Comparative Assessment of Point Cloud Annotation Workflows

This technical report presents a comparative assessment of manual point cloud annotation workflows specifically for applications in architectural and spatial studies. The study evaluates various annotation tools, focusing on their usability and effectiveness for users with limited Geomatics experience, such as architects and urban planners. It includes both literature-based and market-driven analyses to identify prevalent tools, including open-source, commercial, and web-based solutions. Eight platforms were tested on two case studies in Mantova, Italy, assessing usability, interface design, supported formats, and classification capabilities. The findings highlight significant differences in usability and performance among the tools, concluding that the selection of annotation software should align with user expertise, project scale, and environmental complexity. This report aims to support informed software choices for professionals in built heritage, architecture, and urban studies who require reliable manual point cloud annotation solutions.