> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://stage-precision.gitbook.io/grid/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://stage-precision.gitbook.io/grid/touch-designer-integration/point-cloud-interaction/overview.md).

# Overview

Turn point clouds from Grid Studio into visuals and interactions using point positions, IDs, sizes, colors, and activity events.

Point cloud interaction uses incoming points from Grid Studio to control visuals in TouchDesigner.

You can display points as spheres, use their positions to place your own graphics, or trigger actions when points appear and disappear.

### Available point data

| Data     | Purpose                                                           |
| -------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Position | Places each point in 3D space. Positions are expressed in meters. |
| ID       | Identifies a point within the incoming data.                      |
| Size     | Defines the point's dimensions.                                   |
| Color    | Provides the point's red, green, blue, and alpha values.          |

The integration converts positions into TouchDesigner's coordinate system automatically.

### Choose your workflow

Three operators provide different ways to work with the same point data.

| Operator              | Use it for                                                                                                 |
| --------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| SPNet Point Cloud POP | Display incoming points directly as spheres or point geometry, with optional sizes, colors, and ID labels. |
| SPNet Data CHOP       | Access point properties as numeric channels to control your own geometry or drive instancing.              |
| SPNet Events DAT      | Inspect points in a live table or receive active and inactive events.                                      |

#### Display points directly

Start with the SPNet Point Cloud POP when you want a visual representation of the incoming cloud.

It generates geometry from the received points. You can preview this geometry in the node viewer and include it in a rendered scene.

#### Use your own graphics

Use the SPNet Data CHOP when you want to build the visual appearance yourself.

Each point becomes a sample in shared channels such as `tx`, `ty`, and `tz`. These channels can drive Geometry COMP instancing, placing one instance of your geometry at each point.

#### React to activity

Use the SPNet Events DAT when you need to react to points becoming active or inactive.

For example, an active event can trigger an animation, while an inactive event can hide a graphic.

Your TouchDesigner network defines the action performed in response to each event.

### Working with IDs

Use point IDs when a graphic or interaction needs to remain associated with a particular point.

The order of points can change between updates. A point's sample index or table row should therefore be treated as its current location in the output.

### Before you start

You need:

* The SPNet plugins installed in TouchDesigner.
* Grid Studio sending point cloud data over SPNet.
* Matching network settings on the sender and receiver.

The first example uses the SPNet Point Cloud POP to display incoming points as spheres.