3 Essential Steps To Make Point Cloud To CAD Conversion More Precise And Accurate In 2022

Reputed providers of point-cloud to CAD conversion services have revolutionized the working of the construction industry by creating high-value 3D CAD/ BIM models and eliminating the need for endless man-hours dedicated to taking actual measurements on site for preparing as-built drawings.

The experienced vendors use high-quality laser scanners to capture the real data in the form of millions of scan points on the location for the point-cloud to CAD conversion process, which takes hours while the earlier manual process took days or even weeks. It must be noted that the scanned files are in point format and identifying the relevant points from a group of so many points is an expert’s job. Once this task is performed by an agency specializing in the field, a point-cloud to 3D model can be created accurately primarily for two purposes:

• Intricate 3D models for visualization for promotion/ marketing purposes, that can also be used for producing 2D and 3D documentation and training materials. The elaborate 3D views can be used for user interface during meetings with customers and associates.
• Point-cloud to CAD conversion on a design platform can be utilised for future planning. The scanned point data can be incorporated into existing CAD software like AutoCAD or Revit for expert know-how and the design process can be taken forward. These 3D models can be used to perform the desired architectural and engineering functions.

Thus, spatial data can be stored and used by employing a powerful tool like point cloud fines, and later point-cloud to 3D model conversion may be used to create detailed CAD or BIM models. This is, as mentioned earlier, a specialized job, and to complete the entire process accurately and efficiently, the right kind of hardware, software, and techniques are to be used. Following is a brief discussion on the important steps to be taken to achieve this objective.

1. Ensuring the ability of the hardware to handle large data sets

Highly detailed, precise information about the built environment is captured by point clouds, but good computing power is needed to handle the data. One can imagine this from the fact that large projects might run thousands of scans and millions of data points. The ability of the hardware to handle the data will have a significant impact on the accuracy of the model and the time spent in the process.

2. Solid point cloud registration is a must

The data captured by laser scan must be registered to go forward with any certainty. Point cloud data would be consisting of many sets of points, each the result of an individual scan. It’s essential to stitch these sets together in an alignment process, called point cloud registration, to effectively produce a final point cloud of the entire site. Point cloud registration has to be very precise in order to produce an accurate CAD or BIM model. The right software is a necessity to successfully complete the point cloud registration process.

3. Importing registered point cloud data into CAD

The registered point cloud data must be converted into a format that CAD software is able to read. The file type will depend on the software being used, for example, Revit uses RCS and RCP file types. The CAD software in question creates surfaces out of the many points within the point cloud. Once the data is manipulated and stored, the point-cloud to 3D model conversion process is successfully completed.

The process of point-cloud to CAD conversion helps create accurate CAD or BIM models based on as-built data which presents the true picture of the existing structure. Taking care of the above-mentioned important steps makes the entire process more accurate and precise for the best output.