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Entwine
What it is
Entwine is a Linux data organization library for indexing massive point clouds, including datasets with trillions of points. Its build command creates an Entwine Point Tile (EPT) dataset from point cloud data. The project describes its builds as lossless, preserving points, metadata, and precision. Entwine can index any point-cloud format readable by PDAL, including LAS/LAZ data. EPT is an octree-based storage format, and input and output can use local storage or remote sources supported through Arbiter, including S3, GCS, and Dropbox. Commands accept settings through command-line options or JSON configuration files. The info command gathers file metadata before a build, while merge combines completed subset builds; it is not for unrelated EPT datasets. Output is shown with Potree, Plasio, and Cesium clients, and EPT data can be converted to 3D Tiles for Cesium. An option enables AWS server-side encryption for S3 writes. Entwine is open source under the LGPL License. The download page recommends Conda as a quick installation route and also lists source releases. Community support is available through GitHub, Gitter, and the PDAL mailing list.
For and against
For
- Builds EPT datasets from PDAL-readable point-cloud formats.
- Builds preserve points, metadata, and precision.
- Supports local storage and remote sources such as S3.
- Output can be used with Potree, Plasio, and Cesium.
- Available under the LGPL License.
Against
- Runs on Linux.
- Merge combines subset builds, not unrelated EPT datasets.
The verdict
Entwine focuses on organizing point clouds into EPT datasets, with support for remote storage and visualization clients. Its subset-only merge behavior is an important constraint when planning dataset workflows.
Who it suits
Entwine may suit Linux users organizing large point-cloud collections, including those working with LAS/LAZ or other PDAL-readable formats. Its command-line tools and configuration options are relevant to users building EPT datasets.
On the record
- Build command
- The build command generates an Entwine Point Tile (EPT) dataset from point cloud data.entwine.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Cesium output
- The configuration guide describes converting an EPT dataset to 3D Tiles for display in Cesium.entwine.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Client integrations
- The site showcases Entwine output with Potree, Plasio, and Cesium clients.entwine.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Commands
- The documented commands build EPT datasets, gather point-cloud information, and merge completed subset builds.entwine.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- Commands can be configured through command-line options or JSON configuration files.entwine.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- EPT format
- EPT is described as a simple, flexible, octree-based storage format for point cloud data.entwine.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Input formats
- Entwine can index any point cloud format readable by PDAL.entwine.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The download page identifies Conda as the fastest installation route and links to the source repository.entwine.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- License
- Entwine is available under the LGPL License.entwine.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Lossless builds
- The maker says Entwine builds preserve points, metadata, and precision, including for terabyte-scale datasets.entwine.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Notable limit
- The merge command combines completed subset builds and is not for merging unrelated EPT datasets.entwine.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Other commands
- The documented commands include info for collecting pre-build file metadata and merge for combining completed subset builds.entwine.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Output formats
- Documented point-data storage types are laszip, zstandard, and binary.entwine.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Product
- Entwine is a data organization library for massive point clouds, designed for datasets ranging from desktop scale to trillions of points.entwine.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Entwine is a data organization library for massive point clouds, intended for datasets from desktop scale to trillions of points.entwine.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Security
- The configuration supports enabling AWS server-side encryption for S3 writes.entwine.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Security option
- The build options include enabling AWS server-side encryption for S3 writes.entwine.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Storage integrations
- Input and output paths can use local storage or remote sources including S3, Google Cloud Storage, and Dropbox.entwine.io · read 7 Oct 2026
