Matterport to DXF and BIM: Export Floor Plans from Your Scans

Matterport has become the go-to platform for creating immersive 3D virtual tours and property documentation. With over 10 million spaces captured, Matterport scanners and the Matterport platform have revolutionized how real estate, architecture, and construction professionals document spaces. But there's one common frustration: Matterport's built-in "Floor Plan" export only gives you a PNG image, not a usable CAD or BIM file.

If you need a DXF, DWG, or IFC file for AutoCAD, Revit, or other CAD/BIM software, you're stuck. Or are you? In this guide, we'll show you exactly how to export DXF/DWG floor plans and IFC BIM models from your Matterport scans—using both Matterport's native export options and third-party conversion tools.

Why Matterport is So Popular for 3D Scans and Virtual Tours

Before diving into the conversion process, let's understand why Matterport has become so dominant in the 3D scanning space:

Matterport excels at creating visual documentation and virtual tours. However, when you need technical CAD files for design, construction, or as-built documentation, the platform's limitations become apparent.

What File Formats Does Matterport Provide?

Matterport offers several export options, each suited for different purposes:

1. MatterPak (Complete 3D Data Package)

MatterPak is Matterport's comprehensive data export that includes:

• OBJ files: 3D mesh models with textures (one per floor/level)
• E57 files: Point cloud data in industry-standard E57 format
• Textures: High-resolution images mapped to the 3D model
• Metadata: Scan information, camera positions, etc.

2. E57 Point Cloud Export

Matterport can export point cloud data directly in E57 format, which is the industry standard for terrestrial laser scanning. This is the best option for CAD conversion because:

• ✅ Preserves color (RGB) data from the scan
• ✅ Includes intensity and metadata
• ✅ Compatible with all major CAD and point cloud software
• ✅ Works directly with ScanToBIM-CAD for automated floor plan generation

3. OBJ 3D Mesh Export

Matterport can export OBJ files (3D mesh models) which include:

• 3D geometry (vertices, faces)
• Texture mapping (UV coordinates)
• Material information

OBJ files can be converted to point clouds, but E57 is preferred for CAD workflows.

4. Floor Plan PNG Export

Matterport's built-in "Floor Plan" export creates a PNG image file showing:

• 2D top-down view of the space
• Room boundaries and labels
• Furniture and fixtures (optional)
• Scale and dimensions

5. Other Matterport Exports

• Virtual Tour Link: Web-based 3D tour (not a file format)
• 4K Images: High-resolution still images from scan positions
• Video Walkthrough: Pre-rendered video tour
• CAD Files: ❌ Not available—this is the gap we're solving!

Limitations of Matterport's Built-in "Floor Plan" Export

Matterport's PNG floor plan export has several critical limitations for CAD workflows:

For professional CAD workflows, you need a DXF or DWG file—not a PNG image. That's where the conversion process comes in.

Step-by-Step: How to Get DXF/DWG from a Matterport Scan

There are two main approaches to convert Matterport scans to DXF/DWG floor plans. We'll cover both:

Option 1: MatterPak + Conversion Tools (ScanToBIM-CAD or CAD Software)

This method uses Matterport's MatterPak export, then converts the point cloud to a floor plan:

Step 1: Export MatterPak from Matterport

1. Log in to your Matterport account
2. Navigate to the space you want to export
3. Click the "..." menu (three dots) in the top right
4. Select "Export" → "MatterPak"
5. Wait for Matterport to process and generate the MatterPak (typically 10-30 minutes)
6. Download the ZIP file containing OBJ and E57 files

Step 2: Extract E57 File from MatterPak

1. Unzip the downloaded MatterPak ZIP file
2. Locate the .e57 file(s) in the extracted folder
3. Note: MatterPak may include multiple E57 files (one per floor/level)

Step 3: Convert E57 to DXF/DWG

You have two options for conversion:

Option 2: Export E57 Directly, Import to ScanToBIM-CAD (Fastest Method)

If Matterport offers direct E57 export (available on some plans), this is the fastest path:

Step 1: Export E57 from Matterport

1. Log in to your Matterport account
2. Navigate to your space
3. Click "..." menu → "Export"
4. Select "E57 Point Cloud" (if available on your plan)
5. Download the E57 file

Step 2: Upload to ScanToBIM-CAD

1. Go to ScanToBIM-CAD and sign in
2. Click "Upload New Scan"
3. Drag and drop your E57 file (or click to browse)
4. Wait for upload to complete

Step 3: AI Processing

1. ScanToBIM-CAD automatically detects walls, doors, and windows using AI
2. Processing typically takes 1-3 minutes (depending on file size)
3. You'll see a 3D preview of the detected elements

Step 4: Review and Download

1. Review the 3D viewer to verify detection quality
2. If needed, adjust detection parameters (advanced options)
3. Click "Download DXF" for 2D floor plan
4. Click "Download IFC" for 3D BIM model (optional)

Detailed Screenshots or Video Walk-through

For visual learners, here's what the process looks like:

Comparison Table: Manual Tracing vs Automated DXF Export

Let's compare the two main approaches to getting DXF files from Matterport scans:

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Here are common problems you might encounter when converting Matterport scans to DXF, and how to solve them:

Issue 1: Distorted Geometry

Symptoms: Walls appear curved, rooms are misshapen, dimensions are incorrect

Causes & Solutions:

• Poor scan coverage: Matterport scans may have gaps or incomplete coverage. Solution: Ensure you captured all areas during scanning, or re-scan missing sections
• Registration errors: Multiple scan positions weren't properly aligned. Solution: Matterport's cloud processing usually handles this, but if issues persist, try re-processing the scan in Matterport
• Scale issues: Point cloud may not be properly scaled. Solution: ScanToBIM-CAD automatically detects scale, but you can verify dimensions in the 3D viewer

Issue 2: Incomplete Scans

Symptoms: Missing rooms, partial walls, gaps in floor plan

Causes & Solutions:

• Insufficient scan positions: Didn't capture all areas during Matterport scanning. Solution: Re-scan missing areas and merge with existing scan, or manually add missing elements in CAD
• Obstructions: Furniture or objects blocked walls. Solution: Remove obstructions and re-scan, or manually trace from point cloud in CAD
• Low point density: Sparse point cloud makes detection difficult. Solution: Use higher-quality Matterport scanning settings, or manually add missing elements

Issue 3: Conversion Settings

Symptoms: AI detection misses walls, incorrect door/window positions, too many or too few elements detected

Solutions:

• Review and refine: Always review AI results in the 3D viewer before downloading—you can make manual adjustments in CAD afterward
• Point cloud quality: Ensure your E57 export includes color data (RGB)—this helps AI detection accuracy
• File size: Very large files (>2GB) may need to be split by floor/level for better processing

Issue 4: MatterPak Export Not Available

Symptoms: "Export" menu doesn't show MatterPak option

Solution: MatterPak export requires a Matterport Pro ($69/month) or Business ($169/month) subscription. Free and Starter plans don't include this feature. You'll need to upgrade your subscription to access MatterPak exports.

Issue 5: E57 File Too Large

Symptoms: Upload fails, processing is slow, browser crashes

Solutions:

• Split by floor: If MatterPak includes multiple E57 files (one per floor), process them separately
• Reduce point density: Export E57 with lower point density (if Matterport allows this setting)
• Check file size: ScanToBIM-CAD supports files up to 2GB. For larger files, contact support or split the scan
• Use compressed format: E57 files are already compressed, but ensure you're not exporting unnecessary data

Tips for Best Results

Follow these best practices to get the best DXF floor plans from your Matterport scans:

1. Ensure Complete Scan Coverage

• ✅ Scan all rooms and areas systematically
• ✅ Don't skip closets, bathrooms, or small spaces
• ✅ Capture multiple angles of important features (doors, windows)
• ✅ Ensure good overlap between scan positions

2. Use E57 Format When Available

• ✅ E57 preserves color (RGB) data, which improves AI detection accuracy
• ✅ E57 includes metadata and intensity information
• ✅ E57 is the industry standard—most compatible with conversion tools
• ✅ Prefer E57 over OBJ for CAD conversion workflows

3. Verify Scan Quality Before Export

• ✅ Review the Matterport 3D model for gaps or errors
• ✅ Check that all rooms are properly captured
• ✅ Verify dimensions match known measurements (door widths, room sizes)
• ✅ Fix any registration issues in Matterport before exporting

4. Process Each Floor Separately

• ✅ If you have a multi-story building, export and process each floor as a separate E57 file
• ✅ This improves processing speed and accuracy
• ✅ You can combine floor plans in CAD software afterward

5. Review AI Results Before Finalizing

• ✅ Always check the 3D viewer in ScanToBIM-CAD before downloading
• ✅ Verify that walls, doors, and windows are correctly detected
• ✅ Make note of any elements that need manual adjustment in CAD
• ✅ Remember: AI does 90-95% of the work—minor manual fixes are normal

6. Refine in CAD Software

• ✅ Import DXF into your CAD software (AutoCAD, Revit, LibreCAD, etc.)
• ✅ Add room labels, dimensions, and annotations
• ✅ Fix any AI detection errors (typically 5-10% of elements)
• ✅ Add title block, north arrow, and other standard CAD elements

Conclusion: Export Your Matterport Scans to DXF Floor Plans in 3 Minutes

Matterport excels at creating virtual tours and visual documentation, but when you need CAD files for design and construction, the built-in PNG export isn't enough. Fortunately, converting Matterport scans to DXF/DWG floor plans is straightforward with the right tools.

Key takeaways:

• ✅ Matterport limitation: Built-in "Floor Plan" export is PNG only—not a CAD file
• ✅ Solution: Export MatterPak (E57) or direct E57 export, then convert with ScanToBIM-CAD
• ✅ Time savings: Automated conversion (3 minutes) vs manual tracing (8-20 hours)
• ✅ Cost savings: 85-95% reduction compared to manual workflows
• ✅ Best format: E57 preserves color and metadata, ideal for AI-powered conversion
• ✅ Result: Professional DXF files ready for AutoCAD, Revit, or any CAD software

Ready to convert your Matterport scan to a DXF floor plan? Try ScanToBIM-CAD free—upload your Matterport E57 file and get your floor plan in minutes. No credit card required, 2 free conversions to start.

Have questions about Matterport workflows? Check out our other guides on point cloud to floor plan conversion, handheld LiDAR scanning, and point cloud formats.