Resources
BIM & Scan to BIM Glossary
Clear definitions for the terms that show up in BEPs, proposals and coordination meetings — from LOD and registration to IFC, clash types and digital twins.
34 terms for AEC project teams
34 terms shown
Scan to BIM
Reality capture and point cloud concepts used on as-built projects.
- As-Built BIM
- A BIM model that reflects constructed or existing conditions rather than design intent, typically derived from scans, field verification or construction records.
- As-Built BIM
- Deviation Analysis
- Comparing modeled geometry against the source point cloud to quantify how closely the BIM matches captured reality — a core QA step in Scan to BIM delivery.
- Ground Control Points (GCPs)
- Surveyed reference points used to geo-reference or verify a point cloud against a project coordinate system, reducing drift and absolute positioning error.
- Point Cloud
- A dense set of 3D coordinates captured by laser scanners or photogrammetry that represents existing site or building geometry before modeling begins.
- Point Cloud Density
- The spacing or number of points per unit area in a scan dataset. Higher density supports finer modeling detail but increases storage and processing cost.
- Registration
- Aligning multiple scan setups into a single coordinated point cloud using targets, cloud-to-cloud methods or survey control so the dataset shares one coordinate system.
- Scan Registration
- Scan to BIM
- The workflow of converting registered laser-scan point clouds into intelligent BIM models used for design, documentation, coordination and facility management.
- Point Cloud to BIM
- SLAM Scanning
- Simultaneous Localization and Mapping — mobile scanning that builds a map while estimating scanner position. Useful for rapid coverage; accuracy depends on device and control strategy.
- Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS)
- Stationary high-accuracy laser scanning from fixed setups, commonly used for buildings, plant rooms and heritage fabric where millimeter-level fidelity matters.
Standards & Information
LOD, ISO 19650 and delivery vocabulary used in BIM execution.
- BIM Execution Plan (BEP)
- A project document defining how BIM will be delivered — roles, software, LOD/LOI, naming, exchange formats, CDE usage and quality procedures.
- BEP guide
- COBie
- Construction Operations Building information exchange — a structured data format for handing asset information to facility management without relying solely on geometry.
- Common Data Environment (CDE)
- A shared digital repository and process for collecting, managing and disseminating project information in controlled states (work in progress, shared, published, archived).
- Exchange Information Requirements (EIR)
- Client or appointing-party requirements that define what information must be delivered, when, in which formats and to what acceptance criteria.
- ISO 19650
- An international standard for organizing and managing information over the lifecycle of a built asset using BIM, covering exchange requirements, common data environments and delivery roles.
- ISO 19650 explained
- Level of Development (LOD)
- A scale (commonly LOD 100–500) describing the reliability and detail of model elements — from conceptual massing through fabrication-ready and verified as-built geometry.
- LOD 100–500 explained
- Level of Information (LOI)
- The non-geometric data richness expected on model elements — asset IDs, specifications, warranties and FM attributes — distinct from geometric LOD.
- Scan to BIM Specification
- A project brief defining LOD/LOI, disciplines, tolerances, coordinate system, software templates and acceptance criteria for converting scans into BIM deliverables.
- Knowledge Center
Modeling
Authoring platforms, model types and geometric fidelity terms.
- Digital Twin
- A living digital representation of an asset connected to operational data — sensors, BMS or CMMS — so the model reflects current facility performance, not only static geometry.
- Digital Twin services
- Federated Model
- A combined view of discipline models (architecture, structure, MEP) linked or assembled for coordination without merging authorship into a single file.
- MEP Modeling
- Authoring mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems in BIM with routing, clearances and coordination against architecture and structure.
- MEP Modeling
- Parametric Model
- A BIM model built from intelligent, editable components (families, composites, profiles) whose dimensions and relationships can be controlled rather than static mesh geometry.
- Revit Family
- A reusable parametric component in Autodesk Revit (doors, equipment, fixtures) that carries geometry and data used for documentation and schedules.
- Workset
- A Revit collaboration partition that lets multiple users work in the same model while controlling ownership and visibility of element groups.
Coordination
Clash, federation and multi-discipline review language.
- Clash Detection
- Automated or manual identification of spatial conflicts between discipline models before construction — for example ducts intersecting beams or insufficient clearance.
- Clash Detection
- Coordination Model
- A federated or review model used in Navisworks or similar tools to inspect clashes, viewpoints and construction sequencing across disciplines.
- Hard Clash
- A direct geometric intersection between two elements (for example pipe through a beam) that must be resolved before installation.
- Soft Clash (Clearance)
- A conflict where elements do not intersect but violate required clearance, access or maintenance envelopes.
Formats & Exchange
Common scan, model and openBIM file types.
- E57
- An open ASTM standard format for exchanging point cloud data between scanning and modeling platforms.
- IFC
- Industry Foundation Classes — an openBIM schema for exchanging model geometry and data between authoring tools without relying on a single vendor format.
- IFC BIM
- LAS / LAZ
- Widely used lidar point cloud formats; LAZ is the compressed variant. Common in survey and aerial capture pipelines.
- NWC / NWD
- Navisworks cache and document formats used for federated model review, clash detection and coordination markups.
- openBIM
- An approach to collaborative digital design and construction based on open standards (notably IFC) so project information can move between tools without vendor lock-in.
- IFC BIM
- RCP / RCS
- Autodesk ReCap project and scan formats commonly used to index and link point clouds into Revit and Navisworks workflows.
- RVT
- Native Autodesk Revit project file format used for parametric BIM authoring and documentation.
- Point Cloud to Revit
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