Scan to BIM: Lixel L1's Seamless Integration for Efficient 3D Modeling of Existing Buildings

Case Studies2023.12.276 min read

Overcoming traditional challenges in reverse modeling, Lixel L1 offers real-time modeling, high precision, and unparalleled portability.

Solution Introduction

With the promotion of the Construction and Promotion of the City Information Model (CIM) basic platform and the continuous deepening application of BIM technology in the construction industry, building reverse modeling of existing important buildings has been gradually carried out in various cities and regions since 2020s. The construction target market size of a single city exceeds 60 million USD. According to the "Accelerating the Application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) Technology" work plan released by a first-tier city in China, by the end of 2025, BIM models should be established and imported into the spatial platform for all important buildings, municipal infrastructure, and water engineering projects in the entire city.

Existing Problems of Traditional Methods

In the buildings reverse modeling process, implementers often encounter problems such as missing or inaccurate original drawings of buildings. Traditional methods involve using diastimeters, total stations, laser rulers, etc., for measurements, combined with on-site photos for BIM modeling. This approach is inefficient and prone to errors.

Icons listing drawbacks of traditional building survey: low accuracy, low efficiency, and tedious post-processing

With the development of new technologies, some users have started using handheld 3D laser scanning devices for scanning to BIM, aiming to efficiently acquire building point clouds to assist building reverse modeling. However, questions often arise during usage:

"While field work efficiency is improved, post-processing the data after scanning still takes too long!"
"After going back and processing the data on the computer, problems are discovered, leading to on-site rework!"
"The intensity point cloud doesn't show details clearly; I still need to take photos, which is troublesome!"

Lixel L1

XGRIDS independently developed the handheld real-time 3D reconstruction device - Lixel L1. It innovatively introduces features such as real-time processing, real-time true color point cloud, photo-point cloud comparison, providing a more efficient method for scanning to BIM.

LixelL1+LixelStuio+LixelGo

Lixel L1 features real-time modeling, high precision, and portability. It does not require a separate battery or computer attachment, making it easy for beginners to use, enabling the rapid acquisition of high-precision point clouds and images of buildings, parks, and important facilities.

Icons showing Lixel L1 advantages: real-time modeling, true-color point cloud, and remote sync

Advantages of Lixel L1 Solution

01 Real-Time Modeling, No Post-Processing Required

Efficiency comparison table for scanning a five-storey building with the Lixel L1

Case: 2500 square meters 5-storey unit building
Acquisition equipment	Acquisition time	Data resolution
Light Lixel L1	45 minutes * single continuous uninterrupted operation	0
Friend Businessman 1	15x3 minutes	90 minutes
Friend Businessman 2	15x3 minutes	110 minutes

Night-time real-time point cloud of building blocks processed on the Lixel L1

▲Point cloud processed in real-time

Lixel L1 is currently the only handheld 3D laser scanner on the market that can complete real-time processing and modeling inside the device. Point cloud data processed in real-time can be viewed instantly within the app, eliminating the need for lengthy post-processing time and avoiding rework caused by missed or incorrect data collection.

02 Reality Replication, Photo-Point Cloud Comparison

In addition to generating real-time true color point clouds, Lixel L1 also supports higher-density point clouds by post-prossing and colorization. The post-processed true color point cloud has clear details, accurate structure, and precise data, providing an accurate reference for further application.

▲Color Point Cloud

If the true color point cloud does not meet your supreme persuit, LixelStudio，the 3D data intelligent processing software offers a "Photo-Point Cloud Comparison" data display method, overlaying point cloud data with panoramic images (the left). Users can select target areas for viewing on the small map (the right), greatly facilitating mapping, drawing and modeling work.

LixelStudio photo-point cloud comparison with a street photo beside a top-down point cloud

▲Photo-point cloud comparison for map drawing

03 Remote Synchronization, Remote Download

Field scan streamed live to a remote screen showing a colored point cloud of an office

▲Collected data viewed from remote distance in real-time

In emergencies, how long does it take for lab work to obtain data collected in the field work? Lixel L1's answer is: 5 seconds! With the support of real-time processing, Lixel L1 can transmit collected data to lab work colleagues thousands of miles away in real-time, seamlessly connecting field work data collection and lab work processing.

04 Image-Point Cloud Combination, Convenient Drawing and Marking

The innovative Lixel series product family has brought a brand new efficient operation experience to the industry, helping our customers efficiently complete the implementation of BIM modeling for various government projects involving reverse modeling of existing buildings. Partnering with Shenzhen Wuce Spatial Information Co., Ltd. chose to directly use the real-time generated true color point cloud by Lixel L1 for existing building modeling, improving efficiency for both field and lab work simultaneously.

01 Importing Real-Time Color Point Cloud Model Into REVIT

Color point cloud of a building imported into Revit for scan-to-BIM modeling

02 Drawing the Main Structure Based on the Point Cloud

Drawing the building's main structure over the point cloud inside Revit

03 Drawing the Door and Window Structures Based on the Point Cloud

Completed BIM model of the building created from the point cloud in Revit

04 Final Deliverables Display

Revit door schedule generated as a BIM deliverable

▲Deliverables Report

Lixel L1 integrates high-precision laser, vision, and inertial navigation modules, and is equipped with its independently developed Multi-SLAM algorithm. It efficiently conducts survey data collection and BIM model creation for existing buildings.