Scan-to-BIM process step by step: from LiDAR scan to BIM model
How the scan-to-BIM process works: LiDAR scanning, registration into an e57 point cloud, modeling in Revit or ArchiCAD, and quality control before delivery.
Scan-to-BIM is the process of turning a 3D laser scan of an existing building into a parametric BIM model. A LiDAR scanner captures the geometry of the space as a point cloud, and the designer uses that record as a base to model walls, slabs, openings, and services in tools such as Revit or ArchiCAD. The result is an accurate model of the real condition, ready for design, renovation, and building management.
This article follows the process step by step and explains the decisions you make before it begins.
What is scan-to-BIM?
Scan-to-BIM connects two things: an accurately captured existing condition and a structured BIM model. Scanning gives you a point cloud that faithfully describes the space, but a point cloud on its own is not a model: it is a dense mesh of coordinates, with no notion of what is a wall and what is a window.
Modeling gives meaning to that geometry. From the point cloud, building elements are reconstructed, each with its own properties and dimensions. The result is a model that design software understands and that you work with going forward. The full flow is also described on the Scan-to-BIM page.
Step 1: LiDAR scanning
The first step is the site visit. The scanner is placed at a series of positions through the building, and from each one it records its surroundings using light pulses. We use the Matterport Pro3, a latest-generation LiDAR scanner, with documentation accuracy on the order of ±20mm.
The goal is to cover every surface that needs to enter the model, with no blind zones. A mid-sized building is usually scanned within a single day. The quality of the scan directly determines the quality of the model, so this step is done thoroughly. The basics of capture are described on the As-built documentation page.
Step 2: registration and point cloud (e57)
A series of individual scans comes back from the site. Registration is the process of stitching them into one connected point cloud, in a shared coordinate system. Only a registered point cloud represents the whole building as a single entity.
It is delivered in the e57 format, an industry standard that every serious design tool can read. This point cloud is the source of truth for modeling: everything that enters the BIM model is checked against it.
Step 3: modeling in Revit or ArchiCAD (LOD 200 and LOD 300)
Now the model itself takes shape. In a tool such as Revit or ArchiCAD, the designer follows the point cloud and reconstructs element by element: walls, slabs, columns, openings, and, where needed, services. Each element receives its properties, so the model is not just a shape but also information.
The level of detail is defined by the term LOD (Level of Development). It is chosen to match the purpose of the model, because a more detailed model takes more time, and not every project needs the same level.
| Criterion | LOD 200 | LOD 300 |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Concept stage, spatial analysis, estimates | Design and construction |
| Geometry | Approximate dimensions and positions | Accurate dimensions, shape, and position |
| Level of detail | Generalized elements | Precise elements with properties |
| Typical use | Early coordination and scoping | Working documentation and detailed planning |
Step 4: quality control and delivery
Before delivery, the model is checked against the point cloud. The geometry is compared, deviations are searched for, and it is confirmed that the model faithfully follows the captured condition. This check is why scan-to-BIM relies on an accurate scan: control without a reliable base makes no sense.
After the check, the model is delivered in the agreed format, with the accompanying point cloud when needed. This gives the design team a base they can build on right away.
What decisions do you make before it begins?
A few decisions at the start shape the whole job and are worth clarifying up front:
- LOD (level of detail). LOD 200 for early stages and estimates, LOD 300 for design and construction. A higher level means more modeling.
- Scope. The whole building or only certain floors and zones. Whether services are included or only structural elements.
- Delivery formats. The native model format (Revit, ArchiCAD), plus the point cloud in e57 and, where needed, extracted 2D drawings.
- Purpose of the model. Renovation, documentation, or facility management steer the level of detail and the structure of the model.
Once these items are clear, the estimate of scope and timeline is precise. Describe the building and your goal, then request a quote.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a point cloud and a BIM model? A point cloud is raw geometry, a dense mesh of points with no meaning of elements. A BIM model is structured: each wall, slab, and opening is a separate element with properties. Scan-to-BIM is precisely the transition from the first to the second.
Which LOD do I need? For concept stages, spatial analysis, and estimates, LOD 200 is usually enough. For design and construction, LOD 300 is required. If you are unsure, describe your intent and we propose a suitable level.
Which software do you model in? We model in Revit and ArchiCAD, according to your workflow. The point cloud is delivered in the e57 format, which is software independent.
How accurate is the model? The model follows the point cloud obtained by scanning, with documentation accuracy on the order of ±20mm. That is a reliable base for design and renovation, not the highest-precision survey metrology.