IMAGINiT Building Solutions Blog

Scan to BIM: A Faster Path from Point Cloud to Intelligent Revit Model

Laser scanned data is a valuable input to Revit models. For example, laser scans can capture important aspects of building conditions, such as walls that aren’t plumb or door openings that may be slightly smaller at the bottom than at the top. Point clouds also capture three dimensional building elements, such as pipes, ducts, and other infrastructure.

As noted in a prior blog post, getting point clouds into an intelligent Revit model isn’t easy. Firms appreciate IMAGINiT Technologies’ Scan to BIM product because it provides advanced tools for extracting geometry from point clouds, such as architecture, MEP, and more.

These tools are especially helpful when trying to understand where (and how much) models deviate from the reality represented by the point cloud. For example, you may have modeled elements in Revit that are nominally perfect. The walls are straight, pipes don’t sag, and the floors are perfectly level. Yet, you need the ability to document how closely the model matches reality. This is where Scan to BIM can help.

Scan to BIM offers three tools for documenting deviations between Revit elements and faces, and the point cloud:

1. Heatmap Deviation. This tool shows a color-coded view of the points, based on how much they deviate from the Revit elements.
   
   
   

2. Grid Deviation. This tool is used mostly with walls and floors, where you may want to use a traditional survey approach, determining the deviation at intervals across the face of an element. Grid Deviation can produce either Excel or Revit drafting view documentation of the deviation.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Histogram Deviation. This tool is designed for statistically oriented users. It shows the distribution of deviation across an element to determine the standard deviation and distribution of issues.
   
   
   
   

The benefits of Scan to BIM are numerous. Firms see significant cost savings when creating intelligent Revit models from laser scanned data. Scan to BIM gives users the tools they need to produce professional documentation quickly. This means they can deliver models to clients faster. As a result, customers have more time to review designs and make informed decisions before site work begins. More accurate building information models also enable building owners to make smart downstream decisions regarding ongoing maintenance.

With Scan to BIM, design teams enjoy the advantages of laser scanned point clouds, as well as the power of Revit models. The solution combines the best of both technologies, while automating the manual steps that teams used to have to take.

Laser Scanning is a Great Solution for Design Teams, But Alone It’s Not Enough

Laser scanning is a great way for architects, facility owners, and contractors to obtain precise information about the size, shape, and design conditions of buildings. Laser scanned data alone, however, has limited value from a design perspective.

While many project teams want to convert laser scanned information into a 3D Revit model, they find that this process is time consuming. A typical workflow is to review the scan in a tool such as Autodesk Recap, then link the point cloud into a Revit model. Revit provides very basic tools to trace walls in two dimensions, but that’s all. Since modelers’ time is often costly, a better solution is needed to address the wide variety of modeling needs.

IMAGINiT Technologies’ Scan to BIM product provides more advanced mechanisms to extract geometry from point clouds, such as architectural elements, MEP elements, construction geometry, and more. With Scan to BIM, users create these elements directly in Revit. In our next post, we will discuss why firms are adopting Scan to BIM and the benefits they are seeing.