Scanning for Opportunities: Three Ways Laser Scanners Give Architects a Digital Advantage

3D laser scanning has come a long way in the construction space in size, accuracy, and cost. From handheld portable devices to professional-grade tripod units, the technology is capable of gathering millions of points in seconds from a great distance.

It’s that versatility that makes the 3D laser scanner an invaluable tool across an architect’s entire workflow from pre-project analysis to verifying as-built conditions. 

Here’s three ways laser scanning can support your next project:

Reliable Source Data

How many times in the pre-design phase of a project have you been provided inaccurate or outdated site information? With a 3D laser scanner, you can quickly you can capture the interior and exterior site conditions such as proximity to adjacent structures, power pole locations, and many other issues that are typically not noted on old civil surveys.

A laser scanner is a fast, accurate way to verify existing conditions and validate proper site design. All assets are captured in one visit and it’s a matter of minutes to overlay a scan on an AutoCAD drawing.

Comprehensive/Collaborative Forum

Multiple site visits by multiple people taking notes, photos and storing that information in multiple locations sharing it in multiple emails, voicemails, and text messages. Point clouds are smaller than ever before and contain dimensional information, HDR panoramic photos, geotagged information like audio messages, video clips, and text field notes all in one file that is easily shared with everyone on the project team. Team members are able to continue to add information to the point cloud during the project as it changes and have that single source of truth for all information related to the site.

Visualizing Issues & Resolution

Reality capture will reveal issues that are invisible while walking the site. Is the floor flat? Are the walls plumb? Do the columns stack up on top of each other from floor to floor?  All these questions are difficult if not impossible with traditional methods but incredibly easy and fast to answer with reality capture technology.

3D laser scanning has advanced considerably over the years in terms of functionality and price point. These instruments range from portable handheld solutions that can gather 300,000 points per second to long range scanners that gather over two million points per second. In fact, the Leica BLK360 imaging laser scanner is just 1 kg (2.2 lbs.) and is capable of automatically capturing and registering 360,000 points per second. And post-processing those point clouds is largely automated as well.

Get a digital advantage and put a scanner to work on your next project.