Reality Computing for
Construction
Module 05 Modeling from point
cloud and reality data
Point Cloud Data
The registered point cloud developed
in Module 03
(Module03_BuildingScan.rcp) can be
used to complete the following
exercises for Module 05. Included in
the resources for Module 05 is a set
of point cloud files which can be used
in place of
Module03_BuildingScan.rcp.
Prior to importing point clouds into
software for utilization it is crucial to
ensure that they have been
previously indexed and registered.
Using unregistered point cloud scan
data will not provide a federated
model and will be unusable for
modeling or review purposes.
Properly developed and imported
point clouds can provide a strong
base for modeling, coordination and
review activities. Autodesk ReCap
360 converts point clouds into a
format which is easily linked into
Autodesk Revit projects, as well as a
range of other Autodesk design
platforms. Completing the following
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exercises will provide insight into the
process of linking point cloud files
and working with them in a modeling
platform.
Steps to take
Exercise 1 Importing point clouds into Revit
Exercise 2 Modeling with a point cloud in Revit
Exercise requirements
To use Autodesk Revit you will need an
Autodesk ID. As a Student or Educator, you
can obtain an Autodesk ID at no cost at:
www.autodesk.com/education .
Also if you will be using Autodesk Revit to
complete this exercise you can download the
software here:

Download the Autodesk Revit software at
www.autodesk.com/education and install it.
This project is intended for beginning students
who have already been exposed to the
fundamentals of Building Information
Modeling in Autodesk Revit and have a basic
understanding of Autodesk ReCap 360.
Watch the following How-To Videos available
at the Autodesk Design Academy to learn the
modeling skills which will be used in this
exercise:
Beginner Skills:
 Create Walls
 User interface
 Create New Revit Project
 View Control and Properties
 Create Doors
 Create Windows
 Create Roofs and Floors
 Snaps
Intermediate Skills:
 Place Components
 Families
 Dimensions
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Exercise 1 — Importing point clouds into
Revit
In this exercise, you will import point cloud files
into Autodesk Revit and prepare them for
modeling (Exercise 2).
Objectives:
 Recognize acceptable point cloud file
formats
 Successfully link a point cloud into an
Autodesk Revit project
 Prepare and orient point cloud within
Autodesk Revit
Starting a New Autodesk Revit Project
1. Launch the Autodesk Revit Application
2. Start a new project by clicking New under
the Projects heading
3. Select the Architectural Template from the
dropdown menu and click OK
4. Save the project as:
Module05_PC_Model
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Link a Point Cloud into Autodesk Revit
Prior to starting this phase of Exercise 1 ensure
that the you have completed Exercise 2 of
Module 03 or have downloaded the sample files
included in the resources for this module.
Module03_BuildingScan.rcp
OR
Module05_SampleScan.rcp
1. Navigate to the Insert tab in the ribbon at
the top of the Autodesk Revit window and
select it.
2. Select the Point Cloud icon.
3. Set the Files of Type: drop down menu to
Point Cloud Projects (*.rcp).
4. Browse to the Module03_BuildingScan.rcp
ReCap Project file developed in Module 03
or to the Module05_SampleScan.rcp
ReCap Project file downloaded as part of
the resources for this Module.
5. Select Open in the bottom right corner of
the Link Point Cloud window.
6. The point cloud will now be loaded into the
Autodesk Revit project.
Note: If you are having difficulty viewing the
point cloud perform the following checks:
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a. Navigate to a 3D view and verify
that the model is loaded.
b. Model location adjustments will be
made in the next Phase of this
exercise.
c. Ensure your device hardware are
capable of handling the Autodesk
Revit platform. Please refer to the
Autodesk guide by clicking on
System Requirements for
Autodesk Revit 2016.
Adjust Model Placement and Orientation
1. Navigate to an Elevation view.
2. In Elevation the base level of the model will
be matched to the base of the point cloud
file.
3. Click the point cloud model.
4. In the modify tab at the top of the window
select the move tool.
5. Click the base of the point cloud where the
slab is that you would like to set as the base
level for the project.
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6. Move the cursor up to the Level 1 level line
and select it using a left mouse click.
7. Autodesk Revit will move the point cloud to
align the selected floor point or plane with
Level 1 in the project.
8. Navigate to the Level 1 floor plan.
9. Select the point cloud.
10. Under the Modify tab select the rotate tool.
11. Next to Center of rotation: in the ribbon at
the top of the window select Place.
12. In the floor plan select the center of one of
the major walls depicted in the point cloud.
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13. Select a second point on the same wall to
set the start angle for rotation.
Note: Autodesk Revit may display dotted
lines depicting a proposed plane based on
the points to help in selecting the angle of
the wall.
14. Move the cursor until the model is rotated
into the proper orientation. (i.e. the
cardinal orientation of the building is
accurately reflected in the model space
with north being at the top of the window
and south being at the bottom.
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15. Now that the model is oriented correctly in
plan it can be moved to the center of the
workspace by clicking on the model and
holding the left mouse button while
dragging the model into place.
16. The point cloud is now properly oriented
and ready for modeling activities in
Exercise 2.
This concludes Exercise 1.
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Exercise 2 — Modeling with a point cloud in
Revit
In this exercise, you will accomplish basic
modeling in Autodesk Revit based on the
linked point cloud from Exercise 1.
Objectives:
 Use point cloud data to develop a 3D model
in Autodesk Revit
 Model basic building elements
 Walls
 Floors
 Roofs
 Wall fenestration.
Establish Grids, Levels and Reference
Planes
1. Navigate to the Level 1 floor plan.
2. Draw grid lines on the exterior faces of the
exterior walls.
3. Select the Grid tool in the Architecture tab.
4. Hover the cursor over the wall face or plane
and Autodesk Revit will automatically
suggest a plane based on the points in the
points cloud.
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5. Place reference lines on the edges of
openings.
a. Select the Ref Plane tool in the
Architecture tab.
b. Hover the cursor over the edge of the
opening. Autodesk Revit will
automatically suggest a plane based on
the points in the points cloud.
c. Place reference planes perpendicular to
the face of the wall in which the
opening exists.
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6. Navigate to an elevation view.
7. Establish levels at the floor and roof of the
building.
a. Level 1 should have already been
aligned with the floor in Exercise 1 of
this Module.
b. Using the level tool in the Architecture
tab place levels at the Upper level at
the West of the building and at the roof.
8. In a Section view place reference lines at
the top of each of the stadium style risers
at the east of the building.
a. Create a section view of this area using
the section tool in the View tab while in
a floor plan to make establishment of
reference lines on the risers easier.
b. Name each reference plane in the
Instance Properties dialog box
according to which riser it refers to in
ascending order.
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9. Navigate back to the elevation views to
verify proper establishment of all necessary
levels and reference planes.
Draw Walls
1. Navigate to the Level 1 floor plan.
2. Select the measure tool found at the top of
the window.
3. Use the measure tool to determine the
width of the exterior walls of the building.
a. Select the grid line on the face of the
wall.
b. Select the interior side of the wall with
the aid of the Autodesk Revit
automatic plane suggestion.
4. Using the width measured in the previous
two steps edit a wall to match the
discovered width.
a. Select the wall tool in the Architecture
tab.
b. Select Edit Type.
c. Select Duplicate.
d. Name the new wall.
e. Select edit next to structure in the Type
Properties window.
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f.
Edit the thickness to reflect the
measurement taken in Step 3.
5. Using the newly created wall type, draw
the exterior walls of the building.
6. Repeat Step 3 to ensure that each wall
drawn reflects the as-built field dimension
captured in the laser scan.
7. Ensure the top and bottom constraints of
each wall match what is depicted through
the point cloud.
a. The established levels should be used
to assist in the proper constraining of
wall heights.
Draw Floors and Roof
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1. Navigate to the Level 1 floor plan.
2. Select the Floor tool in the Architecture tab.
3. Using the walls and grid lines drawn in the
previous sections as references, draw the
boundaries for the floor of the building.
a. Since the laser scan does not allow for
the measurement of the floor slab
thickness, assume it is an 8” cast-inplace concrete slab.
4. Repeat Step 3 for the upper floor and for
each of the risers on the West side of the
building.
5. Navigate to the floor plan for the Level
drawn at the roof plane.
6. Using the point cloud, walls and gridlines
establish the boundaries for the roof as
captured in the laser scan.
7. Use the elevation views and 3D view in the
project to review the location of the floors
and roof.
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Wall Fenestration
1. Navigate to the Level 1 floor plan.
2. Using the established reference lines and
the Dimension tool in the Annotate tab,
determine the width of the windows and
doors on the exterior of the building by
placing dimension lines between the
reference planes on either side of each
opening.
3. Place windows and doors of the
appropriate dimensions in each opening in
the building.
4. In each of the elevation views use the
measure tool found at the top of the
window to verify that its sill height and
location are set correctly.
This concludes Exercise 2.
These basic modeling techniques will open the
door to continued work with point clouds in the
Autodesk Revit platform. Point clouds are an
accurate reference for modeling activities and
Autodesk Revit greatly enhances the users’
ability to continue this accuracy throughout the
modeling process.
Apply What You Have Learned
1. Use point cloud files from a project you or a
colleague have completed and spend time
using it to model in Autodesk Revit.
2. Using skills from previous modules to
identify buildings to scan, develop a plan,
execute scanning activities and then use
the data to complete modelling in
Autodesk Revit.
3. Consider projects which you are involved in
which may benefit, or could have benefited,
from the use of the reality capture
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techniques discussed in this Module and
throughout the course.
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