Point Cloud to BIM software

Imagine if you could produce the BIM model of the building you are working on automatically from a point cloud obtained from laser scanner survey or drone photogrammetry. You would of course save time and resources and the final result would certainly be more precise, complete and detailed. With the latest Edificius release you can now access new tools and functionalities to manage point clouds directly within the BIM environment.

With the new BIM 3 release (available in the next few days), Edificius allows you to generate the digital twin of an existing building starting from survey data only (photogrammetric or laser scanner).

You can start off by uploading the point cloud to usBIM and then select the point cloud portion to be imported into Edificius, thus considerably reducing the processing time.

Specifically, with the new functionalities you’ll be able to:

• diversify the way of viewing your point cloud;
• create infinite vertical sections thanks to the advanced Height Reference System (HRS) Manager;
• create infinite horizontal sections;
• transform the point cloud into a BIM model;
• use snaps and automatic point cloud recognition systems to insert parametric objects (walls, windows, floors, etc.).

Point Cloud to BIM (also known as Scan to BIM) is the process of converting a point cloud — obtained through surveying using a 3D laser scanner, drone or photogrammetry — into an informative and parametric BIM model. The point cloud is imported into BIM authoring software (such as Edificius) and used as a reference to reconstruct the architectural, structural and services elements of the existing building.

The two terms are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference: Scan to BIM refers to the entire workflow (survey planning → laser scanning → registration → modelling → coordination), whereas Point Cloud to BIM refers more specifically to the process of converting the registered point cloud into BIM geometry.

Edificius — via integration with usBIM. pointcloud — supports the main formats on the market: .LAS, .LAZ, .E57, .PLY, .PTS, .XYZ, .XYZCIRN, .ASC, as well as .LGS, .LGSx, .RCP and .RCS for maximum compatibility with Leica Geosystems®, Autodesk ReCap® and the main 3D scanning technologies.

Yes, particularly for medium to large or complex buildings. Measurable benefits:

• Reduced site survey time: 70% reduction compared to manual surveying;
• Accuracy: millimetre-level tolerance vs the centimetre-level tolerance of 2D CAD;
• Reduction in on-site errors: -10/20% on construction costs (source: industry studies);
• Data reusability: the point cloud is used for design, construction, facility management and maintenance;
• Safety: digital access to inaccessible or hazardous areas.