Benefits of Implementing Point Cloud Technology for New and Renovation Projects

When it comes to building renovation projects, AEC professionals are always faced with unique challenges in the field.  In most cases, information gathering is performed manually, which can often result in the collection of erroneous or incomplete data, excessive time spent on site, longer project turn-around times and increased costs to the client.  Implementing point cloud technology as a delivery system for information gathering can significantly improve workflows, improve decision-making, and deliver a higher level of efficiency when executing both large and small projects.

What Is Point Cloud Technology?

Rather than using traditional rudimentary shapes or manual data gathering, Point Cloud Technology can build a 3D representation of any object or space with “points” that are placed on the visible surfaces using lasers. Point Cloud Technology is gaining popularity mainly due to improvements in the underlying technology and increases in the CPU processing power required to convert the point cloud into useful data. Using the proper point-density and resolution, point-cloud models can accurately represent the features of virtually any 3D object or space. This highly efficient and accurate process makes Point Cloud Modeling the ideal choice for 3D scanning projects.

Benefits of Point Cloud Technology

The following are some of the benefits of using Point Cloud Technology for your construction/renovation projects:

Better Project Management

Point Cloud Technology truly shines when it comes to project management. It provides an accurate way for project architects, engineers and construction teams to scan, build, and tweak 3D models or “digital twins” of physical locations that are incredibly detailed and interactive. Architectural design has become far more efficient with the addition of Point Cloud Technology. While Building Information Modeling is slowly replacing traditional CAD data, Point Clouds provide a sophisticated system that streamlines the building of those models based on actual size and real-world dimensions of the space.  Furthermore, these scans can be used at all phases of a construction project to ensure a high level of accurate documentation and to make sure that all aspects of a project are being completed within the specified design parameters.

Higher Level of Accuracy

One of the challenges that many face when it comes to renovation projects is the need to know where to begin when attempting to interface with the existing building or structure. This is where accurate Point Cloud Technology scans can deliver a much higher level of accuracy than any manual means. For renovations, Point Cloud Technology allows designers and contractors to create complete and accurate measurements of the site that they will be working on and coordinate the project accordingly. This results in improved communication and collaboration since all team members are on the same page and have access to all of the data they need to carry the project forward.

Iterative Design

One of the major benefits of using BIM models is its ability to support iterative design processes. For those of you who are unaware, iterative design is an approach that is based on an iterative process that carries out the prototyping, testing, analyzing and refining of a particular design or system.  This process can either be carried out manually or automatically using Artificial Intelligence tools like Schnackel Engineers’ AI for MEP^®.

Point Cloud Technology takes these capabilities to a whole new level as you can now use a scan of a project to create the intial parameters and constraints, or it can be used to compare the output of a project with its intended design objectives. While Point Cloud Technology was once only available to large AEC companies, the growing affordability of this technology means that smaller companies can also take advantage of it to improve the efficiency of their projects, saving both time and money in the process.

Perfecting the Project Post-Hoc

BIM represents the latest type of computer-aided design and construction technology that combines the use of design features, collaborations, shop drawings, operational manuals and other functional data to streamline the documentation of a project.  Point Cloud Technology dramatically improves the BIM process for building or facility managers looking to construct useful 3D models in BIM.  An accurate BIM model, indicating not only what was designed, but what was actually constructed, provides invaluable information for the future maintenance and operation of the facility.  Point Cloud Technology helps by continuously updating BIM models during the construction process to document what is inside the concealed spaces, walls and ceilings of the building. This is a crucial advantage for any facility or building manager to have, especially for those structures that are either complex or aging (or both). With Point Cloud Technology, it is now more convenient than ever to benefit from centralized storage of all maintenance data of a facility, including that information which you cannot see.

Ending Note

There has been a noticeable increase in the use of Point Cloud Technology in recent years, both during the design and during construction of projects.  However, as with many other things in life, the technology you use is only going to be as good as its provider.  This is why, when it comes to Point Cloud Technology, it is always advised to go with reputable and experienced service providers such as Schnackel Engineers.

Schnackel provides an exceptional level of quality when it comes to virtual reality capture surveys for projects. The company uses full-color point cloud scans that combine panoramic photographs that are hi-resolution, as well as thermal imaging to give you the complete picture of your facility or project.  This data can be used in the architectural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, or fire protection design and construction of any project.

Once the scanning is completed, users can receive the information as a fully compiled BIM model, CAD file, or in a raw data format, which can be viewed with software such as Leica TruView. This revolutionary new technology allows all stakeholders to walk the site virtually from one scanned location to the next with full range pan and zoom capabilities that allow them to identify the exact physical location and dimensions of any object in the point cloud model. If you would like to implement Point Cloud Technology on your next project or want to learn more about this innovative technology, contact Schnackel Engineers today.