Converting laser scan point cloud data into mesh?

[PixelJockey]

I have a bunch of point cloud files (.cl3 and .pod) that I'd like to convert into a mesh model. I don't have much experience using point cloud data. At the moment I'm using PointTools SketchUp plugin to build a model over the point cloud. I'm working on a university building at the moment. The building structure portion is going okay in SketchUp, but I can't imaging trying to use SketchUp for the landscape among other portions of the model.

I was looking at using MeshLab to convert the points but I'm not sure about the process. I don't have compatible files. I have .cl3 and .pod format. Seems like .ply would do the trick, but I can't find a (.cl3 or .pod) to .ply converter.

Anyone have experience with point clouds or other helpful tips? Thanks.

[flino2004]

Go to Autodesk lab, they have tools there to convert point cloud in geometry for autocad, max, etc

http://labs.autodesk.com/aec/