Generating Gaussian Splats

Last updated: giu 19, 2026•3 min read.

The Gaussian Splats for SketchUp extension focuses on visualizing and manipulating splat files. If you need to generate your own .ply, .splat, or .spz files, you’ll need to use a third-party tool.

Note: The applications listed below are external tools and not officially endorsed or supported by Trimble. While these resources may be helpful, we cannot guarantee specific results, compatibility, or outcomes from their use.

Depending on your hardware and specific project needs, there are several categories of tools you can use:

Mobile Apps

Scaniverse – A free iOS and Android app developed by Niantic. It allows you to scan a space and process the splat directly on your device. It exports in the compressed .spz format, which significantly reduces file sizes.
Polycam – A popular iOS and Android app that supports LiDAR and photogrammetry-based Gaussian Splatting, exporting to .ply. It is great for capturing small objects and large spaces, and it requires a paid subscription for splat exports.
Kiri Engine – A cross-platform app that gives you flexibility across different capture types.

Web-Based Tools

Luma AI – A cloud-based platform that processes uploaded images or videos. It is highly recommended if you are on a Mac or lack an NVIDIA graphics card, and it performs particularly well on outdoor scenes and vegetation.

Desktop Software

Postshot – A desktop application that processes splats locally, which is ideal if you need data privacy or want hands-on control over the training parameters. It also includes built-in editing tools to crop and mask your splat before exporting.

Drone and Professional Hardware Platforms

DJI Terra – For large-scale site contexts (like building exteriors or construction sites), DJI Terra supports processing aerial imagery from DJI enterprise drones into georeferenced Gaussian Splats.
LCC Studio by XGRIDS – This tool works with XGRIDS Lixel scanners, combining SLAM-based LiDAR with Gaussian Splatting to produce highly accurate, measurable models for professional AEC workflows.

Open-Source and AI-Powered Options

Nerfstudio, OpenSplat, and LichtFeld Studio – Open-source tools that offer deep control for researchers and power users who want to build custom pipelines.
Marble by World Labs – An emerging AI-powered tool capable of reconstructing 3D environments from minimal inputs, such as a single image or video.

Cleanup Tools

SuperSplat – A free, browser-based editor that lets you view, crop, and delete unwanted background clutter or floating artifacts from your splat before importing it into SketchUp. Removing this excess data can significantly improve rendering performance.