Scan to Model
Scan to Model: a 3D mesh or surface model, built from a laser scan — not full BIM, exactly what you need.
For teams who need a lightweight 3D reference, a coordination-grade surface, or a reverse-engineered solid model — without the object-level intelligence (and cost) of a full BIM build.
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.