3D Scanning Services
PRECISION AND ACCURACY
3D SCANNING
We perform 3D scans using TLS (terrestrial laser scanner) Lidar equipment. We are equipped with the versatile X7 scanner from Trimble.
3D Scanning – Millimeter Accuracy
3D scanning technology has revolutionized the way we collect spatial data, overcoming the limitations of traditional measurements. Through 3D scanning, millions of points can be captured per second, resulting in highly dense point clouds that render objects and spaces with incredible fidelity. The result is impossible to achieve with traditional methods such as tape measures or distometers.
Benefiting from professional 3D scanning services with millimeter precision, our clients—architects, designers, engineers, and project managers—have access to detailed and reliable information that is essential to the success of any project.
What is 3D scanning?
3D scanning (also known as 3D scanning or 3D laser scanning when using a laser) is the process of capturing the shape and dimensions of a physical object or real space and converting them into a three-dimensional digital representation. Using advanced technologies such as LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), structured light optical scanning, or 3D photogrammetry techniques, millions of points describing the targeted surfaces are quickly captured, resulting in a 3D point cloud.
Unlike conventional photography, which only captures 2D images, 3D scanning records the volume and spatial position of elements. For example, when it comes to 3D scanning buildings, the scanner will capture both visible architectural elements (walls, windows, columns) and subtle details (cornices, ornaments, exposed installations) along with their exact spatial relationships. The resulting data can be used to create highly accurate CAD/BIM models, digital twins (faithful digital copies of the building), or technical documentation (plans, facades, sections) required for design and execution.
The technology used in 3D scanning
At BIM GIS CONCEPT, we implement a wide range of technologies for 3D laser scanning and photogrammetry, ensuring the best results according to the specifics of the project. The main method we use is terrestrial laser scanning (TLS). This involves the use of a stationary LIDAR scanner that emits laser beams and records their reflections to accurately determine the distance to the measured surfaces.
For example, the Trimble X7 equipment performs automatic calibration and alignment of scanning stations, and by integrating control points measured with GPS RTK and total station, the point cloud is georeferenced in the 1970 Stereographic national projection system with topographic accuracy. The result is a highly accurate 3D dataset, ready for use in CAD, BIM, or GIS platforms.
Another essential technology we use is photogrammetry. Through 3D photogrammetry, we obtain three-dimensional models based on overlapping digital photographs. We use both professional drones and high-resolution DSLR cameras to capture aerial or terrestrial images of the target. Photogrammetry is ideal for large areas or to supplement areas where the laser scanner has limited access.
For small objects or objects with complex details, we use structured light scanners, which project light patterns onto the surface and reconstruct the 3D geometry by analyzing the deformation. Combined with 3D laser scanning, these technologies complement each other and enable accurate measurements at any scale.
What can we provide following the 3D scanning process?
The deliverables resulting from the 3D scanning process are diverse and tailored to the customer’s needs.
3D point cloud (raw or processed)
The 3D point cloud can be georeferenced in the 1970 Stereographic national system and obtained with an accuracy of 2–3 mm, being generated either by direct 3D scanning with TLS equipment (Trimble X7) or by photogrammetry with a drone, DSLR, and GCP control points. The resulting data is processed and delivered in the requested formats (.las, .laz, .e57, .dxf, .dwg, .rcp, .ply, .pts, .xml), ready for integration into CAD, BIM, or GIS workflows.
Mesh 3D as-built
The as-built 3D mesh is generated from 3D scanning or photogrammetry, through point cloud triangulation, and accurately reproduces the geometry of the building or object. It is delivered in standard formats (.obj, .3ds, .dae, .stl, .fbx, .dxf, .glb, .kmz), compatible with CAD and BIM platforms, and can be used for dimensional checks, modeling, realistic visualizations, or integrated into GIS/BIM projects after georeferencing in the 1970 Stereographic system.
The textured 3D model of the object or building
The textured 3D model of a building or object is created through 3D scanning and/or photogrammetry and accurately reproduces both the geometry and visual appearance of the surfaces. The process involves capturing high-resolution photos, correlating them with the point cloud, followed by image processing, UV map generation, texture application and adjustment, and material property setting. The final model is exported in standard formats (.obj, .3ds, .dae, .stl, .fbx, .dxf, .glb, .kmz), ready for use in design, visualization, or BIM/GIS integration applications.
Elevation models
DEM (Digital Elevation Model), DSM (Digital Surface Model), and DTM (Digital Terrain Model) are different types of elevation models, each with a specific role: DEM describes the relief without surface objects, DSM includes all visible elements (buildings, vegetation, infrastructure), and DTM is the filtered and refined model of the terrain itself. These products are generated using advanced technologies: 3D laser scanning, aerial or terrestrial photogrammetry, and point cloud processing and filtering techniques to obtain accurate representations tailored to the needs of each project.
Orthomosaic/orthophotomap
It is a geospatial product obtained either through photogrammetry (aerial images captured by drone or satellite) or by exporting point clouds generated by 3D scans, whose accuracy allows the creation of orthorectified plans for both land and building facades or structural sections. Deliverables can be provided in formats such as .jpeg, .tiff, .ecw and can be integrated directly into design software, where they become the ideal support for vectorization and rapid extraction of the details needed in technical documentation, restoration projects, or execution checks.
Export point cloud to web visualization application, easy to share
We can export any point cloud, cleaned or uncleaned, decimated/thinned or not, to the Sketchfab platform or directly to your website. Each exported model can be attached to the client’s website (web code – embedded HTML code).
3D Scanning: Areas of Application
3D scanning technology has a wide range of applications, from the construction industry (AEC Industry) to archaeology and forensics. Here are some of the main areas and scenarios where 3D scanning proves useful.
✔ Civil engineering and architecture: In architecture and civil engineering projects, 3D building scanning is used for accurate surveys of existing buildings (as-built).
✔ Industrial installations and utilities (MEP): in industrial buildings, factories, refineries, or complex commercial buildings, 3D scanning allows for rapid mapping of all installations and equipment present. Pipes, tubes, HVAC routes, cables, and machinery can be documented by 3D scanning installations with an accuracy that allows for subsequent precise measurements and modeling.
✔ Civil infrastructure and transportation: 3D scanning also plays an important role in road, rail, and underground utility infrastructure. Bridges, overpasses, tunnels, dams, and road networks can be scanned periodically to monitor deformation, wear, and potential structural defects.
✔ Engineering surveying and cadastre: as a modern topographic surveying tool, 3D scanning is often used for 3D terrain scanning, i.e., three-dimensional surveying of terrain and relief with details far beyond the capabilities of conventional methods. It thus supports and complements engineering surveying measurements.
✔ Cultural heritage and restoration: one of the most spectacular areas of application is the documentation of historic buildings, monuments, and cultural heritage artifacts. 3D scanning allows for the digital preservation of these objects, creating a three-dimensional archive that can be studied without affecting the original.
✔ Archaeology and scientific research: in archaeology, 3D scanning and photogrammetry are indispensable tools for documenting sites and artifacts.
✔ Forensics and insurance: In specialized fields such as forensics, 3D scanning is used to document the scene of accidents or crimes.
Advantages of 3D scanning
Adopting 3D scanning into the workflow brings numerous benefits to projects compared to traditional measurement methods.
✔ 3D technology captures geometry with errors in the order of millimeters or even less, providing extremely accurate and consistent measurements.
✔ 3D laser scanning is a very fast process. A modern scanner can capture up to 2 million points per second, covering a building in just a few minutes per station.
✔ 3D scanning provides a complete digital image of the measured object. Basically, once you have scanned a space, you have captured everything: all dimensions, shapes, and spatial relationships.
✔ The accuracy and comprehensiveness of the scan data significantly reduce errors in projects. 3D scanning eliminates human errors that are common in manual measurements (misreadings, incorrect notes, etc.).
✔ The data obtained is digital, easy to import into Building Information Modeling (BIM) or Geographic Information System (GIS) platforms.
3D scanning – FAQ
What does BIM mean?
BIM (Building Information Modeling) is a modern construction methodology that involves creating and managing an intelligent digital model of a building throughout its life cycle. This model integrates not only the 3D geometry of the elements (walls, columns, installations), but also technical and alphanumeric information such as materials, quantities, costs, or execution phases, allowing all stakeholders to collaborate on the same digital platform. 3D scanning provides the ideal geometric basis for BIM, offering an accurate picture of the built reality and reducing errors in design and execution.
How do 3D scanning and BIM integrate?
3D scanning and BIM complement each other, together providing an accurate and up-to-date picture of buildings. The data obtained through 3D scanning (point cloud or as-built 3D model) is imported into BIM software (such as Revit or ArchiCAD) and used as a template for modeling intelligent elements (walls, beams, pipes, etc.), so that the geometry corresponds exactly to reality. This process eliminates inaccurate manual measurements, speeds up the design phase, and allows for complex analyses (clash detection, simulations, quantity calculations). In practice, 3D scanning provides the geometric basis, and BIM adds the technical information, resulting in a complete digital model that is useful throughout the building’s life cycle.
How do 3D scanning and GIS integrate?
The integration of 3D scanning with GIS allows the analysis of three-dimensional objects in a geographical context by importing point clouds or georeferenced 3D models alongside layers such as maps, orthophotomaps, utility networks, or administrative boundaries. Thus, buildings, bridges, or land can be viewed in their exact position, with precise coordinates, and the GIS platform facilitates advanced analysis. In practice, 3D scanning provides local detail, and GIS provides global context, an essential combination for urban planning, infrastructure, cadastre, and land management.
3D Scanning – Projects
Throughout our work, the BIM GIS Concept team has done a bunch of 3D scans for different projects, showing how this tech can be used in lots of ways and can be adapted to specific needs.
List of 3D Scanning Services
From our projects:
What is 3D scanning and how does it help us?
Frequently asked questions about 3D scanning
