In lidar, what is 'point cloud data'?

Point cloud data in lidar refers to a collection of points in three-dimensional space that represent the scanned surfaces and objects within the captured environment. Each point in the cloud has spatial coordinates (X, Y, Z) and often contains additional information such as color or intensity derived from the laser reflections. This representation is crucial because it captures the detailed shape and geometry of the physical world, allowing for accurate 3D modeling, analysis, and visualization in various applications such as topography, architecture, and environmental monitoring.

The other options do not accurately depict what point cloud data entails. A two-dimensional representation would miss the three-dimensional complexity that lidar data captures, while data for image rendering and spreadsheet formats refer to other forms of information processing and organization that do not reflect the raw spatial data provided by lidar systems.