📡 3D Building Scanning Equipment and Technologies: What’s Inside?

Contemporary 3D scanning extends beyond panoramic images and virtual tours — it is a precise technology that digitizes real-world spaces with millimeter accuracy. In this article, we’ll explore the equipment involved in 3D scanning and the distinctions among key technologies.

🔍 1. What is a 3D Scanner?

A 3D scanner is a device that interprets physical spaces and transforms them into a point cloud — a set of 3D coordinates. These points are then converted into floor plans, 3D models, or virtual tours.

🛠 2. Types of 3D Scanners

📸 Photogrammetry-Based (Camera-Based)

• Utilize photos or videos.

• Require strong lighting and robust processing power.

• Ideal for small objects or architectural details.

🔦 Laser-Based (LiDAR)

• Employ a laser beam to measure distances to each point.

• Extremely accurate and effective in any lighting condition.

• Suitable for architecture, construction, and large-scale environments.

🧠 3. Matterport Pro2 vs Pro3 — What’s Inside?

✅ Matterport Pro2

• Optimal for indoor spaces.

• Combines photogrammetry with infrared sensors.

• Excellent for apartments, offices, and hotels.

• Accuracy: approximately 1–2 cm.

✅ Matterport Pro3

• Ideal for facades and expansive areas.

• Features LiDAR, suitable for outdoor use and bright light.

• Scanning range: up to 20 meters!

• High precision: up to 0.5 cm.

💻 4. Software Used

The scanners are only the beginning. After scanning, data is processed using:

• Matterport Cloud — for creating virtual tours.

• Revit / AutoCAD / ArchiCAD — for point cloud modeling and drawing extraction.

• Blender / 3ds Max — for advanced visualization and rendering.

🧩 5. What Determines Equipment Choice?

• Object Size: Larger sites require more powerful scanners.

• Project Type: Pro3 for exteriors, Pro2 for interiors.

• Budget & Timeline: Sometimes a hybrid method (scanner + drone + manual measurements) is most efficient.

📌 Conclusion

Effective 3D scanning is more than just “pressing a button.” It involves selecting the right equipment, understanding its capabilities, and accurately processing the data — whether for drawings, models, or client presentations.

💬 In our next article, we’ll guide you through the step-by-step process of scanning a real building, from preparation to exporting a finished model.

📲 Unsure which equipment suits your project? Contact us — we’ll assist you in selecting the best solution.