The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry is going through a period of change in respect of the increasing demand for correct and complete digital building information. Laser scanning of buildings and subsequent conversion to intelligent BIM models for renovation, retrofit, FM, clash detection and construction planning is becoming increasingly common. It is used by architects, engineers, construction companies, surveyors and facility managers to create the correct as-built BIM models of existing buildings.

Global AEC companies rely on TrueCADD’s experience in providing the best Scan to BIM Services. The laser scanned point cloud data gathered from sites by surveyors, architects, building designers, construction engineers and facility management teams are transformed by TrueCADD into intelligent BIM models for design, construction management and facility management of buildings.

What are Point Cloud to BIM Services?

Point Cloud to BIM conversion service helps in converting the laser scan data or LiDAR point cloud data into 3D BIM models. The BIM models can be created in software such as Autodesk Revit, Navisworks or ArchiCAD. A Point Cloud to BIM conversion service helps in capturing the huge amount of spatial data from a building or from other infrastructure and transform them into the accurate and correct BIM models or building elements with precise measurements and dimensions. These BIM models include walls, doors and windows, beams, floors, ducts, pipes, ceilings and many more such elements. The 3D Point Cloud to BIM modeling service is widely used for various renovation and construction projects.

The process of converting point cloud data to BIM is also known as scan to BIM conversion service. We at TrueCADD provide accurate and quality scan to BIM conversion services to our clients. We have a team of skilled and experienced BIM professionals, architects, engineers and drafters who work with point cloud data and provide accurate BIM models, in the form of architectural BIM models, structural BIM models, MEP BIM models or even drafting services such as creating drawings from point cloud data. We create the elements of BIM models, such as walls, doors and windows, beams and columns, ductwork, piping, ceilings, etc. in the most accurate dimensions that are extracted from the point cloud data.

These services are widely used for:

Renovation and retrofit projects
Facility management
Historic preservation
Industrial plant modeling
Airport and hospital modernization
Clash detection and coordination
Construction verification

The services of point cloud BIM modeling are increasingly becoming norm for most construction and infrastructure projects around the world. The reason for its increasing adoption is based on increasing precision of working and productivity of the services.

How does Scan to BIM Work?

Scan to BIM services follow a structured workflow, enabling us to extract value from point cloud data within a BIM environment.

1. Site Scanning and Data Capture

Typically site scanning is carried out using laser scanners or other LiDAR equipment, on a building site or infrastructure project. The scan data collected consists of millions of individual data points taken from the site forming a ‘point cloud’ that contains information of the spatial coordinates of the individual data points, etc.

2. Point Cloud Registration

Multiple scans are aligned and combined to form one large point cloud.

3. Data Cleaning and Segmentation

This process also includes cleaning of the data, such as removal of noise and of any duplicate data as well as other data, which has been captured of objects not required for the modeling such as street furniture etc.

4. BIM Modeling

By using BIM modeling software such as Revit, all relevant features are extracted from the point cloud data and created into the correct geometric form to be used for architectural, structural and MEP purposes.

5. Quality Control

Quality checks are performed on the created BIM model against the original point cloud data to check for any dimensional error, or verify that the BIM model is within the relevant tolerance.

6. BIM Deliverables

The final BIM models are delivered in suitable format, such as Revit files (.RVT), IFC (.IFC) or Navisworks files (.NWD, .NWJ).

Here’s an overview of the steps that we take to deliver a 3D point cloud to BIM on a project of any size.

What’s Included in Point Cloud to BIM Services?

Services that do Point Cloud to BIM modeling for projects of any size (small to large) typically include services of different disciplines and a wide variety of deliverables.

Architectural BIM Modeling

Creation of walls, floors, ceilings, doors, windows, facades (exterior and interior) and all other architectural details and elements from a point cloud data set.

Structural BIM Modeling

Modeling of columns, beams, slabs, trusses, foundations and other structural elements and systems.

MEP BIM Modeling

Conversion of scanned point cloud data into detailed BIM models of HVAC, piping, ductwork, cable trays and electrical systems for construction planning and coordination.

As-Built Documentation

Creating of Accurate As-Built Models of Buildings and objects at site in accurate as-built models. Models created from scan data at site are much more accurate then the original construction documents.

Heritage and Historic Modeling

Heritage and Historic Modeling – Using high-resolution scans to digitally preserve heritage buildings and monuments.

Digital Twin Preparation

Processing structure data to create Digital Twin functionality for use with IoT systems, Predictive Maintenance and FM systems.

LOD 100–500 in Scan to BIM Projects

Level of Development (LOD) in BIM Model - Scan to BIM.

LOD 100: Conceptual massing and basic geometry
LOD 200: Approximate systems and assemblies
LOD 300: Accurate dimensions and coordination-ready elements
LOD 350: Detailed interfaces and connections
LOD 400: Fabrication-level construction details
LOD 500: Verified as-built for O&M.

Scan to BIM projects completed for renovation and for construction coordination are typically completed at LOD 300-400. For FM projects greater detail is required at LOD 500 and verification that model is being used for O&M.

Accepted Point Cloud File Formats

At TrueCADD we process point cloud files from the majority of professional scanning platforms and pieces of scanning hardware, we even offer professional point cloud modeling services.

Common accepted formats include:

E57
RCP / RCSLAS / LAZ
PTS
PTX
XYZ
OBJ
ReCap files

It has already been mentioned that point cloud modeling services work with scans of many different scan formats in the BIM workflow.

Point Cloud to BIM Cost: What to Expect

The cost of a scan to BIM conversion service depends on several project variables.

Key Cost Factors

Building size and complexity
Required LOD level
Accuracy tolerance requirements
MEP density
Heritage detailing needs
Scan quality and completeness
Turnaround time

A typical small commercial building scan to BIM project could be priced for around $3,000 for a small to average size building. However large industrial, commercial or hospital projects could cost 10’s to 100’s of thousands of dollars to produce a full BIM model. It is also worth noting the costs to a practice to provide point cloud to BIM services in-house are likely to be very high and often not cost effective to utilize such a resource on an infrequent basis and instead outsource the work and utilize a companies’ resources on a “per project” basis as required.

Industries That Use Point Cloud to BIM Services

Surveying Firms
Use scan data for topographical mapping and as-built verification.
Architecture Firms
Support renovation, adaptive reuse, and design validation projects.
Contractors and Construction Companies
Improve coordination, clash detection, and project planning.
Facility Management Teams

FM teams also use point cloud to BIM modeling services for the creation of a digital database of all assets in a building in order to enable maintenance and lifecycle management of the building.

Heritage Conservation Organizations
Preserve historic buildings through precise digital replication.
In-House vs Outsourcing Scan to BIM Modeling

The issue that many of the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) firms are currently facing is to decide whether to make the BIM models in-house or to outsource the BIM modeling to specialists.

In-House Modeling Challenges
High software licensing costs
Need for skilled BIM specialists
Scalability limitations
Hardware and infrastructure investments
Benefits of Outsourcing
Access to experienced BIM professionals
Faster project turnaround
Lower operational overhead
Flexible project scaling
Multi-disciplinary expertise

Outsourcing the point cloud to BIM services to AEC companies allows them to keep focus on the core functions of the engineering and the construction, and at the same time to increase the efficiency of the project.

Why AEC Firms Choose TrueCADD for Point Cloud to BIM

TrueCADD is leading outsourcing BIM services provider for Architecture, Engineering and Construction industries worldwide. Our team of BIM Experts includes Architects, Structural BIM Designers & MEP BIM Designers. We have the experience to deliver projects on Architectural BIM models, Structural BIM models and MEP BIM models. We are also able to work with various scan files of different formats and can deliver models of required Level of Development (LOD) and BIM data exchange standards. The optimized models created by us can be used for construction coordination, building maintenance and facility management projects.

TrueCADD has experience of delivering scan to BIM conversion services to our clients which will help them minimize rework, achieve design coordination and complete projects on time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is point cloud to BIM?
The process of converting laser scan data into an intelligent BIM model to support design, construction and FM activities.

What software is used for scan to BIM?
The software used to perform the process of scan to BIM conversion includes architectural, building services and structural modeling software. Software such as Autodesk Revit, Navisworks etc. can be used for scan to BIM conversion services.

Which file formats are accepted?
Some of the more common formats we can work with as input are RCP, RCS, E57, LAS, PTS, PTX, XYZ or simple OBJ files.

What LOD is typically used?
For point cloud BIM modeling services the typical Level of Detail used is LOD 300 and LOD 400. This type of information is suitable for the construction process, for the detection of clashes and for the coordination of different trades.

How accurate are scan to BIM models?
The accuracy of the model created by scan to BIM, depends on the quality of the data collected by the point cloud during the scanning process. Most scan to BIM projects have an accuracy of a few millimeters.

Can point cloud data be used for renovation projects?
Scan to BIM is also very common for retrofit / renovation projects as well as for creating an as-built BIM model.

Why outsource point cloud modeling services?
Outsourcing point cloud modeling services can help keep the in-house work costs down. It also can make the service you are offering more flexible and allow for immediate access to it.

What is a digital twin in BIM?
A digital twin (DT) is a data-rich virtual representation of a physical building. It can be used for monitoring during the facility management phase.