A depth map is an image where brightness represents distance from the viewer. Brighter areas appear closer and darker areas appear farther away. Depth maps are commonly used for relief carving and 2.5D engraving.

A point cloud, in contrast, stores actual spatial coordinates for each point in three-dimensional space. Each point exists at a defined X, Y, and Z position.

Depth maps produce surface variation, while point clouds produce volumetric images.

For subsurface crystal engraving, point clouds are typically required because the laser must know the precise depth of every pulse.

Cockpit3D generates point-cloud data rather than depth maps.