The conversation about deliverables is one of the most important, and most frequently skipped, conversations in a scanning project. Clients often agree to a scope without fully understanding what they will receive at the end of it: what formats the files come in, what software is needed to open them, what the difference is between a point cloud and a CAD model, and whether the deliverable they've agreed to actually serves the application they have in mind.
This article eliminates that ambiguity. It explains every type of GDS scanning deliverable in plain language, what it is, what it's good for, what it isn't good for, and what software you need to use it. Read it before your project proposal is finalised so that your deliverable specification matches what your project actually needs.
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Most physical-to-digital projects involve more than one decision. GDS can help clarify the right capture method, deliverable, file format, and review process through 3D laser scanning, 3D modeling, reverse engineering, and consulting.
GDS lists service coverage across posted metro areas including Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, Long Beach, Fort Worth, Irvine, Riverside, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Las Vegas, and Beverly Hills. GDS also lists offices in Torrance, California and Houston, Texas. See the current GDS locations page for posted service areas.
Scope note: Accuracy, tolerances, schedules, file formats, review windows, data retention, reporting, site access, safety requirements, and acceptance criteria should be confirmed in the quote, proposal, or statement of work for the specific project.
Deliverable Type 1, The Point Cloud
What It Is
A point cloud is the primary output of a laser scanning operation. It is a dense collection of three-dimensional coordinate measurements, each point representing a location on a physical surface that the scanner measured. A typical industrial facility scan produces between 500 million and 5 billion individual points, collectively forming a precise geometric record of the scanned environment.
What It Looks Like
Viewed in a point cloud viewer, the data looks like a photographic representation of the scanned environment rendered in three dimensions, except that instead of pixels, the image is composed of individual measured points. High-density scans look almost photographic; the geometry of pipes, structure, equipment, and architectural features is clearly visible and measurable.
File Formats
| Format | Description | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| E57 | Widely supported exchange format | Data exchange, archiving |
| LAS / LAZ | Geospatial standard; LAZ is compressed | GIS and large-scale survey |
| RCP / RCS | Autodesk native format | Revit, AutoCAD, Navisworks workflows |
| PTS / PTX | Leica native formats | Legacy compatibility |
| XYZ | Simple ASCII coordinate list | Import into any platform |
GDS delivers point clouds in the format required by the client's software environment. If you are uncertain which format you need, GDS will advise based on your stated software platform.
What You Can Do With It
- Measure distances, areas, and volumes directly in the point cloud
- Extract cross-sections and profiles for drawing production
- Check clearances between installed elements
- Provide a geometric foundation for BIM modelling
- Use as a visual reference in design and construction coordination
- Archive a precise record of facility conditions at a defined date
What You Cannot Do With It (Without Further Processing)
- Open it in standard CAD or design software without a point cloud plugin or viewer
- Use it directly for BIM coordination or clash detection (needs conversion to BIM objects)
- Use it as a basis for CNC machining or manufacturing (needs conversion to CAD model)
- Extract intelligent object data (a pipe in a point cloud is a cylinder of points, not a pipe object with a material, schedule, and tag number)
Software Required
Point cloud viewers (free): Autodesk ReCap (RCP format), Leica TruView, FARO Scene WebShare, CloudCompare (open-source). Point cloud integration in design software requires plugins for Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, Bentley MicroStation, and others.
Deliverable Type 2, 2D As-Built Drawings
What They Are
2D as-built drawings are traditional engineering drawings, plans, sections, elevations, and details, produced by extracting geometry from the point cloud and draughting it in a standard drawing format. They represent the as-built condition of the facility in the familiar format that engineers, contractors, and facilities teams have always worked with.
File Formats
- DWG: AutoCAD native format; editable in AutoCAD, BricsCAD, DraftSight, and compatible platforms
- DXF: Open exchange format; compatible with virtually all CAD platforms
- PDF: Non-editable, print-ready; suitable for reference, issue for construction, and regulatory submission
What You Can Do With Them
- Use as the basis for engineering design and modification
- Issue to contractors as reference documents for construction and installation
- Submit to regulatory authorities for compliance documentation
- Integrate into a facility drawing management system
- Print and use as field reference documentation
Levels of Detail
GDS produces 2D drawings at client-specified levels of detail: - Schematic / outline: Overall dimensions, major equipment positions, key structural grid, suitable for spatial planning and feasibility - General arrangement: Full dimensional annotation, all significant equipment and structure, room/area labels, suitable for design and construction reference - Detail: Specific element details, connection configurations, equipment mounting details, interface dimensions, suitable for fabrication and installation reference
Deliverable Type 3, 3D CAD Model
What It Is
A 3D CAD model is a parametric or surface geometric model produced by reconstructing the point cloud geometry as engineered CAD objects. Unlike the point cloud, a 3D CAD model is a structured, editable design file that can be modified, dimensioned, and used as a design starting point.
File Formats
- STEP (.stp / .step): Universal exchange format; opens in any major CAD platform
- IGES (.igs): Legacy exchange format; widely supported
- Parasolid (.x_t): High-fidelity native kernel format
- Native formats: SolidWorks (.sldprt/.sldasm), CATIA (.CATPart), Creo (.prt), Inventor (.ipt), Siemens NX (.prt)
What You Can Do With It
- Use as the geometric foundation for engineering design within an existing environment
- Perform clash detection against new design proposals
- Generate 2D drawings directly from the 3D model
- Use as input for FEA, CFD, or structural analysis
- Use as the basis for manufacturing or fabrication (reverse engineering applications)
Deliverable Type 4, BIM Model (Scan-to-BIM)
What It Is
A BIM model is an intelligent, parametric model in which physical elements are represented as objects with type, classification, geometry, and attribute data, not just geometry. A wall in a BIM model is not just a surface; it is a wall object with a material, a fire rating, a thickness, and a relationship to adjacent floors, ceilings, and openings.
File Formats
- Revit (.rvt): Autodesk Revit native format; primary BIM platform for building and infrastructure
- IFC (.ifc): Open BIM standard; platform-independent exchange format for BIM data
- NWD / NWF: Navisworks formats for coordination and clash detection
- DWG: 3D DWG export from Revit for AutoCAD-based workflows
Level of Development (LOD)
BIM models are specified at a Level of Development that defines how much geometric and attribute detail each object carries:
| LOD | Description | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| LOD 200 | Approximate geometry, generic objects | Spatial planning, massing |
| LOD 300 | Specific geometry, accurate dimensions | Design coordination |
| LOD 350 | LOD 300 + interfaces and connections | Construction coordination |
| LOD 400 | Fabrication-level detail | Construction and fabrication |
GDS agrees the required LOD for each element category with the client before modelling begins. Higher LOD requires more production time and cost; specify only what your application genuinely requires.
Deliverable Type 5, Inspection and Analysis Reports
For scanning applications in quality assurance and product improvement, GDS can provide analysis reports when they are included in the project scope:
Dimensional Inspection Report: Tabulated measurement of specified features against nominal dimensions and tolerances, with pass/fail disposition for each characteristic.
Deviation Analysis (Colour Map): A full-surface colour-mapped comparison of the scanned geometry against the nominal CAD model, showing where the physical part or structure deviates from design intent and by how much.
Condition Report: Documentation of observed conditions that differ from existing documentation or that represent potential concerns, undocumented modifications, uncharted services, structural anomalies.
How GDS Agrees Your Deliverable Specification
Before any scanning project begins, GDS issues a deliverable specification document confirming:
- Deliverable type(s) and format(s)
- Coordinate system and reference datum
- Drawing scale, title block, and annotation standard (for 2D drawings)
- LOD and object category scope (for BIM models)
- Accuracy or tolerance requirements and review method
- Review and acceptance process
- Revision policy (how many review rounds are included; cost of additional revisions)
Reviewing and approving the deliverable specification before scanning begins is the single most effective way to ensure that what GDS produces matches what you need. Changes to deliverable specification after scanning is complete can require reprocessing or additional data capture, which adds time and cost.
Quick Facts
Continue Reading
The next best article depends on where you are in the project. These suggested reads connect this topic to the next practical decision your team is likely to face.
FAQ
What software do I need to open a point cloud?
For viewing only, free options include Autodesk ReCap (for RCP/RCS files), FARO Scene WebShare, and CloudCompare (open-source, supports most formats). For working with point clouds in design software, plugins are available for Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, Bentley MicroStation, and most major CAD platforms. GDS can advise on the appropriate format for your software environment during scoping.
Can I get both a point cloud and a CAD model from the same scan?
Yes. The registered point cloud is often the source dataset for scan-derived deliverables, but the final deliverable depends on the agreed scope, available inputs, and required use. It may be appropriate for a project to include both a point cloud for reference and a processed deliverable such as 2D drawings, a 3D CAD model, or a BIM model from the same scan data. The cost of producing multiple deliverable types from a single scan is usually evaluated as additional scope and is often more efficient than separate scanning campaigns when the original scan coverage supports the requested deliverable.
How do I know what LOD I need for my BIM model?
LOD should be determined by what you will do with the model. LOD should be selected based on the intended use. Early-stage space planning may only need lower-detail geometry, while design coordination, construction coordination, or fabrication-related work may require higher detail for specific elements. The required LOD should be defined in the scope. GDS's discovery consultation includes a deliverable specification discussion that helps determine an appropriate LOD for your application.
What happens if I need a different format after delivery?
Data retention should be defined in the project terms. If you need a format conversion or additional deliverable type after the original delivery, GDS can evaluate whether it can be produced from retained data without a return site visit. Format conversion fees apply depending on the conversion required. Confirm data retention terms with GDS at project initiation.