Laser scanning and BIM
Why the laser scanning industry is turning the Building Information Modelling industry upside down
BIM is a revolution in itself. I distinctly remember a time when BIM was talked of as the disrupter of how we design. That time’s changed. It isn’t that BIM is passé, but rather it has become the new normal. Every new building that is getting created is being affected by BIM in some way or the other. As a design tool, BIM is unparalleled.
But the days of the hype are over. It isn’t just about fancy new software anymore. It’s proven that it’s effective. BIM has emerged successful as a technology and people are embracing it faster than ever before.
At such a moment in the history of time, surprising that another technology has emerged and turned BIM on its head. And for good reason. By this I do not intend to say that the good days of BIM are over. In fact, it’s far from that. When two technologies intermingle, what usually results is disruption. And exactly what is happening with BIM and laser scanning.
It has been a while since the importance of BIM in the field has been brought to notice. As researchers we are always looking at ways of improving how best we can utilise technology on site. Laser scan is primarily aimed to disrupt how we interact with the built environment. With tools like LiDAR scanners we can map out the world around us, bring it to a computer and revisit it in full 3D. We can finally design in context. In some ways it is replacing conventional equipment and in other ways it is adding to it.
Using drones, UAVs, vehicles mounted with scanners we are now looking forward to mapping everything around us in 3D. Times have changed pretty fast for this industry. And it is growing in popularity by the hour. The best part is that it compliments BIM in many different ways.
Developing models for buildings which have no records of their floor plans is a no brainer application. The laser scan can be used as a ready reference for creation of the models. Mapping out complex buildings like forts, museums and heritage structures is a big bonus with this technology. Using scans to keep track of hidden elements in a building (like ducts, pipes, conduits etc. which get hidden behind false ceilings or plaster) is a practice that is evolving by the day. Owners are using it to know about where the building services are, so that they are easily located during the maintenance or renovation of the building.
Applications of both these technologies are huge. We’re only starting to scratch the surface of what the possibilities are. What do you feel is the best use of BIM+Laser scanning?
#ScanToBIM
Head over to our website www.techture.co.in to know more about how we are using laser scanning in our projects.
