General FAQ
Common questions about Gaussian Splatting and Splat Labs
General FAQ
Questions about Gaussian Splatting technology and Splat Labs as a platform.
About Splat Labs
What is Splat Labs?
Splat Labs is a professional cloud platform for hosting, sharing, measuring, and collaborating on Gaussian Splat models, built by ROCK Robotic. The platform is accessible at cloud.rockrobotic.com and includes AI-powered tools for floor plans, virtual staging, scene redesign, and more.
Who is Splat Labs for?
Splat Labs serves professionals in:
- Real Estate β Virtual property tours, virtual staging, MLS embeds
- Construction & AEC β Progress documentation, as-built capture, 4D timelines
- Surveying & Engineering β 3D data delivery, measurement tools
- Architecture β As-built visualization, design-in-context reviews
- VFX/Film β Location scouting and pre-visualization
- Utilities & Infrastructure β ArcGIS integration, remote asset inspection
- Facilities Management β Annotated 3D records, maintenance documentation
Is Splat Labs part of ROCK Robotic?
Yes. Splat Labs was founded in 2025 by ROCK Robotic, a leader in LiDAR and mapping technology. The platform is hosted at cloud.rockrobotic.com.
About Gaussian Splatting
What is Gaussian Splatting?
3D Gaussian Splatting is a real-time rendering technique that represents scenes as millions of 3D ellipsoids (Gaussians). Each Gaussian has position, rotation, scale, opacity, and view-dependent color β creating photorealistic scenes that render in real-time in any modern browser.
How is it different from photogrammetry?
| Aspect | Photogrammetry | Gaussian Splatting |
|---|---|---|
| Output | Polygon mesh with texture | Gaussian splat primitives |
| Processing | Hours | Minutesβhours |
| Visual quality | Good | Excellent (photorealistic) |
| Transparency/reflections | Poorly handled | Handled naturally |
| Rendering | CPU/GPU intensive | Real-time in browser |
| Measurements | Yes (with control points) | Yes (in Splat Labs) |
How is it different from a point cloud?
Point clouds are collections of XYZ points with color values β useful for CAD and BIM workflows but not photorealistic. Gaussian Splats are a rendering primitive designed for photorealistic visualization β they look like a continuous photograph from any angle. For CAD/BIM workflows requiring engineering accuracy, use the Lixel L2 Pro to capture point clouds (.LAS files) for use in ROCK Cloud or traditional CAD software.
What file formats are supported?
Splat Labs supports:
.plyβ Standard Gaussian Splat format (widely compatible).splatβ Native Gaussian Splat format.ksplatβ Compressed format, faster loading.xgridsβ XGRIDS native format with metadata
Can I create splats without Splat Labs hardware?
Absolutely. Splat Labs works with Gaussian Splats from any source:
- Postshot, Luma AI, Polycam, Kiri Engine
- Lightfield.ai (LiGHT), ShareUAV, Geosun, DJI
- Any tool that outputs PLY, SPLAT, or KSPLAT files
About Our Hardware
Do I need PortalCam or L2 Pro to use Splat Labs?
No. Splat Labs Cloud works with Gaussian Splats from any source. Our hardware is for customers who want a professional capture solution bundled with the platform.
What's the difference between PortalCam and L2 Pro?
| Aspect | PortalCam | Lixel L2 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Primary output | Gaussian Splats | Point clouds (.LAS) + Gaussian Splats |
| Best for | Photorealistic visualization | Survey-grade capture, CAD/BIM |
| Measurement accuracy | Approximate | 3cm absolute accuracy |
| AI Floor Plans | Yes (PNG only) | Yes (PNG only) |
| Point cloud (.LAS/.LAZ) | No | Yes |
| Range | 0.2β5m (indoor) | Up to 300m |
| Drone compatible | No | Yes (DJI M350/M300 RTK) |
| Price | $4,999β$6,499 | Contact for pricing |
Does the PortalCam produce LAS point cloud files?
No. The PortalCam produces Gaussian Splats only. If you need .LAS or .LAZ point cloud files for CAD, BIM, or GIS workflows, you need the Lixel L2 Pro.
Can I use the PortalCam on a drone?
No. The PortalCam is a handheld indoor device and is not compatible with drone deployment. For aerial LiDAR scanning, use the Lixel L2 Pro with the optional drone mount (compatible with DJI Matrice 350/300 RTK), or a ROCK Ultra/R3 Pro V2 aerial LiDAR system.
Can I use a 360Β° camera like the Insta360 with Splat Labs?
No. Splat Labs requires Gaussian Splat files (.PLY, .SPLAT, .KSPLAT, .XGRIDS). Traditional 360Β° cameras like the Insta360 capture equirectangular video/photos β they do not produce Gaussian Splats. To create Gaussian Splats from photo/video footage, use a Gaussian Splat training tool like Postshot or Luma AI.
Does buying through Splat Labs give me anything extra?
Yes. Buying PortalCam or Lixel L2 Pro hardware through Splat Labs or a qualified reseller includes a free 1-year Splat Labs Starter plan. Buying the same hardware directly from XGRIDS does NOT include the free year β this is exclusive to purchases through Splat Labs and qualified resellers.
Privacy and Data
Who can see my projects?
You control visibility:
- Link sharing enabled β Anyone with the link can view (no sign-in required)
- Email sharing β Only specified email addresses can view, after signing in
- Enterprise groups β All group members see projects automatically; external access requires explicit sharing
Where is my data stored?
Data is stored in AWS cloud infrastructure with industry-standard encryption. Enterprise customers can request regional storage in US East (default), Tokyo (Japan), or Frankfurt (Europe) for data residency and compliance requirements (GDPR, APPI, etc.).
Can I delete my data?
Yes. You can delete individual projects or your entire account at any time. Deleted data is permanently removed from our servers.
Compatibility
What devices can view projects?
- Any modern browser on desktop (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
- iOS (Safari, Chrome)
- Android (Chrome, other browsers)
- VR headsets (Meta Quest 2/3/Pro, Apple Vision Pro, HTC Vive, any WebXR-compatible headset)
Do viewers need an account?
No. Anyone with a link can view projects with link sharing enabled. No account, app, or plugin required.
Can I embed on my website?
Yes. Embedding via iframe is available on Starter, Business, and Enterprise plans. Works on WordPress, Squarespace, Webflow, Wix, Zillow, MLS platforms, Notion, Shopify, GitHub Pages, React/Next.js, and any site that accepts HTML iframes. See Embedding for details.