience is 🔥)
  • 3D: react-three-fiber + loaders.gl (handles everything from OBJ to Gaussian splats)
  • Architecture: Fully client-side, no Node backend required

Currently working on:

  • Photogrammetry MVP pipeline (browser-side image processing)
  • Drone integration (evaluating DJI Neo 2)
  • NDT data overlay (UT, RT, MT, PT annotations)
  • API 510/570/653 compliance workflows

What I need:

  • Feedback from practitioners: Oil & gas, NDT, aviation maintenance folks—what's broken in your inspection process?
  • Contributors: Especially interested in photogrammetry, WebGL optimization, or domain expertise
  • Ideas: If you work with 3D industrial data, let me know what would actually be useful

Repo: https://github.com/zawawiAI/Open3DInspection

This is very much an early-stage open project, so expect some rough edges. But the core viewer is solid and the foundation is there for something really useful.

Would love to hear thoughts, especially from anyone doing real inspection work.

u/Ill-Equivalent7859 — 16 hours ago
▲ 7 r/LiDAR+2 crossposts

help fix GeoSLAM ZEB Horizon RT

Hi everyone,

I’m a computer engineering student, and I was assigned to try to diagnose and possibly repair a GeoSLAM ZEB Horizon RT system because we currently do not have the budget to ship it to Germany for FARO service/repair.

I’m looking for advice from anyone familiar with GeoSLAM/ZEB systems, LiDAR scanners, embedded Linux dataloggers, or rugged field-mapping hardware.

Device

  • System: GeoSLAM ZEB Horizon RT
  • Datalogger model: GS-610334
  • Scan head model: GS-610090

Background

The history is not fully clear, but I was told that the unit may have been interrupted during a firmware update. However, before the attempted update, the system was already randomly shutting down, which is why the update was attempted in the first place.

Earlier, the scan head reportedly used to light up briefly for a few seconds and then turn off. Now the scan head does not light up at all.

Current symptoms

  • The datalogger powers on.
  • The datalogger status LED flashes blue indefinitely.
  • It never changes to orange or any other state.
  • The CPU fan never turns on.
  • Ethernet repeatedly connects/disconnects when connected to a computer.
  • The scan head receives some power — I can hear faint internal/electrical/mechanical noise — but:
    • the scan head LED strip never lights,
    • the head never rotates,
    • the scan head never initializes.
  • When connected to a monitor via DisplayPort, the datalogger starts booting Linux, shows boot logs, then appears to reboot. I keep seeing the motherboard/BIOS screen repeatedly.
  • The boot log shows Linux starting services, but the system does not remain stable long enough to finish normal startup.

What I found internally

The datalogger is basically an embedded x86 PC:

  • Intel-based embedded board
  • DDR3 RAM
  • Transcend M.2 SATA SSD, 128 GB
  • DisplayPort/HDMI output
  • USB ports
  • Ethernet
  • Internal IFB/interface board connected to the scanner/control system

FARO support said the issue could be either the SSD or the IFB board, and that normally the full system should be returned for service and calibration. Unfortunately, shipping + repair cost may be too high for us.

What I already tried

  • Tested with a charged PAG battery.
  • Connected the scan head normally.
  • Connected the datalogger to monitor via DisplayPort.
  • Confirmed it reaches Linux boot messages.
  • Tried reading the M.2 SATA SSD using a USB enclosure, but neither Mac nor PC detected it. I am not fully sure whether the enclosure supports M.2 SATA correctly or only NVMe/SATA combo claims.
  • I have not installed a fresh OS or overwritten the SSD.

My questions

  1. Does this sound more like:
    • corrupted SSD / OS,
    • failed M.2 SATA SSD,
    • IFB/interface board fault,
    • power rail issue,
    • watchdog reboot,
    • or scan head fault?
  2. Since the datalogger reaches Linux boot logs, is it realistic to repair this by cloning/replacing/reimaging the SSD, or is the GeoSLAM software/configuration too proprietary?
  3. Would installing a fresh Linux be pointless because the GeoSLAM services, drivers, calibration files, and IFB board software are proprietary?
  4. How would you diagnose whether the reboot is caused by:
    • watchdog,
    • missing/faulty IFB board,
    • overheating/fan issue,
    • bad SSD,
    • or power instability?
  5. Should I focus first on:
    • getting a proper M.2 SATA adapter and cloning the SSD,
    • checking boot logs,
    • replacing the fan,
    • checking power rails with a multimeter,
    • or testing the IFB board?

I’ll attach screenshots/video of the boot process and the startup behavior.

I know this is a niche device, but it seems like a very interesting embedded Linux + LiDAR hardware recovery project. If anyone has experience with GeoSLAM, FARO, mobile mapping systems, embedded Linux watchdogs, or scanner dataloggers, I’d really appreciate your guidance.

u/XXCypress — 1 day ago
▲ 6 r/LiDAR

Looking to copy 9nl but not caves

Come across this guy and seen his video and wanted to build something similar.

I came across a pandar 40p for 150. Says new open box. Unit does look brand new. Question is has anyone had experience buying these on eBay and having any problems?

Here is the eBay store I bought it from.

https://ebay.io/m/Uj7Sm4

Any input would be great thanks.

u/SlyFoxCatcher — 3 days ago
▲ 13 r/LiDAR

Other websites like Boydsmaps?

Hi!
I recently discovered Boydsmaps.com and omg, I am in love. Obsessed with looking around and comparing maps. The fact that there’s lidar for all of North America just.. there?! Insane. However, my struggle is that I’m based in Canada (bc specifically) and obviously Boydsmaps is US based. I’m wondering if there’s any similar sites for Canada, or for Colorado (an area where I am doing some research). To be specific, I am looking for websites with LiDAR accessible online on the map. I know about all the Canadian and Colorodian open source data you can download but I am wondering if there’s any similar are websites like Boydsmaps where it is just… there. I can scroll in and out and don’t have to download anything or pay for a subscription or anything. Thanks :-)

reddit.com
u/Then-Bumblebee3978 — 3 days ago
▲ 78 r/LiDAR+1 crossposts

Requesting help of LiDAR experts!

1860’s map showed a homestead at this location. Used a geographical survey (image 1) overlaid on Google Maps (last image) overlaid on LiDAR in an attempt to locate the location of the structure.

My questions are:

  1. do you think I have successfully located it?

  2. any input would be appreciated with respect to what the things are that I have circled.

  3. really just looking for any input / advice / extra insight from some people more experienced than myself.

Thank you!

u/SkoolieMaster — 5 days ago
▲ 2 r/LiDAR

How are people getting RS-232 GNSS/IMU data off the vehicle in a mobile LiDAR rig?

I’m putting together a mobile LiDAR setup — Velodyne spinning head, survey GNSS, fiber-optic IMU. The LiDAR itself is Ethernet, so no problem there. The GNSS and IMU are both RS-232 into the vehicle PC.

Question is about getting that serial data somewhere useful. Local logging is fine, but I also want the GNSS stream visible to a second machine for real-time trajectory monitoring, and the IMU data going to a separate QC display.

Is RS-232 just a dead end here and I should be looking at Ethernet-native positioning systems from the start, or is there a practical way to distribute serial ports across the network without it becoming a maintenance problem?

reddit.com
u/Oopsiforgotmyoldacc — 5 days ago
▲ 146 r/LiDAR+88 crossposts

Most people who followed $CYDY remember March 30, 2021. The FDA publicly stated that CytoDyn's claims about leronlimab were "misleading and not supported by the data", no benefit was shown in COVID-19 treatment trials. The stock dropped 25%+ that day.

What happened afterward was a class action lawsuit covering investors who held $CYDY between March 27, 2020 and March 30, 2022.

A $500,000 settlement has been reached and terms are now submitted to the court for approval.

Who qualifies?

Anyone who held $CYDY during the class period and suffered losses from the alleged misrepresentations about leronlimab's effectiveness for HIV and COVID-19.

Can I still apply?

Yes, you can submit your application now and it will be processed once claims filing officially opens after court approval.

If you were damaged by this don't forget to check your eligibility. GL!

u/JuniorCharge4571 — 9 days ago
▲ 3 r/LiDAR+1 crossposts

Anyone used the new XGRIDS Lixel K2? Looking for real projects / sample point clouds

Hi everyone,

I'm part of the architecture team at my studio and we're looking into buying the XGRIDS Lixel K2 handheld scanner. Before we get approval to purchase one, we've been asked to review real-world results—not just promotional videos.

Has anyone here actually worked with the K2 (or other XGRIDS/Lixel devices) on a real project? I'd really appreciate if you could share:

  • Your experience with scan quality, accuracy, and day-to-day workflow
  • What kind of projects you used it for (interiors, facades, as-built surveys, etc.)
  • Whether you can share or point us to sample point cloud files so we can inspect the data quality ourselves
  • Any real case studies you know of that show practical use in architecture or AEC

We're based in Lima, Peru, but happy to hear from anyone worldwide.

Thanks in advance!

reddit.com
u/Oldest_Puppet — 9 days ago
▲ 1 r/LiDAR

Mineshaft scan

How would you scan a 200 m deep minshaft, where you have only the cage that goes down, you can stand on its top, no side tunnel, and after 110 meters water is falling in from the side, so practically it does rain below that point. The survey has a geodetic purpose, so it has to be accurate. Scanning is a must, but most of the commercial scanners are ToF, so water is an issue, plus the shaft is homogeneous, so the adjustment will be frustrating.

Which scanner would you use?

How would you estsblish control points?

Or in general, how would you approach this task?

reddit.com
u/Historical_Phone_973 — 13 days ago
▲ 4 r/LiDAR+1 crossposts

Has anyone attempted automated residential framing QA?

I'm a licensed residential general contractor with an IT/software background, and I'm exploring the feasibility of building an automated framing QA workflow.

My current plan is to use a FARO Orbis with a combination of SLAM scanning for rapid whole-house capture and Flash scans in areas where higher point density and accuracy are needed (walls with framed openings). The end goal is not just to create a digital twin, but to automatically compare the as-built framing against the construction plans and identify issues before drywall.

Some of the features I'm hoping to evaluate include:

Window and door rough openings that are out of tolerance (e.g., 1" oversized)

Incorrectly sized or missing headers and beams compared to the framing plans

Interior and exterior walls that are out of square or out of plumb

Room dimensions that don't match the plans

Bowed or twisted studs that are likely to telegraph through drywall

Structural members that have been drilled or notched by MEP trades

Missing framing members or blocking compared to framing plan

My question isn't whether software exists today to do all of this.

My question is whether the raw data from an Orbis, using a combination of SLAM and strategically placed Flash scans, is accurate and dense enough to support this type of analysis.

For those of you with Orbis experience:

What level of dimensional accuracy have you achieved on residential framing?

How much additional accuracy or point density do the Flash scans provide compared to SLAM alone?

Do you think detecting 1/2" wall deviations or stud bow is realistic, or is that pushing beyond what the hardware can reliably resolve?

Do you think the point cloud would contain enough detail to reliably distinguish between different framing members (for example, identifying a double 2×10 header where the plans call for a double 2×12, or detecting an undersized beam)?

If you were attempting this project, would you choose a different scanner or workflow?

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who has worked with Orbis or a similar scanner on framing, scan-to-BIM, or construction QA workflows.

reddit.com
u/MakeThings77 — 11 days ago
▲ 2 r/LiDAR

Has anyone used a 3DMakerpro Eagle LiDAR scanner mounted on a car for mobile mapping / SLAM?

Hi everyone,

I have a 3DMakerpro Eagle LiDAR scanner, and I'm planning to mount it on top of a car and collect data while driving. The scanner uses SLAM and, based on the specifications, seems surprisingly capable for the price.

What makes me curious is that I haven't found anyone doing this specifically with the Eagle. Most of the papers, datasets, and projects I've seen (KITTI, SemanticKITTI, etc.) use Velodyne sensors. However, the Eagle claims up to 140 m rangeand around 2 cm accuracy at 10 m, which sounds quite competitive for some mapping applications.

I have a few questions:

  1. The scanner has Point Density and Accuracy settings. By default they're set to Medium and Mid. For vehicle-mounted scanning, would it make sense to leave them at the default values, or should I increase them for better results?
  2. What driving speed would you recommend for mobile mapping? On the product page I saw references to around 20 km/h max, but I'm not sure if that's a hard limit or just a recommendation.
  3. Has anyone here actually mounted an Eagle on a vehicle and collected data outdoors?
  4. My goal is to build something similar to a KITTI-style dataset. Since the Eagle already includes RTK GNSS, cameras, and LiDAR, I'm wondering whether the Eagle alone is sufficient, or if I should still consider additional sensors for reliable localization and ground-truth generation.

I've looked through papers and online projects, but almost nobody seems to be using this sensor for research. Most benchmarks and experiments are still based on Velodyne units, so it's hard to find practical experience with the Eagle.

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who has tested it in a vehicle-mounted setup or has experience with mobile LiDAR mapping.

Thanks!

reddit.com
u/Successful-Exit-7106 — 13 days ago