Gaussian Splats of Central Park Landmarks

Exploring iconic sites with the XGRIDS LixelKity K1 & NUBIGON v7.2.0

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An early morning scan at Central Park

Scanning a city before it wakes up offers a rare kind of clarity. At 7:00 AM on a cloudy New York morning, we met up with Michael Rubloff, the Founder of Radiancefields.com, in Central Park for a series of experimental captures using the XGRIDS LixelKity K1.

Beyond testing new tools, this was a chance to catch up, dive into the evolving world of 3D Gaussian Splatting, and talk about what’s next. One thing we agree on is that the community will drive these technologies forward. That’s why Michael co-founded ARC3D, a new initiative to foster collaboration across the reality capture space.

Over a few hours, we scanned multiple sites across the park. Each location tells a story—not just of history, but of how modern tools can document, preserve, and interpret public space in new ways. Below, we’re sharing the highlights, all rendered in NUBIGON v7.2.0.

The Gazebo: A quiet moment in a loud city

Central Park is a 19th-century urban planning marvel that still provides essential green space to New Yorkers. As city populations grow exponentially, large-scale park projects like this are rare, but more necessary than ever. Capturing these spaces is vital for documenting their present-day challenges, preserving them for future generations, and inspiring similar efforts elsewhere.

This scene—a classic gazebo surrounded by early morning calm—was captured under ideal conditions: overcast skies, diffused light, and an empty park. The resulting Gaussian Splat (PLY) was rendered in NUBIGON v7.2.0.

The Swedish Cottage: A prefabricated treasure with a transatlantic past

Tucked behind blooming trees and spring foliage is one of the park’s most curious sites: the Swedish Cottage, a remarkable 19th-century example of prefabricated construction and sustainable reuse.

Built in Sweden, shipped to the U.S. for the 1876 Centennial Exposition, and moved to NYC at Frederick Law Olmsted's request, this structure has stood the test of time. Since 1947, it has been the home of the city’s traveling marionette theater, created by Robert Moses and still in operation today.

Despite its modest size, the cottage is a marvel of craftsmanship, preservation, and storytelling. Enjoy this video presenting a photorealistic impression of place, history, and springtime serenity.

Belvedere Castle: A miniature fortress meets modern scanning

Perched on Vista Rock, Belvedere Castle has seen many lives: from decorative lookout to weather station, and today, a fully restored visitor center.

Our scan tested Gaussian splatting in a real-world, complex outdoor setting—large structures, mixed terrain, moisture, and movement. While the results aren’t perfect, they reveal surprising levels of detail—from legible signage and preserved natural textures to subtle reflections on rain-slicked paths.

The data was exported as a Gaussian Splat (PLY) and rendered in NUBIGON v7.2.0, using the new built-in Level-of-Detail (LOD) for 3DGS to ensure smooth performance across a large dataset.

Reflections & What’s Next

Reality capture isn’t just about documentation but also preservation and perspective.

In a world where green spaces are under pressure and historic sites face an uncertain future, tools like Gaussian Splats offer new ways to see and share what matters. Central Park is more than a backdrop—it’s a case study in why we scan.

Our quick field test in Central Park proved just how capable the next generation of tools is becoming. And with NUBIGON v7.2.0, we now have the rendering power to present those captures with fluidity, clarity, and cinematic style.

We hope these videos inspire you to explore new capture methods, support community-driven innovation, and scan the world truthfully.