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PrismaCAD

Getting Started with PrismaCAD

PrismaCAD is a point-cloud application designed to help surveyors, engineers and other professionals turn scan data into practical information for CAD workflows.

This guide covers the essential steps from installation and point-cloud import to views, sections, measurements, survey points, orthoprojections and DXF export.

System Requirements

Minimum

  • Operating System — Windows 10 or Windows 11, 64-bit
  • Processor — 64-bit x64 processor
  • Memory — 16 GB RAM
  • Storage — SSD storage recommended. Additional free disk space is required for point-cloud datasets and generated project files.

Recommended

  • Operating System — Windows 11, 64-bit
  • Processor — Modern multi-core x64 processor
  • Memory — 32 GB RAM or more for larger point-cloud datasets
  • Graphics — Dedicated GPU recommended for larger datasets and smoother visualization
  • Storage — SSD or NVMe storage

ARM-based Windows devices are not currently supported.

Performance depends on point-cloud size, point density, available RAM and storage speed.

Install PrismaCAD

  1. Download PrismaCAD from prismacad.com/download.
  2. Run the PrismaCAD installer.
  3. Follow the installation instructions.
  4. Launch PrismaCAD from the Windows Start menu or desktop shortcut.

Windows Security

PrismaCAD is distributed as a signed Windows desktop application. Windows may perform a security check when the installer is first launched.

Activate PrismaCAD

When PrismaCAD starts, the activation window allows you to activate an existing license or start a free trial.

Free Trial

  1. Request your trial from prismacad.com.
  2. Open the activation email.
  3. Activate PrismaCAD on your computer.
  4. Your 14-day trial starts when the license is activated.

Internet access is required for activation and periodic license verification.

The PrismaCAD Interface

The main PrismaCAD workspace provides direct access to the core workflow.

  • Import — Import a new point-cloud dataset.
  • Open — Open an existing PrismaCAD project.
  • Save — Save the current project.
  • Section — Create and manage point-cloud sections.
  • Measure — Measure directly from point-cloud data.
  • Export DXF — Export project results for CAD workflows.
  • Project Folder — Open the project's working folder.

The Project panel gives access to views, layouts and sections associated with the current project.

Import a Point Cloud

PrismaCAD supports the import of commonly used point-cloud formats:

E57 · LAS · LAZ · XYZ

Click Import, select your point-cloud file and follow the import process.

After import, PrismaCAD creates the project data required for efficient visualization and processing.

Large Datasets

Large point clouds may require additional processing time and memory. SSD or NVMe storage and sufficient RAM are recommended.

Working with Views

PrismaCAD can create dedicated XY, XZ and YZ views from the imported point cloud.

The main views allow the dataset to be inspected along the principal coordinate planes:

  • XY — plan / top-oriented view
  • XZ — vertical view
  • YZ — vertical view

Each view remains associated with the original real-world point-cloud coordinates.

Sections and Slices

Use sections to isolate the part of the point cloud that is relevant to your work.

Sections can be created from the principal views and adjusted to focus on the required area of the dataset.

Free-line Sections

For sections that are not aligned with the main XY, XZ or YZ axes, PrismaCAD also supports a free section line.

This allows you to define the section direction directly from the point cloud.

Measurements

The Measure tools allow you to obtain dimensions directly from point-cloud data.

Measurements remain related to the real-world coordinates of the project.

Survey Points

Use the Survey Point tool to select a point from the point cloud and retrieve its real-world coordinates.

Survey points provide:

X · Y · Z

This can be useful when extracting individual coordinates from a scanned environment for further survey or CAD work.

Orthoprojections

PrismaCAD can generate high-resolution orthoprojections from point-cloud data.

Available output styles include:

  • RGB
  • Grayscale

Orthoprojections can be used as drawing references or included in CAD-based workflows. See the point cloud to orthophoto workflow.

Image exports can be generated as:

PNG · JPEG

Export to DXF

When your views, layouts or sections are ready, select Export DXF.

PrismaCAD generates DXF output that can be opened in compatible CAD applications.

Save and Open Projects

Use Save to store the current PrismaCAD project.

Previously created projects can be opened using Open or selected from the recent projects area on the PrismaCAD start page.

Project-related files can be accessed directly using Project Folder.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Lock / Unlock — F8

Additional shortcuts will be documented as the manual is expanded.

Supported Formats

Point-cloud Import

  • E57
  • LAS
  • LAZ
  • XYZ

Export

  • DXF
  • PNG
  • JPEG

Troubleshooting

PrismaCAD cannot open a point cloud

Confirm that the file is in a supported format and that sufficient memory and disk space are available.

Working with very large point clouds

Close unnecessary applications and ensure that the project is stored on fast local SSD or NVMe storage.

ARM Windows computers

PrismaCAD currently requires an x64 Windows computer. ARM64 Windows devices are not currently supported.

Need help?

Contact: support@prismacad.com

Download PrismaCAD

Ready to try PrismaCAD?

Download the free trial and work with your own point-cloud data.

Download Free Trial

PrismaCAD — Point Clouds Made Practical.