Sign InWhat is Reality Capture? Technologies, Benefits & How to Use It
From planning and coordination to quality control, every key construction workflow relies on having a reliable, up-to-date view of what’s actually happening on the ground.
Manual methods like photos and notes are time-consuming and error-prone. Reality capture has solved these challenges by turning real-world spaces into detailed digital models that teams can measure, navigate, and share.
In this guide, we’ll explore what reality capture is, the tools and methods behind it, and its benefits across construction projects.
What is reality capture in construction?
Reality capture is the process of digitally documenting a physical environment to create accurate, high-resolution spatial data. The result is a digital model—usually a point cloud, mesh model, or digital twin—that reflects real-world conditions at a specific moment in time.
In construction, this model becomes a reliable visual and spatial reference for project stakeholders. It provides contextually rich site data that can be navigated, measured, and integrated with Building Information Modeling (BIM) platforms to support design, planning, and coordination.
Unlike traditional site surveys, which rely on manual measurements and selective data points, reality capture documents the full environment in granular detail—walls, fixtures, openings, structural elements, and even surrounding conditions. This allows teams to actually see the site as it exists, rather than interpreting abstract drawings or partial snapshots.
That said, reality capture doesn’t replace licensed survey work or geospatial data required for legal or regulatory compliance. Instead, it complements these workflows by providing an accessible, real-time digital twin that improves communication, reduces rework, and brings BIM models closer to what’s actually built on-site.
Technologies that support reality capture
Reality capture relies on a variety of advanced technologies to digitize physical spaces accurately and efficiently. These tools collect spatial data in different ways, each offering unique advantages depending on a construction project’s needs.
Photogrammetry and AI-driven image capture
Photogrammetry creates 3D models by stitching together overlapping photographs taken from multiple angles. This technique is used for progress tracking and condition assessments. For example, it could document the current state of a complex facade, creating a precise digital model to compare against design plans.
Images can be captured using a wide range of devices, from standard DSLR cameras to specialized 360° cameras. Specialist software then processes the images into point clouds or textured meshes.
Point clouds are collections of data points representing the shape of surfaces.
Textured meshes add color and detail by mapping images onto 3D shapes.
Photogrammetry excels in capturing complex surfaces and large areas but can be limited by the quality of the capture device, lighting conditions, and the need for sufficient photo overlap.
Matterport’s Cortex AI addresses these challenges by using advanced image processing and deep learning to create 3D spatial data from a wide variety of capture devices. It also handles adjustments such as color correction, HDR tone mapping, and more to provide professional-grade image quality. This is ideal for fast-paced construction environments with limited capture resources.
360-degree cameras
A 360-degree camera uses multiple lenses to capture a full 360-degree view of your surroundings. These cameras are typically faster and more affordable than other reality capture tools, making them popular for quick site documentation and remote walkthroughs.
While 360-degree cameras provide valuable visual context and speed, they may offer lower dimensional accuracy compared to photogrammetry or LiDAR. This makes them less useful where truly dimensionally accurate construction documentation is concerned. They are best suited for general site monitoring, progress updates, and collaborative walkthroughs rather than precise measurement or detailed BIM integration.
LiDAR scanning
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) uses laser pulses to measure distance and generate highly accurate 3D point clouds of physical spaces. In AEC workflows, it’s widely used for tasks requiring precision—such as structural assessments, topographic surveys, and BIM coordination.
LiDAR offers strong performance in low-light or outdoor conditions and excels at capturing hard surfaces and structural geometry.
There are different types of LiDAR hardware systems, which generally fall into several big categories:
Terrestrial LiDAR: Tripod-mounted for interiors and building exteriors
Mobile LiDAR: Vehicle-mounted or handheld, useful for scanning larger areas quickly
Aerial LiDAR: Drone-mounted for mapping large or inaccessible sites
At the high end, survey-grade LiDAR scanners offer millimeter-level accuracy. These devices are priced between $10,000 and $80,000+ and typically require 2–3 minutes per scan point. Their extreme accuracy delivers dense point cloud data that is essential for a small percentage of tasks, like legal boundary surveys or fabrication-ready modeling, but they're often too slow and expensive for day-to-day construction needs. Most teams rent or outsource survey-grade scanners on a per-project basis, when ultra-precise data is needed.
More accessible LiDAR cameras, such as Matterport’s Pro3, provide fast, professional-grade scans suitable for 95% of construction documentation. With scan times around 20 seconds per point and BIM file output compatible with LOD 200 modeling, they balance speed, accuracy, and affordability. These devices also capture photorealistic visuals alongside spatial data, ideal for digital twins, site coordination, and progress tracking.
3D scanning technology
3D scanning systems combine multiple sensing technologies, typically LiDAR, photogrammetry, and inertial measurement units (IMUs), into a single, purpose-built device. These systems are designed for precision documentation, capturing dense, accurate spatial data with minimal setup.
Unlike single-sensor tools, integrated 3D scanners prioritize range and environmental adaptability. High-end units offer mobile scanning capabilities, allowing teams to walk through a space while continuously capturing data.
These systems can be costly, require specialized training, and produce large datas
ets that demand significant computing resources, but may be a good investment for teams that require very frequent, high-precision scans.
Aerial and drone-based capture
Drones equipped with cameras or LiDAR sensors enable fast, large-scale data capture from above. This is a powerful way to map terrain and inspect hard-to-reach areas. These systems are especially effective for expansive construction sites, infrastructure projects, or sites with limited ground access.
Depending on the payload, drones can perform photogrammetry, thermal imaging, or LiDAR scanning. Software platforms process flight data into 2D orthomosaics (geographically corrected satellite images) and 3D point clouds, and topographic models.
Best use cases include:
Earthworks tracking and cut/fill analysis
Pre-construction site surveys
Roof and facade inspections
Progress monitoring over time
Aerial capture is particularly powerful when integrated with ground-based scans, combining wide-area context with high-detail interior or structural documentation. However, it’s weather-dependent, subject to local airspace regulations, and may require licensed operators for compliance.
Benefits of reality capture in construction projects
Reality capture technology transforms site data into usable models that provide benefits at every stage of construction.
Accurate as-built documentation
As-built modeling and drawings typically require multiple on-site visits and extensive coordination between those working on a site and those leading the project. This can lead to communication breakdowns, missing details, and inaccurate as-built modeling.
Reality capture delivers precise, up-to-date site records that eliminate manual errors.
Automated outputs like BIM-compatible files enable better alignment between as-designed plans and actual site conditions, allowing for smoother integration into design and construction workflows.
California-based architectural firm, Kuop Designs, reported a 50% reduction in AutoCAD as-built modeling time and an 80% reduction in manual measurements after adopting Matterport’s reality capture technology.
Accelerate design in resource-limited projects
Getting a project off the ground often depends on how quickly a design team can access accurate site data. But when internal resources are stretched thin, modeling and documentation can fall behind—delaying everything that follows.
Reality capture gives teams a head start by providing fast, detailed scans that can be immediately turned into working models.
Arup, a global design firm, used reality capture to overcome resource constraints that typically held up BIM development during busy periods. Instead of waiting for resource availability to begin modeling on new projects, the team could automatically generate BIM-ready .RVT files directly from site scans. This gave designers and architects what they needed to start a project regardless of busy periods.
The impact of reality capture on resource-limited projects extends well beyond internal workflows. BHI uses reality capture to document building conditions in low-resource healthcare environments around the world. These are settings that cannot afford to relocate operations during facility improvements. By replacing traditionally labor-intensive and disruptive site assessments with reality capture services, they are able to complete extensions, renovations, and upgrades with minimal disruption to ongoing medical services.
Watch the webinar to find out more about how BHI used Matterport reality capture to support challenging construction workflows:
Boost efficiency across project teams
In construction, unexpected challenges are inevitable — but staying responsive is key. Reality capture helps teams maintain efficiency and coordination, even when conditions on the ground change.
Swinerton, the California-based firm behind projects like the Fairmont Hotel, discovered this firsthand during the COVID-19 pandemic. When in-person site walkthroughs were no longer possible, they adopted Matterport’s digital twin technology to keep their teams connected.
By capturing weekly site scans and sharing them virtually, Swinerton eliminated the need for client travel entirely and cut architect travel by 50%. The digital twins also became a powerful collaboration tool, allowing team members to leave comments, annotate issues, and coordinate remotely as if they were physically on-site.
Cut costs for construction and maintenance
Keeping distributed teams and clients aligned can be costly when it requires frequent travel, unclear documentation, or rework due to miscommunication. Reality capture reduces these expenses by offering a consistent, visual reference point for all stakeholders.
Leading construction and real estate firm, Gilbane, uses digital twins to cut design and build costs by 25–30%. By sharing up-to-date site scans ahead of meetings, they minimize site visits, speed up approvals, and prevent costly misunderstandings.
They also streamline post-construction costs by embedding detailed Mattertags into digital operations and maintenance manuals, helping client teams maintain systems more efficiently and avoid unnecessary troubleshooting.
How does reality capture fit into AEC workflows?
Integrating reality capture into AEC workflows requires thoughtful planning, the right tools, and a clear understanding of how captured data will support each project phase. The following outline shows you where to make use of the reality capture process to improve coordination, reduce rework, and keep teams aligned.
Stage | Capture objectives |
Outline stages | Capture site context and the surrounding environment to inform feasibility studies and early planning. |
Existing conditions | Generate accurate, detailed representations of current site conditions. |
As-built documentation | Document physical conditions at various phases to track deviations from plans and support compliance or client reporting. |
Design | Integrate captured data into BIM and CAD platforms to guide design decisions and ensure alignment with real-world conditions. |
QA/QC | Use successive scans to compare actual construction progress to design intent, helping teams spot issues early and reduce rework. |
Milestone tracking | Document key progress points across the build for better project visibility, coordination, and accountability. |
Handover | Deliver accurate, visual, and navigable records of completed work to clients, enhancing facilities management and long-term operations. |
Site scanning
Integrating reality capture into your construction workflow begins with effective site scanning.
Before initiating scans, evaluate:
Space size: Determine the area to be scanned to estimate the time and resources needed.
Frequency of scans: Decide how often scans are required to monitor progress or document changes.
Intended use: Identify the purpose of the scans—be it for design, documentation, or quality assurance—to guide the level of detail needed.
This information will help to inform the choice of reality capture method. Think of reality capture as a spectrum; solutions at one end can deliver subpar results, while those at the opposite end can be overkill for most situations.
Most construction use cases don’t require survey-grade scans. LiDAR-based solutions, like Matterport, offer a strong balance of speed and accuracy without producing unwieldy files.
Best practices:
Scan early and often: Capture initial conditions as soon as possible, then scan at key milestones to track changes and spot deviations.
Use a consistent scanning path: Stick to a logical route to ensure full coverage and reduce data gaps or overlaps.
Mind your lighting: Natural light helps photogrammetry, while LiDAR performs well in low-light—but avoid reflective surfaces when possible.
Ensure sufficient overlap: Especially with photogrammetry, ensure that each scan or image set overlaps the last to maintain model continuity.
Scan from multiple elevations: For complex environments, use tripods or handheld scanning to capture hard-to-reach angles.
Label and organize scans: Clear naming conventions and metadata help your team easily reference and compare scans throughout the project.
Point cloud & BIM
Once you’ve captured your site data, the next step is turning it into actionable information for your AEC workflows. Comparing as-built conditions with design intent while progress is ongoing is crucial for reducing costly rework. Rather than modeling from scratch, use tools that provide the files you need with minimal effort.
By capturing scans at multiple stages, and overlaying updated point clouds or BIM models onto original designs, you can quickly spot deviations. Matterport offers an automated scan-to-BIM solution, so you’ll have a reference point from the moment your site is captured.
Exporting scan data in widely compatible formats to ensure your files work seamlessly with CAD and BIM platforms. Matterport’s E57 files contain a detailed point cloud that you can easily import into AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit, and countless others.
Collaboration
Reality capture is an ideal tool for keeping everyone aligned, whether they’re across the office or across the country. Follow these best practices to streamline stakeholder workflows:
Enable remote site access: Securely share Matterport digital twins via a simple link; no downloads or specialized software required. This reduces unnecessary site visits and allows everyone to reference the same visual data in real time.
Integrate with existing project management tools: Embed your models in platforms your teams already use to reduce context-switching and maintain workflow momentum. Matterport’s digital twins integrate directly with Autodesk Construction Cloud and Procore.
Enhance clarity with annotations and attachments: A static scan only tells part of the story. Add annotations to your digital twin to call out specific issues, include spec sheets, link to RFIs, or document safety concerns, all within the model.
Use scans throughout the project lifecycle: Reality capture supports collaboration from design through handover. Early in the project, teams can align on site constraints and design feasibility. Mid-project, updated scans serve as a source of truth for verifying progress and coordinating contractors. At handover, annotated models double as training tools or enhanced maintenance manuals for the client’s facility team.
