Aveva LFD

Aveva LFD is a proprietary file format used within Aveva’s LFM and PCM software environments for the efficient handling of large-scale laser scanning datasets. It serves as an optimised structure for storing and accessing point cloud information in plant design, engineering, and maintenance workflows.

The LFD format enables the rapid loading and visualisation of high-resolution point clouds, even in complex projects involving millions of data points. It maintains essential metadata such as intensity and coordinate information and is designed for compatibility with popular CAD platforms such as Aveva E3D, AutoCAD, and MicroStation.

By streamlining the interaction between raw scan data and design systems, LFD files improve productivity, ensure accuracy in as-built modelling, and support seamless integration into broader digital twin workflows. This makes the format particularly valuable in industries such as oil & gas, power generation, and large-scale infrastructure.

See also: Aveva LFM, Aveva PCM, Laser scanning, Point cloud, Industrial design