“Scan to BIM” describes the process of converting a 3D scan into a building information model. It is the process of creating, developing, and maintaining a BIM model by digitally recording a physical place or site as a point cloud.
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This method may be used for facility management, project extensions and renovations, and as-built documentation. Comparing the 3D models created from scan to BIM with the original project drawings, design plans, topographic registers, and other documents is very helpful. To get the most out of their ideas and the resources available to them, AEC professionals worldwide are investing in BIM modeling services.
How does it operate?
There are four steps in the “Scan to BIM” process:
1. Identifying the prerequisites
It is crucial to ascertain the prerequisites for the intended model before beginning the scanning procedure. At this point, it’s important to take into account the non-geometric features, level of detail (LOD), and necessary architectural parts. It should be remembered that costs are often greater for designs with more intricacy.
2. Planning Scan
The scanner’s touch screen interface requires the entry of a few crucial parameters before a scan can start and a 3D scan may be acquired. The variables that must be taken into account include things like location, angular resolution, coverage, accuracy, and required resolution.
3. Examining
The process of examining the actual area or site follows all of the project planning. A 3D laser scanner is used to accomplish this, gathering data quickly and accurately. Popular laser scanning devices are made by Leica, Trimble, Riegl, and Faro.
When different materials or items on the premises are struck by the invisible laser beam, their position in relation to the scanner is recorded as a digital data point called a “point.” These are sometimes referred to as “point clouds” when many of them are gathered. It is a collection of data points that may precisely depict an object’s exterior or inner surroundings inside a three-dimensional coordinate system. Point clouds start to create a digital representation of the real place or location being scanned that is extremely precise in three dimensions.
It’s noteworthy to note that concealed mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire safety installations may all be captured by 3D laser scanners in addition to the building’s inner structure. Professionals that want to learn about a building’s internal operations without interfering with the project will find this useful.
There are several techniques to carry out the scanning process, including:
1. 360 degree scans: Depending on the area that has to be photographed, the scanner can rotate a whole 360 degrees or only a portion of it.
2. Time-of-Flight Scans: This kind of scannerless LIDAR (light detection and ranging) gathers data, usually over short distances, by use of high strength laser pulses lasting nanoseconds.
4. Interpreting Scanned Information
After the scan is finished, the collected data may be removed from the scanner and loaded onto a computer device using a straightforward USB drive. After that, 3D modeling programs like Autodesk ReCap are given these point clouds. The.rcp file format in which this data is saved allows it to be imported into Autodesk applications including Inventor, AutoCAD, Revit, Civil 3D, and InfraWorks.
5. Building Information Modeling
Converting this data into a digital project representation is the last step. This method uses the building’s as-built circumstances to demonstrate the scan.
The completed Autodesk Revit model may be loaded into Autodesk Navisworks. For verification, it may then be superimposed in Autodesk ReCap Pro with respect to the point cloud.
Uses in Industry
The AEC sector uses Scan to BIM in a variety of disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, fire safety, and structural.
The method finds use in a variety of industries, including project management, volume computation, quality control, planning and space optimization, structural analysis, conservation, and scanning of distant objects.
Let’s examine some practical uses for 3D laser scanning in BIM:
architectural: The architectural sector makes substantial use of scan to BIM for a variety of tasks, including as-built model production for both new and existing buildings, site inspection of existing settings, site analysis and planning, and planning and space optimization.
Construction: Scan to BIM is used in the construction sector for a variety of purposes, such as coordination, structural analysis, estimations for repair, deformations control, and construction progress monitoring.
Heritage preservation: The area of heritage preservation can benefit from the use of 3D laser scanners to record the built environment. Reconstruction, restoration, and conservation all make use of it.
Civil Engineering: While experts in the built environment and architecture are the ones that use Scan to BIM the most, professionals in the civil infrastructure sector may also benefit from this process. Road scanning, volume calculations, conflict detection, quality assurance, and technical adjustments may all be done using the scan to BIM workflow.
Facility Management: Planning and documenting structural changes in this context is done using Scan to BIM. Even before planning really starts, facility managers may preview the many uses for a room with the use of video fly-throughs or walkthroughs.
Curiously, the “Scan to BIM” procedure is also applied in forensics, where it is utilized to precisely and promptly record crime and accident sites prior to their reopening to the general public.