3D Laser Scanning in Cornwall & Devon

What laser scanning gives you

A laser scanner records millions of 3D points across every surface in view, producing a point cloud that can be measured, sectioned and modelled in the office. Compared with conventional measurement it means:

• Everything in view is captured, so nothing is missed on site and return visits are rare

• Complex geometry such as vaulted ceilings, roof trusses, curved walls and plant rooms is recorded exactly as it is

• Scans are controlled by total station, so point clouds from different rooms, floors and the outside of a building all sit on one coordinate system

• The point cloud remains available for the life of the project; new sections or details can be extracted later without another visit

Equipment and control

We use a Trimble X9 3D laser scanner, controlled by a Trimble robotic total station and GNSS where the survey needs to be on OS National Grid and Ordnance Datum. Scans are registered and checked in Trimble RealWorks before any drawing work begins, and registration reports can be supplied with the data.

Deliverables

• Registered point cloud in E57, RCP or LAS format

• 2D CAD drawings extracted from the cloud: floor plans, elevations, sections and site plans in DWG and PDF

• 3D models where the design team needs them

• Orthophotos of elevations and floors for condition recording

• Fly-through or web viewer access on request

Typical uses

• As-existing drawings for extensions, conversions and refurbishments

• Listed building and heritage recording for planning and listed building consent

• Historic building record drawings where a condition requires them

• Structural and civil engineering: bridges, retaining walls, engine houses and mine buildings

• Plant, industrial and commercial premises where downtime must be kept short

• Verification of as-built construction against design

• Roof surveys where access is difficult, including true sloping roof areas for insurers and contractors

How it works

1. Send the address, what you need to scan and what deliverables your designer or engineer wants.

2. We confirm scope, control requirements and file formats.

3. You receive a fixed quotation, usually within one working day.

4. We scan on site, normally in a single visit.

5. Registered point clouds are issued first, with CAD drawings and models to follow as agreed.

Frequently asked questions

What accuracy does laser scanning achieve?

The Trimble X9 records points to a few millimetres, and the scans are tied to total station control. Delivered drawings are produced to the agreed scale; typical building work is drawn at 1:50.

How big a file will I receive?

Point clouds for a house are normally a few gigabytes. We can supply a decimated version for quick viewing alongside the full-resolution data, and files are delivered by secure download link.

Can my architect open the point cloud?

Yes. E57 is an open format, and RCP is the native format for Autodesk products including Revit and AutoCAD. We will confirm the format before issue.

Is scanning more expensive than a traditional measured survey?

For most buildings scanning is now the most efficient way to produce measured drawings, and the quoted fee covers the drawings you need. The point cloud itself is an optional extra.

Do you scan externally as well as internally?

Yes. External scans, roofs and surrounding site can all be included and tied to the same control.