Scan to BIM
from the laser scanner to your plant’s model
Scan to BIM is the process that turns a built plant into its BIM model in three linked phases: the plant is laser scanned, a point cloud is obtained and the as-built model is rebuilt on it. It is the technical term for the method A3D uses to digitise industrial facilities that already exist.
Keep reading: the three phases of scan to BIM, one by one ↓
What scan to BIM is
“Scan to BIM” — sometimes shortened to “scan BIM” — names the path from scanning a real facility to its BIM model. It is reverse engineering applied to plants that are already standing.
Scan to BIM starts from a plant that already exists and rebuilds it digitally. Instead of drawing a building before it is built, the one already installed is measured with a laser scanner and its model is built from that measurement. This is why we speak of capture BIM, as opposed to the design BIM of new construction.
The result is an as-built BIM model: the plant as it stands today, with every structure, item of equipment, pipe and duct recognised as an object with data, not as loose lines. That model is the basis on which an extension is planned, equipment is replaced or works are put out to tender with the real geometry in hand.
Scan to BIM is the process that starts with the laser scan of a built plant, generates a point cloud and rebuilds on it the as-built BIM model, faithful to the measured real condition.
The three phases of scan to BIM: scan, point cloud and model
Every scan to BIM process links the same three phases. Each one leaves its own deliverable, and the leap in quality lies in how each one is carried out.
- Laser scanning The scanner measures the real geometry of the plant point by point, in 360° views, with production running. It captures what is actually installed, including geometry that never reached a drawing. This is 3D laser scanning, the first phase.
- Point cloud Those millions of points form the point cloud: a metric, three-dimensional replica of the facility. It is already navigable and measurable on its own — dimensions, clearances, distances — before a single object is rebuilt on top of it.
- As-built BIM model Every element is modelled on the point cloud with its real geometry and its data. From it come the as-built drawings, the isometrics, the layouts and the digital twin of the facility.
Modelling with judgement does more than trace the point cloud: it interprets the existing documentation — the as-built CAD drawings, where they exist — and checks it against the measured reality. Each object is given its information — what it is, what material, with what specifications — and is checked with the operator or plant manager, who knows which equipment does what and which pipe has fallen out of use. On that basis, the model can be linked to maintenance software (CMMS) and become a plant database that is kept up to date as the facility changes.
Scan to BIM links three phases — laser scanning, point cloud and as-built BIM model — and each element of the model is given its information and checked with whoever operates the plant.
Scan to BIM, scan BIM and laser scanning: what each one is
Anyone comparing suppliers meets these terms almost as synonyms. They are worth separating, because they name different parts of the same job.
- 3D laser scanning
- The first phase: capturing the real geometry with the scanner. It is one part of scan to BIM, not the whole process. At A3D it has its own page on 3D laser scanning of industrial plants.
- Point cloud
- The intermediate deliverable: the result of the scan and the base on which the model is built. It can be used as a final product in its own right or as a step towards the model. It has its own page: point cloud.
- Scan to BIM (or scan BIM)
- The complete process: from scanning to the point cloud and from the point cloud to the BIM model. It names the entire path, with the as-built BIM model as the destination.
Laser scanning is the capture; the point cloud, the intermediate deliverable; scan to BIM, the complete process that goes from scanning to the as-built BIM model.
What to require from a scan to BIM process
Two scan to BIM offers can look the same on paper and deliver very different things. These are the points where the difference shows.
- Accuracy of the deliverable, not of the instrument A scanner manufacturer publishes the accuracy of the device by measuring a single point in a laboratory. What counts for intervening is how closely the final deliverable — point cloud and model — matches the measured plant. Ask for that one to be stated. How the accuracy of the deliverable is measured.
- LOD certification in writing The level of detail (LOD) states how much information each element of the model carries. Having it certified in writing — LOD 300, 350 or 350+PEM — tells you exactly what you receive. It is a deliverable that few suppliers provide signed.
- Open formats and a model you own A model delivered in IFC, as well as Revit and Navisworks, stays in your ownership and is portable to any software: you can keep working on it with whoever you choose.
- Capture driven by the objective Scanning the whole plant at maximum detail when you will only intervene in one area is overspending: a good process prioritises what will be used and gives context to the rest.
- Work with the plant running A process-industry supplier scans with production running, on routes agreed with your plant team.
In scan to BIM, compare on the accuracy of the deliverable, the LOD certification in writing, delivery in open formats (IFC) and in your ownership, and capture driven by the project objective.
Frequently asked questions about scan to BIM
The answers to the most common searches about the term, for those who already know what they are looking for and compare with judgement.
What is scan to BIM?
Scan to BIM (sometimes written “scan BIM”) is the process that turns a built plant into its BIM model. It links three phases: the facility is scanned with a laser scanner, a point cloud is obtained — a metric, three-dimensional replica of what is installed — and the as-built BIM model is rebuilt on that point cloud, with every structure, item of equipment, pipe and duct as an object with data. It is a reverse-engineering method applied to facilities that already exist.
What is the difference between scan to BIM and 3D laser scanning?
3D laser scanning is the first phase of scan to BIM: capturing the real geometry of the plant with the scanner. Scan to BIM is the complete process, from scanning to the point cloud and from the point cloud to the BIM model. In other words, every scan to BIM starts with a laser scan, but scanning on its own delivers the point cloud; scan to BIM goes all the way to the model.
What software is used for scan to BIM?
An industrial scan to BIM process uses Leica laser scanners and ReCap to capture and register the point cloud; Revit for modelling; AutoCAD Plant 3D for services and piping; Navisworks to coordinate and review the model; and the open IFC format to exchange the model between programs. A3D delivers the model in standard, editable formats, owned by the client and portable to any software.
How accurate is a scan to BIM process?
What matters is the accuracy of the deliverable — how closely the final point cloud and BIM model match the measured plant — not the instrument accuracy published by scanner manufacturers, which is measured on a single point in a laboratory. When comparing suppliers, make sure both are talking about the same point in the process. A3D states the accuracy of the as-built deliverable; the detail is on the 3D laser scanning page.
What deliverables does scan to BIM produce?
A scan to BIM process delivers the navigable, measurable point cloud; the as-built BIM model in Revit (.rvt), Navisworks (.nwd) and IFC; the as-built drawings of the area; and the derived 2D deliverables — P&IDs, isometrics, layouts and bills of materials — plus the certification of the model’s level of detail (LOD). Everything is owned by the client, in standard, editable formats.
Can scan to BIM be done while the plant is in production?
Yes. In the process industry, scanning is done with the plant running: the scanner captures the geometry of the environment from each station while activity continues. Routes and access windows are planned with the plant team, and in areas that require it, a minimum crew of two people works in the field for occupational health and safety reasons.
We do this work every day
Scan to BIM of industrial plants that are already built is what A3D carries out every week on running facilities — food, chemicals and petrochemicals, pharma. If you want us to look at yours, the starting point is a specific area — the machine room, the pipe rack, the line you are about to change — with scope, timescale and price fixed. The first area starts from around €6,000 (estimated), and with the model of that work in hand you decide on the rest of the plant.
A3D carries out the complete scan to BIM process — scanning, point cloud and as-built BIM model — on running industrial plants, starting with the area you are about to intervene in.
And yours: where to start?
If your plant is already built, the useful step is to know where you stand before planning works. Tell us about your plant: an A3D specialist tells you in 15 minutes where to start, which area to survey first and with what scope.
Comparing costs? See how much it costs to scan a plant or review the three phases of scan to BIM.