How Scan to BIM is reshaping interior design

Gone are the days when interior design was done entirely with pencil and paper. Now, technology has enhanced almost every part of the creative process, making it easier to share ideas, collaborate on projects, and create realistic models. But with an ever-evolving fleet of software, it can be hard to keep up.

One of the latest technologies shaping interior design is Scan to BIM. This innovative approach to rendering is bringing accuracy and efficiency to the design process.

Intrigued? Learn more about Scan to BIM and stay ahead of the digitally designed curve with this guide.

What is Scan to BIM?

BIM in interior design stands for building information modelling. Scan to BIM is a tech-powered service that translates real building scans into BIM formats. Essentially, it turns your existing space into an accurate 3D model.

Scan to BIM offers incredible accuracy and spatial awareness for realistic models, making reality capture a breeze. For design, development, and construction teams, it’s a must-have technology that’ll transform the interior design process.

Whether you’re designing an outdoor kitchen or remodelling an apartment complex, this could be the next piece of tech to add to your interior design process.

How Scan to BIM Works

When exploring Scan to BIM for interior designers, it’s useful to know how this technology works.

Rather than being a software you can purchase, Scan to BIM is a tech-focused service. You’ll hire a trusted team to carry out the process, which involves:

Scanning the building or interior

Your Scan to BIM team will start by scanning the space you need to create a model of. This might be done using a stationary tripod, manually moving the scanner around the area, or attaching it to a drone to capture larger areas.

Using a laser scanner

Your team will use a laser scanner. This works by sending out light beams to record points around your site and measuring how long it takes the beam to bounce and return to accurately ascertain distances. Goodbye, tape measures!

Generating a 3D image

Using the visual images and the distances measured, the scanner automatically generates a super-realistic 3D image of your site. When viewed like this, your model looks like it’s made up of lots of tiny dots. This is called a point cloud, and while useful, it’s not ready for your project just yet.

Building your smart model

To turn your point-cloud image into a model, your scan to BIM team will build on top of the image.

This will accurately bring to life all the details of your space, including where the electricity outlets are, the size of the windows, and the exact angle of the roof.

Why is Scan to BIM Useful in Interior Design?

There’s a lot of unnecessary software and tech out there, so what makes Scan to BIM different for interior designers?

Let’s take a look at the benefits to learn more about how this technology is reshaping the design and development process.

Design Using Realistic Layouts

With Scan to BIM, you’re working from accurate, real-world measurements. This makes it far easier to create interior design plans that reflect the size of the space, with no need for guesswork. Design with the confidence that everything fits exactly as you’re envisioning.

Lower Your Project Costs

The accuracy of Scan to BIM reduces costly surprises down the line. From inaccurate measurements that cause expensive adjustments to not accounting for architectural oddities, this image-capture process helps identify potential issues early on, reducing errors and rework.

3D Walkabout, a Scan to BIM service provider, cites that their services reduce project modelling costs by up to 70% when compared to traditional methods. Keep clients happy and make it easier to stick to budget, all while delivering detailed designs.

Speed Up Design and Development

Starting with a 3D model built from the existing space means less time measuring and more time creating. You get to move quickly from ideas to execution, helping you meet deadlines while still delivering high-quality interior design plans.

Integrate With Existing Software

Got a fleet of software you like working on? Quickly import your Scan to BIM files into Autodesk Revit, SketchUp, Vectorworks, and other design software. This streamlines workflows and removes the need for switching to new tools, helping your design teams get to work without hassle.

Reduce Site Visits

Once you’ve scanned a space, you can refer back to it anytime. There’s no need for multiple site visits to take new measurements or review just how clunky the exposed pipework is. It’s all there in your digital model, saving you time and money.

The location of buildings also affects design. With Scan to BIM, create models of the surrounding landscape to ensure the interior is harmonious with the exterior.

Share Your Designs

Collaboration is key in interior design. By using Scan to BIM, you can quickly send your models and ideas to other members of your team, contractors, or directly to the client. This keeps everyone in the loop with detailed visuals that are easy to understand.

Opening Up New Interior Design Opportunities

Interior design is a lucrative industry, with the global market set to hit $208.16 billion by 2033. It’s also a creative sector that’s continuously evolving, with Scan to BIM at the heart of a new and contemporary way to design.

Instead of relying on outdated floor plans or working from sight (and a whole lot of manually taken measurements), interior designers can now use precise, 3D digital models of real spaces.

This paves the way for more accurate planning, smarter design decisions, and fewer surprises when turning those designs into a reality. It doesn’t hurt that these digital twins can help designers create with confidence, either, allowing them to test and visualise in a realistic setting and create interiors as stunning as the Waterfall House.

Whether refreshing a single room or reimagining an entire building, Scan to BIM allows designers to create spaces that truly work, both visually and functionally. It’s not just a new tool, it’s a smarter way to design.

Final Thoughts

From improved collaboration to enhanced accuracy, there’s a lot that Scan to BIM brings to the table. Compatibility with industry-standard software makes it easy for existing teams to switch to these hyper-realistic models, too, so why not give it a go?

For more interior design news and home decor inspiration, check out the latest on SA Decor & Design.