The Baywatch Problem of Scan-to-BIM
Every day, I get LinkedIn pitches from Scan-to-BIM companies—and they keep coming! So, I thought I’d share some rebellious insights on this growing trend.
Here’s the gist: There are scanners that give you every detail (for a price) and simpler ones that might just be “good enough.” Point clouds are created, but turning them into usable 3D or BIM models isn’t automated magic yet; it’s still largely manual and costly. And what you model depends on your goal—accuracy for construction or a general layout for planning?
Most clients want the highest detail possible, assuming it’s a one-time investment. But do we really need that much detail? If it doesn’t fit the purpose, high detail just becomes a burden. For instance, why map every millimeter when you're in the conceptual phase?
Here are my pirate rules of thumb:
For more on striking the balance and why it’s a “Baywatch Problem,” read the full article on the blog to navigate the Scan-to-BIM seas like a true pirate!
Employee at Silicon Engineering Consultant Ltd
2 个月Excellent read! ?? The "Baywatch Problem" in Scan-to-BIM is well-explained, and the solutions are spot on. Excited for the future of BIM! ??? Check our latest blog on "Overcoming Data Accuracy Challenges in Scan to BIM Projects" https://medium.com/@siliconcnz/overcoming-data-accuracy-challenges-in-scan-to-bim-projects-a80fda2cd0c6
CAD and BIM services
2 个月?? Great insights! "The Baywatch Problem of Scan-to-BIM" perfectly captures the challenges and nuances of the process. ???? Check our blog on "Top 10 Tips for Efficient Scan to BIM Project Execution" https://medium.com/@siliconcaustralia/top-10-tips-for-efficient-scan-to-bim-project-execution-284b2e8862d9
Freelancer expertise BIM et ingénierie du traitement de l’eau ——— Freelance BIM expert and in water treatment plant construction engineering
3 个月I fully agree with your analysis. We tend to get lost in endless details… If I may also suggest another solution: the use of #samp, which enables point clouds to become intelligent. With Samp AI, the objects within the point cloud become selectable, just like a BIM model. We can then associate data with them, filter them, hide them, color them… essentially, everything we want to do with a BIM model without having to remodel it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w37emC6vOrE
BIM inquisitor, Power control expert, GIS expert, AI adept. BIMscan.app developer.
4 个月High detail and geometric accuracy are needed to ensure construction control, and this is a matter of monetary claims, so accuracy is important - this is the validity of claims. I agree that the cost and complexity of using the technology increases the entry threshold. But there are different scenarios. Scanning is used for different tasks. For example, I am currently working on a cheap pocket tool for scanning small architectural forms and converting them from a point cloud into models directly readable in BIM. Such objects are often labor-intensive to model, and here, ultra-high accuracy is often not important. I will publish about this a little later.
Scaling BIM Businesses with LinkedIn & building elite BIM Brands | BIM Manager at WSP | Prof. Kotler Partner—Leading EOMM Edition for 6 countries of Ex-Yu Region | International Keynote Speaker
4 个月Great points! High detail can become a liability if it doesn’t serve the project’s purpose. Smart scanning = efficient BIM. Thanks for sharing these 'pirate rules' Simon!