3D Laser Scanning
3D laser scanning is a non-contact surveying method that records the geometry of structures, terrain, and equipment as millions of precise XYZ coordinates. Brisbane Point Cloud delivers terrestrial and mobile scanning services across Australia for architecture, civil, industrial, and heritage projects.
Capabilities
What we deliver
- Terrestrial tripod-mounted scanning for high-accuracy indoor and outdoor surveys
- Mobile SLAM-based scanning for rapid coverage of large buildings and corridors
- Multi-station registration achieving network accuracy within 2mm
- Full-colour point clouds with photographic texture overlay
- Scan planning and control network design for complex sites
- Integration with GNSS for georeferenced deliverables in MGA2020
- Real-time field QA to confirm coverage before leaving site
Equipment Used
Deliverables
- Registered point cloud in E57, RCP, LAS, or LAZ format
- facadeinspect.au browser-based viewer links
- Accuracy report with registration statistics
- CAD extractions (plans, sections, elevations) in DWG
- Meshed 3D models for visualisation or analysis
Our Process
How we work
Project Scoping
We discuss your deliverable requirements, accuracy targets, and site access constraints. You receive a fixed-price quote covering all fieldwork and processing.
Survey Control & Setup
Control points are established using total station or GNSS to tie scans into your required coordinate system. Target placement is optimised for registration quality.
Scanning
Technicians capture the site using terrestrial and/or mobile scanners depending on accuracy needs and area size. The Trimble X7 self-levels and captures at +/-2mm accuracy at 20m range. The NavVis MLX scans at walking speed for broad coverage.
Registration & Delivery
Scans are registered into a unified coordinate system, cleaned of noise, and checked against survey control. Deliverables are produced to your specification and shared via secure cloud link.
FAQs
Common questions
What is 3D laser scanning and how does it work?
3D laser scanning is a surveying technique that measures the distance from a scanner to surrounding surfaces by emitting a laser pulse and timing the return signal. The scanner rotates rapidly, collecting hundreds of thousands of points per second, each recorded as an X, Y, Z coordinate with intensity and often RGB colour. The result is a point cloud: a dense 3D representation of the scanned environment. Modern scanners like the Trimble X7 achieve +/-2mm accuracy at 20m range and can capture a full 360-degree scan in under 3 minutes. The raw scans from multiple positions are then registered (aligned) into a single coordinate system using overlapping geometry or survey targets.
How much does 3D laser scanning cost in Australia?
Pricing depends on site size, complexity, and required deliverables. As a general guide: a single-room scan with basic point cloud delivery starts around $800-$1,200. A full commercial building (3-4 storeys) typically ranges $3,000-$8,000 for point cloud delivery, or $8,000-$20,000 if BIM modelling is included. Large industrial or infrastructure projects are quoted per day of fieldwork (typically $2,500-$4,000/day) plus processing. We always provide fixed-price quotes after understanding your scope, so there are no surprises. Travel outside Southeast Queensland attracts a mobilisation fee.
What is the difference between terrestrial and mobile laser scanning?
Terrestrial scanning uses a tripod-mounted instrument (like the Trimble X7) that captures from fixed positions with very high accuracy (+/-2mm). Each scan takes 2-3 minutes and covers a 360-degree field of view. Mobile scanning (like the NavVis MLX) is carried or pushed through a space at walking speed, using SLAM algorithms to build the point cloud in real time. Mobile scanning is 5-10x faster for coverage but achieves lower accuracy (typically +/-10-15mm). We often combine both: mobile for general coverage and terrestrial for critical measurement areas.
What file formats do you deliver?
We deliver in whatever format your software requires. Common point cloud formats include E57 (open standard, widely supported), RCP/RCS (Autodesk Revit and ReCap), LAS/LAZ (geospatial standard, compressed), and PTX (legacy format for some engineering software). For CAD deliverables we supply DWG, DXF, or DGN. BIM models are delivered as native Revit (.rvt) or IFC for interoperability. We also provide access to facadeinspect.au, our browser-based point cloud viewer that allows your team to explore the scan data, take measurements, and share annotations without specialist software.
How accurate is 3D laser scanning compared to traditional survey?
Individual point accuracy on the Trimble X7 is +/-2mm at 20m, which is comparable to or better than traditional total station measurements for surface geometry capture. The key advantage is density: a scanner captures millions of points, while a total station measures one point at a time. After registration, network accuracy across a multi-scan project is typically 3-5mm. For control-critical work (monitoring, setout verification), we tie scans to survey control using total station observations, achieving the same datum accuracy as conventional survey while providing far more spatial information.
How long does a 3D scanning project take from start to finish?
Fieldwork duration depends on site size. A typical 1,000m2 commercial floor takes 2-3 hours to scan. A three-storey office building is usually a single day. Large industrial facilities may require 3-5 days of fieldwork. Processing and deliverable production takes 3-10 business days depending on complexity. Simple point cloud delivery is fastest; full BIM modelling takes longer. We provide estimated timelines with every quote and can expedite for urgent projects at additional cost.
Do I need to clear the building before scanning?
No. Our scanners are eye-safe (Class 1 laser) and silent, so scanning can occur with normal building occupancy. Furniture, equipment, and people in the scan are simply captured as part of the point cloud and can be filtered out during processing if needed. However, if you need to see behind large objects (e.g., behind a server rack or heavy machinery), those items would need to be moved or we scan from additional angles. We coordinate with your facilities team to minimise disruption.
Can scanning be done outdoors and in poor weather?
Terrestrial scanners work outdoors in most conditions. Rain, fog, and heavy dust can degrade data quality because water droplets and particles reflect the laser before it reaches the target surface. Light drizzle is usually acceptable; heavy rain requires postponement. Direct sunlight does not affect LiDAR scanners (unlike photogrammetry). Temperature extremes (-10C to +50C) are within operating range for our equipment. For critical outdoor projects, we build weather contingency into the schedule at no extra cost.
Get a quote for 3d laser scanning
Tell us about your project and we will provide a fixed-price proposal within one business day.