GLABAS: I made a viewer that lets you place 3D models directly onto a map!!

Shouldn't 3D data be easier and lighter to view?

It is somewhat common knowledge that "3D data (point clouds/modeling) is heavy." While it has become possible to perform 3D scanning (LiDAR) on an iPhone using apps like Scaniverse*, I always found myself stuck wondering, "How am I supposed to handle this?"

What I wanted was something simpler—something where I could just quickly open the captured data in a browser and roughly place it on a map. Something light, easy, and requiring no special preparation. Since I couldn't find anything that fit the bill, I decided to make it myself, which is how GLABAS began.
* GLABAS: Named from GLB (3D model) + LAS (point cloud).

What is this?

GLABAS is a 3D data viewer that allows you to overlay scanned point cloud data (LAS/LAZ) and 3D models (GLB) directly onto a map in your browser. No need to install dedicated software. Just open the URL and select your file; it works on smartphones, tablets, and PCs.

There are two main features.It is incredibly lightweight, andyou can place 3D models directly onto a map.
GLB: 20MB → 5MB (reduced weight by lowering image quality)

Features

Lightweight and simple

Everything is completed within the browser. There are no heavy dedicated apps or complicated settings; you can open it directly on your smartphone or tablet in the field. By thinning out point clouds and re-compressing texture images, we reduce the file size so it can be opened even in field network environments or on smartphones. You can also choose the quality (low to high) when saving to the server.

Place 3D models directly onto a map

This is the core of GLABAS. Instead of viewing a model in isolation, you can see it placed within the real-world context of a map. Position, orientation, and scale can be adjusted on the spot using drag-and-drop or sliders, allowing for a casual workflow where you "get it roughly aligned and then fine-tune it by hand."

Prioritizing GLB for better visuals

Point clouds (LAS) tend to look rough by nature. On the other hand, 3D modeling (GLB) consists of "surfaces" with texture images applied, making it easier to understand the atmosphere of the site. Therefore, GLABAS is designed to attach location information to GLB files and save/display them whenever available. It is a trade-off where we prioritize the format that looks better.

Compatible with various software due to standard formats

We handle LAS/LAZ for point clouds and GLB/glTF for 3D models, both of which are widely used standard formats. You can import data from many software programs that can export in these formats. (While automatic coordinate system detection may not work perfectly depending on the software or export settings, you can select the coordinate system manually in those cases.)
* I believe verification for large-scale data is still insufficient...

Supports Japanese surveying coordinate systems

Supports Plane Rectangular Coordinate Systems (Zones 1-19), UTM, WGS84, and more. If the file contains coordinate system information, it is read automatically and converted to an approximate position on the map. (The accuracy of the position is not strict; we treat it as a "rough guide.")

How to use: Workflow

The usage is simple. First, prepare your 3D data using a smartphone or scanner, open GLABAS in your browser, and select the file. The data will appear on the map, and you can adjust the position, orientation, and scale on the spot if needed. Finally, select the quality and save it to the server to finish. From then on, you can simply select and retrieve the data from the server list to view it from any other device.

The process is complete with these steps.

If you have an iPhone (Pro series) or iPad Pro equipped with LiDAR, you can handle everything from scanning to viewing on that single device. You don't need to purchase expensive laser scanners or surveying equipment; the smartphone you carry every day becomes the entry point. This low barrier to entry aligns well with GLABAS's philosophy of being "light and simple."

Are there similar ones?

There are already many tools available for viewing 3D data on the web, such as "Potree," the standard open-source web point cloud viewer, full-scale commercial cloud services for surveying and civil engineering, and GIS platforms that integrate urban models.

However, these tend to lean either toward "high-precision, high-functionality business systems" or "displaying 3D models in isolation." GLABAS's unique character lies in the desire to "simply view 3D data in a light and easy way."

Future outlook

Currently, the system works by selecting and opening data saved on the server from a list, but in the future, I would like to consider a sharing mechanism that allows direct access via a URL pointing to specific data (such as passing it through query parameters). I intend to continue developing it within reasonable limits, always as an extension of being "light and simple."

As of May 2026, there are no account settings yet, so if you have point cloud data (LAS/LAZ) or 3D modeling data (GLB), please feel free to upload and try it out. (Currently, when you upload to the server, others can also see it.)

In conclusion

"3D data is heavy" is, in a sense, a common challenge in the industry, but I hope to gradually realize solutions with GLABAS, keeping "light and simple" as the theme.

*Scaniverse is a trademark of Niantic, Inc.