When a cloud or mesh contains RGB values the scan can be segmented into individual clouds or meshes based on the color assigned to each point. Color scans are segmented into as many as six colors: red, green, blue, cyan, magenta, and yellow with each segment named for the color.

Grayscale scans are segmented into black, white, and gray. Segmentation by black and white helps when extracting geometry such as part outlines from 2D images.

Segmentation by color simplifies data management and is useful for dividing a cloud or mesh based on values such as point quality, Z height, gaussian curvature, mean curvature, and wall thickness.