A point cloud is a data set generated from millions of 3D data points captured by a laser scanner. This contains the X, Y, and Z coordinates of every visible detail within a scanned site including all objects such as doors, windows, walls, steel structures, and ductwork. Point cloud data can be imported into CAD software to then visualize the area, providing a pixelated, digital version of your site. From there, this data can be parsed, manipulated, and modified to suit a user’s needs. Deliverables for this option include PTG point cloud files and Autodesk Recap files in .RCS and .RCP format.

Once point cloud data is imported into AutoCAD software, 2D CAD drawings can be generated which can map out floor plans, sections, and elevations for construction planning and building modifications. Deliverables for this option include 2D sheets in .RVT, .DWG or DGN formats.

TruView is software designed specifically to provide shareable, more intuitive point clouds, design models, and mark-ups. Essentially, TruViews are three-dimensional photographs overlaid on top of point cloud data. Since they are overlaid on the scanned data, clients can easily measure basic dimensions directly from the photograph to estimate clearances, distances, etc. Such data can be very useful for those who have not visited the site or those who have but need to recall more specific details of a particular area. Deliverables, made accessible via TruView portable software, for this option include the LGS format of the point cloud published by TruePoint, as well as overlay IFC (3D Model) files.

3D virtual tours are composed of panoramic rotating images which have been “stitched” together (rectified) to provide a full, 360-degree view of a given location. This can allow your team and those you collaborate with to virtually tour the location, add digital notes, and even measure inside the virtual space. Deliverables for this option include a customizable MP4 video file format flythrough or point cloud flythrough from Recap, which can be viewed with user-friendly devices such as desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and even mobile devices.

The TruePoint team are experts at converting point clouds into 3D BIM models. These models provide a geometrically accurate representation of any building or site, capturing important spatial relationships and infrastructure. 3D BIM models allow users to take a closer look at specific building parts and see how they fit into a single finalized structure, isolating walls, columns, windows, doors, etc. Deliverables for this option include 3D BIM Model in various software such as Revit, AutoCAD, Microstation, Solidworks, and Navisworks.

A 3D mesh file can be created from a point cloud by TruePoint’s team of CAD technicians using the data set of x-y-z coordinates to create a triangulated mesh from the 3D points. These meshes are volumetrically accurate and high-resolution, allowing clients to view the object’s geometry inside a CAD environment without having to navigate a point cloud. Deliverables for this option include 3D mesh in .FBX, .STL, .OBJ, and .PLY file formats.