Scan to BIM Services From Accurate 3D Laser Scanning

Convert existing buildings, assets and sites into accurate BIM-ready models for design, coordination, construction and asset management.

Point Cloud to BIM Modelling for Existing Buildings and Assets

When a project involves an existing building, structure or site, the BIM model is only useful if it reflects the real conditions on site. 3D Walkabout provides Scan to BIM services that combine professional 3D laser scanning with accurate BIM modelling, giving architects, engineers, contractors and asset owners a reliable model of the existing environment.

We capture the site using 3D laser scanning, process the data into a registered point cloud, and then convert that data into a Revit or BIM model at the agreed level of detail. This allows project teams to work from a measured digital representation of the building rather than relying on old drawings, incomplete records or manual site measurements.

Our Scan to BIM services are used for refurbishment, redevelopment, adaptive reuse, design coordination, construction planning, heritage documentation, asset upgrades and facilities management. Whether you need an architectural Revit model, structural model, visible services model or a broader existing conditions BIM dataset, we can tailor the scope to suit the project.

WHAT YOU GET

Scan to BIM Deliverables

Registered Point Cloud
01

Registered Point Cloud

A measurable 3D record of the existing site forming the base for BIM modelling.

Revit Models
02

Revit Models

Architectural, structural and selected visible MEP elements depending on project scope.

Existing Conditions BIM
03

Existing Conditions BIM

Model reflects current site conditions so design teams understand what exists before new work begins.

Modelled Building Elements
04

Modelled Building Elements

Walls, floors, roofs, doors, windows, structural framing and other agreed visible building elements represented in the BIM model.

2D Outputs From the Model
05

2D Outputs From the Model

Plans, elevations, sections and other drawing outputs can be extracted from the BIM model where required for design or documentation workflows.

Federated Project Support
06

Federated Project Support

Existing-condition BIM models can support coordination with future design models, consultant inputs and broader project documentation workflows.

THE SERVICE

What Is Scan to BIM?

Scan to BIM is the process of capturing an existing building or site using 3D laser scanning and converting the resulting point cloud into a BIM model. The laser scan records the physical geometry of the site, while the BIM modelling stage turns that scan data into usable digital building elements.

This process is commonly used when a project team needs an accurate model of an existing building before design, construction or asset management work begins. It is particularly valuable when drawings are missing, outdated, unreliable or not detailed enough for the next stage of work.

A Scan to BIM Project Typically Involves:

01

3D laser scanning of the building, site or asset

02

Registration of the scan data into a point cloud

03

Review of the required modelling scope

04

Conversion of point cloud data into a Revit or BIM model

05

Modelling of agreed architectural, structural or visible services elements

06

Quality checking against the point cloud

07

Delivery of the BIM model and supporting files

08

Optional 2D plans, elevations or sections from the model

The final model is not automatically a full digital twin or fully detailed construction model. It is a measured representation of the existing conditions, created to the agreed level of detail and intended use. Defining that scope properly at the start is critical.

Our 3D Scanning Equipment

3D Walkabout uses a range of professional 3D scanning technologies to capture buildings, environments, and assets with the appropriate level of accuracy for each project. From rapid mobile LiDAR systems for large spaces to survey-grade laser scanners capable of millimetre precision, our equipment allows us to deliver reliable spatial data for everything from digital walkthroughs to detailed Scan-to-BIM modelling.

Matterport Pro 3

The Matterport Pro3 is a LiDAR-enabled camera designed for rapid capture of interior spaces and immersive digital walkthroughs. It provides measurement accuracy of approximately ±20 mm at 10 metres, making it ideal for interior documentation, property marketing, and quick reality capture of buildings and facilities. The Pro3 is commonly used for digital twins, virtual tours, interior building documentation and preliminary spatial data capture, allowing spaces to be quickly scanned and shared online.

GreenValley O2 Lite

The GreenValley O2 Lite is a mobile LiDAR scanner designed for rapid capture of large environments. Instead of scanning from a tripod, the operator can walk through the space while the system records spatial data using SLAM technology. This makes it ideal for large warehouses, campuses, infrastructure sites and industrial facilities, where speed of capture is more important than survey-grade precision. Mobile LiDAR scanners typically provide centimetre-level accuracy, allowing large areas to be digitised quickly.

DJ Mavic 3 Enterprise

The DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise is a compact aerial mapping drone widely used by surveyors, engineers and reality capture professionals. Equipped with a high-resolution camera and RTK positioning, it captures detailed aerial imagery that can be processed into accurate, colourised 3D point clouds and models. While not a LiDAR sensor itself, it delivers LiDAR-like spatial outputs when used in photogrammetry workflows, making it highly effective for capturing building exteriors, roofs and hard-to-access areas.

Leica RTC360

The Leica RTC360 is a high-speed survey-grade laser scanner used for demanding reality capture projects. It delivers millimetre-level accuracy of approximately ±1.9 mm at 10 metres while capturing up to two million measurement points per second. This scanner is commonly used for Scan-to-BIM modelling, construction verification, engineering documentation and large-scale building surveys, where precise spatial data is critical.

Einscan Rigil

The Einscan Rigil is a handheld structured-light 3D scanner designed for capturing smaller objects and equipment with extremely high precision. Handheld scanners of this type can achieve sub-millimetre accuracy, making them ideal for product digitisation, asset capture, mechanical components and reverse engineering applications. Unlike building scanners, this device is used for small-scale objects and detailed assets rather than large spaces.

SCOPE DEFINITION

Defining the Right Level of Detail

The most important part of any Scan to BIM project is agreeing what needs to be modelled and to what level of detail. A simple architectural model for concept design is very different from a detailed model for services coordination or construction documentation.

Before starting, we help clarify these key questions.

What Areas Need to Be Modelled?

The model may cover an entire building, selected floors, a tenancy, façade, plant area, roof zone, structure, services corridor or specific project area.

What Disciplines Are Required?

Some projects only need architectural elements. Others require structural components, selected visible services, façade detail or a combination of disciplines.

How Detailed Should the Model Be?

A model for early design may use simplified geometry. A model for coordination or documentation may require more accurate element positioning and additional detail.

What Will the Model Be Used For?

The intended use determines the modelling approach. Design base, clash coordination, asset documentation, construction planning and heritage recording all have different requirements.

What File Formats Are Needed?

Revit is commonly used, but other exports or supporting files may be required depending on the project team’s workflow.

WHY SCAN TO BIM

Why Scan to BIM Is Useful for Refurbishment and Redevelopment Projects

Refurbishment and redevelopment projects often start with uncertainty. If the project team builds a new design on top of unreliable information, that risk carries through the entire project.

Scan to BIM reduces this risk by creating a model from measured site data. Architects can design around the real building fabric. Engineers can understand structural positions and constraints. Contractors can coordinate works around existing geometry. Asset owners can retain a useful digital record for future upgrades and maintenance.

For complex existing buildings, the value is not just the model itself. The value is giving the entire team a shared, measurable base that reduces assumptions and improves coordination from the start of the project.

COMMON MISTAKES

Point Cloud to Revit Modelling for Architects, Engineers and Contractors

Many design and construction teams already work in Revit, but they do not always have a reliable existing building model to begin with. Scan to BIM bridges that gap by converting laser-scanned point cloud data into modelled Revit elements.

Architects may use the model as a design base for refurbishments, extensions, fitouts or adaptive reuse projects. Engineers may use it to understand structural geometry, levels, grids and interfaces. Contractors may use it to plan staging, access, temporary works, penetrations or coordination around existing conditions.

The model can also support collaboration across disciplines. Instead of each consultant building their own assumptions from old drawings or site notes, the team can work from one measured existing-conditions model.

MODEL ELEMENTS

What Can Be Included in a Scan to BIM Model?

Depending on the agreed scope, a Scan to BIM model may include:

External and internal walls
Floors, slabs and level changes
Roofs and roof structures
Ceilings and bulkheads
Doors, windows and openings
Columns, beams and visible structural members
Stairs, ramps, balustrades and lift cores
Façade geometry and major external features
Major fixed joinery and built-in elements
Plant rooms and accessible services areas
Visible ductwork, pipework and cable trays where required
Risers, service zones and access panels
Structural grids and reference levels
Room divisions and space planning information
Heritage or irregular architectural features
Site context and adjacent structures where relevant

Not every project needs every element. The model should be scoped around what your team actually needs to use. Over-modelling adds cost and can slow the process. Under-modelling creates gaps that may affect design or coordination.

COMMON MISTAKES

Common Scan to BIM Mistakes to Avoid

Assuming Every Model Needs Maximum Detail

A higher level of detail is not always better. If the model is only needed for early design, a simpler model may be more practical and cost-effective.

Modelling Hidden Elements That Cannot Be Verified

Laser scanning captures visible and accessible conditions. Concealed elements behind walls, ceilings or floors should not be assumed unless verified through other information.

Starting Without a Clear BIM Scope

If the modelling scope is vague, the final model may not meet the needs of the project team. Defining intended use, disciplines, detail level and deliverables early is essential.

Treating Old Drawings as Truth

Existing drawings can be useful references, but the scan data should be treated as the measured record of current site conditions.

Confusing Scan to BIM With Design BIM

A Scan to BIM model represents the existing building. It is not the same as a fully developed design model, fabrication model or construction model unless further design and detailing work is added.

BENEFITS

Benefits of Scan to BIM for Existing Buildings

01
Accurate existing building model: Create a BIM model based on measured laser scan data rather than outdated drawings.
02
Better design coordination: Give architects, engineers and contractors a shared model of current site conditions.
03
Reduced project assumptions: Replace guesswork with a model developed from a registered point cloud.
04
Useful for complex buildings: Capture irregular geometry, heritage details, plant rooms, façades and hard-to-document spaces.
05
Supports Revit workflows: Deliver models that can be used by teams already working in Revit and BIM environments.
06
Improves refurbishment planning: Design new works around the real existing building fabric.
07
Helps identify constraints early: Understand levels, clearances, structural positions and spatial limitations before construction starts.
08
Supports remote coordination: Consultants can review the model and point cloud without repeatedly attending site.
09
Creates a long-term asset record: The model can be retained for future upgrades, maintenance and facilities planning.
10
Scalable across different project types: Use Scan to BIM for single tenancies, full buildings, industrial assets, infrastructure interfaces and property portfolios.

USE CASES

Common Uses for Scan to BIM

Architectural Refurbishment

Architectural Refurbishment

Create an existing-conditions Revit model before redesigning internal layouts, façades, extensions or building upgrades.

Structural Coordination

Structural Coordination

Document visible structural elements, levels, grids, slabs, columns and beams to support engineering assessment or coordination.

Construction Planning

Construction Planning

Help builders understand the existing building before staging works, planning access, coordinating trades or integrating new works.

Heritage and Adaptive Reuse

Heritage and Adaptive Reuse

Capture irregular or historically significant buildings and convert them into BIM models for conservation, restoration or adaptive reuse planning.

Facilities and Asset Management

Facilities and Asset Management

Use the BIM model as part of a longer-term asset record for maintenance, capital works planning and future building upgrades.

Multi-Site Property Portfolios

Multi-Site Property Portfolios

Create consistent BIM documentation across multiple buildings or assets for owners, government bodies, education providers and property portfolios.

WHY US

Built Around Your BIM Requirements

Built Around Your BIM Requirements

Every Scan to BIM project should start with a clear understanding of how the model will be used. We tailor the model scope around your project workflow, not a generic template.

From Point Cloud to Practical Model

The scan data provides the measured geometry. The modelling process turns that data into usable BIM elements that your project team can work with.

Useful When Drawings Are Missing or Wrong

If existing drawings are unavailable, incomplete or unreliable, Scan to BIM provides a measured digital base for design and coordination.

Keep the Point Cloud as a Reference

Alongside the model, the point cloud can remain a valuable reference for checking measurements, reviewing site conditions and resolving questions later in the project.

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Important Things to Confirm Before a Scan to BIM Project

What is the model going to be used for?

Which building areas or assets need to be captured?

Is the model required for design, coordination, construction or asset management?

Which disciplines need to be included: architectural, structural, MEP or site context?

What level of detail is required?

Are there existing drawings or Revit models available?

Should the model align to existing project coordinates?

Are there specific BIM standards or naming conventions to follow?

What file formats are required?

Are hidden or concealed elements expected, and how will they be verified?

Is the building occupied or operational during scanning?

Are there programme deadlines or staged deliverables?

Clarifying these details early helps prevent wasted modelling effort and ensures the final model is genuinely useful.

Virtual Reality Information Pack & Price List

Start Your 3D Scanning Project

Speak with our team or request our 3D Scanning Information Pack & Price Guide.

Whether you’re planning a reality capture project, need accurate point clouds, BIM modelling, or are exploring digital twin solutions, our team can help. Complete the form below and we’ll send you our 3D Scanning Information Pack & Price Guide, along with details on how our scanning process works and typical project costs. If you’d prefer to talk it through, feel free to call us on 1300 00 3392

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you model heritage or irregular buildings?

Yes. Scan to BIM is well suited to heritage, irregular and complex buildings because laser scanning captures geometry that is difficult to measure manually. The modelling approach should be carefully scoped because highly detailed or non-standard features can require additional modelling time.

How long does a Scan to BIM project take?

The timeframe depends on the size of the site, access conditions, amount of scanning required, model complexity and level of detail. Site scanning may be relatively quick, but modelling time can vary significantly depending on the required deliverables.

What file formats can you provide?

Revit models are commonly provided, along with registered point cloud files and supporting documentation where required. Depending on the scope, we may also provide DWG, IFC, PDF drawings, elevations or sections.

Can the BIM model be used for clash detection?

Yes, a Scan to BIM model can support clash detection and coordination, especially when new design models need to be checked against existing conditions. The usefulness of the model for clash detection depends on the level of detail and which elements have been included.

How accurate is a Scan to BIM model?

The accuracy depends on the scan methodology, registration process, modelling scope and required level of detail. The model is created from measured scan data, but modelling tolerances and element simplification should be agreed as part of the project brief.

Is Scan to BIM suitable for refurbishment projects?

Yes. Scan to BIM is particularly useful for refurbishment, redevelopment, fitout and adaptive reuse projects because it gives the design team an accurate model of the existing building before new design work begins.

Can you model MEP services?

Yes, visible and accessible MEP services can be modelled where required, such as ductwork, pipework, cable trays, plant equipment and major service routes. Concealed services that are hidden behind walls, ceilings or floors cannot be accurately modelled from laser scan data alone unless verified through other information.

What level of detail can you model?

The level of detail depends on the project requirements. We can create simple massing or architectural base models, more detailed architectural and structural models, or models that include selected visible services and complex geometry. The modelling level should be agreed before work begins.

Do we need to provide existing drawings?

Existing drawings are helpful, but they are not always required. If drawings are available, they can assist with understanding the building and setting up the model. However, the laser scan and point cloud provide the measured record of current site conditions.

Can you create a Revit model from a point cloud?

Yes. We can convert registered point cloud data into a Revit model at the agreed level of detail. The model can include architectural, structural and visible services elements depending on the project scope.

What is the difference between a point cloud and a BIM model?

A point cloud is the raw or processed 3D measurement data captured from the laser scanner. It shows the geometry of the site as millions of points. A BIM model is a structured digital model made from building elements. The point cloud is the measured reference, while the BIM model is the usable design and coordination output.

What is Scan to BIM?

Scan to BIM is the process of using 3D laser scanning to capture an existing building, then converting the scan data into a BIM model. The laser scan creates a point cloud of the physical environment, and the BIM modelling stage converts that data into usable model elements such as walls, floors, columns, roofs, openings and other agreed features.