Scan to Model
Scan to Model: a 3D mesh or surface model, built from a laser scan — not full BIM, exactly what you need.
We build the mesh or surface model straight from the same registered point cloud as every other deliverable, at the tier the job needs — lightweight for a walkthrough, engineering-grade for reverse engineering. No BIM overhead, and no BIM cost, when the project doesn't call for it.
What you get
Three model tiers, from lightweight to engineering-grade
Visualization Mesh
Lightweight, decimated 3D mesh for walkthroughs, presentations, and basic spatial reference.
Coordination Surface Model
Cleaned, optimized mesh/surface model suitable for clash awareness and light engineering review.
Engineering-Grade Solid Model
Fully reverse-engineered solid/parametric geometry suitable for manufacturing reference or detailed structural review.
⚑ Tier names follow S1's proposed Model mapping — pending client confirmation before publish; deliverable formats below (OBJ/FBX) are a reasonable default, also pending confirmation.
| Tier | Format | Typical turnaround | Typical use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visualization Mesh | OBJ / FBX | 3–5 days | Walkthroughs, presentations |
| Coordination Surface Model | OBJ / FBX | 1–2 weeks | Clash awareness, light engineering review |
| Engineering-Grade Solid Model | STEP / OBJ | 3–4 weeks | Manufacturing reference, structural review |
Which Scan to Model tier fits my use case?
- Need a lightweight reference for a walkthrough or presentation → Tier 1, Visualization Mesh.
- Reviewing coordination or basic clash awareness → Tier 2, Coordination Surface Model.
- Reverse engineering a part or reviewing structure in detail → Tier 3, Engineering-Grade Solid Model.
- Still unsure? Talk to an engineer →
Our process
Where Scan to Model adds one more step
- 1
Control network
Leica Total Station establishes the geo-referenced control points the model will be built against.
- 2
FARO capture
The site or object is captured as a registered point cloud — control-tied, not cloud-to-cloud alone.
- 3
Registration
Every scan is registered to the control network, not to whichever scan sits next to it — that's what the model's accuracy actually depends on.
- 4
Mesh/surface optimization
The point cloud is cleaned and decimated to exactly the tier you need — a light visualization mesh, a clean coordination surface, or a fully reverse-engineered solid.
Can this be upgraded to a full BIM model later?
- Yes — because the underlying point cloud doesn't change, a Scan to Model deliverable can be processed into a full Scan to BIM model later without a second site visit.
- This is the same Need-LOD idea behind our BIM tiers: start with what the project needs today, raise the detail later if the need changes.
- Tell us up front if a future BIM upgrade is likely — it doesn't change today's price, but it helps us keep the registration data organized for later reuse.
Spec sheet
Accuracy, by the numbers
| Metric | Typical value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Point cloud ranging error | ±1 mm | FARO Focus S150, per manufacturer spec |
| Registration RMSE | ≤ 3 mm | Against Total Station control network |
| Tier 1 deliverable tolerance | ± 20 mm | Visualization mesh |
| Tier 2 deliverable tolerance | ± 10 mm | Coordination surface model |
| Tier 3 deliverable tolerance | ± 3 mm | Engineering-grade solid model |
⚑ Figures shown are draft placeholders for layout — confirm against real project data before publish.
Where this is used
Typical use cases
Visualization & presentation
A lightweight, real-geometry reference for walkthroughs, renders, or stakeholder presentations.
Reverse engineering
Rebuilding a solid model of a physical part or structure with no reliable original drawings.
Coordination review
A clean surface model for early clash-awareness review, ahead of a full BIM coordination pass.
FAQ
Scan to Model — frequently asked
What's the difference between Scan to Model and Scan to BIM?
What are the 3 output tiers and which is right for my use case?
What formats do you deliver 3D models in?
Is this suitable for reverse engineering a physical part or structure?
Can the model be used for visualization/rendering purposes?
How accurate is the mesh/surface model compared to the raw point cloud?
Can this be upgraded to a full BIM model later?
What software do I need to open/use the deliverable?
How long does a typical project take?
How is pricing structured?
Tell us what your model needs to do.
Send the site or object details and we'll recommend a tier and turnaround.