A Process of Wall Creation quickly and accurately from Point cloud using Revit API and C# | Scan to BIM

We are excited to share our latest developments in Scan to BIM plugins for Revit software. Our dedicated team has been refining code for wall creation, focusing on enhancing production speed while ensuring high-quality and precise outcomes. Discover how this innovation streamlines wall creation in both 3D and 2D.  

Let's delve into the significant time savings realized through automated processes, particularly focusing on wall creation from point cloud data. This exploration is not just about efficiency but also highlights the transformation in workflow that modern technology offers.

Manual vs. Automated Wall Creation: A Comparative Analysis

Our team conducted extensive tests to compare traditional manual methods of wall creation with our new automated coding process. Initially, a modeler would manually measure from one point to another within a point cloud dataset to outline the walls. Following this, the modeler would navigate to wall properties, select the appropriate wall type, set the thickness, and then manually extend the wall from one end to another. This entire process would take approximately 15 seconds for each wall.

 

In contrast, our automated process powered by custom scripts completes the same task in just 2 seconds. This is not just a marginal improvement; it represents a drastic 90% reduction in time per wall. These few seconds add up, especially when scaling up to larger projects. By significantly reducing the time required for each wall, our automated process enhances productivity, minimizes human error, and allows modelers to focus on more complex aspects of their work, ultimately leading to more efficient and cost-effective project completions.

Real-World Impact on Project Timelines

To put this into perspective, consider our current team of 32 members working on a large-scale project. Manually, each member would spend about 15 seconds on a single wall, cumulatively consuming around 480 seconds equal to 8 minutes. Now, with automation, the same team can achieve the task in about 64 seconds total, roughly translating to 1 minute. This saves about 7 minutes in creating just one wall—an invaluable saving when scaled across multiple walls and projects.

With this level of efficiency, our team can focus on more intricate aspects of the project, enhancing overall quality and creativity. This leads to faster turnaround times, and satisfied clients, and potentially opens up opportunities for tackling even more ambitious projects in the future.

Case Study: Hospital Renovation Project

For a clearer illustration, let's examine a practical scenario: our team was tasked with scanning a hospital and generating a point cloud, which would then be used in the scan-to-BIM process to create 3D Revit modeling and 2D CAD drawings. Our calculations showed that manually creating approximately 1100 walls would take about 275 minutes or 4.5 hours (calculated as 1100 walls x 15 seconds each), assuming a single person could manually create one wall every 15 seconds. Considering the mental and physical fatigue involved, the total time might well extend to about 5 hours.

Using our automated process, however, the same task would take roughly 36.7 minutes (calculated as 1100 walls x 2 seconds each), which equates to about 0.62 hours. Let's consider it approximately 1 hour overall when accounting for any additional adjustments. This not only cuts down four hours of work but also leaves our team more energized and ready to tackle other aspects of the project, such as doors, windows, flooring, and roofing.

Conclusion: Embracing Automation in Construction

This dramatic reduction in time and effort demonstrates the benefits of integrating automation into traditional construction and design processes. By embracing such technologies, firms can achieve significant efficiency gains, enabling them to allocate resources more effectively and enhance overall productivity. It’s not just about doing things faster; it’s about doing them smarter and with better energy conservation, leading to higher-quality outcomes and more innovative solutions.