01
Source Review
Review point clouds, drawings, photographs and project requirements.
Reality Capture • Point Cloud • Existing Conditions
Scan to BIM & Existing-Conditions Modeling
Transform point-cloud and reality-capture data into structured architectural, structural and MEPF BIM information for renovation, coordination, documentation and as-built workflows.
Capture
Existing Conditions
Model
Structured BIM
Verify
Against Source
Deliver
Project Outputs
Existing Conditions
Existing Conditions Captured. BIM Information Structured.
Existing buildings often contain conditions that are not fully represented in historic drawings or previous project documentation.
Reality-capture data is reviewed against the agreed project scope and converted into disciplined architectural, structural and MEPF BIM information for renovation, coordination and documentation.
- Point-cloud-referenced BIM development
- Architectural existing-condition modeling
- Structural existing-condition modeling
- MEPF existing-condition modeling
- Renovation and retrofit BIM support
- Model QA/QC against source information
Existing Conditions
Source-Referenced BIM Development
Architecture • Structure • MEPF
Model Status
SOURCE REVIEWED
Source
Registered Point Cloud
Reality-capture reference information
Model
Existing-Condition BIM
Structured Revit information
Output
BIM / CAD / Coordination
Project-specific deliverables
Scan to BIM Workflow
From Point Cloud to Project-Ready BIM
A controlled workflow maintains a clear relationship between available source information, model development and final outputs.
02
Model Setup
Establish coordinates, levels, grids and required model structure.
03
BIM Development
Develop architectural, structural or MEPF elements according to scope.
04
Source Verification
Compare modeled conditions against available scan and project information.
05
Project Delivery
Prepare agreed models, drawings and downstream outputs.
Project Inputs
Source Information We Can Work From
SOURCE 01
Point Cloud Data
Registered reality-capture data used as the primary geometric reference.
SOURCE 02
Existing Drawings
Legacy drawings and available record documentation.
SOURCE 03
Site Photography
Supplemental visual information for existing building conditions.
SOURCE 04
BIM Requirements
Required disciplines, model scope, detail and final deliverables.
Multidiscipline Modeling
Architectural, Structural & MEPF Scan to BIM
Architectural Scan to BIM
Existing architectural elements developed into structured model information.
- Walls
- Doors & windows
- Floors
- Ceilings
- Roofs
- Stairs
- Major architectural features
Structural Scan to BIM
Existing structural components modeled where visible and supported by source information.
- Columns
- Beams
- Slabs
- Structural walls
- Framing
- Major structural geometry
MEPF Scan to BIM
Existing visible building systems captured for renovation and coordination workflows.
- Ductwork
- Pipework
- Cable containment
- Equipment
- Plumbing systems
- Fire-protection systems
Model Definition
Model Detail Should Follow the Intended Project Use
Scan to BIM should not automatically mean maximum model detail.
The required geometry, information, systems and tolerances should be defined around the intended downstream use and available source information.
LOD 100
Conceptual Representation
Overall massing and approximate conditions
LOD 200
Generalized Existing Conditions
Approximate geometry for planning
LOD 300
Defined Geometry
More specific geometry and location
LOD 350
Interface Detail
Model relationships supporting coordination
LOD 400+
Scope-Specific Detailed Modeling
Applied only where project requirements justify it
Model Quality Control
Modeled Does Not Automatically Mean Verified
A model may look complete while still containing alignment differences, classification issues or unsupported assumptions.
Source comparison and model QA/QC help identify discrepancies before final project delivery.
Model-to-Source Comparison
Compare modeled geometry with available source data.
Levels & Grid Review
Confirm project references and alignment.
Model Classification
Review modeled elements against required categories.
Scope Completeness
Confirm agreed areas and disciplines before release.
Information-Gap Review
Identify conditions not adequately supported by source data.
Project Applications
Where Scan to BIM Supports Project Delivery
01
Renovation
Existing-condition BIM for refurbishment and design development.
02
Retrofit Engineering
Existing systems modeled for modification and replacement planning.
03
BIM Coordination
Existing conditions combined with proposed design for coordination review.
04
As-Built Documentation
Structured existing-condition models for project records.
05
Space Management
Building information for planning and space-use studies.
06
Facility Management
BIM foundation for downstream asset and facility information.
07
Industrial Facilities
Existing plant and service environments for engineering workflows.
08
Existing Infrastructure
Digital representation supporting review and redevelopment.
Project Outputs
Scan to BIM Deliverables
Outputs can be structured around the agreed discipline, model scope and downstream project requirements.
Revit BIM Model
Structured project model
Existing-Condition BIM
Source-referenced existing building model
Architectural BIM
Existing architectural model
Structural BIM
Existing structural representation
MEPF BIM
Existing visible service systems
2D Plans
Model-derived floor plans
Elevations & Sections
Model-based documentation
As-Built Model
Existing-condition project record
Additional Capabilities
Supporting Existing-Building Workflows
3D As-Built Documentation
Existing conditions represented through
structured digital building information.
Area & Space Management
Existing-condition information supporting
space planning and area analysis.
Construction Audit Support
Digital project information that can support
review of existing or constructed conditions.
Existing Infrastructure Quantification
Model information structured for downstream
measurement and quantity workflows where applicable.
BIM Information Extraction
Structured project information derived
from the developed BIM model.
Rendered Model Views
Project-specific visual outputs generated
from the BIM environment when required.
Digital Delivery Environment
Technology Supporting Scan to BIM
Reality-capture information can be integrated with BIM authoring, coordination and documentation workflows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Scan to BIM FAQs
What is Scan to BIM?
Scan to BIM uses point-cloud or other reality-capture information as a reference for developing BIM models representing existing building conditions.
Can you convert point clouds into Revit models?
Yes. Point-cloud information can be used as a reference for Revit model development according to the agreed scope, disciplines and model-detail requirements.
Can architectural, structural and MEP systems all be modeled?
Yes, provided the required elements are represented clearly enough in the source data and are included within the project scope.
Can Scan to BIM support renovation work?
Yes. Existing-condition models can provide the digital reference for renovation, retrofit and design-development workflows.
What information is required to start?
Typical inputs include available scan files, project area, required disciplines, expected deliverables, model-detail requirements and project schedule.
What happens when part of the building is not visible in the scan?
Areas not adequately supported by source information should be identified as information gaps rather than modeled through unsupported assumptions.
Scan to BIM Project Support
Have Point-Cloud Data Ready for BIM Development?
Share your available scan files, required disciplines, project area, model-detail expectations and deliverables. We can review the information and define the required Scan to BIM workflow.