Improved BIMmTool for better point cloud handling

[Aruzhan Ilaikova]

The BIMmTool is an Archicad add-on designed specifically for importing, analyzing, modeling, controlling, and archiving point clouds, fully supporting Scan2BIM workflows. This tool is seamlessly integrated within the Archicad environment to facilitate all workflows involving point clouds, enabling the convenient and efficient creation of BIM models directly from your laser scan data, without the need for third-party applications.

With the BIMmTool, you can:

• Import an unlimited number of single scan positions from structured point clouds.

• Import large unstructured point clouds (E57 and LAZ), with the maximum file size limited only by available RAM.

• Downsample, split, and organize point clouds.

Starting with Archicad 28, the BIMmTool Lite is included with your SSA, subscription, or Forward contract. It offers basic functions such as importing, organizing, and displaying point clouds in various resolutions, as well as viewing them in panorama mode.

However, it's important to note that the BIMmTool does not improve the performance of Archicad when working with point clouds, nor does it increase the maximum number of points in a single point cloud that can be displayed in an Archicad view.

Download BIMmTool

You can download BIMmTool and check its system requirements here.

During the installation, ensure you select the "Add-Ons" folder for the specific Archicad version you want to use. If you have multiple Archicad versions installed, click "Browse" to locate and select the relevant "Add-Ons" folder.

BIMmTool 28 licensing overview

• BIMmTool Viewer (no license) - you can install the BIMmTool to open and view Point Clouds, with the option to switch the resolution of the Point Cloud as needed

• BIMmTool Lite - included for SSA/Forward and Archicad Collaborate users

• BIMmTool Pro

Acquiring a license

Activate your BIMmTool Lite or request a Trial license:

1. Register in the BIMmTool shop.
2. On the Account page, scroll down and choose the distributor (BIMm Solutions GmbH). Click Submit.
3. Select the type of license you wish to acquire (Lite or Trial).
4. Activate your BIMm Solutions account with the link provided in an automatic email sent to the provided address.
5. Launch Archicad and BIMmTool.
6. In the BIMmTool dropdown Menu, go to License Info and log in with your BIMm Solutions account.
7. Open the Licenses tab and select your license. Click Activate License.

Purchase a BIMmTool Pro license:

1. Register in the BIMmTool shop.
2. Go to Products and select the type of license you wish to purchase.
3. Complete the order form with full billing address and company information.
4. After a successful purchase, you will receive an email to activate your BIMm Solutions account.
5. Launch Archicad and BIMmTool.
6. In the BIMmTool dropdown Menu, go to License Info and log in with your BIMm Solutions account.
7. Open the Licenses tab and select your license. Click Activate License.

Additional licensing steps

Clicking on Manage Company Licenses will direct you to 10Duke, where license administrators can manage users and licenses. In the Additional Actions tab, you can migrate licenses, obtain a free trial, purchase the full version, and get the hardware ID for a long-term offline license. The BIMmTool version (for example: “28, release 01, beta B03”) is shown at the bottom right, which is important for technical support.

You can invite colleagues to share a BIMmTool License, even if it has only one seat or multiple seats. To use a license offline, select it and click "Reserve", which reserves it for three days. For companies with limited internet access, a long-term offline license can be downloaded, linking it to one person and computer for one year.

Importing point clouds

What are point clouds?

A point cloud is a collection of many individual points in 3D space. Each point has a specific location defined by its coordinates (like x, y, and z) and often carries information about the color of that point. Imagine a cloud made of dots, where each dot represents a tiny part of the surface of an object. These dots together create a digital 3D picture of the real world.

Unstructured point clouds

Unstructured point clouds are just a big jumble of points. These points are not organized in any particular order, and there is no connection between them. They are like a scattered group of dots in space. Think of it as taking a handful of sand and throwing it on the ground. The grains of sand land randomly.

These unstructured point clouds are often created by scanning an object or environment from different angles and then combining the data. While they capture a lot of details, the lack of organization can make it harder to process or analyze the data.

Advantages (mobile scanners, drones):

• Fast data acquisition over large areas.

• Capable of scanning from the air or in hard-to-reach places.

Disadvantages:

• Scan positions are not available, making it harder to understand exact locations.

• Lower precision (1-3 centimeters at 10 meters) and lower point density.

• No panoramic images, so modeling is limited to floor plan and section views.

Structured point clouds

Structured point clouds, on the other hand, are organized in a grid or pattern. The points are arranged systematically, which makes it easier to understand their relationships to one another. Imagine planting seeds in a neat, organized grid in a garden. Each seed has a specific spot, and you know where it is relative to the others.

This type of organization is often created using devices like laser scanners that capture data in a systematic way, such as row by row or layer by layer. Because structured point clouds are more organized, they are easier to work with, especially for creating accurate 3D models or for tasks that require detailed analysis.

Advantages: 

• High precision and accuracy (1-4 millimeters at 10 meters).

• High point density.

• Ability to capture color and reflectivity.

• Adjustable scan resolution.

• Useful for detailed modeling using panoramic images.

Disadvantages:

• Generate large amounts of data, which means longer processing times.

• May have poor coverage of elements that are high or difficult to reach.

Hybrid point clouds

Hybrid point clouds combine the best of both structured and unstructured point clouds. They use a mix of different scanning technologies to capture a complete set of data. This approach takes advantage of the high precision of structured methods and the fast, large-area coverage of unstructured methods. By integrating different types of data, hybrid point clouds can provide a more comprehensive and detailed view of the scanned area.

For example, a hybrid point cloud might use a terrestrial scanner to capture detailed information of a building's interior while using a drone to capture the exterior and roof. This way, you get high precision where it’s needed most, and wide coverage where speed and accessibility are more important.

Advantages:

• Combines high precision with wide area coverage.

• More comprehensive data collection.

• Can adapt to different project needs and environments.

Disadvantages:

• More complex to set up and process.

• May require more equipment and expertise.

Which One Is Better?

It depends on what you need. Unstructured point clouds are useful for quick scans over large areas or in locations that are hard to reach, where speed and coverage are more important than high detail. Structured point clouds are better if you need high precision, detailed modeling, and are working in a controlled environment. Opt for hybrid point clouds when you need a balance of precision and coverage, or when your project involves different types of environments and you want to capture the best of both worlds.

Importing structured point clouds

Structured point clouds can be imported as individual scans, regardless of their number and size. During the Preview Import phase, you can position the point cloud correctly by using survey point coordinates, ensuring that it is accurately placed within the project space. This process helps you use geo-referenced point clouds effectively, allowing for precise placement using surveying points. You can also set the story heights to match the building’s levels, which is useful for organizing the data according to different floors. This preview phase gives you a quick overview of large projects, helping you manage and organize data efficiently before final import.

In the Final Import phase, you can place the scans on specific stories and lock the scan objects to maintain their positions. This ensures that the structured point clouds remain accurately positioned and prevents accidental changes, maintaining the integrity of the geo-referenced data. These steps make data integration with other project members easier, as the project remains geo-referenced and organized.

Importing unstructured point clouds 

The maximum file size for unstructured point clouds depends on your computer’s available memory, calculated by subtracting the used memory from the total memory. During the Preview Import phase, start by importing a preview of the point cloud and positioning it correctly near the Archicad project origin. This step ensures the point cloud is in the right place for your project. You can also use surveying points to work with geo-referenced point clouds, making sure they align accurately with the project coordinates. Additionally, you can set the story heights to organize the data according to the different levels of the building.

In the Final Import phase, you can split the point cloud into separate stories using an offset for the splitting plane. This allows you to manage the point cloud data by floors, which is helpful for large projects. For very large projects, you can further divide the point cloud into smaller blocks, with the block size being adjustable to fit your needs. This organization makes handling and working with extensive point cloud data more manageable.

Point cloud by stories:

It's important to avoid creating block sizes that are too small, as this can lead to an excessive number of blocks in each story, resulting in numerous single Point Clouds. Having too many small Point Clouds can significantly slow down the performance of Archicad, both in 3D and in the ground floor view.

Importing hybrid point clouds 

Hybrid point clouds are simply unstructured point clouds mixed with location based 360° panoramas. These can be presented in the BIM Navigator with structured scans. Through IVION connection, cloud tools make it simple to manage hybrid NavVis point cloud data.

Import

Import functions

1. Browser window for selecting scan data

2. Scan name

3. Number of scan points in the scan (including invalid ones)

4. Scan type, structured/unstructured

5. Preview selection

6. Story splitting yes/no

7. Offset of the splitting level to floor heights

8. Divide point cloud into blocks yes/no

9. Edge length of the blocks

10. Minimum number of points per block

11. Layer selection for storing the scans

12. Status: not calculated/ in calculation/ calculated/ modification in calculated

13. Type of placement for import

14. Setting for maximum resolution (available only for Pro license users)

15. Setting for point cloud objects: placement by floor, lock elements

Supported point cloud formats

Format	Manufacturer	Point cloud type
E57 single scans	neutral	structured
E57 one file	neutral	structured/unstructured
E57 one file	neutral	structured
*.fls	Faro	structured
*.lsproj	Faro	structured
*.lps	Luposcan	structured
*.lpo	Luposcan	structured
LAS		unstructured
LAZ		unstructured
*.zfs	Z&F	structured
*.3dd	Riegl	structured
*.lgsx	Leica	structured/unstructured
*.lgsx	Leica	structured
*.lgsx	Leica	unstructured

Point cloud resolution

When importing point cloud data, the resolution setting determines how detailed the scan will be, with smaller spacing between points providing higher resolution and more detail. Higher resolution also means larger file sizes. Reducing the point cloud resolution to 2.5 or 10 millimeters can make the file size much smaller. However, this size reduction is less noticeable with unstructured point clouds because mobile scanners already collect data with fewer points.

Resolutions can be adjusted based on the distance and need for detail. Maximum Resolution Options (2 mm, 5mm, 10 mm) are available only for Pro licenses. Lower resolutions (25 mm, 100 mm, 250 mm) capture general shapes and are better for large areas or less detailed scans.

In the 3D window, the resolution of the Point Clouds is displayed depending on the distance to the camera. The settings in the PointCloud Switcher or in the model view options define the highest resolution. The resolution is not about the accuracy of the Point Cloud, but the density of the Point Cloud.

Resolution presets:

Resolution	2 mm	5 mm	10 mm
2 mm	X up to 5 m
5 mm		X up to 5 m
10 mm			X up to 5 m
25 mm	X up to 50 m	X up to 50 m	X up to 50 m
100 mm	X up to 100 m	X up to 100 m	X up to 100 m
250 mm	X up to 100 m	X up to 100 m	X up to 100 m

PointCloud with 10/5/2 (the highest resolution) mm:

A combination of 2/5/10 mm scan resolutions:

Scan resolution 25 mm (available for Lite licenses):

Scan resolution low 250 mm (available for Lite licenses):

PointCloud Switcher

The PointCloud Switcher is a tool that opens in a separate window and automatically launches when you activate BIMmTool. To access the PointCloud Switcher, simply go to the BIMmTool tab and select it from the options. 

The Point Cloud Switcher allows you to manage point clouds efficiently by selecting scans individually, by floor, or by clusters. The "use active scans" feature simplifies the process by including only the activated point clouds for modeling.

You can toggle point clouds on or off across all views or specifically in floor plans, sections, and 3D windows. Point clouds stay visible until turned off in the model view options.

Key Features:

• Choose and toggle scans individually or collectively across views.

• Adjust scan resolution (low to very high for Pro users).

• Display different point clouds: original, delta analysis, or model comparisons.

• Reveal hidden points previously obscured by the clipping box.

Job Manager

The Job Manager is a powerful tool, designed to streamline the creation, management, and analysis of tasks such as deviation analyses and orthophoto placement. Once a job* is created, it appears in the Job Manager and can be edited in table form.

*In this context, a "job" refers to a task or operation that is being processed within the BIMmTool

Here's a breakdown of its core features:

1. Organize Jobs

• Assign upper and lower elevations.

• Specify the relevant floor or section.

• Select scans to be used for the calculation.

• Choose the target type, such as floor plan, section, or new worksheet.

• Define the layer for storing the results.

2. Calculate and Place

With the “Calculate & Place” option, you can automatically process and place orthophotos or other outputs in the desired location within Archicad, reducing manual work.

3. Orthophotos

• Create horizontal and vertical orthophotos from point clouds directly in Archicad.

• This feature supports both structured and unstructured point clouds and is three times faster than previous versions.

• Generate high-resolution orthophotos for specialized tasks, such as monument preservation.

4. Deviation Analysis

Deviation Analysis offers tools to assess and compare point clouds with models for quality control:

• Points within tolerance limits are shown in green, while deviations are marked in red, making it easy to identify construction defects early.

• Displays a color gradient (red, green, blue) indicating how closely the point cloud matches the model, making it useful for spotting deformations like sagging ceilings.

5. Point Cloud Clipping Box

This feature allows you to isolate and manipulate specific areas of the point cloud. You can:

• Remove irrelevant parts of the scan (e.g., clutter, furnishings).

• Use the clipping box to isolate specific details like doorways, windows, or historical elements.

BIMmNavigator 

The BIMmNavigator is a panorama viewer tool designed to visualize, navigate, and manage point cloud data. For structured point clouds, panoramas can be displayed immediately after importing the data. In the case of unstructured point clouds, virtual panoramas can be generated for visualization purposes.

The BIMmNavigator offers a range of features for efficient point cloud navigation. You can view a 360-degree panorama from individual scan positions of structured point clouds. The scan list is organized by story or cluster, allowing easy navigation through the scan project by displaying and selecting other positions in the 360-degree view.

Users can switch between color and reflectivity modes, and it's possible to create new cluster folders for better organization. The tool also provides the option to display the selected view in 3D by opening the Archicad 3D window from the same perspective. Scans can be deleted when needed, and the background can be customized.

Additionally, brightness and contrast can be adjusted to improve visibility, and you can move forward and backward through the panorama view history to revisit previous perspectives.

“Easy to Model” functions

The BIMmTool palette has evolved into the Easy2Model palette, now streamlined to focus on the key functions needed for modeling from the BIMmNavigator. One notable update is the “Shot 3D” function, which now features a new "2D/3D" icon, allowing Easy2Model functions to be utilized seamlessly in both the floor plan and 3D window views.

Key Features

Orthogonal Snap: Replacing the old “Angle Snap”, this new feature enables precise orthogonal modeling, ensuring alignment with the point cloud, without exceeding a set deviation. It centers components and respects worksheet orientation.

Cloud Tools: Now integrated with NavVis’ IVION platform, allowing BIMmTool Pro license holders to access panoramas directly in Archicad and model them using Easy2Model.

Connect: This icon opens up interfaces to PointCab’s Origin and Lupo Scan, enabling the placement of orthophotos and delta analyses directly into Archicad.

Orthophotos: This new function generates high-resolution horizontal and vertical orthophotos from point clouds, structured or unstructured. The process is significantly faster and aligns with Archicad’s workflow, making it easier to model, especially for tasks like monument preservation.

Delta Analysis: This tool displays deviations between the point cloud and a reference plane, helping assess building deformations, structural irregularities, and construction accuracy. It’s highly useful for comparing the current state of a site with the designed model.

Point Cloud Clipping Box: This feature allows you to trim or hide sections of the point cloud by applying a clipping box. It’s useful for cleaning up the point cloud, isolating specific details like doorways or statues, and generating new, higher-resolution point clouds from selected areas.

You can find the detailed product manual here.