I am planning to process a point cloud data which is produced by laser scanner from the surface of buildings.
With processing I mean how can we extract information from the point cloud data; for instance, if there is a crack in the structure, how can we automatically detect the crack with working algorithms on top of the point cloud data.
I am kind of beginner in MATLAB but I am going to use that since I think it should be capable to help me. So I want to make sure that MATLAB has the ability to process like this.
what toolboxes of Matlab could be helpful? 
Is there anybody who has done something like this before?

I really appreciate your effort.

Probably following functions can be usefull for you:
plot3 - plot points in 3d
meshgrid - prepare data for surf
surf  - plot surface
contour - find contour
convhulln - find convex hull from points
trisurf - triangular surface plot

------------------------------------
Maxim Vedenev, Matlab+Comsol freelancer
vedenev@ngs.ru
http://simulations.narod.ru/comsol

I im doing the same thing with one laser, how you solve it?
can you mail me with your matlab code?
I'm having troubles with the points aquired from the laser i dont know how to put them in the       p matrix, the matrix is x y z value?
do you have made an interface code with matlab and the laser or just grab the values from other program and then you put them in the matlab??
mail me please.. thanks 
edusbg@sapo.pt

Hi David,

Came across your work in Matlab Central. I am starting to build a 3D laser scanner using matlab, which exactly follows the pattern of your work. Can you please advise me on do's and dont's based on your experience. 'll be so much helpful.

Thanks,
VJ