3D Scanning & Imaging Services

Accuracy and experience you can build on.

DGT Associates has been at the forefront of innovation and technology within the industry for years. As one of the region’s earliest firms to develop and deploy 3D-scanning technologies, we now boast a breadth and depth of expertise that is nearly unmatched.

By leveraging BIM-ready existing conditions survey data, we help our clients confidently and efficiently control costs, reduce change orders, and keep projects on track.

Our Services
  • 3D Laser Scanning (Ground-based LiDAR)
  • Building Existing Conditions Modeling
  • Building Façade Mapping
  • Building Information Modeling (BIM) Development
  • Revit Modeling
  • 2D CAD Drawings
  • BOMA Floor Area Measurement
  • Floor Flatness Surveys
  • Forensic Surveys
  • Historic Resource Documentation
  • Site Documentation
Common Survey Applications
  • Existing conditions surveys
  • Civil infrastructure
  • Building facade mapping
  • As-Built surveys
  • Highway or street mapping
  • Construction verification
  • Constructability review
  • BIM project support
  • Clash detection and avoidance
  • Historical and heritage preservation
  • Accident and crime scene forensic mapping
  • Monitoring construction progress
  • Dispute resolution and litigation support
  • Plant or building retrofits
  • Interference detection and avoidance
  • 3D modeling & special effects
  • Virtual reality
  • Deformation monitoring
  • Bridge structures
  • Document street furniture
  • Utility infrastructure
  • Hazardous environments
  • Pre-fabrication for design
  • Construction tie-in locations
  • Building rehab surveys

Superior Technology

We use ground-based LiDAR, laser lines of light that measure ranges, to digitally capture geographical and spatial data. With laser scanning, single points defining object shapes are replaced by thousands of grid points, gained within minutes. The high-density, data-rich images provide the level of detail necessary for informed decisions. Additionally, remote, “hands-off” operation allows for mapping of elevated and hard-to-reach locations.

Better Mapping with BIM

3D laser scanning data can be viewed as a 3D point cloud or exported to CAD format for design, dimensioning, and facade mapping. But, it can also be translated to BIM. Building Information Modeling or BIM is the standard design, construction and information technology for commercial, industrial, institutional and government building projects. 3D laser scanning is the ideal complement, providing BIM-ready data capture.

With our 3D representations, project owners have easily-integrated, ready-to-use data that streamlines the development process and communication between all development parties.

Projects

When maintaining any type of industrial plant, a big challenge is understanding the existing conditions of their site. For a chiller plant in Salem, DGT performed 3D laser scanning and modeling for documentation of its MEP assets. With this data, the plant can now safely perform upgrades, renovations and other plant development.

For a Massachusetts estate, DGT was contracted by the home architects to perform 3D scanning and imaging of the existing conditions of the house. DGT delivered point cloud data modeled in 3D, as well as elevation views and floor plans in order to begin design and planning for renovations.

The Tosteson Medical Education Center at the historic Longwood Avenue Quadrangle dates back to the original construction of the Harvard campus. Drawing from a 1949 survey from William S. Crocker Engineering, a DGT legacy company, we updated façade maps using 3D laser scanning to support the current and ongoing modernization of the building.

The Prudential Center is an iconic Boston landmark that has undergone much transformation through the years, with layers of infrastructure dating back to the beginning of the 1900s. It was one of the largest, single site developments in the early sixties and transformed an old rail yard in to a multi-faceted icon location in the heart of Boston. DGT legacy documents date back to almost the begin of this landmark project, and our unique services are still required on a regular basis. In preparation for expansion, DGT was contracted to perform construction support with advanced 3D modeling, delivered in Revit, for design of the new Boylston Street Arcade.

DGT was hired to perform 3D laser scanning to capture existing conditions of a ship. The open deck and outfitting were scanned for primary purpose of developing conceptual layouts for a new cargo handling system.

DGT performed 3D laser scanning services for two bridges being reconstructed in Providence, Rhode Island. The LiDAR data was used to document the existing conditions and design of the new bridges. DGT used terrestrial and mobile LiDAR with GPS control with the least amount of impact on traffic and safety of the crew.

DGT was hired by an international 3D animation producer for a projection event onto the façade of Boston City Hall. 3D scanning was performed on one face of the structure and relative ground heights of the surrounding square. DGT created 3D AutoCAD model using the point cloud data for deliverable. This model was critical for our client for assessing locations of projector towers.

For this residential campus, DGT performed a three-phase as-built and existing condition surveys. Phase 1 included initial control survey to tie traverse points into exterior points of the existing building to establish survey control tied to existing column lines. Phase 2 looped in a laser scan with total station control points tied to initial control to establish vertical plumbness of the existing concrete wall areas. Phase 3 finished the project with survey support and control to support construction and as-builts on an on-call, as-needed basis.

For this renovation, DGT performed the 3D laser scanning to capture the existing condition at the time of scanning for the purposes coordinating new space utilities after a major. The final deliverable was a registered point cloud for use to create a basic Revit model of the major architectural elements visible in the scan such as walls, rough window openings, doors opening, floor and ceiling, visible supporting columns boxes and beams.

For this historical preservation project, DGT worked with Roger Williams University to preserve the historical look of a building of a building in New Bedford, Mass during renovations and repair for upkeep. DGT performed 3D laser scans and façade mapping of exterior and interior spaces of the subject buildings to capture existing conditions and produce 3D Revit model of building’s exterior.

In addition to our survey work, we also provided mentoring and career development. We worked closely with the university that housed the building school to help train RWU students in importing and manipulating the Point Cloud model, as well as give a lecture with Q&A.

At Harvard’s Science and Engineering Complex, DGT provided 3D laser scanning to both the exterior and interior spaces of 114 Western Ave to support renovations. DGT scanned the interior spaces, sometimes performing more than one scan in larger spaces. Our final product was a Revit model showing walls, doors, windows, drop ceiling and major visible vertical piping using generic features to BIM level of develop (LOD) 200.

3D laser scanning has many applications, including statue preservation. Hired by architects, DGT performed 3D laser scanning and prepared a registered Point Cloud model of the John Harvard Statue in Harvard Yard.

In Boston’s Roxbury area, DGT performed a 3D building survey and prepared a Revit model of the survey results to support sound decision-making for a total building transformation for new luxury apartments.

In support of the installation of the Echelman public art project, DGT performed professional land surveying services to establish an on-the-ground survey control network that would dictate the physical points to help position the art. This work included a 3D laser scan survey of three nearby anchor building façades of buildings.

For a trucking company, DGT performed a 3D laser scan of the inside and outside of the box of an existing box truck. We then registered the scan to create a point cloud model and used this model to create 2D AutoCAD plans showing the location and layout of the equipment in this truck.

This project was hyper focused on window replacement at MIT’s iconic Kresge Auditorium. Tapped by Salem Glass Company, DGT performed a 3D survey of the outside window structural members. We used a laser scanner combined with total station control points to register the point clouds together. In the end, we delivered 3D AutoCAD models of the outside window elements.

For a luxury condo building, DGT performed an existing condition survey and floor flatness survey to help support construction on a single floor. We produced a 3D CAD drawing to help the contractors move forward.

At Mass Art, DGT was contracted to perform 3D laser scans of the ceiling in order to provide information about the existing steel joists to prepare for replacement. We produced layout drawings, generated by the 3D scan, of obstructions in the roof, such as piping, conduit, joist bridging, and ducts, that helped the structural engineers and contractors in planning for the installation of the new joists.

The subject of this survey was the facades of The Chapel at Bates College, in Lewiston, Maine. detailed elevation drawings.” In general, the purpose of the survey is to produce a 3D digital model, a set of detailed elevation drawings and detailed photographs of all exterior surfaces.

Tapped by engineers on the project, DGT surveyed the existing structure with 3D Laser Scanning and Terrestrial Photogrammetry technologies to create a three-dimensional digital “point cloud” model of the structure. The resulting plans included a footprint plan of the building showing exterior dimensions at grade. And, we created a set of elevation views of the four facades, showing vertical and horizontal offsets to major belt courses, protruding elements, tracery, etc. Our plans were delivered in both hard copy and digital CAD formats.

Contact us to see how DGT’s 3D laser scanning and BIM integration can support your project.