What is Scan to BIM? A Complete Guide
Author: Jonas Lood, Lightbound 3D
Scan to BIM is the process of converting 3D laser scan data into an intelligent Building Information Model (BIM) — typically a Revit model that architects, engineers, and contractors can use for renovation design, construction planning, and facility management. Instead of sending a team with tape measures to manually document a building, you scan the space with a LiDAR scanner, capture millions of precise data points, and then model the building digitally from that data.
The result is a dimensionally accurate 3D model of the building as it actually exists — not as it was originally designed, but as it stands today, including every modification, renovation, and field change made over the building's lifetime.
How the Scan to BIM Process Works
The process has three stages. First, a field team captures the physical space using a 3D laser scanner. The scanner emits laser pulses that measure the distance to every surface in the room, recording millions of individual data points per scan position. Multiple scan positions are registered together to create a complete three-dimensional point cloud of the entire building or floor.
Second, the raw point cloud data is processed and cleaned. This involves removing noise, aligning scan positions, and producing a unified dataset that accurately represents the space.
Third, BIM technicians use the point cloud as a reference to build an intelligent 3D model in Revit. They trace walls, floors, ceilings, doors, windows, structural elements, and MEP systems directly from the scan data, creating a model that reflects the true dimensions and spatial relationships of the building. The finished model includes not just geometry but information — wall types, material properties, system classifications, and spatial data that makes the model useful for design, analysis, and coordination.
Point Cloud to BIM: Understanding the Data
The point cloud is the foundation of every Scan to BIM project. It's a dataset containing millions — sometimes billions — of individual measurement points, each with an X, Y, Z coordinate and often colour information captured from photographs taken during the scan.
When you hear the term "point cloud to BIM," it describes the same process as Scan to BIM — converting this raw measurement data into a structured, intelligent Revit model. The point cloud itself is delivered in standard formats such as .rcp (Autodesk ReCap), .e57, or .las, and can be loaded directly into Revit, AutoCAD, or Navisworks as a visual reference alongside the modelled elements.
Point clouds are highly accurate — typically within 1–2 millimetres — which means the BIM model built from them is far more dimensionally precise than anything produced from manual measurement.
Levels of Detail (LOD) in Scan to BIM
Not every project requires the same level of modelling detail. The industry uses a standardized LOD scale to define how much information the BIM model should contain.
LOD 200 is the most common level for Scan to BIM projects. It includes the basic geometry of architectural elements — walls, floors, ceilings, doors, windows, and columns — with approximate dimensions and locations. This level is sufficient for most renovation planning, space analysis, and general facility documentation.
LOD 300 adds precise dimensions, accurate material representations, and detailed connections between elements. This level supports detailed design development and construction documentation.
LOD 400 includes fabrication-level detail — exact sizes, shapes, and connections suitable for manufacturing and construction coordination. This level is typically required for complex MEP coordination and prefabrication work.
At Lightbound 3D, standard Scan to BIM projects include LOD 200 modelling, with LOD 300 and LOD 400 available on request based on project requirements.
Who Uses Scan to BIM?
Scan to BIM serves a wide range of professionals in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Architects use Scan to BIM models as the starting point for renovation and adaptive reuse design — having an accurate existing conditions model in Revit eliminates weeks of manual documentation and reduces the risk of design conflicts during construction. Structural engineers rely on scan data to verify existing structural conditions before designing additions, modifications, or seismic upgrades.
MEP engineers use Scan to BIM to map existing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems before designing new installations — critical for avoiding clashes in renovation projects where existing routing is hidden above ceilings or behind walls. General contractors use the models for accurate scope estimation, construction sequencing, and trade coordination. And facility managers use Scan to BIM models as a living digital record of their building, supporting ongoing maintenance, space planning, and capital improvement projects.
In Toronto's commercial real estate market, Scan to BIM is increasingly standard practice for any significant renovation or repositioning project. Older buildings with decades of undocumented modifications benefit enormously from the accuracy and completeness of scan-based documentation.
Scan to BIM vs. Traditional Surveying
Traditional building surveying relies on manual measurement — tape measures, laser distance meters, and hand-drawn field sketches that are later drafted into CAD drawings. This approach is time-consuming, labour-intensive, and limited in accuracy. A typical commercial floor plate might take a survey team three to five days to measure manually, with accuracy in the range of half an inch to an inch.
3D laser scanning captures the same floor in hours rather than days, with accuracy within 1–2 millimetres. The point cloud also captures details that manual surveyors typically miss or simplify — ceiling heights, structural connections, pipe routing, and spatial relationships that are difficult to measure by hand but are automatically recorded by the scanner.
The speed and accuracy difference translates directly into cost savings for the overall project. Faster documentation means less disruption to occupied buildings. Higher accuracy means fewer surprises during construction. And having a complete point cloud on file means the building can be re-examined digitally at any time without returning to the site.
How Much Does Scan to BIM Cost in Toronto?
Scan to BIM pricing depends on building size, complexity, and the level of detail required. At Lightbound 3D, 3D laser scanning starts at $1,500 and Scan to BIM modelling starts at $2,000. A typical commercial floor plate of 10,000 to 20,000 square feet at LOD 200 might cost $3,500 to $6,000 for the complete scan and model package, depending on the complexity of the space and the number of MEP systems to be documented.
Factors that affect pricing include the number of floors, ceiling heights, accessibility of spaces, the density of MEP systems, and whether the modelling scope includes architectural only or full architectural plus MEP. Multi-floor or multi-building projects are typically quoted on a per-project basis.
For a detailed quote based on your specific project, contact us at 437-775-9000 or request a quote through our website.
Common Scan to BIM Deliverables
A typical Scan to BIM engagement produces several deliverables. The Revit BIM model (.rvt) is the primary output — a fully modelled 3D representation of the existing building that can be used directly by design teams. Point cloud data is delivered in .rcp, .e57, or .las formats for teams that want access to the raw scan data. 2D floor plans, sections, and elevations can be extracted from the Revit model and delivered as .dwg (AutoCAD) or PDF files. And a Matterport 3D virtual tour can be captured during the same site visit if visual documentation is also needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Scan to BIM? Scan to BIM is the process of converting 3D laser scan data into an accurate Building Information Model in Revit. The building is scanned with a LiDAR scanner to create a point cloud, which is then used to model walls, floors, ceilings, structural elements, and MEP systems in three dimensions.
How much does Scan to BIM cost? At Lightbound 3D in Toronto, 3D laser scanning starts at $1,500 and Scan to BIM modeling starts at $2,000. A typical commercial floor plate costs $3,500 to $6,000 for the complete scan and model package depending on size and complexity.
What is the difference between point cloud and BIM? A point cloud is raw measurement data — millions of individual 3D coordinate points captured by a laser scanner. A BIM model is an intelligent 3D model built from that data in Revit, with defined elements like walls, doors, and MEP systems that contain information about their properties and relationships.
What LOD is standard for Scan to BIM? LOD 200 is the most common level of detail for Scan to BIM projects. It includes the basic geometry of architectural elements with approximate dimensions. LOD 300 and LOD 400 are available for projects requiring greater precision or fabrication-level detail.
Ready to Start Your Scan to BIM Project?
Whether you need an existing conditions model for a renovation, as-built documentation for facility management, or a complete point cloud of your building, Lightbound 3D delivers accurate Scan to BIM services across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area.
Order Now | Learn More About Our Scan to BIM Services | Learn More About Our 3D Scanning Services | See Our Scan to BIM Project — Custom Estate, Kleinburg
