Compare Your Point Cloud to Your BIM ModelDetect Every Deviation in Minutes
Overlay your 3D scan and your BIM model directly in your browser. Spot the differences between as-built conditions and design intent. No software to install, no desktop license required.
No credit card required · No commitment
500 GB
Files up to 500 GB
0
Installation required
IFC+
IFC + all scan formats supported
Why BIM Managers choose ATIS.cloud
Detect deviations between your real-world scan and BIM design model
Here is the problem you already know: the BIM model says one thing, the job site says another. Misaligned walls, misplaced MEP runs, slabs outside tolerance, these deviations go unnoticed until they become expensive change orders. With ATIS.cloud, overlay your point cloud data (the as-built reality captured by 3D laser scanning) onto your BIM model (the as-designed intent) and identify every non-conformance. You see exactly where the real construction diverges from the design, element by element.
100% browser-based, zero installation, zero desktop license
Navisworks, ReCap, CloudCompare: these desktop tools demand powerful workstations, expensive licenses, and specialized technical knowledge. ATIS.cloud runs entirely in your web browser: no software to install, no license to manage, no hardware constraints. Open a tab, upload your files, compare. That is how simple scan-to-BIM comparison should be.
Compatible with all scanners: FARO, Leica, Trimble, Riegl, NavVis, Viametris, Matterport, GeoSLAM
You are not locked into a proprietary ecosystem. Whether you use a FARO Focus laser scanner, a Leica BLK360, a Trimble TX8, a Riegl VZ-400i, a NavVis VLX, a Viametris, a Matterport Pro3, or a GeoSLAM, ATIS.cloud processes your files without any pre-conversion. One platform for all your construction projects, regardless of scanning hardware.
Files up to 500 GB, even large-scale projects fit
Large construction projects generate massive point clouds: an office building in E57 format easily reaches 50 to 150 GB. Most cloud platforms hit their file size limits well before that. ATIS.cloud handles files up to 500 GB (up to 5 TB for the largest projects), including large-scale commercial buildings, industrial facilities, and infrastructure assets. No file splitting, no loss of resolution.
Share comparison results with your team and clients
A scan-vs-BIM comparison (called as-built) is only valuable if the project team can access it. With ATIS.cloud, share the results with your owner, subcontractor, or client, without them needing an account or any software. They view the results in their browser, navigate the overlaid view, and see the detected deviations.
Sovereignty in 22+ countries, GDPR / CCPA compliant
3D scan data of a building is sensitive: floor plans, dimensions, layouts, utility networks. ATIS.cloud hosts your data as close to you as possible, with SSL encryption and sovereignty in 22+ countries. You stay GDPR / CCPA-compliant without exporting your construction plans to servers outside the European Union. For government projects, institutional clients, and security-sensitive facilities, this is a non-negotiable requirement.
How to Compare Your 3D Scan to Your BIM Model in 3 Steps
Upload your point cloud and IFC file
Drop your 3D scan file (E57, LAS, LAZ, RCS, RCP, LGSx) and your BIM model in IFC format into ATIS.cloud. Upload works directly from your browser, even for large files, up to 500 GB. No need to convert your files beforehand.
- Supported scan formats: E57, LAS, LAZ (Standard plan), RCS, RCP, LGSx (Advance plan)
- BIM model format: IFC (Advance plan)
- Compatible with exports from all major scanners (FARO, Leica, Trimble, Riegl, NavVis, Viametris, Matterport, GeoSLAM)
Overlay and analyze: ATIS.cloud aligns your scan and model
Once files are loaded, view your point cloud overlaid onto your BIM model. The interface lets you navigate the combined view, toggle layers on and off, and visually identify deviation zones between the as-built construction and the as-designed model.
- Combined point cloud + BIM model view in the same 3D space
- Smooth navigation even on large files
- Visual identification of non-conformance zones
Identify non-conformances and share results with your team
Pinpoint every deviation between the real-world scan and the BIM model. Share your analysis results with your project team, owner, or subcontractors via a simple sharing link. Recipients do not need any software or an account to view the results.
- Sharing accessible in any browser
- No account required for recipients
- Simplified collaboration across all project stakeholders
What Is Scan-vs-BIM Comparison?
Scan-vs-BIM comparison is the process of overlaying a real-world 3D survey (called "as-built") onto a design model (called "as-designed") to measure deviations between the two. The real-world survey takes the form of a point cloud — millions of 3D coordinates captured by a laser scanner — while the BIM model is the theoretical model produced by the architect or engineer in software like Revit or ArchiCAD.
The goal is straightforward: verify that what was built matches what was designed.
Concrete use cases
Scan-vs-BIM comparison addresses specific business needs across AEC (Architecture, Engineering, Construction) and beyond:
Construction quality assurance
Verify construction conformance at each critical phase. A deviation detected early costs 10-100x less to fix.
Renovation and retrofit
Compare existing conditions (as-built) against the renovation design to anticipate constraints and conflicts with existing structures.
Digital twin and facility management
Regularly overlay reality against the model to maintain a digital twin that always reflects the true state of your building asset.
"Scan to BIM" vs "Scan vs BIM": know the difference
The terms are frequently confused, even among AEC professionals:
| Scan to BIM | Scan vs BIM | |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Create a BIM model from a 3D scan | Compare a 3D scan to an existing BIM model |
| Process | Manual or semi-automated modeling of elements from the point cloud | Automated overlay of scan and model to detect deviations |
| Output | A new BIM model | A deviation report between as-built and as-designed |
| When | When no BIM model exists yet | When the BIM model exists and you need to verify construction |
| Typical cost | Outsourced services, cost varies by project size | Software subscription (ATIS.cloud Advance: request a quote, up to 10 users) |
ATIS.cloud is a Scan-vs-BIM platform: you already have a point cloud AND a BIM model, and you want to compare them. It is not a modeling tool, it is a verification tool.
Scan to BIM vs Scan to CAD: choosing the right workflow
Another common question in the AEC industry is how scan-to-BIM differs from scan-to-CAD. The key distinction:
- Scan to CAD produces 2D drawings (plans, sections, elevations) from a 3D scan. The output is a traditional CAD file (DWG, DXF), geometry without intelligence.
- Scan to BIM produces an intelligent 3D model with building information (materials, systems, classifications). The output is a BIM file (IFC, RVT), geometry with data.
For deviation detection and construction verification, you need BIM-level intelligence. That is why ATIS.cloud supports IFC import: the BIM model carries the building information needed to make comparison results meaningful and actionable across your project team.
Tolerances and deviation thresholds: how to interpret results
Scan-vs-BIM comparison produces measured deviations. Here are common thresholds by element type.
| Element | Typical tolerance | Consequence if exceeded |
|---|---|---|
| Load-bearing walls / concrete | ± 15 mm | Structural rework, schedule impact |
| Interior partitions | ± 25 mm | Joinery and ceiling adjustments |
| MEP networks (ducts, pipes) | ± 20 mm | Clash with other trades, delays |
| Floor flatness | ± 10 mm over 2 m | Flooring installation issues |
ATIS.cloud lets you overlay your point cloud and IFC model to visually detect these deviations. Out-of-tolerance zones are immediately identifiable in the 3D app.
Recommended site workflow
- 1
Scan at each critical phase (foundations, structure, fit-out)
- 2
Upload to ATIS.cloud + overlay with BIM/IFC model
- 3
Identify deviations and share results by link with the project owner
- 4
Correct before moving to the next phase, 10-100x cheaper than late rework
All Supported Formats for BIM Comparison
ATIS.cloud supports the major point cloud and BIM model formats used in the industry. No pre-conversion required: upload directly from your scanner or BIM software.
| Format | Extension | Plan required |
|---|---|---|
| E57 | .e57 | Standard |
| LAS | .las | Standard |
| LAZ | .laz | Standard |
| RCS | .rcs | Advance |
| RCP | .rcp | Advance |
| LGSx | .lgsx | Advance |
| IFC | .ifc | Advance |
The BIM comparison feature (point cloud + IFC model overlay) is available on the Advance plan. View the Advance Plan
ATIS.cloud vs Alternatives for Point Cloud BIM Comparison
Compare ATIS.cloud to desktop software and other cloud platforms.
| Criteria | Desktop software (Navisworks, ReCap, CloudCompare) | Cloud platforms (OpenSpace, Cintoo) | ATIS.cloud |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installation required | Yes, heavy software (GB) | No (browser) | No (browser) |
| Annual cost | Thousands per seat | Varies, often quote-based | Request a quote |
| Scanner compatibility | Often tied to one ecosystem (Autodesk/Leica) | Varies | 8 brands (FARO, Leica, Trimble, Riegl, NavVis, Viametris, Matterport, GeoSLAM) |
| Scan formats | Proprietary to the software | Limited | E57, LAS, LAZ, RCS, RCP, LGSx |
| IFC import | Partial or via plugins | Varies | Yes (native) |
| Sharing | No, files must be sent | Yes (account required) | Yes (no recipient account needed) |
| EU hosting / GDPR / CCPA | N/A (local) | Often US-based | 22+ countries, SSL encryption, GDPR / CCPA |
| Free trial | Limited | Varies | No credit card |
| Learning curve | Steep (expertise required) | Moderate | Low (upload + click) |
For every industry
Discover how ATIS.cloud adapts to your sector.
Surveyors
Deliver your scans to your clients in seconds. They view without installing anything.
BIM & Construction
Compare your point clouds with your BIM models. Detect deviations instantly.
Heritage
Document and share your historic monument surveys with your teams and partners.
Manufacturing
Digitize your industrial facilities and facilitate maintenance and renovations.
What our customers say
Discover why over 2,600+ companies trust us.
"ATIS.cloud allowed us to reduce delivery time by 2 hours per project. Our clients can view scans immediately."2h saved per deliverable
James
Licensed Surveyor, Horizon Surveying
"The interface is intuitive and comparing with our BIM models has become child's play. A real productivity gain."+40% productivity
Sarah
BIM Manager, Arcadia Construction Group
"We were able to abandon our expensive on-premise solution. ATIS.cloud is much more accessible and simpler."Affordable pricing
Michael
Technical Director, Meridian Industries
"Sharing has revolutionized how we work with our clients. No need to explain how to install an application anymore."0 client friction
Emma
Heritage Manager, Atlas Heritage Foundation
Security and compliance
Discover other features
ATIS.cloud goes beyond BIM comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions About Point Cloud vs BIM Comparison
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