If you have Revit modelers and want to keep the work in-house, look at a modeling assistant such as FARO As-Built, EdgeWise or the newer ReCap mesh tools. If you already scan with Matterport and LOD 200 is enough, Matterport BIM files are convenient. If you want a finished, separated model from any scanner without staffing the modeling, a service like Moving Atoms delivers within 48 hours.
Comparison at a glance
| Option | Type | Scan input | What you get | Who does the modeling | Turnaround | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moving Atoms | Done-for-you service | Any scanner: E57, LAS/LAZ, PLY, RCP/RCS, FLS, LGSx and more | Revit, IFC, STEP, USD, GLB; every object separated | Our pipeline and team | Within 48 hours | Quote per site |
| Autodesk ReCap Pro + Revit | Software | Most scanner formats into ReCap | Registered point cloud (RCP/RCS) linked in Revit; ReCap Pro 2026 adds segmented meshes placed as Revit families | Your Revit team | Depends on your team | Autodesk subscription |
| ClearEdge3D EdgeWise | Software | Point clouds (the reviewed version needed per-scan, gridded data) | Extracted walls, windows, doors, pipes and conduit as Revit families | Your team, assisted | Depends on your team | Vendor quote |
| FARO As-Built for Revit | Revit plug-in | Point clouds inside Revit | Tools to model walls, doors, windows, columns, beams and pipe runs in Revit, with accuracy analysis | Your team, assisted | Depends on your team | License, standalone or suite |
| Leica Cyclone 3DR | Software | Point clouds | Inspection, scan-to-plan, building extraction and clash analysis; BCF export to BIM tools | Your team, assisted | Depends on your team | Leica license |
| Pointfuse | Software | Point clouds | Segmented, classified mesh exported to IFC or FBX; Simple BIM converts classified meshes to wall, floor and door groups | Your team, assisted | Depends on your team | Vendor license |
| Matterport BIM files | Add-on service | Matterport captures | LOD 200 Revit, IFC, DWG plans and RCS point cloud | Matterport | As few as two business days (per Matterport) | By floor area |
| Outsourced Scan to BIM firms | Manual service | Any scanner | Revit/IFC modeled by hand to your LOD | The firm's modelers | Usually quoted in weeks | Per square foot, with minimums |
Vendor capabilities are summarized from public vendor pages and trade press (sources below) as of October 2026. Check each vendor for current features and pricing.
Three kinds of Scan to BIM solution
1. Software that helps your team model
Autodesk ReCap, ClearEdge3D EdgeWise, FARO As-Built, Leica Cyclone 3DR and Pointfuse all make modeling from a point cloud faster, but a skilled operator still drives the result and checks it. They suit firms with in-house Revit staff and a steady flow of projects, where license costs are spread over many jobs.
2. Firms that model by hand
Specialist Scan to BIM firms link your scan in Revit and trace it to the LOD in your brief. Quality depends on the team, prices are usually per square foot with a minimum, and turnaround scales with the size of the building. See Moving Atoms vs outsourced Scan to BIM.
3. Automated services
You upload a scan and get a finished model back. Matterport offers LOD 200 BIM files for Matterport captures. Moving Atoms accepts any scanner, separates every object, and delivers Revit, IFC, STEP, USD and GLB within 48 hours at the LOD you choose.
How to choose
- Do you have Revit modelers with time to spare? A modeling assistant keeps the work in-house. If not, a service avoids hiring for peaks.
- Which scanner captured the site? Matterport BIM files require Matterport captures. Software and services such as Moving Atoms accept terrestrial, mobile and handheld scans.
- What LOD do you need? LOD 200 is enough for massing and space planning; most existing-conditions work needs LOD 300 or more. See LOD levels explained.
- How fast? Manual modeling is usually measured in weeks; automated delivery in days.
- Do you need each object separately? For clash detection, maintenance and simulation, every pump and pipe run must be its own element, not part of one fused mesh.
- Can the data leave your site? If not, check whether the vendor can process on-site. Moving Atoms can.
Each option in detail
- Autodesk ReCap Pro + RevitThe default Autodesk workflow, and what ReCap Pro 2026 adds.
- ClearEdge3D EdgeWiseAutomated extraction of walls, pipes and conduit for Revit.
- FARO As-Built for RevitPoint cloud modeling and accuracy checks inside Revit.
- Leica Cyclone 3DRInspection, scan-to-plan and building extraction.
- PointfuseClassified meshes to IFC, and Simple BIM for FM.
- Matterport BIM filesLOD 200 files from Matterport captures.
- Outsourced Scan to BIM firmsManual modeling by specialist teams.
- Scan to BIM costWhat drives price and typical market rates.
Send us a scan and get separated, editable Revit and IFC objects back within 48 hours.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Scan to BIM software?
It depends on who does the modeling. Teams with Revit modelers often use ReCap with Revit plus an assistant such as FARO As-Built or EdgeWise. Teams that want a finished model without staffing the work use a service; Moving Atoms delivers separated Revit and IFC models from any scanner within 48 hours.
Is there fully automatic Scan to BIM?
Software tools automate parts of the work (extraction of walls or pipes, segmentation into meshes) but still need an operator. Services such as Moving Atoms deliver a finished, separated model without you operating any software.
Can I get Scan to BIM from a non-Matterport scanner?
Yes. Matterport BIM files require Matterport captures, but software tools and services such as Moving Atoms accept E57, LAS, RCP and scanner-native files from FARO, Leica, NavVis, RIEGL and others.
Which Scan to BIM option is fastest?
Automated services are fastest: Matterport quotes as few as two business days for LOD 200, and Moving Atoms delivers within 48 hours at LOD 200 to 500. Manual modeling is usually quoted in weeks.