Software database · 14 software tools
📡 Reality Capture, Point Clouds & Scan-to-BIM
Reality capture software turns laser scans, photographs and 360° imagery of existing buildings and sites into registered point clouds, meshes and eventually BIM geometry. In a BIM workflow these tools sit at the front of renovation, retrofit and verification projects: they register raw scans, clean and index them, publish them for viewing in Revit, Navisworks or the cloud, and support the modelling of as-built elements (scan-to-BIM) or the comparison of installed work against design models. Formats such as E57, RCP/RCS, LAS and LGS are the common currency between capture hardware, processing software and authoring tools.
Autodesk ReCap Pro
AutodeskAutodesk point-cloud indexer and photogrammetry service feeding RCP/RCS into Revit, AutoCAD and Navisworks.Reality Capture, Point Clouds & Scan-to-BIMSubscriptionWindows
ReCap Pro imports scans from almost any terrestrial or mobile scanner, registers them (target-less or with targets), cleans and crops them, and indexes them into the RCS/RCP project format. It also includes ReCap Photo, a cloud photogrammetry service that turns drone or handheld photos into RCM meshes, OBJ/FBX and orthoviews. Architects, surveyors and BIM coordinators use it mainly as the gateway step before linking a point cloud into Revit, AutoCAD, Civil 3D or Navisworks. The 2027 release added Autodesk Assistant, connected workflows with Autodesk Docs and improved visualisation controls.
- Vendor
- Autodesk
- Current version
- ReCap Pro 2027 · 2026
- First release
- 2013
- Official site
- autodesk.com/products/recap/overview
- Platforms
- Windows
- Deployment
- desktopcloud
- Pricing model
- Subscription
- Native formats
- .rcp.rcs.rcm
- Exchange formats
- E57PTSPTXLASLAZFLSZFSPLYOBJFBX
- IFC
- import: No · export: No
- openBIM notes
- ReCap is a point-cloud indexer, not a BIM authoring tool; it has no IFC support. Its RCP/RCS output is the format Revit, AutoCAD, Civil 3D and Navisworks link natively, and E57 is the vendor-neutral route in and out.
- Automation & APIs
- Autodesk Platform Services Reality Capture API (photogrammetry)Command-line indexing via ReCap decap tools
- Learning curve
- Low — Import, register, clean and export can be learned in a day; it is the downstream Revit modelling that takes time.
- Typical users
- BIM modellersSurveyorsArchitectsBIM coordinators
Key features
- Import and register scans from most scanner brands via E57 and native formats
- Index to RCS/RCP for native linking in Revit, AutoCAD, Civil 3D and Navisworks
- Cloud photogrammetry (ReCap Photo) producing RCM, OBJ and FBX meshes
- Cleaning, cropping, region and scan-state tools
- Measurement, annotation and RealView panoramic navigation
- Export to E57 and PTS for non-Autodesk tools
Strengths
- Included in the AEC Collection, so most Autodesk shops already have it
- RCP/RCS is the fastest-loading point-cloud format inside Revit and Navisworks
- Handles very large multi-scan projects with streaming display
Limitations
- Registration tools are basic compared with Cyclone, SCENE or RealWorks
- No feature extraction or automated scan-to-BIM modelling
- Windows only; no IFC or mesh-to-BIM capability
Best for: Any team whose downstream tools are Autodesk products and who need a reliable, inexpensive way to get scans into Revit or Navisworks.
Market notes: De facto standard for point-cloud delivery to Revit users because RCP is the only format Revit links directly; scanning firms routinely deliver RCP alongside E57.
Official training & certification
- Autodesk Learn: Managing point cloud data in ReCap · course
- AEC Tech Drop: What's new in ReCap Pro 2027 · documentation
Sources: autodesk.com/blogs/aec/2026/07/30/whats-new-in-recap-pro-2027 · autodesk.com/products/recap/overview · cadinterop.com/en/formats/cloud-point/rcs-rcp.html · Last verified 2026-09-15
Leica Cyclone (REGISTER 360 PLUS, 3DR, FIELD 360)
Leica GeosystemsLeica scan-processing family: field pre-registration, office registration, 3DR meshing and inspection.Reality Capture, Point Clouds & Scan-to-BIMMixedWindowsiOSAndroidIFC ⇄
Cyclone is not one program but a family. Cyclone FIELD 360 runs on iOS/Android tablets and pre-registers RTC360, BLK360, BLK2GO and P-series scans on site, with GeoTags and in-field E57/DXF/IFC export. Cyclone REGISTER 360 PLUS is the office registration tool (target and cloud-to-cloud, with a BLK Edition for BLK sensors) that publishes LGS/LGSx, E57 and RCP. Cyclone 3DR handles meshing, texturing, AI point-cloud classification, inspection and BIM export, with PRO packaging for AEC, Survey and Plant. The related Leica CloudWorx plug-ins bring the registered cloud into Revit, AutoCAD, Navisworks and BricsCAD for modelling.
- Vendor
- Leica Geosystems (Hexagon)
- Current version
- Cyclone REGISTER 360 PLUS 2026.1 · 2026
- Platforms
- WindowsiOSAndroid
- Deployment
- desktopmobilecloud
- Pricing model
- Mixed
- Free tier
- Cyclone 3DR Free Viewer; basic Cyclone FIELD 360 workflows are included with compatible Leica scanners (Pro tier is paid)
- Native formats
- .lgs.lgsx.imp.3dr
- Exchange formats
- E57PTSPTXRCPLASDXFIFCRVTFBXBCFSEMA
- IFC
- import: Yes · export: Yes
- openBIM notes
- Cyclone 3DR reads and writes IFC, RVT, FBX and BCF for inspection deliverables; FIELD 360 can export E57, DXF and IFC from the tablet. Registration outputs are usually delivered as LGS/LGSx or E57.
- Automation & APIs
- Cyclone 3DR JavaScript scripting with a public GitHub script libraryLGSx as a portable, self-contained project format
- Learning curve
- Medium — REGISTER 360 PLUS is guided and quick; 3DR inspection and scripting take considerably longer to master.
- Typical users
- SurveyorsScanning service providersBIM modellersPlant engineers
Key features
- In-field pre-registration and GeoTags with Cyclone FIELD 360 on tablets
- Automated target and cloud-to-cloud registration with QA reports in REGISTER 360 PLUS
- Publishing to LGS/LGSx for CloudWorx, TruView and GeoCloud
- Meshing, texturing and AI classification in Cyclone 3DR
- Inspection and deviation analysis with IFC, RVT, FBX and BCF output
- JavaScript scripting in 3DR for repeatable workflows
Strengths
- Tight integration with Leica hardware and field workflows
- Registration quality reporting suitable for survey QA
- 3DR covers meshing, classification and inspection in one tool
Limitations
- Several separate products and licences to learn and maintain
- Full scan-to-BIM modelling still happens in Revit via CloudWorx or other plug-ins
- Windows-only office tools; licensing terms vary by region and reseller
Best for: Owners of Leica RTC360, BLK360 or P-series scanners who want an end-to-end registration and deliverable pipeline from the same vendor.
Market notes: Very common in surveying and scan-to-BIM service firms in Europe and North America because of the installed base of Leica scanners.
Official training & certification
- RCDOCS: Cyclone REGISTER 360 PLUS documentation and release notes · documentation
- Leica Cyclone product family page · documentation
Sources: rcdocs.leica-geosystems.com/cyclone-register-360/latest/2026-0-0-cyclone-register-360-plus-release-notes · rcdocs.leica-geosystems.com/cyclone-register-360/latest/2026-1-1-cyclone-register-360-plus-release-notes · leica-geosystems.com/products/laser-scanners/software/leica-cyclone · leica-geosystems.com/products/laser-scanners/software/leica-cyclone/leica-cyclone-3dr · leica-geosystems.com/products/laser-scanners/software/leica-cyclone/leica-cyclone-field-360 · leica-geosystems.com/products/laser-scanners/software/leica-cloudworx · Last verified 2026-09-15
FARO SCENE
FARO TechnologiesFARO registration and processing software for Focus, Orbis and Freestyle scans, linked to Sphere XG.Reality Capture, Point Clouds & Scan-to-BIMSubscriptionWindows
SCENE is the companion software for FARO Focus terrestrial scanners, the Orbis mobile scanner and Freestyle handhelds, and it also imports third-party scans. It provides interactive, automatic and hybrid registration (targets, cloud-to-cloud and survey control), colourisation from HDR photos, filtering and colour balancing, and 2D/3D/VR viewing. Projects are organised hierarchically with history so registrations can be revisited. Processed clouds are exported to E57, RCP, PTS and other formats, or published to FARO Sphere XG for web collaboration. Version 2026.1 was released on 8 May 2026.
- Vendor
- FARO Technologies (AMETEK)
- Current version
- SCENE 2026.1 · 2026
- Official site
- faro.com/en/Products/Software/SCENE-Software
- Platforms
- Windows
- Deployment
- desktopcloud
- Pricing model
- Subscription
- Free tier
- SCENE 2go viewer for sharing projects with clients
- Native formats
- .fls.lsproj.fws
- Exchange formats
- E57PTSPTXXYZRCPLASDXFOBJVRML
- IFC
- import: No · export: No
- openBIM notes
- SCENE is a registration and processing tool without IFC. Deliverables go to BIM tools via E57 or RCP, or via FARO As-Built for Revit for direct modelling.
- Automation & APIs
- SCENE API and app framework (.NET)Batch processing of registration and export
- Learning curve
- Medium — The guided registration is easy; understanding registration reports and fixing bad links takes practice.
- Typical users
- SurveyorsScanning service providersForensic investigatorsBIM modellers
Key features
- Hybrid registration combining targets, cloud-to-cloud and survey control
- Automatic marker and natural-feature detection
- HDR colourisation and colour balancing
- Hierarchical project structure with history
- Export to E57, RCP, PTS and mesh formats
- Direct publishing to Sphere XG and SCENE 2go
Strengths
- Best-in-class support for FARO hardware and hybrid mobile/static registration
- Mature registration reporting and project management
- Straightforward path to Revit via As-Built or RCP
Limitations
- Windows only and subscription-based since FARO's licensing change
- Modelling requires separate As-Built or third-party tools
- Very large mobile datasets can be slow to process on modest workstations
Best for: Owners of FARO Focus or Orbis scanners who need a controlled registration workflow before scan-to-BIM.
Market notes: Widely used in construction verification and forensics; FARO scanners are common in general contractors' in-house scanning teams.
Official training & certification
- FARO Knowledge Base: SCENE · documentation
Sources: faro.com/en/Products/Software/SCENE-Software · knowledge.faro.com/Software/FARO_SCENE/SCENE · faro.com/en/Products/Software/As-BuiltTM-Software · Last verified 2026-09-15
FARO Sphere XG (formerly HoloBuilder)
FARO TechnologiesFARO cloud platform hosting point clouds, 360° site photos and BIM models with Time Travel comparison.Reality Capture, Point Clouds & Scan-to-BIMSubscriptionWebiOSAndroid
Sphere XG is FARO's cloud digital-reality platform and the current home of the HoloBuilder 360° documentation product, which FARO acquired and has rebranded as FARO Sphere XG (formerly HoloBuilder). It stores point clouds from SCENE, 360° photos captured with the FARO Stream app or 360° cameras, and design models, all aligned on floor plans. Teams use it to walk a site remotely, compare capture dates (Time Travel for 4D project management), overlay BIM against reality and share views with stakeholders without desktop software. It holds a SOC 2 Type 2 attestation.
- Vendor
- FARO Technologies (AMETEK)
- Official site
- faro.com/en/Products/FARO-Sphere-XG
- Platforms
- WebiOSAndroid
- Deployment
- cloudwebmobile
- Pricing model
- Subscription
- Free tier
- Free trial offered on the vendor page
- Exchange formats
- E57RCP360° JPEG imageryBIM models for overlay
- IFC
- import: Not verified · export: No
- openBIM notes
- Sphere XG is a viewing and collaboration hub, not an authoring tool. It overlays design models on point clouds and 360° photos; IFC handling was not confirmed on the vendor page.
- Automation & APIs
- FARO Stream mobile app for capture and pre-registrationWeb-based sharing links and project permissions
- Learning curve
- Low — Browser navigation and 360° capture are simple; administration of large multi-site programmes takes more setup.
- Typical users
- General contractorsOwners' representativesProject managersScanning service providers
Key features
- Cloud hosting and streaming of point clouds and 360° photos
- Floor-plan alignment and BIM model overlay
- Time Travel comparison across capture dates
- FARO Stream app for capture and scan pre-registration
- Single sign-on across FARO applications
- SOC 2 Type 2 security attestation
Strengths
- Combines 360° photos, scans and models in one platform
- Low barrier for non-technical stakeholders
- Direct pipeline from SCENE and FARO hardware
Limitations
- Pricing tiers are not public
- Less useful without FARO capture devices or SCENE
- Overlay and measurement are review functions, not modelling
Best for: Contractors already using FARO scanners who want progress documentation and reality-vs-model review in a browser.
Market notes: HoloBuilder had a large US general-contractor user base for 360° progress capture; that base now sits on Sphere XG.
Official training & certification
- FARO Sphere XG product page · documentation
- HoloBuilder / Sphere XG site · documentation
Sources: faro.com/en/Products/FARO-Sphere-XG · holobuilder.com · faro.gcs-web.com/news-releases/news-release-details/faro-releases-next-generation-cloud-platform-sphere-xg · Last verified 2026-09-15
FARO As-Built (for Autodesk Revit / AutoCAD, As-Built Modeler)
FARO TechnologiesFARO scan-to-BIM add-ins for Revit and AutoCAD that fit walls, pipes, ducts and structure to clouds.Reality Capture, Point Clouds & Scan-to-BIMSubscriptionWindows
The As-Built Software Suite bundles As-Built Modeler (a standalone tool for measuring and extracting CAD geometry from unlimited-size clouds), As-Built for AutoCAD and As-Built for Autodesk Revit. The Revit add-in provides commands for fitting walls, beams, columns, pipes and ducts to scan data, creating levels and ortho images from the cloud, and running surface analysis and clash checks between the model and the scan. The current release supports Revit 2023 to 2026 and is sold on subscription. It is used by scan-to-BIM modellers who want faster, more accurate modelling than manual tracing.
- Vendor
- FARO Technologies (AMETEK)
- Current version
- As-Built for Autodesk Revit 2025 (supports Revit 2023–2026) · 2025
- Official site
- faro.com/en/Products/Software/As-BuiltTM-Software
- Platforms
- Windows
- Deployment
- desktop
- Pricing model
- Subscription
- Exchange formats
- RCPE57FLSDXFSTEPIGESRVTDWG
- IFC
- import: No · export: No
- openBIM notes
- As-Built works inside Revit and AutoCAD, so IFC comes from the host application's exporter rather than from As-Built itself. As-Built Modeler exports CAD geometry as DXF, STEP and IGES.
- Automation & APIs
- SendToRevit link between As-Built Modeler and RevitWorks with the Revit API ecosystem of the host application
- Learning curve
- Medium — Users who already know Revit families can be productive within a week; understanding tolerance settings takes longer.
- Typical users
- Scan-to-BIM modellersMEP engineersArchitectsFacility managers
Key features
- Wall, column, beam, pipe and duct fitting to point clouds inside Revit
- Ortho image generation from scans for tracing plans and elevations
- Surface deviation analysis and clash detection between model and cloud
- As-Built Modeler for CAD extraction with DXF/STEP/IGES export
- SendToRevit for external scan views
- Floor, elevation and facade plan generation in AutoCAD
Strengths
- Native Revit objects, so output needs no conversion
- Strong MEP piping and duct workflows
- Supports current Revit releases quickly after they ship
Limitations
- Subscription-only
- Limited automation compared with EdgeWise's batch extraction
- Tied to Autodesk hosts; no ArchiCAD or Vectorworks variant
Best for: Firms modelling as-built MEP and structure in Revit from FARO or third-party scans who want vendor-supported fitting tools.
Market notes: Popular with MEP retrofit contractors and scanning firms delivering LOD 300 as-built models; often paired with FARO Focus scanners but not limited to them.
Official training & certification
- FARO Knowledge Base: As-Built for Autodesk Revit release notes · documentation
- FARO video: As-Built for Autodesk Revit · video
Sources: knowledge.faro.com/Software/As-Built/As-Built_for_Autodesk_Revit/Release_Notes_for_As-Built_for_Autodesk_Revit · faro.com/en/Products/Software/As-BuiltTM-Software · Last verified 2026-09-15
Trimble RealWorks
TrimbleTrimble scan registration, classification and modelling software for X7, X9 and third-party scanners.Reality Capture, Point Clouds & Scan-to-BIMSubscriptionWindowsIFC ⇨
RealWorks registers, cleans, classifies and models point clouds from Trimble X7/X9 and other scanners. It is sold in Starter, Core, Performance and Storage Tank editions on monthly or yearly subscription. Core adds automatic registration and object classification; Performance adds shape fitting and plant modelling. The 2026.10 release introduced X7/X9 noise reduction and one-step registration refinement; 2026.11 (April 2026) added imagery in unstructured E57 exports and IFC export fixes. Surveyors and plant engineers use it as the office counterpart to Trimble field scanning.
- Vendor
- Trimble
- Current version
- RealWorks 2026.11 · 2026
- Platforms
- Windows
- Deployment
- desktop
- Pricing model
- Subscription
- Native formats
- .rwp.rwi.tzf
- Exchange formats
- E57LASPTSPTXFLSRCPDXFDWGIFCTRCPS
- IFC
- import: Not verified · export: Yes
- openBIM notes
- RealWorks exports IFC for modelled geometry and unstructured E57 with equirectangular imagery (2026.11) for ReCap 2025.1 and later. Publishing to Trimble Connect and TRCPS is the Trimble-native route.
- Automation & APIs
- Batch registration and classification workflowsPublishing to Trimble Connect for web viewing
- Learning curve
- Medium — Registration is guided; classification and plant modelling require more time and a survey background helps.
- Typical users
- SurveyorsPlant engineersScanning service providersBIM modellers
Key features
- Automatic target and target-less registration with refinement
- Point cloud classification and cleaning
- Surface creation, volume calculation and orthophoto generation
- Shape fitting and plant modelling (Performance edition)
- Storage tank inspection and calibration reports
- Export to E57, LAS, RCP, DXF and IFC and publishing to Trimble Connect
Strengths
- Strong survey-grade registration and reporting
- Tank and plant editions cover industrial niches
- Trimble Connect publishing reaches non-technical reviewers
Limitations
- Windows only, subscription only
- FARO Premium scanners are unsupported due to API limitations
- Building scan-to-BIM still needs Revit or another modeller
Best for: Trimble X7/X9 owners and survey firms that deliver registered clouds, surfaces and plant models.
Market notes: Common in survey and geospatial firms using Trimble instruments; Trimble Business Center also handles scan registration for survey-centric workflows.
Official training & certification
- Trimble RealWorks release notes and help · documentation
Sources: help.fieldsystems.trimble.com/realworks/2026.11.htm · help.fieldsystems.trimble.com/realworks/2026.10.htm · geospatial.trimble.com/en/products/software/trimble-realworks · geospatial.trimble.com/en/products/software/trimble-business-center · Last verified 2026-09-15
CloudCompare
CloudCompare open-source projectFree, open-source point cloud and mesh processing with strong comparison, cleaning and subsampling.Reality Capture, Point Clouds & Scan-to-BIMOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux
CloudCompare is a GPL-licensed 3D point cloud and mesh processing application that runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. It began as a tool for comparing dense clouds (hence the name) and now covers registration (ICP), segmentation, subsampling, noise filtering, cloud-to-cloud and cloud-to-mesh distance, and meshing via plugins. The latest stable release is 2.13.2 (2024) with 2.14 in beta since August 2026. It is a standard utility in scan-to-BIM firms for cleaning and converting data between formats before it enters ReCap or Revit.
- Vendor
- CloudCompare open-source project
- Current version
- 2.13.2 Kharkiv (stable); 2.14 beta (August 2026) · 2024
- Official site
- cloudcompare.org
- Platforms
- WindowsmacOSLinux
- Deployment
- desktop
- Pricing model
- Open source
- Free tier
- Entire application is free under the GPL
- Native formats
- .bin
- Exchange formats
- E57LASLAZPLYOBJSTLPTXPCDXYZASCIIDXFFBXSHP
- IFC
- import: No · export: No
- openBIM notes
- No IFC. CloudCompare is used for cleaning, subsampling, cloud-to-cloud and cloud-to-mesh comparison; results go to BIM tools via E57 or LAS.
- Automation & APIs
- C++ plugin SDKCommand-line mode for batch processingCloudComPy Python bindings (community)
- Learning curve
- Medium — Basic viewing and conversion are quick; the many algorithms and parameters take time to understand.
- Typical users
- SurveyorsResearchersBIM modellersHeritage documentation specialists
Key features
- Cloud-to-cloud and cloud-to-mesh distance computation
- ICP registration and manual alignment
- Subsampling, noise and statistical outlier removal
- Segmentation, cross-sections and scalar-field analysis
- Wide format support including E57, LAS/LAZ, PLY and PTX
- Plugin and command-line automation
Strengths
- Free and cross-platform
- Excellent deviation analysis
- Handles very large clouds with modest hardware
Limitations
- No guided multi-scan registration project workflow
- Interface is technical and unpolished
- No RCP export; Autodesk users still need ReCap
Best for: Anyone who needs a free tool to inspect, clean, compare or convert point clouds before or after the commercial pipeline.
Market notes: Ubiquitous in academia and survey firms; frequently the first tool students meet for point-cloud analysis.
Official training & certification
- CloudCompare downloads and release page · documentation
Sources: cloudcompare.org/release · docs.csc.fi/apps/cloudcompare · sourceforge.net/projects/cloudcompare.mirror · Last verified 2026-09-15
Matterport
MatterportDigital-twin platform turning Pro3, 360° camera or phone captures into 3D spaces and BIM-ready exports.Reality Capture, Point Clouds & Scan-to-BIMFreemiumWebiOSAndroid
Matterport, now owned by CoStar Group, captures spaces with its Pro3 lidar camera, supported 360° cameras or a smartphone, processes them in the cloud and publishes navigable 3D tours with measurement and annotation. For AEC users the value is in the add-ons: MatterPak (OBJ mesh, XYZ point cloud), E57 point cloud files, schematic floor plans and the BIM File service that returns Revit and CAD deliverables. Plans run from Free to Enterprise, with CAD/BIM/E57 files purchasable on Professional and higher, and Autodesk Forma integration on Business and above. Accuracy is lower than survey-grade terrestrial scanners, so it suits existing-conditions documentation, facilities and early design rather than tolerance checks.
- Vendor
- Matterport (CoStar Group)
- Official site
- matterport.com
- Platforms
- WebiOSAndroid
- Deployment
- cloudwebmobile
- Pricing model
- Freemium
- Free tier
- Free plan (Free Forever, no credit card) plus Starter, Professional, Business and Enterprise subscriptions
- Exchange formats
- E57OBJXYZRVTDWGPDF
- IFC
- import: No · export: Not verified
- openBIM notes
- Matterport delivers point clouds (E57) and meshes (MatterPak) as paid add-ons and offers a BIM File service producing Revit/CAD deliverables; IFC availability was not confirmed on the pricing page.
- Automation & APIs
- Matterport SDK for embedded viewersMatterport API for data accessAutodesk Forma integration (Business plan and above)
- Learning curve
- Low — Capture and publishing take an afternoon to learn; the BIM-side work is done by others in Revit.
- Typical users
- ArchitectsFacility managersReal-estate teamsContractors
Key features
- Capture with Pro3 lidar, 360° cameras or smartphones
- Cloud processing to navigable 3D digital twins
- E57 point cloud and MatterPak mesh exports (paid)
- BIM File service delivering Revit and CAD models
- Schematic floor plans and TruePlan files
- Integrations with Autodesk Forma, Procore and AWS
Strengths
- Very fast capture and near-zero training
- Free tier and low entry cost
- Shareable tours that non-technical stakeholders understand
Limitations
- Accuracy well below terrestrial laser scanners
- Point cloud and BIM exports are paid add-ons
- Cloud-only processing and CoStar-controlled data hosting
Best for: Fast, low-cost existing-conditions capture of interiors where survey-grade accuracy is not required.
Market notes: Dominant in real-estate 3D tours; increasingly used by architects for quick existing-conditions capture and by facility managers for digital twins.
Official training & certification
- Matterport pricing and plans · documentation
Sources: matterport.com · matterport.com/plans · Last verified 2026-09-15
PointCab Origins (with 4Revit, 4Archicad and other plug-ins)
PointCab GmbHFast 2D-first point cloud processing: plans, sections and ortho images for Revit, Archicad and CAD.Reality Capture, Point Clouds & Scan-to-BIMMixedWindowsmacOS
PointCab Origins, from the German company PointCab GmbH (founded 2013), takes registered scans in E57, LAS, PTS, RCP, FLS or ZFS and converts them into compressed layouts, sections, ortho images and measurements with a few clicks. Its 4Revit, 4Archicad, 4AutoCAD, 4Brics, 4Vectorworks and 4ZWCAD plug-ins push those results and model elements directly into the authoring tool, and PointCab Nebula shares projects in the browser. It runs on Windows and macOS and is popular with architects who want a lightweight scan-to-drawing workflow rather than a full 3D modelling suite.
- Vendor
- PointCab GmbH
- Current version
- Origins 4.x
- Official site
- pointcab-software.com/en
- Platforms
- WindowsmacOS
- Deployment
- desktopcloud
- Pricing model
- Mixed
- Free tier
- Trial version available
- Native formats
- .pcab
- Exchange formats
- E57LASPTSRCPFLSZFSDXFDWGTIFF
- IFC
- import: No · export: No
- openBIM notes
- PointCab produces 2D sections, layouts and ortho images from clouds and hands them to CAD/BIM via plug-ins (4Revit, 4Archicad, 4AutoCAD, 4Brics, 4Vectorworks, 4ZWCAD); IFC is produced by the host BIM tool.
- Automation & APIs
- Plug-ins for Revit, Archicad, AutoCAD, BricsCAD, Vectorworks and ZWCADPointCab Nebula cloud sharing
- Learning curve
- Low — Most users produce their first ortho images and sections within hours.
- Typical users
- ArchitectsSurveyorsHeritage specialistsSmall BIM teams
Key features
- Automatic floor plans, sections and ortho images from point clouds
- Strong data compression compared with E57/LAS
- Plug-ins for Revit, Archicad, AutoCAD, BricsCAD, Vectorworks and ZWCAD
- Volume, deformation and delta analysis
- Nebula cloud sharing with password protection
- Windows and macOS support
Strengths
- Very fast to learn and use
- One of the few scan tools with a native Archicad plug-in
- macOS support
Limitations
- Not a registration tool; scans must arrive registered
- 3D element extraction is limited compared with EdgeWise or As-Built
- Licence model details are not stated on the public product pages
Best for: Architects and surveyors who mainly need accurate 2D deliverables and quick model references from scans, including Archicad users.
Market notes: Well established in the German-speaking market and among Archicad-centric architecture practices in Europe.
Official training & certification
- PointCab Origins product page · documentation
Sources: pointcab-software.com/en · pointcab-software.com/en/products/pointcab-origins · Last verified 2026-09-15
ClearEdge3D EdgeWise & Verity
ClearEdge3DAutomated feature extraction (EdgeWise) and installed-work verification (Verity) for Revit and Navisworks.Reality Capture, Point Clouds & Scan-to-BIMSubscriptionWindows
ClearEdge3D sells two complementary products. EdgeWise automatically extracts pipes, ducts, conduit, cable tray, walls and structural members from point clouds and pushes them into Revit as native families, or to Plant 3D and AVEVA E3D; it comes in a Lite edition (semi-automated fit-to-spec) and Pro (fully automated extraction). Verity compares as-built point clouds against Revit or Navisworks models, colour-codes elements as in tolerance, out of tolerance or not installed, and generates HTML/PDF reports and Revit sheets. Together they cover the two ends of the scan-to-BIM problem: building the model and checking the built work.
- Vendor
- ClearEdge3D
- Official site
- clearedge3d.com
- Platforms
- Windows
- Deployment
- desktop
- Pricing model
- Subscription — EdgeWise Lite is listed at USD 1,995 per year on the vendor site; EdgeWise Pro and Verity are quote-based.
- Exchange formats
- E57RCPRCSPTSPTXXYZTZFFLSPTGZFSRGPSTEPCOEDXF
- IFC
- import: No · export: No
- openBIM notes
- EdgeWise exports native Revit families through its Revit plug-in and STEP/COE/DXF for plant tools; Verity reports live inside Revit and Navisworks. IFC is produced by the host application.
- Automation & APIs
- Automated pipe, wall and pattern-based structure extraction (Pro)Revit import plug-inPlant 3D and AVEVA E3D Design integrations
- Learning curve
- High — The tools reward users who understand piping specs, Revit families and tolerances; expect several weeks to reach reliable output.
- Typical users
- MEP contractorsScan-to-BIM service providersVDC managersPlant engineers
Key features
- Automated pipe and structure extraction with catalog-spec fitting
- Wall extraction and Revit family export
- Broad structured and unstructured scan import (TZF, FLS, PTG, ZFS, RCP, E57, PTS)
- Verity deviation analysis inside Revit and Navisworks
- Installed / not installed / out-of-tolerance reporting
- Automatic true as-built geometry for deviating elements
Strengths
- Fastest automated MEP extraction on the market
- Verity is the reference tool for installation verification
- Handles scanner-native structured formats directly
Limitations
- Pro and Verity pricing only on request
- Windows and Autodesk-centric
- Automated results still need review and clean-up
Best for: High-volume MEP and plant as-built modelling and construction QA/QC where automation pays for itself.
Market notes: Verity is widely used by US general contractors for MEP and structural installation QA; EdgeWise is common among scan-to-BIM outsourcing firms.
Official training & certification
- ClearEdge3D EdgeWise · documentation
- ClearEdge3D Verity · documentation
Sources: clearedge3d.com · clearedge3d.com/edgewise · clearedge3d.com/verity · Last verified 2026-09-15
Undet (for Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, ARES Commander; Undet Browser)
Undet (UAB Terra Modus)Point-cloud plug-ins for Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp and ARES Commander, plus a standalone browser.Reality Capture, Point Clouds & Scan-to-BIMSubscriptionWindows
Undet is a set of plug-ins that display, slice, colour and model from indexed point clouds directly inside Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp and ARES Commander, plus Undet Browser for standalone viewing. Its Indexer imports common scan formats and, as of the 26.3 release (August 2026), handheld Xgrids data with panoramas. Tools include clipping boxes, plane and section views, surface analysis, and semi-automatic placement of walls, columns, pipes and floors. It is sold on subscription through an online store and resellers, and the vendor also offers scan-to-BIM services.
- Vendor
- Undet (UAB Terra Modus)
- Current version
- Undet 26.3 · 2026
- Official site
- undet.com
- Platforms
- Windows
- Deployment
- desktop
- Pricing model
- Subscription
- Native formats
- .upc
- Exchange formats
- E57LASPTSRCPPLYXgrids
- IFC
- import: No · export: No
- openBIM notes
- Undet works inside Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp and ARES Commander; IFC export comes from the host. The Undet Indexer converts scanner data, including Xgrids handheld output with panoramas, into its own indexed format.
- Automation & APIs
- Undet Indexer for batch conversionVendor-provided Dynamo scripting services for Revit
- Learning curve
- Low — Users who know the host application pick up the plug-in in a few days.
- Typical users
- BIM modellersArchitectsSketchUp usersSurveyors
Key features
- Point cloud display and slicing inside Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp and ARES Commander
- Indexer for E57, LAS, PTS, RCP and Xgrids data
- Colouring by elevation, intensity and deviation
- Semi-automatic wall, column, pipe and floor modelling
- Surface flatness and deviation analysis
- Undet Browser for free-standing viewing and measurement
Strengths
- One of the few serious point-cloud plug-ins for SketchUp
- Affordable subscription
- Frequent releases tracking new Revit versions
Limitations
- Windows only
- Automation is lighter than EdgeWise or As-Built
- Smaller vendor and community
Best for: Firms that model in SketchUp or want an affordable Revit point-cloud toolset with its own viewer.
Market notes: Popular in Central and Eastern Europe and among SketchUp-based practices worldwide.
Official training & certification
- Undet product site and blog · documentation
Sources: undet.com · Last verified 2026-09-15
Cintoo
CintooCloud platform converting scans into streamable TurboMesh surfaces for scan-vs-BIM review, unlimited users.Reality Capture, Point Clouds & Scan-to-BIMSubscriptionWebIFC ⇦
Cintoo is a scanner-agnostic cloud platform that uploads terrestrial laser scans (Trimble, Leica, FARO, Z+F and others), converts them with its TurboMesh technology into lightweight meshes, and streams them to the browser with unlimited users on a subscription. It is offered in BIM, Twin and 360 editions: BIM for scan-to-BIM and as-built-based design, Twin for connecting CAD/BIM and enterprise data, and 360 for integrating 360° video. Users overlay BIM models on scans, tag and compare, and pull data back into Revit or Navisworks. It is used by large engineering firms and contractors including Stantec, Arup and Hensel Phelps.
- Vendor
- Cintoo
- Official site
- cintoo.com
- Platforms
- Web
- Deployment
- cloudweb
- Pricing model
- Subscription
- Exchange formats
- E57RCPLASPTSFLSTZFIFCRVTNWD
- IFC
- import: Yes · export: No
- openBIM notes
- Cintoo streams scan data as meshes and aligns BIM models (including IFC) on top for comparison; it can regenerate point clouds for download into desktop tools.
- Automation & APIs
- Open SDKs and APIs for BIM, GIS and digital-twin integrationPlug-ins and connectors for Autodesk tools and construction platforms
- Learning curve
- Low — Viewing and comparing are intuitive; upload, alignment and model management need a trained administrator.
- Typical users
- VDC managersOwners and operatorsEngineering consultanciesScanning service providers
Key features
- TurboMesh conversion of point clouds to streamable meshes
- Unlimited users and web access on subscription
- BIM model overlay and scan-vs-model comparison
- Scanner-agnostic import (Trimble, Leica, FARO, Z+F)
- BIM, Twin and 360 editions
- Open SDK and API for integrations
Strengths
- Handles massive datasets in the browser
- Unlimited-user model removes seat counting
- Strong Autodesk-ecosystem connectivity
Limitations
- Cloud only; no offline desktop processing
- Mesh representation differs from raw points for some survey checks
- Pricing not public
Best for: Organisations that need to share very large scan datasets with many stakeholders and compare them against BIM without desktop licences for everyone.
Market notes: Adopted by large AEC firms and industrial owners; the vendor cites more than 110,000 professionals using the platform.
Official training & certification
- Cintoo product site · documentation
Sources: cintoo.com · Last verified 2026-09-15
Agisoft Metashape
AgisoftCross-platform photogrammetry turning drone or handheld photos into point clouds, meshes and orthomosaics.Reality Capture, Point Clouds & Scan-to-BIMPerpetual licenceWindowsmacOSLinux
Agisoft Metashape (formerly PhotoScan, first released in 2010 by the St Petersburg company founded in 2006) performs photogrammetric processing of digital images to produce dense point clouds, textured meshes, DEMs and orthomosaics. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, is sold as a perpetual licence in Standard and Professional editions, and the Professional edition adds georeferencing, ground control, Python scripting and network processing. In AEC it is used for drone surveys of sites and facades, heritage documentation and volume measurement; outputs go to BIM via LAS/E57 or OBJ/FBX.
- Vendor
- Agisoft
- Current version
- Metashape 2.3.2 · 2026
- First release
- 2010
- Official site
- agisoft.com
- Platforms
- WindowsmacOSLinux
- Deployment
- desktop
- Pricing model
- Perpetual licence — Vendor store lists node-locked licences at USD 179 (Standard) and USD 3,499 (Professional); floating licences via resellers; educational pricing available.
- Free tier
- 30-day trial; free upgrade from PhotoScan for licensed users
- Native formats
- .psx.psz
- Exchange formats
- LASLAZE57PLYOBJFBXSTLDXFGeoTIFFKMZCesium 3D Tiles
- IFC
- import: No · export: No
- openBIM notes
- Photogrammetry tool with no IFC. Its dense clouds and meshes reach BIM through LAS/E57 (via ReCap for Revit) or OBJ/FBX.
- Automation & APIs
- Python 3 scripting module (Professional)Java libraryNetwork and cloud processing
- Learning curve
- Medium — The default workflow is linear and quick; achieving survey accuracy with GCPs and camera calibration takes experience.
- Typical users
- SurveyorsDrone operatorsHeritage specialistsSite engineers
Key features
- Photo alignment, dense cloud and mesh generation
- Ground control points and survey-grade georeferencing (Pro)
- Orthomosaic and DEM production
- Laser-scan and photo fusion in 2.x releases
- Python scripting and network processing
- Export to LAS, LAZ, E57, OBJ, FBX and GeoTIFF
Strengths
- Perpetual licence with low entry price
- Runs on all three desktop platforms and offline
- Mature scripting for batch pipelines
Limitations
- No direct RCP output; Autodesk users still index via ReCap
- Processing is hardware-hungry
- Standard edition lacks georeferencing and scripting
Best for: Teams that want an affordable, offline, scriptable photogrammetry engine for drone and facade capture.
Market notes: One of the most widely used photogrammetry packages in surveying, archaeology and drone mapping worldwide.
Official training & certification
- Agisoft downloads (installers and manuals) · documentation
- Agisoft online store (licence types) · documentation
Sources: agisoft.com · agisoft.com/downloads/installer · agisoft.com/buy/online-store · agisoft.com/about · Last verified 2026-09-15
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Training guidelines & learning paths
A four-stage path per category, with skills, exercises, free resources and the official vendor certifications worth pursuing.
📡 Reality Capture and Scan-to-BIM Specialist
Estimated hours: 130For BIM modellers, surveyors and coordinators who need to take laser scans and photogrammetry from raw capture to verified as-built models. By the end, learners can plan a capture, register and clean point clouds, deliver them in the right formats, model existing conditions in Revit with scan-to-BIM plug-ins, and run deviation checks and automated pipelines across vendor ecosystems.BIM ModelerBIM CoordinatorSurvey TechnicianVDC Engineer
Prerequisites: Working knowledge of Revit or another BIM authoring tool · Basic understanding of coordinate systems and levels · A Windows workstation with a dedicated GPU and SSD
Foundation
20 h- Explain what a point cloud is and how laser scanning and photogrammetry differ
- Identify E57, RCP/RCS, LAS/LAZ, LGS/LGSx, FLS and TZF and know which tools read them
- Open, navigate and measure a point cloud in CloudCompare and ReCap
- Describe the capture-register-index-model-verify chain and which software covers each step
- Recognise the main hardware families (terrestrial, mobile, handheld, drone) and their accuracy classes
Software focus: CloudCompare, Autodesk ReCap Pro, Matterport
Practice exercises- Download a sample E57, open it in CloudCompare, subsample it and export LAS
- Index the same E57 in ReCap Pro, save an RCP and link it into a blank Revit project
- Capture a room with a phone or Matterport and compare its accuracy with a tape measure
Outcome: The learner can open, inspect and convert point clouds and explain the scan-to-BIM workflow to a client.
Practitioner
40 h- Register a multi-station scan project with targets and cloud-to-cloud in Cyclone REGISTER 360 PLUS, FARO SCENE or Trimble RealWorks and read the registration report
- Clean, crop and split clouds into zones for modelling
- Model walls, floors, columns, pipes and ducts from a cloud in Revit using As-Built, Undet or EdgeWise
- Produce floor plans, sections and ortho images with PointCab Origins
- Publish clouds to a cloud platform such as Sphere XG, IVION or Cintoo for stakeholder review
Software focus: Leica Cyclone (REGISTER 360 PLUS, 3DR, FIELD 360), FARO SCENE, Trimble RealWorks, FARO As-Built (for Autodesk Revit / AutoCAD, As-Built Modeler), Undet (for Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, ARES Commander; Undet Browser), PointCab Origins (with 4Revit, 4Archicad and other plug-ins)
Practice exercises- Register a 10-scan sample dataset and achieve a documented overlap and error result
- Model an existing floor of a small building to LOD 300 from the registered cloud
- Generate a set of ortho images and sections in PointCab and use them to draw an elevation
- Upload the cloud to a trial cloud platform and share a measured, annotated view
Outcome: The learner can deliver a registered cloud and an LOD 300 existing-conditions Revit model from raw scans.
Professional
40 h- Write scan and modelling specifications with accuracy, tolerance and LOD requirements referencing USIBD LOA and ISO 19650
- Combine terrestrial, mobile-mapping and drone data on one control network
- Run deviation and installation checks with Verity, Cyclone 3DR or CloudCompare and report results
- Troubleshoot drift, misregistration and coordinate problems between scan, Revit and Navisworks
- Manage point cloud performance in Revit and in the CDE
Software focus: ClearEdge3D EdgeWise & Verity, Leica Cyclone (REGISTER 360 PLUS, 3DR, FIELD 360), CloudCompare, NavVis IVION, Cintoo, Agisoft Metashape
Practice exercises- Write an exchange information requirement for an as-built survey of a hospital wing
- Merge a NavVis or mobile-mapping dataset with tripod scans and quantify the residual error
- Run a Verity or CloudCompare deviation check of a modelled MEP zone and produce a report
- Process a drone flight in Metashape with GCPs and align the result with a terrestrial cloud in ReCap
Outcome: The learner can specify, coordinate and verify reality capture deliverables on a multi-disciplinary project.
Expert
30 h- Automate repeatable deliverables with Cyclone 3DR scripting, CloudCompare command line or the Metashape Python API
- Design multi-vendor pipelines that pass E57 and RCP between Leica, FARO, Trimble and Autodesk ecosystems
- Set up governance for cloud platforms (permissions, naming, retention, SOC 2 evidence) in line with ISO 19650
- Integrate scan data with digital-twin and asset systems through APIs
- Evaluate and procure capture hardware and software against project accuracy and cost requirements
Software focus: Leica Cyclone (REGISTER 360 PLUS, 3DR, FIELD 360), CloudCompare, Agisoft Metashape, Cintoo, ClearEdge3D EdgeWise & Verity, Autodesk ReCap Pro
Practice exercises- Write a CloudCompare command-line script that cleans, subsamples and converts a folder of E57 files
- Build a Metashape Python pipeline that processes weekly drone flights unattended
- Design and document a cross-vendor reality capture workflow for a programme of 20 buildings, including QA gates
- Prototype an API link between a cloud scan platform and an asset register using a shared asset identifier
Outcome: The learner can run reality capture as a repeatable, automated and governed service across projects and vendors.
Free resources
- CloudCompare downloads and release notes · documentation
- Leica RCDOCS: Cyclone REGISTER 360 PLUS documentation · documentation
- FARO Knowledge Base: SCENE · documentation
- FARO Knowledge Base: As-Built for Autodesk Revit release notes · documentation
- Trimble RealWorks release notes and help · documentation
- Autodesk Learn: Managing point cloud data in ReCap · course
- Agisoft Metashape downloads, manuals and tutorials · documentation
- Hexagon GeoCloud: Reality Cloud Studio webinar · video
- FARO video: As-Built for Autodesk Revit · video
Tips from our consultants
- Always request E57 plus the registration report and coordinate system definition from scanning contractors; ask for RCP only as an additional convenience for Autodesk users.
- Agree accuracy, tolerance and LOD in writing before capture; most scan-to-BIM disputes come from unstated expectations rather than bad data.
- Keep the original registered cloud untouched and work on cropped, zoned copies for modelling and performance.
- Learn one registration package deeply (Cyclone, SCENE or RealWorks) and CloudCompare as the universal second tool.
- Vendor operator courses for scanners such as the Leica RTC360 and Trimble X7 are the closest thing to formal certification in this field; public vendor-neutral certifications are rare.
About this database
Product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Facts are verified against vendor documentation and dated sources; pricing is described by model only. Spotted an error or a missing tool? Write to [email protected] and we will correct it. Database updated: 2026-09-15.