3D laser scanning FAQs

3D laser scanning uses a terrestrial laser scanner to measure every visible surface of a building, site or object. The scans are registered, meaning aligned, into one point cloud: a measurable 3D record of existing conditions. As-built drawings, Revit models and fabrication geometry are built from it.

Scan to BIM turns a registered point cloud into a Revit model of the building as it actually stands. BIM stands for building information model. The model is built element by element to a level of development (LOD), meaning how much detail each element carries, and delivered as RVT, IFC or NWD.

As-built drawings show a building as it actually stands, not as it was designed. Ours are floor plans, reflected ceiling plans, elevations and sections drawn from a registered 3D laser scan and delivered as DWG, DXF or PDF.

Drawings are flat views: plans, elevations and sections. A Scan to BIM model is a 3D Revit model of the same building. Both are built from the same scan, so nothing is re-measured. See Scan to BIM services.

Yes. Drawings, point clouds and Revit models all come from the same scan, so nothing is re-measured. If drawings are all you need, see as-built survey and drawing services.

Point clouds come as E57, RCP, RCS or LAS. Drawings come as DWG, DXF or PDF, BIM models as RVT, IFC or NWD, and meshes as OBJ, FBX, STL or GLB. Imagery comes as a 360° panorama or an orthomosaic, and digital twins are web-hosted and measurable. Tell us what your team opens when you request a quote.

Scoped per project: LOD 200–300 for coordination and LOD 350 where fabrication depends on it. The LOD is stated in the proposal, so you know what each element will carry before modeling starts.

Scans are registered to 2–6 mm, measured against a total-station control network and reported per project. Our registration reports typically average about 4.5 mm (0.015 ft). Every delivery ships with a registration report, so accuracy is measured, not assumed.

Capture ranges from about 20,000 sq ft a day in dense interiors like apartments, up to 200,000 sq ft a day in open spaces such as workshops or outdoor sites. Aligning, cleaning and checking the scans adds about 2–3 days. Your quote states the schedule for your site.

The address and what you need out of the data. Send any drawings you already have, even outdated ones. We arrange site access with you and scan around operations, with nights and weekends on request.

Yes. We scan occupied and live sites, scheduled around operations, with nights and weekends on request. We sign an NDA on request, and your data is retained and shared on your terms.

Every project is priced on scope: area, site complexity, access, the deliverable and the level of development. Send the address and what you need out of the data, and we reply within one business day with a method, a schedule and a fixed price.

Pricing is fixed and depends on the size of the site, access, the LOD and what is modeled. Request a quote with the address and what you need, and we reply within one business day with a method, a schedule and a fixed price.

Zombra is based in Miami, Florida and takes on projects across the United States. For local work, see 3D scanning services in Miami.