The faster you can scan, process, and export, the more you can build. And now, it's all possible—on one device, in real time.
In the past, doing 3D scanning for construction or surveying was a bit of a headache. You'd go out and collect raw data, and then you'd spend many hours, or even days, back in the office trying to put it all together. This meant stitching different scans, aligning them up, colorizing, and making sure they matched real-world locations. Problems often didn't show up until much later, which led to expensive rework and a lot of wasted time.
But now things are changing. There's a new kind of 3D scanning system that does it all in one go. These new tools give you instant feedback as you scan, use different sensors together, and create data that's ready to use right away. It's like having a powerful, complete solution right in your hand. In this blog, we'll explore how real-time LiDAR scanning is transforming the scan-to-BIM workflow.
The Old Way of 3D Scanning: Slow and Inaccurate
Thinking about old ways of 3D scanning, it was often a slow process with many steps. First, you'd take a terrestrial scanner out to a site to gather information. Then, you had to bring all that data back to the office, upload it, and start merging it together.After that, a lot of hands-on work was needed. You had to line up all the different scans by hand, correct any wobbles or shifts in the data, and then add colors or textures to make the 3D model look real. Finally, you would get the finished data ready to send to other design programs like BIM or CAD.
This whole process might seem okay at first glance. However, it quickly becomes a big headache when you're under pressure with tight deadlines, working with many different teams, or dealing with unexpected conditions out in the field. If you missed even a small spot, if a scan wasn't aligned right, or if there wasn't enough detail, it meant going back to the site to redo the work. This caused delays in delivering the final model and could even make clients lose trust in your results.
All-in-One Scanning: One Device, One Workflow
Modern LiDAR scanners are changing the game. These devices are small, easy to move around, and built with many different sensors that all work together. By integrating LiDAR, RGB cameras, GNSS, and IMU into a single device, you can manage every scanning task within a single workflow.Because all these smart components work together, these new scanners can do amazing things. They can capture very detailed 3D information (high-density point clouds) while you're out in the field. As you move, they show you the scan in real-time on a screen, so you can see exactly what you're getting.
Even better, these devices can automatically colorize your scans and align everything perfectly as you go. This means you can export your data on the same day, right there on-site. You don't have to wait days to process information back at the office.
This changes your way of scanning and surveying. Now, you can simply walk through a building or an area, scan it with a handheld LiDAR scanner, check for any problems right away on a iPad, and leave the site with your data already perfectly aligned and ready for you to start building your 3D models.
Real-Time Fusion Makes the Difference
At the heart of this shift is data fusion—the process of combining input from multiple sensors into a coherent, enhanced dataset. Each sensor plays a role:- LiDAR captures geometry with precision
- RGB cameras provide texture and realism
- GNSS & RTK enable accurate outdoor georeferencing
- IMU & SLAM ensure stable positioning, even without satellite coverage
FJD Trion S2: Simpler Scan-to-BIM Workflow
The FJD Trion S2 is one of the best handheld scanners available today, and it's a great example of what an "all-in-one" system should be. It makes complex 3D scanning much simpler with some impressive features.Scan Right From the Start
The S2 uses high-resolution LiDAR to capture 640,000 points every second. With two 16-megapixel cameras, the S2 lets you colorize your 3D scans in real time. For outdoor work, it uses an RTK GNSS module to get accuracy down to mere centimeters. And for inside buildings, it uses an industrial-grade IMU and SLAM technology to track its position reliably without drifting off course.
All of this shows up live on an iPad screen, so you see your 3D scan building as you move. When you're done, you can export your data with just one click into formats like LAS, PLY, and files ready for BIM. The S2's own software puts everything together and enables colorization as you go, so you spend less time fixing data and more time using it.
Scan Anywhere as You Go
Whether you're scanning a building to create a "digital twin," mapping terrain, or preparing models for construction, using an all-in-one 3D scanner like the Trion S2 gives you big advantages. It offers incredible speed, cutting out hours of work you'd normally do after scanning. You get accuracy thanks to instant feedback and quality checks right away. It's super portable, so you can scan anywhere—indoors, outdoors, or even underground. And you get confidence, knowing you've captured everything you need before you even leave the site.
This speed and confidence are super important for projects where time is tight or the stakes are high. This includes major jobs like construction and BIM (Building Information Modeling), documenting old heritage sites, checking facilities, mapping tunnels and subways, and even capturing forests and natural landscapes. The S2 helps ensure you get it right the first time, every time.
Better Scan-to-BIM Workflow
The process of scanning something and turning it into a BIM model no longer has to be a slow, complicated relay race between different tools and teams. With a real-time, all-in-one scanner, your workflow becomes incredibly simple: scan, check, export, and model.You can do all of this in a single session, without needing to transfer files or manually stitch things together. It's a straightforward and flexible way to work that brings field teams and digital designers on a shared platform, giving you better results, much faster.
Try It Yourself
The days of slow, broken-up 3D scanning are coming to an end. For anyone working in construction, creating digital models, or providing scanning services, being able to capture, preview, and export data right on the job site is now the standard.Our FJD Trion S2 is built to meet this new standard. It combines real-time point cloud fusion, multi-sensor accuracy, and scan-to-export simplicity all in one small device. Want to see how it works for real? Schedule a demo with our team and experience the future of 3D scanning.
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