Scan to BIM (often called point cloud to BIM) is the process of capturing millions of points in a 3d space and integrating the same with sophisticated BIM modeling software to model the accurate ( ranging from tolerance level of 5 mm to 50 mm) 3D model. This model could be at various levels of detailing ranging from LOD 100 to LOD 500 for scan to BIM (building information modeling). Scan to bim companies around the world are highly optimistic about this technology. This revolutionary technology helps create 3d models of various types of buildings such as Airports, Residential, Commercial, Industrial, and refineries. This technology through the proven scan to BIM process experts helps all stakeholders in the construction industry especially brownfield projects starting from capturing existing conditions to commissioning the refurbished or retrofitted building. Though the scan-to-bim cost plays a critical role it has significant benefits.

How does the Scan to BIM Work?

In simple words Scan to BIM is the process of collecting the 3d points with the help of high-tech laser scanners in the physical site and using the same 3d points to create the sophisticated 3D BIM model at the required level of detailing. If you are outsourcing scan to BIM services, you need to ensure you find a highly experienced scan to BIM company. This 3D BIM model could represent a lot of detail of the building such as the exact physical location, shape and size of each element, the material and the cost of various building elements, and a bunch of other details. From start to end the Scan to BIM workflow includes various steps. Below are some of the key steps I have listed. The scan to BIM is called a 3D scan to BIM as it involves the generation of the 3D BIM models.

Capture the As-Is Data: During this step, various 3D laser scanners are used to capture the 3d points of the particular area. While scanning the entire building, often the building is divided into a few zones, and the scanning data are captured zone-wise. At the later stage, all the point cloud zones are aggregated in a single file (often with 3d panoramic pictures) called the process of registration. Capturing the real-time data is also called the.

Point Cloud Processing: Processing the point cloud is a little time-consuming process as the scan-to-bim software has to process millions (sometimes billions ) of points from a different zone. Depending on the size of the project the time of the processing might vary. Just to give an example, the processing time of one thousand square feet of refinery area could be 100 times higher than an empty room space. Make sure you count the processing time of the point cloud well in advance while predicting the point cloud to BIM modeling services.

Model Creation: This is the process of creating a 3D sophisticated and data-rich model. Of course, the amount of data and level of detailing for the model being created shall be governed by the scope and specifications of the project. While creating the 3D model and design construction drawings, the processed point cloud data explained in point number two shall be used as a reference.

Integration and Analysis: One of the key benefits of creating the data-rich 3D BIM model is to use the BIM model for various activities such as building analysis where the Scan to BIM model is being used to analyze the building from the structural viewpoint and energy efficiency aspect. The building can also be used to store the facility management and asset management data for future use.

Applications of Scan to BIM Services

Architectural Design and Renovation: As the model is created at the expected level of detail, the same model can be used by the architects and construction professionals as a reference for existing conditions along with the documentation generated from the existing model like the floor plans, sectional drawings, elevations, etc. This 3D Architectural BIM model and As-built construction drawings are very important for the renovation and retrofit of the existing project.

Construction and Fabrication: When the retrofit construction project contains the steelwork and the mechanical or electrical components such as HVAC duct and Cable trays, the fabrication aspect becomes more important as the 3D BIM model could help fabricators for the accurate fabrications of the building components with a high level of accuracy.

Facility Management: A Scan to BIM Model often called a digital twin can help the building maintenance team a lot by providing accurate digital information in the 3D virtual BIM model and they can use this during many phases of the maintenance such as while planning the space and allocating the space, scheduling the maintenance of the various critical building component and to keep eye on the building parts that need to upgradation or replacement.

Heritage Preservation: Point cloud to 3d modeling services are widely used these days for heritage building digitization and maintenance. It provides great help to the government and other similar agencies to capture and store the exact condition of the heritage building.

Real Estate and Asset Management: In the real estate industry the Scan to BIM models are used for communicating the existing condition of the building, showing the dimensions and other details to make customer communication more effective.

Benefits of Point Cloud to BIM

Accuracy and Precision: The laser scanning process is the complete digital process to capture the 3d space of the existing infrastructure and that eliminates the manual recording and transmitting of data which helps achieve a high level of accuracy due to no or minimum human invention.

Time Efficiency: Usually doing surveys manually with traditional methods is time-consuming and requires more resources.  Scan to BIM avoids the manual capturing of the data and the requirement of large human resources eventually speeding up the data-capturing process.

Enhanced Visualization: The model created from the Scan to BIM Services is better in terms of visual aspects and displaying the accurate space and size of the project. This is a better way of communicating with the various stakeholders.

Improved Collaboration: Since the Scan to BIM model is the digital model and has all the relent data inculcated into it, the model and all the relevant information can be transmitted online through emails or FTPs making it very easy for the construction team and the facility management team to exchange the data.

Future-Proofing: Technology is changing and keeps on changing. Hence is it important to preserve the data in digital form so that all future updates and changes in the building can be stored, changed, and transmitted successfully. This helps a lot in future building management.

Challenges and Considerations for Scan-to-BIM Modeling

Data Management: As mentioned several times, the processing time of the 3d point cloud data is a little higher depending on the size of the project. One should capture only the required data to process and avoid unnecessary areas or overcrowding of the points. Technological advancements such as high-configured computers are also important to manage heavy point cloud processing.

Cost: The cost of laser scanners in the market is higher than the traditional surveying tools. Of course, it depends on the capacity and type of laser scanning equipment. We also need to consider the cost of scan-to-bim software and BIM software such as Revit and ArchiCAD along with the computer hardware cost.

Technical Expertise: You would need multiple technical expertise for the scan to bim projects such as an expert who can use and handle the laser scanner, a person who is good at processing the point cloud data, and a BIM expert who can convert the processed point cloud data in the BIM Model.

Integration Issues: Although this is not a big challenge these days software compatibility is playing a big role. However, one must check the integration possibility between the various software and hardware before finalizing the procurement.

Accuracy of Scan Data: One needs to make sure the accuracy is maintained throughout capturing the data while scanning the building and preparing the 3D BIM model from the captured scan data. The important areas to watch out for are coordinates, data processing accuracy, and Quality control of the BIM model.

Future Trends and Developments for Scan to BIM

Advancements in Technology: Currently laser scanners are being used widely to capture the existing conditions. However, new technology and software have started working on image processing to create 3D space They capture the images from various cameras and mobile devices. With time such technology will evolve and it would be even easier to capture the 3D space digitally. A lot of construction companies are also evaluating scan-to-bim automation for more efficiency.

Integration with Other Technologies: The Scan to BIM model can be integrated with many other technologies such as Augmented reality(AR), Virtual reality(VR), and the Internet of Things (IoT). Such integration helps other technologies with a lot of data about the building and helps them perform better.

Automation and AI: AI is almost everywhere and the scan-to-bim industry has started taking the help of AI. The AI can help reduce the overall manual work during the capturing of the data, creation of the BIM model, and checking the quality of the scan to the BIM model.

Sustainability and Efficiency: Sustainability is a very important aspect of designing the building and reducing carbon emissions. Scan-to-BIM models facilitate a high level of accurate data on the building for the designers to analyze the energy needs of the building.

Conclusion

Scan-to-BIM services can be utilized by construction companies to get detailed and high-quality BIM models from existing building scans. The BIM models help the construction company achieve many goals such as having a high-quality 3D model, having accurate As-Is documentation, having the facility management data, and much more about the building not only for the current phase but also for the future for a wide range of applications for the architects, construction executors, facility management team, structural engineers, energy team and more. Though there are challenges as mentioned above like technology adoption, cost, technical expertise etc, the industry is accepting the technology and using the same to save time and cost on other aspects. The construction industry shall continue to evolve and Scan to BIM services providers will play a vital role in building planning, designing, construction, and management followed by the environmental benefits.

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