Existing building to transform
LOD 300 model of the existing building, execution project overlaid. Shared reference between architect, engineering office, contractor. Avoids interpretation gaps.
SERVICE · 04 / 06
Scan-to-BIM
Revit / IFC.
LOD 200 to 400 digital model produced from a laser-scanner point cloud. Revit, ArchiCAD, IFC 4.0 compatible. Built-in BIM Manager validation.
LOD
200 to 400
depending on end use
Tolerance
±10 mm
cloud-vs-model deviation
Lead time
15 to 35 d
by LOD and surface
Scan-to-BIM, or Building Information Modelling from scan, is the process that transforms a 3D point cloud (from a laser scanner or photogrammetry) into an exploitable digital model — Revit, ArchiCAD, or open IFC 4.0. This model becomes the digital reference for the existing building, exploitable for renovation, maintenance operations, energy audits or long-term archiving.
ARPEO delivers BIM models at LOD 200, 300 or 400, depending on the end use defined with the client. LOD 200 (simplified envelope) is enough for a feasibility study or asset management. LOD 300 (detailed components) is required for heavy renovation, a financing plan or works monitoring. LOD 400 (manufacturing, identified manufacturers) targets prefabrication, industrial BIM-CIM or heritage archiving.
Our workflow: field scan (Leica BLK360 G2) → Cyclone REGISTER 360 registration → import into Revit with Lambert-93 georeferencing → component-based modeling with parametric families → Solibri IFC audit (classification, geolocation, properties validation) → review with the client's BIM Manager. Compatible with BIMforum standards and the French PUCA.
Contractual lead time by LOD: 15 days for LOD 200, 25 days for LOD 300, 35 days for LOD 400. Mobilization within 5 working days. Priced quote within 48 h, pricing per m² SDP with discount for large surfaces (> 5,000 m²).
— EQUIPMENT
Equipment & software
Complete processing chain, from scan to validated model.
Cloud registration and processing
Leica Cyclone REGISTER 360 PLUS
- Automatic + manual multi-station registration
- Lambert-93 / RGF93 georeferencing
- HDR colorization
- Export to Revit, ReCap, AutoCAD
Main BIM software
Autodesk Revit
- Component-based Revit modeling
- Parametric families
- LOD 100 to 500 per BIMforum
- Native RCP / RCS cloud import
Cloud visualization and cleaning
Autodesk ReCap Pro
- Free-navigation cloud viewing
- Sections and measurements
- RCS / RCP format for Revit
IFC quality audit
Solibri Office
- IFC classification audit
- Geolocation verification
- Properties control
- Collision and inconsistency detection
- BCF reporting for the BIM Manager
Alternative BIM software
Graphisoft ArchiCAD
- For practices working in ArchiCAD
- Native point cloud import
- Reciprocal IFC 4.0 export
— PROCESS
The scan-to-BIM workflow
Six steps, from field scan to BIM-Manager-validated model.
- 01 · BIM BRIEF
BIM charter and LOD
Definition of the BIM charter with the BIM Manager: target LOD, classification, expected properties, final format. Perimeter validation.
Duration48 hours - 02 · SCAN
Laser scanner acquisition
Leica BLK360 G2 on site. 20 to 500 stations by surface. HDS targets set. Lambert-93 georeferencing if the charter requires it.
Duration1 to 5 days - 03 · POINT CLOUD
Registration and preparation
Cyclone REGISTER 360 PLUS. Colorized, georeferenced, cleaned cloud. Client validation before modeling.
Duration2 to 5 days - 04 · MODELING
Revit model production
Component-based Revit modeling per defined LOD. LOD 200 = simplified envelopes. LOD 300 = detailed components. LOD 400 = identified manufacturers. Parametric families used.
Duration8 to 25 days - 05 · AUDIT
Solibri IFC audit
Quality control: IFC classification audit, geolocation verification, properties control, cloud-vs-model deviation (±10 mm tolerance). BCF reporting to the BIM Manager.
Duration1 to 2 days - 06 · DELIVERY
Review & handover
Review with the BIM Manager. Adjustments if any. Final RVT + IFC + audit report + archived E57 cloud delivery.
Duration1 day
— USES
Uses by sector
Six sectors where scan-to-BIM has become a standard.
Digital DOE and facility management
LOD 200 to 500 model for maintenance operations. Compatible with CMMS and operations BIM platforms (Autodesk Tandem, Catenda).
Long-term archiving and label application
LOD 400 model for Historic Monument archiving, classification application, DRAC file. Open IFC format for longevity.
Refining and infrastructure BIM-CIM
SEVESO sites, refineries, factories. IFC industrial extensions compatible. For predictive maintenance BIM and ICPE regulatory compliance.
RT2020 and thermal renovation plan
LOD 200 model with thermal properties for energy simulation (Pleiades, EnergyPlus). Compliant with collective DPE requirements.
Social housing, co-ownerships, corporate real estate
Digital reference of a real-estate portfolio. Decision support for renovation, sale or demolition arbitrage.
— DELIVERABLES
Delivery formats
Model in the BIM format of your choice.
| Format | Usage | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Revit (.RVT) Native Revit model, version 2022 to 2026 | Native Revit model, version 2022 to 2026 | 20 to 800 MB |
| ArchiCAD (.PLN) Native ArchiCAD model, version 26 to 28 | Native ArchiCAD model, version 26 to 28 | 20 to 600 MB |
| IFC 4.0 Open BIM, software interchange | Open BIM, software interchange | 20 to 400 MB |
| Solibri audit (.SMC) Quality control report with BCF | Quality control report with BCF | 5 to 50 MB |
| RCS / RCP cloud Source cloud archived for future verifications | Source cloud archived for future verifications | 1 to 60 GB |
| DWG 2D plans extracted from the model | 2D plans extracted from the model | 1 to 50 MB |
— STANDARDS
BIM standards
Normative framework respected at every delivery.
BIMforum LOD Specification
US reference adopted in France by the PUCA. LOD 100 to 500.
IFC 4.0 (buildingSMART)
Open BIM format, systematic Solibri audit before delivery.
ISO 19650
International standard for information organization and digitization in BIM.
French BIM charter (PUCA)
French reference of the Plan d'Urbanisme, Construction et Architecture.
— PRICING
How much does scan-to-BIM cost
Per-m² pricing by LOD. Scanner acquisition included or billed separately.
— RELATED
Where we operate
Scan-to-BIM is delivered across the PACA region.
— FAQ
Scan-to-BIM — frequently asked questions.
Which LOD for which use?
LOD 100 = symbolic representation (rarely used in scan-to-BIM). LOD 200 = simplified envelopes, enough for feasibility studies and asset management. LOD 300 = detailed components (heavy renovation, financing plan, works monitoring). LOD 400 = identified manufacturers (prefabrication, BIM-CIM, archiving). LOD 500 = maintenance operations (DOE).
Can you model from a cloud I provide?
Yes. Upstream cloud quality audit (density, georeferencing, exhaustiveness). Depending on detected defects, we may request a complementary scan. Our modeling-only rate is €6 to €12 excl. VAT/m² by LOD, excluding acquisition.
Compatible with a BIM Manager workflow?
Yes, that is our standard. All our models pass an IFC audit (Solibri) before delivery. The client's BIM charter is integrated upstream. The BIM Manager validates the delivery via a formal review (BCF + reporting).
Lead time for a 2,500 m² SDP R+5 building?
Scan: 2 to 3 days. LOD 200 modeling: 8 to 12 days. IFC audit: 1 day. Total ~15 to 20 calendar days. For LOD 300, add 8 to 15 days.
What if the cloud reveals a discrepancy with existing plans?
Very frequent. On a building over 30 years old, discrepancies between original plans and actual building can reach 5 to 20 cm on certain elements. The scan-to-BIM model represents the actual observed geometry — that's precisely its value. Discrepancies are documented in the delivery report.
Can the model be integrated into an operations BIM platform?
Yes. Compatible with Autodesk Tandem, Catenda, Aconex, Trimble Connect, BIM Track, BIMcollab. IFC 4.0 format + Uniformat / Omniclass classification + extended properties.
Start a scan-to-bim project? Quote in 48 h.
Mobilization within 5 working days. Contractual delivery in 15 days.