If you are interested in “serious 3D” then you need to become aware of the Web3D Consortium. They are a nonprofit organization that develops and maintains the X3D, VRML, and H-Anim standards – 3D file formats and run time specifications for the delivery and integration of interactive 3D data over networks. The software is open, royalty-free and ISO-ratified.
A quick look at their site will reveal that they have a very impressive line-up of active working groups including CAD, augmented reality, medical and something called the earth. I think there is a real opportunity to align the 3D laser scanning world with this group, thereby leveraging all the work that they have done on the topic of communicating 3D information in real time.
