Is iGUIDE Considering a True 3D Laser Scanner for the Future?

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#1

With the continuous evolution of iGUIDE services and the increasing focus on CAD drawings, 3D models, and technical applications, I am curious whether iGUIDE is considering developing a true 3D laser scanner as part of its future roadmap.

Over the years, iGUIDE has evolved significantly. It started as a powerful solution for real estate virtual tours and marketing, but it is progressively expanding toward technical documentation and AEC (Architecture, Engineering & Construction) workflows. I believe this is a very interesting and natural direction.

One of the aspects that currently distinguishes iGUIDE from many other solutions is the human-based production and validation of floor plans. I have personally used iGUIDE mainly for floor plan generation and, although I have occasionally found some inaccuracies or details requiring correction, I consider these aspects a natural part of a complex workflow and generally issues that can be corrected or reasonably accepted. The important point is that the final output is not simply an automatic extraction of data, but a deliverable produced and reviewed by human operators.

Over the years, iGUIDE has developed an excellent methodology for producing reliable floor plans from a 2D LiDAR-based acquisition system. The workflow has continuously improved and demonstrates a great ability to obtain very good results from this technology.

However, when considering future developments toward more advanced architectural documentation, such as elevations, sections, highly accurate 3D models, and increasingly complete technical surveys, the limitations of a 2D LiDAR acquisition system become evident.

A 2D laser scanner does not capture complete three-dimensional information of the environment. To obtain additional information about vertical elements, elevations, and sections, the scanner must be tilted and multiple acquisitions must be combined. While this is an intelligent and effective solution, it cannot provide the same level of completeness, spatial consistency, and geometric accuracy as a true 3D laser scanner capable of capturing the entire environment in three dimensions from each scan position.

A complete 3D acquisition would not only improve the quality of 3D models, elevations, and sections, but could also further improve the accuracy and reliability of floor plans. Having a greater amount of geometric information available would allow a more precise representation of architectural elements, including openings, windows, and other construction details.

Considering also the recent introduction of features such as window dimension information (currently still in beta), I believe that a 3D acquisition system could represent an interesting evolution to further increase the level of detail and reliability of the delivered information.

Perhaps a possible future direction could be maintaining two different hardware solutions:

  • a 2D laser scanner, like the current one, optimized for speed, simplicity, and applications mainly focused on the real estate market;
  • a new 3D laser scanner specifically dedicated to the construction, architecture, engineering, and surveying sectors, providing higher-density data and improved capabilities for complex geometries.

In my opinion, the real breakthrough would be combining a true 3D laser scanner with iGUIDE’s existing human-based drafting and quality control process. A complete and dense point cloud, together with professional validation, could produce extremely reliable floor plans, elevations, sections, and 3D models.

This evolution could further strengthen iGUIDE’s position not only in the real estate market but also among architects, engineers, surveyors, and other AEC professionals looking for a reliable technical documentation workflow.

I believe that combining iGUIDE’s current strengths - speed, simplicity, human-validated deliverables, and an integrated workflow - with true 3D laser scanning technology could represent a major step forward.

I would be very interested to know if a dedicated iGUIDE 3D laser scanner is something being considered for the future.

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#2

This would be a very welcome addition that I and I’m sure many other operators would embrace. Thank you Michele.

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#3

This is a great post and a great perspective. I am 100% in agreement. I believe the future is bright with Planitar, specially with proactive feedback from so many talented operators around the world.

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#4

As an architect I fully agree and would love to see the expansion into 3D scanning.

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#5

This would be a game changer!! I would support this 100%

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#6

I assume this would require a purchase of a new camera? I assume the R1 would not have these capabilities.

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#7

And what minimum level of accuracy would such a 3D scanner need to have for envisioned applications? In AEC 3D scanners are sometimes used to measure concrete slab deflection and that requires sub-millimeter accuracy and comes with a corresponding price tag.

When Matterport released Pro 3 with its 20mm @10m stated accuracy, it got a lot of negative comments from folks who were previously using industrial grade 3D scanners with 2mm accuracy and prices over $50k. Leica BLK has 7mm accuracy at $17k price.

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#8

Alex - using the planix pro and the r1, what is the accuracy when we turn on its side and scan the verticals that way?

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#9

Each individual laser point has noise of about 20mm, but when you draw a line through multiple laser points on a wall when drafting a floor plan, uncertainty in distance to that line (or wall) is typically about 10mm.

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#10

Alex - I am not an architect, but here is my take on the whole situation.

I deal with a number of Architects, and they appear to be extremely happy with the product that we currently provide. They are not asking for more accuracy, or more details. They understand what we deliver and are happy with it. If we were to provide a scanner that would do the horizontal and the vertical at the same time, that would tie all of the data together and make an even more accurate and compelling final product, not to mention shortening capture steps / time on site. I think the best people to answer and give their thoughts on this would be architects inthe group who intimately understand the product, the challenges in capture, and of course the price / product relationship. We would not be presenting this to an architectural firm creating a bridge or skyscraper, but rather to our current market, with an eye on capturing even more of it.

Ron

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#11

That’s a very good point, and to clarify, I’m definitely not thinking about a scanner that competes with Leica, FARO, or other high-end survey-grade systems. Those are designed for a different market and come with a completely different price point.

I was thinking more about finding a reasonable compromise between performance and cost. Devices such as the Realsee Galois P4, with a stated accuracy of around ±10 mm at 10 m, show that there may be room for a professional solution at a much more accessible price.

I should also clarify that I have never used iGUIDE’s CAD or 3D Model services. The reason is not that I doubt the quality of the drafting team, but because I have personally experienced how challenging it can be to interpret the current point cloud data.

On many projects, I ordered the standard floor plan together with the Radix point cloud and then produced the elevations and technical drawings myself. Even while being on site and knowing the building firsthand, I often spent a considerable amount of time interpreting the point cloud and approximating measurements. Scan orientation, point cloud noise, point density, overlapping surfaces, and incomplete data all make the interpretation process more difficult.

For that reason, I have never requested the CAD or 3D Model packages. If I encounter these challenges while working directly on site and knowing the building, I don’t feel comfortable relying on the current dataset for more advanced deliverables such as elevations or 3D models.

This is why I believe a true 3D laser scanner could make a significant difference. It wouldn’t be about achieving survey-grade accuracy, but about capturing a richer and more complete dataset that reduces ambiguity, speeds up interpretation, and improves the reliability of every deliverable-from standard floor plans to CAD drawings with elevations, sections, and 3D models.

I believe this is exactly where iGUIDE’s greatest strength lies: the human component behind the final deliverables. Unlike fully automated platforms, iGUIDE combines data capture with professionally reviewed drawings, and I see this as one of its biggest competitive advantages.

In my opinion, iGUIDE has already positioned itself between solutions like iMapper and Matterport. The next opportunity could be to position itself between Matterport and Leica-not by trying to replace high-end survey-grade scanners, but by filling the gap with a solution that offers richer geometric data while remaining affordable, efficient, and easy to use.

To me, the winning combination would be accessible 3D scanning supported by professional human validation. A better dataset would allow the drafting team to spend less time interpreting geometry and more time delivering accurate, reliable technical documentation. I think that combination could make iGUIDE an even stronger platform for architects, engineers, surveyors, and other AEC professionals, while continuing to serve the real estate market with its existing workflow.

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#12

Different markets, different purposes.
I own and run a Faro S120, a Riegl Vz400i and a Navvis MLX. And they come with a price tag.
It is not as straightforward as it seems to scan and process the data. Also loads of resources are needed.
If i were Iguide i would stick with their current product line, there are too many vendors in slam and tls as it is already

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#13

I’d like to add one more thought to better explain where my observation comes from.

This idea came to me because iGUIDE today offers much more than floor plans. It also provides professional deliverables such as CAD drawings, elevations, sections, and 3D models (for example, in Revit). If iGUIDE were focused only on the real estate market and standard floor plans, this discussion probably would have never crossed my mind.

My observation comes from the fact that iGUIDE is expanding its services toward the AEC industry. As an architect, I find it difficult to reconcile this evolution with the inherent limitations of a single-plane (2D) LiDAR system. This is not a criticism of the drafting team-quite the opposite. I’m convinced they extract the maximum possible value from the available data.

For this reason, I don’t believe the limitation lies in the drafting process itself, but rather in the source data. If I, while working on site and knowing the building firsthand, still find it challenging to interpret the point cloud in order to produce elevations and other technical drawings, I imagine that a richer, truly 3D dataset could significantly help the professionals who produce these deliverables for iGUIDE.

Another consideration that leads me to this conclusion is that, while photogrammetry is a very valuable complement, it inevitably has limitations when reconstructing complex 3D geometry with the level of consistency required for technical documentation. It can enrich the dataset, but it cannot fully replace true 3D data capture.

To the best of my knowledge, I haven’t come across any other platform that offers such a complete workflow, combining its own capture hardware with professional drafting services. The only company I’ve found providing a similar service is Nest3D, which produces technical deliverables from point clouds. In my opinion, this makes iGUIDE’s offering even more unique and interesting.

This is exactly why I believe iGUIDE occupies a unique position in the market. Its real competitive advantage isn’t just the capture technology, but the combination of data acquisition and professionally reviewed technical deliverables. I believe this human component is iGUIDE’s greatest strength.

In my opinion, iGUIDE has already positioned itself somewhere between solutions like iMapper and Matterport. The next opportunity could be to position itself between Matterport and Leica-not by trying to compete with high-end survey-grade scanners, but by filling the gap with a solution that offers richer geometric data while remaining affordable, efficient, and easy to use.

I’m not talking about Leica- or FARO-level accuracy. Devices such as the Realsee Galois P4, with a stated accuracy of around ±10 mm at 10 m, show that there is room for a professional yet accessible solution.

To me, the winning combination would be an accessible 3D scanner supported by professionally reviewed deliverables. A richer dataset would allow the drafting team to spend less time interpreting geometry and more time producing accurate and reliable floor plans, elevations, sections, and 3D models.

I believe this combination could make iGUIDE an even stronger platform for architects, engineers, surveyors, and other AEC professionals, while continuing to excel in the real estate market with the workflow that already sets it apart today.

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#14

I 100% agree with you

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#15

As an architect in New York City, I was looking for a solution that would streamline the creation of existing conditions drawings. Most of my work involves producing floor plans for agency filings, but many projects also require interior and exterior elevations and sections. My primary workflow is AutoCAD 2D, with SketchUp for projects that require a 3D model.

In November 2025, I purchased both an iGuide Planix R1 and a Realsee Galois M2 to evaluate them side by side.

The Galois M2 produces a full 3D point cloud and delivers noticeably higher-definition imagery throughout the walkthrough. The scan quality is impressive, and because the entire camera rotates during each scan, it captures a complete 360° dataset without the blind spots inherent to the stationary design of the R1. The tradeoff is that the unit is fairly heavy and takes some getting used to when moving from scan to scan. Overall, I came away very impressed with the hardware.

After extensive testing, however, I decided to keep the iGuide Planix R1 and return the Galois.

While the Galois unquestionably generated the richer 3D dataset, I couldn’t integrate that data into my day-to-day workflow in a practical way. I hired a freelancer to extract 2D plans and elevations from the point cloud, but that meant giving up control over an important part of the documentation process and relying on someone else’s interpretation and drafting accuracy. At the time, Realsee did not offer drafting services (although I see they do now). I was also in close contact with their U.S. representative, who gave me an excellent opportunity to evaluate the camera. He was helpful, but the overall support experience felt more like dealing with an early-stage startup. Response times were often slow, and there wasn’t an established ecosystem to help customers translate the point cloud into the architectural deliverables they actually need.

What ultimately won me over with iGuide was how easily I could obtain usable CAD drawings and the quality of the team behind the product. Their drafting services are straightforward, the customer support has consistently been responsive and knowledgeable, and the overall experience feels mature and dependable.

That said, there is room for improvement. The capture workflow, from the camera, to the mobile device, to Stitch, and finally uploading to the iGuide dashboard, feels more cumbersome than it should. As someone who only performs scans about once a month, I often find myself having to relearn parts of the process each time. A more intuitive workflow would make the system much easier for occasional users.

I also sometimes wish there were more usable information available from each scan beyond a single horizontal section through the building. While that is sufficient for many projects, it limits the ability to generate accurate elevations, sections, and 3D models without additional field measurements.

This leads to what I think is a significant opportunity for iGuide.

Many architects don’t actually need to own the most sophisticated laser scanner on the market. What they need is an affordable, easy-to-use system backed by a company that understands architectural documentation. If iGuide were to develop an affordable 3D scanning solution (perhaps around $3,500 USD, below the Realsee M2) capable of producing a usable point cloud, paired with their existing drafting services, pay-as-you go model without subscription, experienced technicians, and excellent customer support, I think it would fill a real gap in the market.

There are many scanning systems that can capture extraordinary amounts of data with exceptional accuracy. The challenge is that, for architects like me who are not point-cloud specialists, that data can quickly become overwhelming. The value isn’t just in collecting the information, for me it’s in turning it into accurate CAD drawings and 3D models efficiently.

For my practice, iGuide strikes the best balance today. Its accuracy is more than sufficient for the vast majority of existing conditions surveys, and the combination of reliable drafting services and responsive customer support makes it the most practical solution I’ve found. If iGuide could combine those strengths with an affordable, integrated 3D point-cloud workflow, I believe it would become an exceptionally compelling solution for architects.

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#16

I think that would be a great move, especially if iGUIDE wants to grow more in the AEC space. The current system works well for floor plans, but a true 3D scanner would definitely make things easier for detailed BIM models, sections, and elevations. That said, I’d only want to see it if they can keep the workflow simple and affordable—that’s one of the biggest reasons people like iGUIDE in the first place.

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#17

I couldn’t agree more with this assessment.

I’ve been an iGUIDE service provider for years, and it has helped me build a successful business. What has always set iGUIDE apart is the complete ecosystem—not just the hardware, but the drafting services, responsive support, and the ability to consistently deliver professional results to clients. That combination is incredibly valuable.

As my business has grown, however, I’ve also seen a significant shift in what the AEC industry is asking for. More architects, engineers, contractors, and facility managers are requesting true 3D point clouds and higher levels of accuracy because they’re using that data for renovation design, BIM, clash detection, and long-term facility management. I’ve even lost opportunities because I couldn’t provide the type of point cloud some clients required.

From my perspective, this represents a tremendous opportunity for iGUIDE.

If iGUIDE could develop an affordable 3D LiDAR solution while keeping the things that already make the platform exceptional—simple workflows, outstanding drafting services, excellent customer support, and a pay-as-you-go model—I believe it would open the door to an entirely new segment of the AEC market.

There are many companies building great scanners, but hardware alone isn’t what makes a business successful. The real value is capturing high-quality data and turning it into accurate deliverables efficiently. That’s where iGUIDE has always excelled.

I’d love to see iGUIDE continue investing in this direction. Many of us have built our businesses around the platform, and having a next-generation 3D capture solution within the iGUIDE ecosystem would allow us to continue growing without leaving the platform we’ve come to trust.

I genuinely believe the opportunity is there, and I’d be excited to see where iGUIDE takes it.

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