Scan to BIM Services for Accurate As-Built BIM Models

Scan to BIM uses LiDAR scanners (or sometimes 360 cameras when high accuracy is not essential) to capture the existing condition of a site. Bimeco typically works with registered surveyors who operate this equipment and ensure the captured data is properly geo-coordinated. Once complete, the BIM team references the point cloud and 360 photos to rebuild an accurate information model of the site. When asset information is available (such as equipment PDFs and specifications), this data can also be captured in the BIM model using custom parameters and property sets.

While older floor plans may exist, what we usually find is that buildings have changed over time with new partitions, additional M&E systems, or removed walls. CAD plans may not reflect the latest as-built condition of the site. Scan to BIM captures the current state of the building accurately, allowing project teams to plan and coordinate the buildout of new services with confidence that the base model matches reality.

The point cloud is first geo-coordinated and cleaned to remove noise and irrelevant data. It is then brought into a BIM authoring environment like Revit or ArchiCAD, where BIM specialists trace the building elements from the point cloud to create the 3D model. The level of detail depends on the project requirements, ranging from basic architectural shells to fully detailed models with MEP services and asset information.

Laser scanning (LiDAR) and traditional surveying often use the same equipment, and both are typically carried out by registered surveyors. The key difference is output: traditional surveying produces point measurements and 2D plans, while laser scanning captures millions of data points to create a dense 3D point cloud of the entire site. This point cloud gives a more complete picture of the as-built condition, making it especially useful for complex or heavily serviced environments where a 2D survey would miss critical details.

First, a surveyor visits the site with a LiDAR scanner to capture the existing condition. The surveyor then processes the raw data to ensure it is cleaned, registered, and geo-coordinated. Finally, the BIM team creates the model by tracing building elements from the point cloud using software like Autodesk ReCap for point cloud management and Revit for BIM authoring. Depending on the scope, asset data from equipment PDFs can also be embedded into the model during this stage.