What software opens PTX files?

These reviewed tools explicitly list PTX in fileFormats[]. Compare who opens, edits, or exports the format, how much support is documented, and whether the catalog tags the tool as free or paid.

Last updated 2026-07-07.

5 Reviewed tools
4 Free or free-viewer options
0 Full-support listings

Need the full import x export matrix? Open the formats hub. Need the same slice inside the category x sector grid? Open the PTX filter on the landscape map.

Direct answer

Need the same slice inside the full catalog grid? Open the PTX filter on the landscape map.

PTS PTS ASCII point-cloud coverage in the reviewed AEC catalog. E57 ASTM E57 open point-cloud exchange coverage in the reviewed AEC catalog.

Comparison table

Tool Price signal Direction Support Score Verdict
RealityScan (formerly RealityCapture)
Photogrammetry and LiDAR-fusion software converting photos and laser scans into textured meshes, point clouds, and orthophotos; rebranded from RealityCapture to RealityScan in 2025 under Epic Games.
 Freemium Listed Unknown 4.6/5 worth-it
CloudCompare
Free, open-source (GPL) desktop application for processing, comparing, registering, and analyzing 3D point clouds and meshes, with mature CLI/headless batch mode and two independent Python scripting layers.
 Free viewer Listed Unknown 4.4/5 worth-it
NavVis IVION
Browser-based digital-twin platform that hosts, visualizes, and publishes reality-capture point clouds and 360-degree panoramas from SLAM/mobile-mapping and laser scans; formerly NavVis IndoorViewer.
 Paid / subscription Listed Unknown 3.4/5 solid
Leica Cyclone REGISTER 360 PLUS
Registers, cleans, and publishes laser-scan point clouds from Leica and third-party scanners into RCP/E57/LAS deliverables for downstream CAD and BIM.
 Free viewer Listed Unknown 3.0/5 solid
Trimble RealWorks
Registers, analyzes, and models laser-scan point clouds from any scanner source into CAD/BIM deliverables, including targetless auto-registration; sold only through Trimble distributors.
 Free viewer Listed Unknown 2.4/5 situational
RealityScan (formerly RealityCapture)
Photogrammetry and LiDAR-fusion software converting photos and laser scans into textured meshes, point clouds, and orthophotos; rebranded from RealityCapture to RealityScan in 2025 under Epic Games.
Price
Freemium
Direction
Listed
Support
Unknown
Score
4.6/5
Verdict
worth-it
CloudCompare
Free, open-source (GPL) desktop application for processing, comparing, registering, and analyzing 3D point clouds and meshes, with mature CLI/headless batch mode and two independent Python scripting layers.
Price
Free viewer
Direction
Listed
Support
Unknown
Score
4.4/5
Verdict
worth-it
NavVis IVION
Browser-based digital-twin platform that hosts, visualizes, and publishes reality-capture point clouds and 360-degree panoramas from SLAM/mobile-mapping and laser scans; formerly NavVis IndoorViewer.
Price
Paid / subscription
Direction
Listed
Support
Unknown
Score
3.4/5
Verdict
solid
Leica Cyclone REGISTER 360 PLUS
Registers, cleans, and publishes laser-scan point clouds from Leica and third-party scanners into RCP/E57/LAS deliverables for downstream CAD and BIM.
Price
Free viewer
Direction
Listed
Support
Unknown
Score
3.0/5
Verdict
solid
Trimble RealWorks
Registers, analyzes, and models laser-scan point clouds from any scanner source into CAD/BIM deliverables, including targetless auto-registration; sold only through Trimble distributors.
Price
Free viewer
Direction
Listed
Support
Unknown
Score
2.4/5
Verdict
situational

How to open a PTX point-cloud file

  1. Start with a tool above that lists PTX in its reviewed file-format coverage.
  2. If you only need to inspect the file, filter first for free plans, free viewers, or view-only support.
  3. If you need to change the file and send it back out, favor tools marked Native or Opens + exports.
  4. If support is Partial or Unknown, open the tool review before assuming a clean round-trip.

For broader category context, compare the same format against the rest of the AEC catalog on the landscape map.