3D Scanning Questions

A laser scanner sits on a tripod and spins, measuring the distance to millions of points around it. We move it through a building, then join the setups into one point cloud. That cloud is an accurate 3D record of the space that your team can measure, slice and model from.

With a modern terrestrial scanner and good registration, most building scans land within a few millimeters over short distances, and within a fraction of an inch across a full floor. We state the expected accuracy in the scope and include a registration report with the data.

Point clouds usually ship as E57 and Autodesk ReCap (RCP) files. Models come as Revit, and drawings as AutoCAD DWG or PDF. Tours are delivered as Matterport or Cupix links. Tell us your software and we match it.

It means our modelers use the point cloud to build a Revit model of the existing building. You pick the level of development, from simple walls and floors up to detailed ductwork, piping and structure.

No. We document buildings and sites for design, construction and facility work. In California, setting property lines or certifying elevations is land surveying and needs a licensed surveyor. When a project needs that, we tie our scans to your surveyor’s control points.

A house or a small office is often captured in a few hours. A mid-size commercial floor usually takes a day. Registration and cleanup take a few days after that, and modeling time depends on size and detail.

Most of our work is in Los Angeles County, and we travel to Orange, Ventura and the Inland Empire counties for larger jobs. Ask when you call.

Send the address, the approximate square footage, a few photos if you have them, and what you need at the end. We reply with a written scope and fixed price, usually within one working day.

Scan data is typically accurate to a few millimeters over short distances. Tied to your site control, it is accurate enough to check embeds, openings and slab edges against the model.

Most reports arrive within three to five working days. Small, urgent areas can often be turned around in one or two days.

For scan vs. model checks, yes. A current Revit, IFC or Navisworks model gives the best result. Without one, we can still report flatness and measured positions.

Yes, as soon as it is safe to walk the deck and the area is clear of crews and equipment.

No. We work around active trades and need only a clear line of sight for each setup, which usually takes a few minutes.

Yes. Steel, MEP and facade fabricators often model directly from our point clouds so their pieces fit the real field conditions.

A site contact, the safety orientation your job requires and access to the areas being scanned. Our techs bring their own PPE.

Weekly is common on busy jobs with many trades, and every two weeks works for slower phases. We always add a full capture right before drywall or ceilings close in.

No. Captures open in a web browser through a link. Team members can view, measure and comment without installing anything.

Yes. If your company already has a platform subscription, we capture into your account. If not, we can host the project for you.

Most 360 walks are processed and posted within one to two working days.

It is good for locating items and rough measurements. For tight dimensions, such as sleeve locations or wall layout, order a laser scan of the work in place instead.

Dated, location-tagged captures are a strong record of what was built and when. Your attorney or claims consultant can use them alongside the schedule and daily reports.

On tight urban lots it is a good idea. A dated record of cracks and conditions next door before digging starts helps answer damage claims later. Ask your insurer and attorney what they want included.

No. Much of the area is controlled airspace, and some places, such as stadiums during events and City of Los Angeles parks, have extra limits. We check every address and get the needed authorization before we fly.

With ground control points or RTK, maps are often accurate to a few centimeters. Without control, measurements are good relative to each other but less exact on absolute position. We state the expected accuracy in the quote.

Not always. A drone map is a strong planning and progress tool, but a certified topographic survey in California must come from a licensed land surveyor. We can work with your surveyor and tie to their control.

A single lot may take less than an hour on site, including setup. Large sites can take most of a day. Processing usually takes a few working days.

Orthomosaics as GeoTIFF, contours as DWG or DXF, point clouds as LAS or LAZ, and volume reports as PDF. Tell us your software and we match it.

It is a good idea on residential streets. We fly the planned grid over your property, avoid crowds and follow FAA rules on flying over people.

Strong wind, rain and low marine layer can delay a flight. We watch the forecast and reschedule at no charge when conditions are not safe.

For space planning and most tenant improvements, LOD 200 is enough. For engineering, structural work or coordination with new systems, LOD 300 or 350 is common. We help you pick based on what you plan to design.

A small office might take a week from scan to model. A large or complex building can take several weeks. The written scope includes a delivery date.

Yes, when the building allows tiles to be removed. We remove and replace them carefully and follow any dust control rules the owner has.

Send us your template, families and naming standards and we will build to them. Otherwise we use a clean standard template.

The scan data is typically accurate to a few millimeters locally. Modeled elements are placed within the tolerance stated in the scope, often a quarter inch to half inch for LOD 300, depending on the element.

Yes. We often work after hours or room by room around tenants. People walking past the scanner show up as stray points, which we clean out.

Our drawings show existing conditions, which your architect uses as the base for permit sets. Check with your plan checker about any special requirements for existing-condition drawings.

A 3D model shows the shape of the building. A digital twin connects that model to data, such as equipment details, documents and service history, so staff can search and act on it.

Often no. Tours open in a web browser, and Revit models can work with software you already use. We fit the twin to your current tools where possible.

It stays accurate until the building changes. We recommend updating areas after renovations or equipment replacements.

Yes. Tagging shutoffs, panels, fire equipment and exits makes them easy to find during an emergency, and views can be shared with the people who need them.

Yes. Many owners test a twin on one building, see how staff use it and then add the rest of the portfolio.

You do. We deliver all models, point clouds and tour files to you, and hosted tours can be moved to your own account.

Tours and models can be shared privately and limited to named users. For sensitive sites, we can deliver files directly to your servers with nothing hosted publicly.

No. Laser scanning is non-contact, and our techs keep equipment clear of racks and live gear. Work is scheduled around your change windows.

The terrestrial scanners we use have eye-safe lasers and do not affect servers, fiber or other equipment.

Yes, where your team allows tiles to be lifted. We lift and replace them following your procedures.

We sign NDAs, follow your access rules and can deliver files directly to your systems without public hosting.

Most want Revit models and point clouds, and some want CAD floor plans for their capacity planning tools. We match your workflow.

Yes, with the landlord’s and tenants’ permission. We focus on the areas in scope and avoid capturing other tenants’ equipment where required.

Field time depends on size and access. A single data hall may take one or two shifts. Modeling usually takes one to three weeks.

Yes. We schedule around patient care, work off-hours when needed and coordinate with staff for each room.

Yes. We follow the facility’s infection control risk assessment, including barriers, mats and other precautions when ceiling tiles are opened.

Our drawings document existing conditions, which the architect uses as a base for the project. Your design team decides what is submitted to HCAI and should confirm any specific requirements.

We avoid capturing patients and records when scanning, and we remove people and sensitive items from the data before delivery.

We coordinate MRI rooms with your imaging staff, since the magnet is always on. Scanning is done from outside the restricted zone or with approved procedures.

Yes. Medical offices, clinics and outpatient centers make up a large part of our healthcare work.

Our techs can provide proof of vaccinations, background checks and vendor registration when a facility requires them.

A typical home takes one to three hours. Large estates can take most of a day.

Most tours are delivered within one working day of the capture.

No, as long as we have access. Most owners leave so they do not show up in the tour.

Yes. We provide an unbranded link that meets MLS rules for virtual tours, along with a branded version for your own marketing.

They are accurate enough for marketing and room sizes. For design or construction, order measured as-built drawings from a laser scan instead.

Stage it like a showing: clean, lights on, doors open, personal items put away and pets out of the house.

Hosting is included for a set period after capture. We can extend it or transfer the tour to your own Matterport account.

Often yes. Scanning is non-contact and our techs work around operations. Some areas may need to be scanned during planned shutdowns.

Scan data is typically accurate to a few millimeters over short distances, which is enough for pipe tie-ins and equipment placement.

Some areas require intrinsically safe equipment or special permits. We review those requirements with your safety team before the visit.

We deliver point clouds in common formats and models for Revit, AutoCAD and many plant design tools. Tell us what your engineers use.

Call as early as possible. With enough notice, we can scan, register and deliver data in time for prefabrication.

Yes. Warehouses, distribution centers and cold storage are common projects, especially around the ports.

Yes. A floor scan produces a color map of high and low spots, which helps before installing racking or automated equipment.