Operator experience is a critical factor with optical laser scanning. The operator must follow certain guidelines and be able to predict how the laser will react. Discretion must be shown when viewing the individual scans before merging so that any unacceptable data will be discarded. It is necessary to have a clear understanding of how lasers work so as to know how to deal with them. The lighting in the location, the object's distance from the scanner, and the object's color can all potentially affect the laser scanning process. The operator needs to be able to clearly distinguish acceptable from unacceptable data. The operator needs to be able to read and recognize clearly certain things in the point cloud, the native product of laser scanners.
