In reality capture, collecting accurate data is only part of the job. Ensuring that the right information is captured, identifying gaps before leaving the site, and getting project data into the hands of the people who need it are equally important.
Leica Geosystems’ Live Link feature brings a new level of connectivity to terrestrial laser scanning, helping field crews and office teams collaborate while data collection is still underway. By connecting compatible Leica RTC scanners with Cyclone FIELD 360 and GeoCloud, Live Link helps teams improve visibility into scanning progress, identify potential issues earlier, and make more informed decisions in the field.
For organizations looking to improve their reality capture workflows, Live Link offers an opportunity to move beyond a traditional field-to-office handoff toward a more connected approach.
What Is Leica Live Link?
Live Link is a feature built into the Leica Cyclone FIELD 360 application. It does not require a separate software purchase.
When used with a supported RTC scanner and an active GeoCloud subscription, Live Link synchronizes project information with a shared cloud environment. This allows field and office personnel to access project information and collaborate while scanning is in progress.
Rather than waiting until the field crew has finished collecting data and returned to the office, teams can gain earlier visibility into the work being completed. This can help identify potential problems sooner and reduce the risk of discovering missing information after the crew has left the site.
Live Link connects three key components of the Leica reality capture workflow:
- Leica RTC series scanners for terrestrial laser scanning.
- Cyclone FIELD 360 for field workflows and project information management.
- Hexagon GeoCloud for connected project information and collaboration.
Together, these components help bridge the gap between field acquisition and office-based project review.
Key Benefits of Live Link
1. Improve Field-to-Office Collaboration
One of the key advantages of Live Link is the ability to share project information between field crews and office personnel while scanning is underway.
Office specialists can gain visibility into the developing project and provide guidance when needed. This creates opportunities to address questions, review progress, and coordinate activities without waiting for the field crew to return.
For organizations with distributed teams or projects that require specialist input, this can help improve communication and make better use of available expertise.
2. Identify Missing Coverage Before Leaving the Site
Returning to a site to capture missing scan data can be expensive and time-consuming, particularly when working in remote locations, industrial facilities, or sites with restricted access.
Live Link helps teams review scanning progress and identify potential gaps in coverage while field crews are still on-site. If an important area has been missed, the team has an opportunity to address it before packing up the equipment.
Although Live Link does not eliminate the need for proper scan planning and quality assurance, earlier visibility into project progress can help reduce avoidable return visits and duplicated work.
3. Support Multi-Operator and Multi-Scanner Workflows
Larger projects often require multiple operators or scanners to collect data efficiently. Coordinating that work and maintaining a consistent understanding of project progress can be challenging when teams operate independently.
Live Link supports a connected workflow in which multiple field operators and scanners can contribute to a shared project scene. Relevant project information, including scan positions, metadata, GeoTags, and registration context, can be synchronised to help teams maintain a common view of the project.
This can be particularly valuable for large facilities, complex buildings, and industrial environments where multiple crews may be working in different areas.
4. Start Office Review Sooner
Traditionally, many aspects of project review begin only after field acquisition is complete and the data has been transferred back to the office.
With Live Link, office personnel can gain earlier visibility into incoming project information and begin reviewing progress while scanning continues. This creates opportunities to identify potential issues, provide field guidance, and prepare for subsequent processing activities sooner.
Live Link supports earlier quality assurance, but it should not be viewed as a replacement for the registration, verification, and final quality-control procedures required for project deliverables.
5. Maintain Shared Project Context
Effective collaboration requires more than simply sharing scan data. Teams also need to understand where scans were captured and how the information relates to the wider project.
Live Link helps synchronise relevant project context, including scan positions, metadata, GeoTags, and registration information. This gives field and office personnel a more consistent view of the project as it develops.
The result is a more connected workflow in which project information can be reviewed and coordinated throughout data acquisition.
Which Leica Scanners Support Live Link?
Live Link currently supports the following Leica terrestrial laser scanners:
- Leica RTC300
- Leica RTC500
- Leica RTC700
At this time, Live Link is not supported on other Leica scanner models.
Customers considering Live Link should confirm their scanner model before planning to incorporate the feature into their existing workflow.
Is a GeoCloud Subscription Required?
Yes. Although Live Link is included in the Cyclone FIELD 360 application at no additional cost, an active GeoCloud subscription is required to use the feature.
What Hardware Is Required?
In addition to a supported scanner and an active GeoCloud subscription, users need an iPad Pro with an active cellular data plan to use Live Link.
This is an important consideration when planning equipment purchases or preparing a field scanning setup. Teams should ensure they have the required hardware and cellular connectivity available before deploying Live Link on a project.
Because the workflow relies on cloud connectivity, teams should also consider cellular coverage at their project locations when planning field operations.
Is Live Link Right for Your Reality Capture Workflow?
For organizations using the Leica RTC300, RTC500, or RTC700, Live Link offers an opportunity to improve coordination between field acquisition and office review.
By making project information available for collaboration while scanning is underway, Live Link can help teams identify potential coverage gaps sooner, coordinate multiple operators, and begin reviewing project progress before fieldwork is complete.
The greatest value will depend on the project environment, team structure, connectivity, and existing quality-control procedures. For projects where access is restricted, return visits are expensive, or multiple teams need to coordinate their work, earlier visibility into scanning progress can be particularly beneficial.
Interested in learning more about Leica Live Link?
Contact your IMAGINiT account representative to discuss scanner compatibility, GeoCloud subscription requirements, and how Live Link could fit into your existing scanning workflow.
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