PointClouds:开放式点云资料库平台是一个基于点云2D/3D和点云处理的开放式源代码开发数据库资料网站，对于开发人员可以下载点云资料库运行于多操作系统，支持window、Mac os。

点云(point cloud)是指透过3D扫瞄仪所取得之资料型式。扫描资料以点的型式记录，每一个点包含有三维座标，有些可能含有色彩资讯(R,G,B)或物体反射面强度。

点云数据除了具有几何位置以外，还有强度(Intensity)信息，强度信息的获取是激光扫描仪接受装置采集到的回波强度，此强度信息与目标的表面材质、粗糙度、入射角方向，以及仪器的发射能量，激光波长有关。 点云也是逆向工程中通过仪器测量外表的点数据集合。在电脑动画领域, 皮克斯的玩具总动员3使用了点云技术

A point cloud is a set of data points in some coordinate system.In a three-dimensional coordinate system, these points are usually defined by X, Y, and Z coordinates, and often are intended to represent the external surface of an object.

Point clouds may be created by 3D scanners. These devices measure in an automatic way a large number of points on the surface of an object, and often output a point cloud as a data file. The point cloud represents the set of points that the device has measured.

As the result of a 3D scanning process point clouds are used for many purposes, including to create 3D CAD models for manufactured parts, metrology/quality inspection, and a multitude of visualization, animation, rendering and mass customization applications.