Technical Guide Library

Use Reality Capture Information with Confidence.

Practical guides for AEC, industrial, construction and preservation teams. Explore scanning fundamentals, accuracy, MEP retrofits, shutdown planning, prefabrication, verification, FARO SCENE and Autodesk handoff.

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White FARO Focus i.1 X terrestrial laser scanner with top-mounted PanoCam and GNSS/RTK receiver

Guide / 01Technology Selection · 8 minute read

The All-New FARO Focus i.1 Series: Precision Meets Productivity

Explore faster color capture, extended range and connected FARO workflows. See how our certified team turns site measurements into the information your project needs.

HDR-colorized industrial project point cloud with scan positions connected in a registered network

Guide / 02Reality Capture Fundamentals · 6 minute read

What Is 3D Laser Scanning?

Learn what a laser scanner measures, why a site needs several scan positions and how scans become useful project files.

Registered full-color point cloud cutaway of a multilevel building with visible sampled surfaces and occlusions

Guide / 03Reality Capture Fundamentals · 6 minute read

What Is a Point Cloud?

Understand point cloud coordinates, density, registration, coverage limits and the formats used to move scan data into design and documentation software.

Aligned mechanical room point cloud and selected existing-condition BIM showing source data and modeled geometry

Guide / 04BIM and Deliverables · 7 minute read

What Is Scan-to-BIM?

Learn how modelers use registered point clouds to create existing-condition BIM and why scope, coordinates, tolerances and exclusions must be agreed first.

Overhead view of a building point cloud and floor plan with scan stations, overlap paths and access boundaries for scope planning

Guide / 05Project Planning · 7 minute read

3D Laser Scanning Cost: What Determines a Project Quote?

Understand the scope, field conditions, control, deliverables and schedule factors that determine a responsible 3D laser scanning project quote.

SCENE-inspired interactive registration network over a full-color building project point cloud

Guide / 06FARO SCENE · 8 minute read

FARO SCENE Registration Workflow: From Raw Scans to a Reviewed Point Cloud

Learn how to organize, process, register, review and export terrestrial laser scans in FARO SCENE, with guidance on software versions and project setup.

Industrial project point cloud with registration network, correspondence details and local alignment checks

Guide / 07Quality Assurance · 7 minute read

How to Review Laser Scan Registration Quality

Learn how to review registration networks, correspondences, control, overlap, residuals and local alignment instead of trusting one software score.

Three registered point cloud applications showing a mechanical interior, bridge and industrial process facility

Guide / 08Technology Selection · 9 minute read

FARO vs. Leica vs. Trimble: Where FARO Makes the Difference

Compare range, capture speed and field workflows to see where FARO stands out. Learn how our expertise turns those capabilities into useful project information.

Industrial scan project progressing from interactive registration to a unified point cloud and selected BIM geometry

Guide / 09FARO Technology · 7 minute read

Why We Use FARO for AEC and Industrial Reality Capture

See why we use FARO Focus and SCENE for AEC and industrial projects, and how our team connects field capture, registration and delivery.

Two-level point cloud overview map with scan stations, redundant registration loops and distributed control references

Guide / 10Project Planning · 6 minute read

How to Plan Laser Scan Registration Before Fieldwork

Plan station overlap, targets, survey control, loop closures, field checks and documentation before the scanner arrives on site.

The same building aligned across a registered point cloud, indexed cloud and selected existing-condition BIM

Guide / 11Software Interoperability · 8 minute read

FARO SCENE to Autodesk ReCap and Revit: A Controlled Point Cloud Workflow

Move reviewed FARO scan data into Autodesk workflows without losing control of coordinates, scan structure, file performance or QA context.

Congested mechanical room point cloud aligned with proposed retrofit pipes, supports and clearance checks

Guide / 12MEP and Building Systems · 8 minute read

Laser Scanning for MEP Retrofit Coordination

Learn how a measured existing-condition record helps MEP teams plan congested retrofits, coordinate tie-ins and direct modeling effort toward the systems that affect the work.

Registered industrial point cloud with modeled shutdown tie-ins, replacement spool and access clearance

Guide / 13Industrial and Manufacturing · 8 minute read

Industrial Laser Scanning for Shutdowns and Retrofits

Plan a scan before a shutdown or retrofit. See how measured site geometry supports design and access planning, and what still needs a field check.

Existing-condition point cloud aligned with a prefabricated pipe assembly and verified flange interfaces

Guide / 14Fabrication and Construction · 8 minute read

As-Built Verification for Prefabrication and Installation

Learn how focused reality capture can support prefabricated MEP, structural and equipment interfaces when the scope identifies critical geometry, tolerances and field checks.

Point cloud section with independent control checks, an acceptance envelope and detailed alignment comparisons

Guide / 15Accuracy and Quality Assurance · 9 minute read

How Accurate Does 3D Laser Scanning Need to Be?

Set accuracy around the decision your team needs to make. Learn how to separate scanner specifications from project results and agree checks for the final files.

HDR-colorized point cloud of an ornate historic interior with a restrained measured section overlay

Guide / 16Historic Preservation · 8 minute read

Laser Scanning for Historic Preservation and Documentation

See how laser scanning supports records of historic places. Plan the measured geometry, field notes and final files your preservation project needs.

Point cloud of installed construction aligned with design BIM and localized deviation checks

Guide / 17Construction Verification · 8 minute read

Construction Progress and Deviation Analysis with Laser Scanning

Use dated scans to record progress and check installed work against an agreed reference. Plan timing, coordinates and review rules so comparisons are useful.

Illustrative point cloud and BIM overlay highlighting a localized geometry difference for model review

Guide / 18Quality Assurance · 7 minute read

Scan-to-BIM Quality Assurance: Confidence in Your Model

Put your point cloud to work with a model built around your scope, tolerances and coordination needs. See how we plan, check and document Scan-to-BIM deliverables before handoff.

Illustrative transition from an industrial point cloud to selected BIM geometry, showing the scope of modeling work

Guide / 19BIM Deliverables · 7 minute read

Scan-to-BIM Cost from an Existing Point Cloud

Understand what a modeling quotation should cover when scanning is already complete, from the condition of the supplied cloud to model detail, review and revisions.

Illustrative equipment transport envelope beneath scanned overhead services, with guide lines showing the clearance being reviewed

Guide / 20MEP and Building Systems · 7 minute read

Point Cloud Clearance Checks for Equipment Replacement

Use a registered point cloud to investigate equipment fit, transport routes and maintenance space, with a worked example that separates measured gaps from required allowances.

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