.PTS File Extension
Plain Text Point Data
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A PTS file may also be a plain text file that stores point data, typically collected using a LIDAR scanner. It contains a header that notes the number of points the file contains, followed by point data stored one point per line. Each point typically (but not always) also has associated RGB color data and intensity data.
More Information
Scientists and engineers use LIDAR scanners to map objects and surfaces, by targeting them with a laser and measuring how long it takes reflected light to return to the scanner. Some of these scanners and associated applications, such as Leica Cyclone, FARO Scene, and Autodesk ReCap Pro, can save the maps they create in the PTS format.
Each PTS file contains a list of points, saved as a set of x, y, z coordinates. Each point is typically also assigned estimated RGB color values and an intensity value. The intensity value is an estimate of the fraction of incident radiation reflected at that point.
How to open a PTS file
Because PTS files are plain text files, you can open them with any text editor, such as Microsoft Notepad (Windows) or Apple TextEdit (Mac). However, most PTS files are meant to be opened in point data processing programs, such as Leica Cyclone (Windows), FARO Scene (Windows), or Autodesk ReCap Pro (Windows). These programs can use the data PTS files contain to create 3D images.