Vjylku

I am using QGIS 3.4.3. I am an archaeologist and I would like to appropriately 3D view the Z relationships between (1) total station-derived points (with XYZ attributes), which I took on multiple superimposed excavation layers, along with (2) DEM or TIN rasters. These ts vector points and DEM/TIN rasters should be superimposed like a layer cake, because they are excavated surfaces that were documented sequentially as dirt was removed.

When I tried qgis2threejs (2.3.1) the DEMs/TINs are anchored way below my points when I use any vertical exaggeration (for example, .5), which is needed to see my points in three dimensions. If I don't use any vertical exaggeration, everything is flat. I'm assuming the DEM is anchored at 0 masl, whereas my points are over 3200 masl (z values). (Note that I followed the plugin's documentation and converted all file and project CRMs to 3857.) See Image:

I simply want to see the DEM displayed using its cell (Z) values so I can see its true relationship to the total station points, such as is possible in ArcScene. Here is an example of this in ArcScene (not the best example, but it shows how there is a DEM floating between a cluster of points, at its appropriate height):

When I use the built in QGIS 3D viewer, it seems I am only able to view a raster clamped to a generic place in space. My points will drape over the raster, but I need to see them in their appropriate XYZ location. If choose "Absolute" for the Altitude Clamping, the points are then moved below the DEM raster (while also shown draped on the DEM surface...):

I am confused by this, because the 3D viewer (in settings) wants you to chose a raster for the 3d image form (why?), but doesn't recognize the DEM's Z position. It allows you to display points using its "absolute" altitude, but these points can't be shown in relation to the DEM without the DEM also being visualized at its absolute altitude. (note: I tried selecting no raster and this time the points go way above the DEM, but the model is useless to navigate--everything is tiny or disappears when you zoom, and the view jumps everywhere when you try to turn the model.)

Can neither QGIS 3D view nor the qgis2threejs plugin show rasters and vector shapefiles together in their absolute positions like ArcScene can? If so, it is good to know that this is a limitation of QGIS and I should stop looking for ways around it (I respect that the 3D viewer is newish). Or am I just not understanding how to adjust settings for the rasters?

If it is a limitation of QGIS, are there any open source or affordable software options that I can use to easily view the superposition of multiple points and raster layers together in 3D? Bonus would be to also be able to click on vector points to identify their attributes. I've migrated nearly completely to QGIS from ArcGIS, but I may have reached a wall with this.

Cheers all!