--- title: "Importing external point cloud data into NavVis IVION" slug: "importing-external-point-cloud-data-into-navvis-ivion" description: "NavVis IVION imports external point clouds as .ptx, .ply, .pts, .xyz, or .e57, with .pts intensity from -2048 to 2047. Choose a site or spatial reference system, or pick a map location; Normals for fine-alignment come only from .e57." updated: 2026-09-29T13:25:32Z published: 2026-09-29T13:25:32Z canonical: "knowledge.navvis.com/importing-external-point-cloud-data-into-navvis-ivion" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://knowledge.navvis.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Importing external point cloud data into IVION ## Importing external point clouds Use the following procedure to upload point cloud data that has come from external software or a non-NavVis scanning device into IVION. > [!NOTE] > **Note:** IVION supports the following point cloud formats: `.ptx`, `.ply`, `.pts`, `.xyz`, and `.e57`. For `.pts` files, the range of intensity values has to be between -2048 to 2047. 1. Drag and drop files to the upload field or click **Upload** inside the field.![](https://cdn.document360.io/bf174766-fa1a-4fe1-a4d7-b1db1e7cb996/Images/Documentation/update data2.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-14T08%3A29%3A09Z&se=2026-10-14T09%3A29%3A09Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=DVnXcNtd3FzJm1LeHYeFttJb5rAeldmA5tMULaBkdrI%3D) 2. Select one of the following options: - Select **Site coordinate system** to import the point cloud. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/bf174766-fa1a-4fe1-a4d7-b1db1e7cb996/Images/Documentation/image-1740412917714.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-14T08%3A29%3A09Z&se=2026-10-14T09%3A29%3A09Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=DVnXcNtd3FzJm1LeHYeFttJb5rAeldmA5tMULaBkdrI%3D) - Select **Spatial reference system** to choose a projected, metric system for the dataset(s). Start typing a name and select the correct spatial reference system that displays. ![spatial ref](https://cdn.document360.io/bf174766-fa1a-4fe1-a4d7-b1db1e7cb996/Images/Documentation/spatial%20ref.PNG?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-14T08%3A29%3A09Z&se=2026-10-14T09%3A29%3A09Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=DVnXcNtd3FzJm1LeHYeFttJb5rAeldmA5tMULaBkdrI%3D) - Select **Pick location on map** to choose a location for the dataset(s) and click **Next**. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/bf174766-fa1a-4fe1-a4d7-b1db1e7cb996/Images/Documentation/image-1733245997035.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-14T08%3A29%3A09Z&se=2026-10-14T09%3A29%3A09Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=DVnXcNtd3FzJm1LeHYeFttJb5rAeldmA5tMULaBkdrI%3D) Pick a location for the point cloud on the map displayed. Search for an address or coordinates and, if necessary, adjust the location of the location picker and click **Import**.![](https://cdn.document360.io/bf174766-fa1a-4fe1-a4d7-b1db1e7cb996/Images/Documentation/import cloud.PNG?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-14T08%3A29%3A09Z&se=2026-10-14T09%3A29%3A09Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=DVnXcNtd3FzJm1LeHYeFttJb5rAeldmA5tMULaBkdrI%3D) ## **What features are available for external point clouds imported into IVION?** When importing point cloud data from an external source the following functionality is supported in IVION - Aligning the point clouds - Creating POIs in them. - Measuring distances between any two points. - Navigating through the point clouds by double-clicking. - Changing the appearance and quality settings of the point clouds. The following features are only available for imported point clouds with [Normals](https://knowledge.navvis.com/docs/how-to-know-if-an-e57-file-has-normals). In IVION, Normals can be generated during the upload of `.e57` files with sensor origins. > [!NOTE] > **Note:** Normal generation is not supported for file formats other than `.e57`. - Use automatic fine-alignment with imported point clouds. - Automatically generate 2D maps or a navigation graph for the imported point clouds. Panorama extractions for .e57 files is available if certain criteria is met, refer here for more information on [Panoramas from .e57 Fil](https://knowledge.navvis.com/docs/panoramas-from-e57-files) --- ### FAQ #### What file formats are supported for importing point clouds into IVION? IVION supports the following point cloud formats: .ptx, .ply, .pts, .xyz, and .e57. #### What is the intensity value range for .pts files? For .pts files, the range of intensity values has to be between -2048 to 2047. #### How can I upload point cloud data to IVION? You can upload point cloud data by dragging and dropping files into the upload field or by clicking 'Upload' inside the field. #### Can I create Points of Interest (POIs) in imported point clouds? Yes, you can create POIs in the imported point clouds. #### Is automatic fine-alignment available for all point cloud formats? No, automatic fine-alignment is only available for imported point clouds with Normals, which can be generated during the upload of .e57 files. #### Can I measure distances between points in the imported point clouds? Yes, you can measure distances between any two points in the imported point clouds. #### Do I need to select a coordinate system when importing point clouds? Yes, you need to select a Site coordinate system or a Spatial reference system when importing point clouds. #### Is it possible to navigate through the point clouds in IVION? Yes, you can navigate through the point clouds by double-clicking. #### Are panorama extractions available for .e57 files? Yes, panorama extractions for .e57 files are available if certain criteria are met. #### Can I use dataset alignment on external datasets? Yes. Manual alignment in Dataset Alignment is supported for all imported point clouds. Automatic fine-alignment is also supported for imported `.e57` point clouds with Normals. For more information, see [Aligning Datasets](https://knowledge.navvis.com/docs/en/aligning-datasets-1). **Note:** The Hide Overlap feature applies only to NavVis datasets and does not apply to imported external point clouds. Normals are perpendicular to the tangent plane line at a particular point on the surface. They yield especially useful information about a curved surface's characteristics but conversely can tell us much about the planarity of a flat or angular surface also. Normals can tell us the rate of change of curvature when a surface has an angular departure and tell us just how perfectly flat something is.