Laser Scanning Technology
The hardware, formats and field methods behind reality capture. Terrestrial laser scanners, LiDAR, registration and control, scan resolution and point density, georeferencing, occlusion, and the file formats that move data between platforms. These articles are written for people specifying or buying scanning work rather than operating the equipment — what accuracy claims actually mean, how scanner choice affects a deliverable, and which technical decisions on site determine whether the resulting data is usable downstream.
Leica vs. Faro vs. Trimble: 3D Laser Scanners Compared
Jul 13
Leica, Faro and Trimble terrestrial scanners compared in plain English, and which differences matter for a building project. ...
Common 3D Laser Scanning Mistakes to Avoid
Jul 5
The common 3D laser scanning mistakes: unclear deliverables, no accuracy spec, thin coverage, the wrong coordinate system and skipped site prep. How to avoid each. ...
Laser Scanning vs. Total Station Surveying
Jul 5
Laser scanning captures millions of points; a total station captures discrete ones. Here is when each fits. ...
In-House Scanning vs. Hiring a Reality-Capture Firm
Jul 5
Should you buy a scanner and scan in-house, or hire a reality-capture firm? Compare cost, expertise, and risk. ...
What Is LiDAR? A Plain-English Guide
Jul 5
LiDAR measures distance by timing laser pulses to build precise 3D data. It is the technology behind 3D laser scanning, explained in plain English. ...
Georeferencing & Coordinate Systems in Laser Scanning
Jul 5
Georeferencing ties a laser scan to real-world coordinates, which matters for site, civil and multi-building projects. How it works and when to specify it. ...
What Is Autodesk ReCap? A Beginner’s Guide
Jul 5
Autodesk ReCap turns raw laser scans into registered point clouds you can use in Revit and AutoCAD. ...
What Is a Mesh Model? Point Cloud vs. Mesh
Jul 5
A mesh turns a point cloud into a continuous surface. The difference between the two, and when each is the right deliverable. ...
Understanding Scan Resolution & Point Density
Jul 5
Scan resolution and point density control how much detail a laser scan captures and how large the files get. How to choose the right setting. ...