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FAQs

I have a project outside one of the cities or countries where you are located, do you travel?

Yes, Spatial Acuity is prepared to travel anywhere in the world and has done just that...

What is the project delivery process and who is my point of contact?

Spatial Acuity maintains firm project management best practices. Expect one of our project pros to be with you from start to finish. Communication is crucial and we won’t miss a beat.

What are the backgrounds of the individuals that will work on my project?

Our project team and company leaders are experienced professionals within the Architectural, Engineering, Construction, and Technology practice arenas. We pride ourselves in truly understanding your business objectives, and know how to effectively operate within diverse and complex project teams.

What are good as-builts documents and why do I need them?

Good as-builts are a set of expertly prepared digital documents that meet not just anyone’s needs, but yours specifically. Simply stating that accurate and comprehensive documentation is good documentation is short sighted. Work with Spatial Acuity and you will receive just what you need, when you need it, and through the most cost-effective means to achieve the accuracy results you require.

Great as-built documents substantially reduce project risk and typically pay for themselves several times over through reduction of RFI’s and change orders.

Can you do 2D as-builts, in addition to 3D?

We provide 2D CAD drawings for any project. Our experience tells us that 3D laser scanning is likely the most beneficial way to capture field conditions, but this does not limit us to only 3D as-built documentation.

What building elements are typically included in an as-built drawing?

Speak to a Spatial Acuity expert to learn more about what can and should be included in your as-built. You don’t need a rubber stamp solution provided by the other guys, you need a solution dialed in to your specific scope, time, cost, and accuracy requirements.

Generally speaking, as-builts include the depictions and specifications that describe the actual layout, structure, materials, and systems of a building. As-builts give us precise dimensions, geometry, and location of all elements of the work completed under the contract.

Our models serve as a reference for construction and efficiently operating and maintaining your building. They provide an accurate description and location of all major equipment and devices.

As-builts are the basis for the design of future improvements. They reduce the time and cost of due diligence should a building be sold, and are critical to developing emergency operations plans.

How much does the service cost?

Spatial Acuity does not even own a rubber stamp, your needs are unique. Project fees will vary based on your scope, schedule, and accuracy requirements. Often times clients will unknowingly pay for extreme accuracy that does not benefit their project objectives. Even worse, obtaining as-builts that fall short of your need can be costly. Please contact us for your custom quote.

How accurate are your as-builts?

Accuracy should be discussed with a Spatial Acuity professional to determine your true needs. It is feasible to create AutoCAD documentation up to 1/8” accurate, but is it economical and does it serve your purpose? We work in the real world, and not every wall is straight or slab flat. We will propose practical accuracy constraints that meet your needs.

What version of AutoCAD or Revit do you use?

We are using Autodesk’s AutoCAD 2017 and Revit 2017 for most projects, but can likely work in an earlier version to ensure compatibility.

What is a RVT Level of Development (LOD)?

The Level of Development (LOD) Specification is a reference that allows you to specify and articulate with a high level of clarity the content and reliability of Building Information Models (BIMs) at various stages in the design and construction process.

The RVT LOD helps in a number of ways:

  • To specify BIM deliverables and to get a clear picture of what will be included in a BIM deliverable.
  • Lets design managers explain to their teams the information and detail that needs to be provided at various points in the design process.
  • To provide a standard that can be referenced by contracts and BIM execution plans.

An example of a BIM Level of Development (LOD) for a table might be as follows:

LOD 100 = there is a table.
LOD 200 = there is a table that has nominal space requirement of 6’ x 6’
LOD 300 = there is a table with casters.
LOD 400 = The table’s manufacturer and model number.
LOD 500 = The table’s manufacturer and model number, supplier, and date purchased.

What LOD level is right for my project?

In scan to BIM projects, the level of development is key since it drives cost and schedule. In many cases, choosing a level of detail that is too high will result in a model that is large, slow and cumbersome to use (and costly!). Choosing a level of detail that is too low will result in a model that doesn’t give you the information you need.

Before starting a scan to BIM project, we will work with you to understand what you are using the model for and help you decide what level of detail will serve your needs best.

For your RVT models, can you use my template?

Yes. Our BIM Manager will work directly with your team to ensure that our deliverable is truly tuned and ready for your team to start work on Day 1. We are known for adapting to each client’s unique modeling culture, as this is crucial for our clients to maximize the return on their investment.

Can you laser scan anything?

We are absolute specialists in laser scanning and have scanned many types of buildings, objects, and even natural phenomenon such as sink holes.

Why should I consider Laser scanning?

With laser scanning as a reality capture technology, a number of substantial benefits never thought of before are at your fingertips. Quite simply, laser scanning benefits include:

  • Fast, accurate, comprehensive results
  • Dramatically reduces return site visits
  • Reduces project risk

Gone are the days of repeated trips to the project site with tape measures and sketch pads to collect measurements and take more photos. Comprehensive field data is captured one time on site and viewed through a number of tools right from your web browser or desktop computer.

Spatial Acuity’s 3D laser scanners measure all items, including those in hard-to-access and congested areas, all with minimal impact to project site operations. In most cases, the use of 3D laser scanning reduces cost over conventional means of building surveying. We will work with you to determine the most economical option to meet your needs.

What is the accuracy?

Down to 1mm can be achieved, but speak to a Spatial Acuity expert to understand the practicality of achieving this level of accuracy. There are several factors that must be considered when determining what level of accuracy will be required, including the material/color of the object being scanned as well as the quantity of scans being registered together to create the 3D object. Additionally, accuracy is a major cost driver, don’t pay for what you don’t need!

What is laser scanning?

Laser scanning is a reality capture technology that allows us to digitally recreate objects in the real world to exacting standards. As a highly tuned and complex device, the laser scanner uses light to measure distance in concert with several other environmental sensors. A single scan to thousands of scans may be required for your project. The laser sits on a tripod placed and managed by an experienced technician. It makes little to no sound and is class 1 rated which means eye safe. It is a 100% non-contact and non-destructive technology.

What is a Point Cloud?

Each individual laser scan captures tens of millions of points. When these points are registered together, a single point cloud can be produced. Not all point clouds are created equal. Because Spatial Acuity is tuned into your objectives, our point clouds are purposely built to contain the correct data with a focus on usability. The point cloud has a number of benefits standing alone, but its primary purpose is to extract information via reality conversion to a more useable CAD and RVT medium.

When do I need laser scanning?

Spatial Acuity will work with you to determine if Laser Scanning is the right option for you. Typically, when you need accuracy and have a lot of data to capture in a little bit of time, it’s the right choice.

How much does it cost?

Since every project is different, project fees will vary based on your scope, schedule, and accuracy requirements. Often times clients will unknowingly pay for extreme accuracy that does not benefit their project objectives. Please contact us for your custom quote.

What software do I need to view a point cloud?

Numerous types of free software, as well as the major packages can allow you to view and extract information from a point cloud. Here’s the full list that we reference. Our preferred package is AutoDesk Recap.