Construction projects require large volumes of information, including construction plans, design details, site conditions, and review materials, to be shared accurately among multiple stakeholders. However, when conventional 2D drawings, photos, and explanatory materials are managed separately, it is difficult to grasp the overall picture intuitively, making misunderstandings among stakeholders more likely.

This was especially challenging when explaining construction procedures or spatial relationships to stakeholders with limited site experience or to other departments, as floor plans alone could not fully convey the intent. Each confirmation required additional materials or explanatory meetings, creating a major bottleneck by consuming significant time for decision-making and site coordination.

The purpose of this project was to build a platform that intuitively visualizes complex construction and design data in 3D, enabling all stakeholders to view the same screen while reviewing and discussing construction plans and site conditions in real time.

By shifting from communication that relied on conventional 2D drawings and separate documents to intuitive information sharing centered on 3D models, the project aimed to help stakeholders understand construction plans earlier, verify site conditions more quickly, and make smoother decisions across the entire project.

SMILE was responsible for developing a viewer that enables smooth display and operation of large-scale 3D data in a web browser. The solution integrates 3D models, point cloud data, high-resolution images, and 2D drawings on a single screen, with SMILE leading the full process from UI/UX design through implementation so engineers can intuitively view, measure, and compare data.

The main scope of work included web viewer development, 3D data optimization and format conversion, point cloud tiling, image and drawing integration, distance and area measurement features, rendering performance optimization, and the definition and validation of integration specifications for the customer's existing systems.

Our top priority in development was to balance ease of use with clear visibility, enabling even stakeholders unfamiliar with specialized CAD/BIM tools to understand site conditions intuitively. Because information in the construction field is extremely diverse, simply increasing the amount of data displayed would undermine the tool’s practicality. We therefore refined the viewer structure around on-site workflows by enabling users to narrow down review targets, switch viewpoints, and access linked reference materials such as drawings and photos.

In addition, 3D models, 2D drawings, on-site photos, and point cloud data differ significantly in both data structure and file size. Rather than simply displaying these assets side by side, SMILE designed a data processing pipeline that overlays them for comparison in the context of construction procedures and on-site inspections.

Another important feature of this project was its focused approach: rather than incorporating every overly complex BIM function, it concentrated on the core value of intuitively sharing site information that is otherwise difficult to communicate.

The greatest technical challenge was integrating 3D models, 2D drawings, site photos, and large-scale point cloud data—each with completely different formats and file sizes—into the same spatial coordinate system in a browser, without latency and with smooth operability. Point cloud data in particular is extremely large, so loading it directly on the web can strain memory and reduce the rendering frame rate (FPS).

To address this challenge, SMILE applied tiling technology and LOD (Level of Detail) control, which spatially partitions point cloud data and progressively loads only the required sections. By implementing on-demand streaming based on the camera viewpoint and zoom level, the viewer delivers both smooth 3D operation and highly accurate site verification, even on standard PCs with limited specifications.

Engineers can now view, measure, and compare 3D models, point cloud data, images, and drawings in a single web browser, eliminating the need to switch between multiple specialized software applications.

Spatial relationships and interface issues that were difficult to understand from drawings and photos alone can now be grasped intuitively, helping accelerate technical reviews and greatly reduce rework among stakeholders. By eliminating the need to install dedicated software, the solution has also significantly lowered the barriers to information sharing among site supervisors, designers, and external partners.

At SMILE, the Japan-based point of contact worked closely with the development team in Vietnam to establish a seamless collaboration framework covering everything from requirements definition and screen specifications to standards for handling 3D data. The Bridge SE (BrSE) accurately translated and organized business requirements and technical specifications, while early prototypes and screen demos helped align understanding of areas prone to misinterpretation, such as 3D operability and data integration.

During the implementation phase, SMILE also conducted thorough testing from the perspectives of rendering performance, operational responsiveness, and data integrity. Because this project required strong visual and spatial intuitiveness, the team followed a rigorous agile approach, quickly incorporating feedback based not only on written specifications but also on actual working screens.

In this case study, we built a solution that uses Web 3D visualization technology to transform cumbersome, 2D drawing–centered information sharing in construction and design into a more intuitive experience. SMILE supported the visualization of construction plans and site conditions, as well as faster consensus building, through Web 3D viewer development, advanced 3D and point cloud data processing, and the creation of a data integration platform.

For companies considering construction DX or digital twin initiatives, centrally managing 3D data easily on the web without relying on specialized software is an effective way to improve operational efficiency and make tangible progress in on-site DX.