Just to share.
I created a point cloud form an almost 11GB las file. It took about 4 to 5 hours for Civil 3D to create the point file database an all the relevant files. These files are also enormous. Civil 3D handles the massive point file with ease. The next step was to create a surfaces of 0.5m, 1.0m and 2.0m contours, which I exported to ArcGIS 10. We don't have 3D Analyst for ArcGIS, but we are looking into getting the extension.
I read through an 2010 Autodesk University Class for some info on point clouds before I started with the point clouds. The class was: CV319-4U AutoCADŽ Civil 3DŽ Point Clouds. It gave me a good overview of point clouds and how Civil 3D handles them.
The at the end the point file contained 399794764 points and the area covered by the point cloud is 212km˛.
See the attached.
