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3D Laser Scanning & BIM Glossary and Comparisons
Clear definitions and side-by-side comparisons of the reality-capture and BIM terms that matter — point clouds, registration, LOD, as-builts, and how 3D laser scanning compares to traditional methods.
Glossary A–Z
A: Accuracy vs precision · As-built drawing
B: BIM (Building Information Modeling) · BOMA / rentable area
C: Clash detection · Control points / targets
D: Dollhouse view · DWG / DXF
E: E57 / RCP · Elevation · Equirectangular image · Existing conditions
F: Family / component · Federated model · Field of view (FOV) · Field verification · Floor plan
I: Immersive / VR headset viewing
L: Level of Development (LOD) · LiDAR · LOA (Level of Accuracy)
M: Matterport · MEP
N: Navisworks
O: Occlusion
P: Panorama · Parametric model · Photogrammetry · Point cloud · Point-to-point navigation
R: Reality capture · Record drawing · Reflected ceiling plan (RCP) · Registration · Revit
S: Scan resolution / density · Scan-to-BIM · Section
T: Terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) · Titleblock / layer standards
W: Walkthrough
Key 3D scanning & BIM terms, defined
Point cloud
A point cloud is a dense set of 3D data points captured by a laser scanner, each with precise X, Y, Z coordinates, that together form an accurate digital model of a space or object. See: what a point cloud is.
Reality capture
Reality capture is the process of digitally recording existing physical conditions — via laser scanning, photogrammetry, or 360° imaging — to create measurable, true-to-life 3D data.
Registration
Registration is aligning multiple individual scans into one unified coordinate system so the combined point cloud is accurate and seamless. Registration tolerance depends on equipment, control and site conditions. See: target vs. targetless registration.
Level of Development (LOD)
LOD describes how detailed and reliable a BIM element is, from LOD 200 (generalized geometry) to LOD 350 (accurate, coordinated elements with interfaces between systems). See: BIM LOD explained.
As-built drawing
An as-built drawing is an accurate 2D CAD drawing documenting a building exactly as it currently exists, typically produced from a laser scan rather than the original design intent. See: as-built documentation services.
Record drawing
A record drawing is a design drawing marked up to show changes made during construction — it reflects reported changes rather than an independent measurement of actual conditions. See: as-built vs. record drawings.
Scan-to-BIM
Scan-to-BIM is the workflow of converting a laser-scan point cloud into an intelligent Revit/BIM model of an existing building. See: the scan-to-BIM workflow, step by step.
360° virtual tour
A 360° virtual tour is an interactive set of panoramic images (often Matterport-style) that lets viewers walk through a space remotely. See: 360° virtual tour services.
3D laser scanning terms
LiDAR
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a laser method that measures distances by timing reflected light pulses to capture precise 3D data. See: what LiDAR is, in plain English.
Terrestrial laser scanner (TLS)
A terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) is a tripod-mounted scanner that captures high-accuracy 3D data of buildings and sites from fixed positions. See: terrestrial vs. handheld vs. mobile scanning.
Control points / targets
Control points and targets are reference markers placed in a scene to align and georeference scans accurately. See: target vs. targetless registration.
Scan resolution / density
Scan resolution, or point density, is how closely spaced the captured points are; higher density means finer detail. See: scan resolution and point density explained.
Occlusion
Occlusion is any area hidden from the scanner’s line of sight, which needs extra scan positions to capture.
Georeferencing
Georeferencing is tying scan data to a real-world coordinate system.
E57 / RCP
E57 and RCP are common point-cloud file formats for sharing and importing scan data: E57 is an open standard, and RCP belongs to Autodesk ReCap. See: point cloud file formats explained.
Accuracy vs precision
Accuracy is how close measurements are to true values; precision is how repeatable they are. Full comparison: how accurate 3D laser scanning is.
More terms: 3D laser scanning glossary.
As-built documentation terms
Existing conditions
Existing conditions are the current, real-world state of a building or site.
Field verification
Field verification is confirming measurements against the actual building, which here means a laser scan.
Floor plan
A floor plan is a scaled top-down drawing of a level showing walls, rooms and openings.
Reflected ceiling plan (RCP)
A reflected ceiling plan (RCP) is a drawing of the ceiling as if reflected on the floor, showing lights, grids and fixtures. See: how to read a reflected ceiling plan.
Elevation
An elevation is a scaled drawing of a vertical face of a building. See: how to read elevation drawings.
Section
A section is a drawing that shows a building as if cut vertically to reveal its internal structure. See: how to read section drawings.
BOMA / rentable area
BOMA standards are standardized methods for measuring floor area, including rentable area, for leasing and space planning.
DWG / DXF
DWG and DXF are the standard AutoCAD file formats for CAD drawings. See: BIM vs. CAD.
Titleblock / layer standards
Titleblock and layer standards are the drawing conventions (borders, metadata and layer naming) that as-builts follow. See: understanding the title block.
More terms: as-built documentation glossary.
Scan-to-BIM terms
BIM (Building Information Modeling)
BIM (Building Information Modeling) is an intelligent 3D model of a building made of data-rich, object-based elements. See: what BIM means for building owners.
Revit
Revit is Autodesk’s leading BIM software for creating building models. See: Revit vs. AutoCAD.
Family / component
A family, or component, is a reusable, parametric BIM object such as a door, window or fixture. See: creating Revit families from scan data.
Clash detection
Clash detection is automatically finding conflicts between building systems in a coordinated model. See: MEP coordination and clash detection.
Federated model
A federated model is a combined model that links separate discipline models (architectural, structural and MEP). See: ISO 19650 explained.
MEP
MEP stands for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems of a building.
Navisworks
Navisworks is Autodesk software for reviewing and clash-testing combined BIM models.
LOA (Level of Accuracy)
LOA (Level of Accuracy) is the USIBD scale for stating how closely measured data, and the model built from it, match the real building. See: USIBD Level of Accuracy explained.
Parametric model
A parametric model is one whose elements are driven by adjustable parameters and rules.
More terms: scan-to-BIM glossary.
Virtual tour terms
Matterport
Matterport is a popular platform and camera system for capturing 3D virtual tours and dollhouse views. See: Matterport vs. 360° tours.
Panorama
A panorama is a wide or 360° image stitched from multiple photos to show a full surrounding view.
Dollhouse view
A dollhouse view is a 3D overview of an entire scanned space that shows its layout at a glance.
Photogrammetry
Photogrammetry is creating 3D models or measurements from overlapping photographs. See: laser scanning vs. photogrammetry vs. drones.
Point-to-point navigation
Point-to-point navigation is moving through a virtual tour by jumping between fixed capture positions.
Walkthrough
A walkthrough is a first-person, navigable path through a space in a virtual tour.
Equirectangular image
An equirectangular image is the flattened 2:1 image format used to store 360° panoramas.
Hotspot / tag
A hotspot, or tag, is a clickable marker in a tour that reveals information, links or media.
Field of view (FOV)
Field of view (FOV) is how much of a scene is visible from a given viewpoint.
Immersive / VR headset viewing
Immersive viewing is experiencing a tour in stereoscopic 3D through a VR headset.
More terms: virtual tour glossary.
How the methods compare
3D laser scanning vs traditional measuring
Traditional tape or total-station measuring captures a limited number of points by hand and is slow and error-prone on complex sites. 3D laser scanning captures millions of precise points in minutes, producing a complete, verifiable record of existing conditions. Full comparison: laser scanning vs. tape measure.
Matterport vs LiDAR laser scanning
Matterport-style cameras are fast and great for 360° visualization and rough dimensions, but LiDAR laser scanning delivers far higher accuracy suitable for design, fabrication, and as-built documentation.
As-built vs record drawings
Record drawings are marked-up design drawings; the as-builts we produce are independently field-verified from a laser scan of the actual building, making them far more accurate. Full comparison: as-built vs. record drawings.
Point cloud vs BIM model
A point cloud is raw measured data — millions of points. A BIM model is an intelligent, object-based 3D model (walls, doors, MEP) built from that point cloud, with data you can schedule and coordinate. Full comparison: point cloud vs. BIM model.
Scan-to-BIM vs 2D as-builts
2D as-builts give you accurate drawings; scan-to-BIM gives you a coordinated 3D model with embedded data for clash detection, renovation design, and facility management. Full comparison: scan-to-BIM vs. 2D CAD as-builts.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most accurate way to document a building?
3D laser scanning, which captures millions of measured points and registers them into one coordinate system.
Do I need a point cloud, as-builts, or a BIM model?
It depends on your goal: a point cloud for raw reference, 2D as-builts for drawings, or a scan-to-BIM model for coordinated 3D design and data.
Is laser scanning better than Matterport?
For accuracy and design use, yes — LiDAR laser scanning is far more precise. Matterport excels at fast 360° visualization.
How accurate is 3D laser scanning?
Accuracy is set per project. We state the required tolerance in USIBD Level of Accuracy terms and register the scans to meet it.
What areas does CAD Construct LLC serve?
Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, with travel available for larger projects.
Need existing conditions documented accurately?
Talk to CAD Construct LLC about 3D laser scanning, as-built drawings, and scan-to-BIM across Pittsburgh & Western PA. Contact us or call (800) 967-2627.
