3D scanners are measuring devices based on LiDAR technology. They include one or more LiDAR sensors that emit a light beam that scans the environment horizontally and vertically to capture it in 3D.

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They make it possible to generate a point cloud (raw 3D data), but also image and thermal data depending on the models.

A traditional and widely used scanning solution, static scanners are tripod-mounted measuring devices.

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These solutions perfectly complement our mobile scanning solutions when it comes to identifying areas that are congested, difficult to access, or requiring increased precision. They also make it possible to capture high-density point clouds over a long range.

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The manufacturers of static scanners the best known are Faro, Trimble and Leica.

Mobile laser scanners are measuring devices that allow you to scan an environment while moving. Thus, they offer a very high survey rate, which can go up to 12,000 m² per day.

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The survey is therefore faster, without neglecting precision, which is why we put the mobile scanners at the center of our digitization protocol.

The choice of scanning solutions will be directly linked to the final exploitation of the data (plans, BIM/CAD models, etc.), to your specifications and to the specificities of your buildings.

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Each project must be studied individually, to discover the advantages of possible digitization solutions, we invite you to read our article “What survey solutions should you choose for your project? ”.

The point cloud of a building is a real 3D footprint of the building. Technically, it is generated using LiDAR sensors, which lasergrammetry solutions are equipped with.

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These sensors emit a laser beam that scans the environment until obstacles (object, wall, structure, etc.) are detected. The distance to each obstacle is then analyzed, in order to position a point in space. Repeating this process makes it possible to create a point cloud.

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During our projects, we deliver the file containing the point cloud in a format adapted to your uses (.rcp, .e57, .xyz).

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To find out more, we invite you to discover our article explaining How to use a point cloud.

This methodology makes it possible to rely on an imprint of reality with centimetric precision for CAD/BIM modelling.

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To find out more, we detail the different steps of a Scan-to-BIM method in this article “The scan to BIM: from the point cloud to the digital BIM model”.

We identify 5 key steps in the course of a digitization project:

• The study of needs and the choice of adapted deliverables;
• The choice of 3D scanning solutions, according to the defined deliverables and the specificities of the concerned buildings;
• The study of plans and the definition of a digitization kinematics;
• On site, the preparation and digitization of areas;
• Post-processing and exploitation of captured data.

To find out more, we detail each of these steps in this article: “The key stages of a 3D scanning project”.‍