Modeling a Point Cloud Inside of Revit: A Step-by-Step Guide
Introduction
Point clouds have revolutionized the way architects, engineers, and construction professionals work with existing conditions. Whether you're remodeling a historic building or retrofitting an industrial space, point clouds provide accurate as-built data that can be converted into a BIM model in Revit. In this post, we’ll walk through the process of importing and modeling a point cloud in Revit in an easy-to-understand manner.
What is a Point Cloud?
A point cloud is a collection of millions (or even billions) of points captured using laser scanning (LiDAR) or photogrammetry. These points represent the exact dimensions and geometry of an existing space, making them essential for scan-to-BIM workflows.
Revit does not natively allow direct manipulation of individual points within a cloud, but it enables users to use the point cloud as a reference to create a detailed 3D model.
Preparing Your Point Cloud for Revit
Before importing a point cloud into Revit, you need to make sure it is in a format that Revit supports.
Revit supports the following point cloud file formats:
RCP (ReCap Project)
RCS (ReCap Scan)
Most raw point cloud data come in formats like LAS, E57, or PTS. If your scan is in one of these formats, you’ll need to convert it using Autodesk ReCap, which allows you to clean, segment, and optimize your point cloud for use in Revit.
Before importing, consider these best practices:
Reduce noise by filtering out unnecessary points in ReCap.
Segment the point cloud if you only need specific portions.
Set the coordinate system to align with your Revit model.
Other software, such as Leica Cyclone, also allow you to import and export point clouds of various formats, including the .rcp format, as well as offer additional functionality like filtering excess data points you do not want in your point cloud.
Importing the Point Cloud into Revit
Now that your point cloud is ready, follow these steps to bring it into Revit:
Step 1: Open Your Revit Project
Start with a new or existing Revit project where you want to model from the point cloud.
Step 2: Insert the Point Cloud
Navigate to Insert > Point Cloud.
Click Point Cloud (RCP/RCS) and select your file.
Choose Auto - Center to Center for a simple placement or use Origin to Origin if your point cloud has defined coordinates.
Click Open and Revit will load the point cloud.
Step 3: Adjust Visibility
Once inserted, your point cloud may appear faint. Adjust visibility using:
Visibility/Graphics (VG) settings to control transparency.
Manage > Point Cloud Manager to adjust the display by intensity, RGB, or elevation.
Point clouds can be located geographically using a coordinate system; however, it is not always required you do so.
Modeling from the Point Cloud
Now comes the important part—tracing the point cloud to create an accurate BIM model.
1. Set Up Views for Better Modeling
Use Section Views to slice through the point cloud and isolate key architectural elements.
Adjust the View Range to focus on specific portions.
2. Create Reference Planes
Reference planes help align your model with the point cloud.
Go to Architecture > Reference Plane.
Align planes with major structural components (walls, floors, ceilings).
Lock elements to these planes for better accuracy.
3. Trace Walls, Floors, and Structural Elements
Use the Wall Tool and align it with the point cloud’s wall edges.
For floors, draw using the Floor Tool, snapping to the lowest visible points in the cloud.
Structural elements such as beams and columns can be placed using Family Components.
4. Modeling Windows and Doors
Place doors and windows by referencing openings in the point cloud.
I like to set up interior elevations in all rooms that have any sort of openings in order to see overall heights and sill heights in regards to windows.
Use Reference Views to verify alignment.
Adjust dimensions manually to match real-world conditions.
5. Roofs and Ceilings
For sloped roofs, create Work Planes aligned with the roof surface.
Use Model Lines and the Roof Tool to generate an accurate shape.
Ceilings can be created by tracing the point cloud in section views.
Tips for Efficient Modeling
Use Levels and Grids: Set up levels based on major floor heights for easier alignment.
Adjust transparencies for walls: This helps you see through the point cloud while modeling.
Hide Unnecessary Points: Use section boxes to isolate specific areas for clarity.
Use Revit Families: Instead of modeling every detail from scratch, use existing Revit families for doors, windows, and fixtures. There may be some custom work that requires you to create a one-off object, but more likely than not, standard sizes for common objects will work well.
Continuously Validate: Cross-check dimensions with real-world measurements to ensure accuracy.
Conclusion
Modeling a point cloud inside Revit is a powerful way to bring real-world accuracy into your BIM workflow. While it requires some setup and attention to detail, the benefits of having an accurate as-built model far outweigh the effort. With the right approach—cleaning the point cloud, setting up proper views, and tracing elements efficiently—you can streamline your scan-to-BIM process and create a precise digital twin of any existing structure.