CloudCompare forum

Hi,

So I am doing my master thesis right now and for starters, I need to compare coordinates of the nominal model, i.e. the perfect CAD model with the scanned point cloud model in order to see the deviations.

Is there anyone who knows a smart way to do this? Is there a pre-built function in cloud compare for this?

Yep, the 'Cloud / Mesh Distance' computation tool. But to use it you'll first need to import your CAD model... as a triangular mesh (i.e. a tessellated version of it).