How to Convert Point Cloud to Floor Plan [2026 Guide]

The Problem: Manual Tracing is Costing You Time and Money

If you're a surveyor, architect, or engineer working with laser scans, you know the pain all too well. You've captured a perfect point cloud of a building interior—millions of precise 3D points showing every wall, door, and window. But now comes the hard part: converting that point cloud into a usable 2D floor plan.

The traditional workflow is brutal:

1. Import the point cloud into AutoCAD or Revit
2. Manually trace every wall, door, and window over the point cloud
3. Clean up the geometry, fix errors, and add annotations
4. Export the final DXF or DWG file

For a small 100m² office space, you're looking at a full day of work. For a 500m² commercial space? That's a full week of tedious tracing.

There has to be a better way.

Method 1: The Traditional Manual Workflow

Let's start by understanding the traditional approach that most professionals still use today. This method works, but it's slow, expensive, and prone to errors.

Step 1: Convert Point Cloud to ReCap Format

First, you need to convert your point cloud file to a format that AutoCAD and Revit can import. Neither AutoCAD nor Revit can directly import E57 or LAS files—they require conversion through Autodesk ReCap Pro first.

Your original scan formats:

• E57 - From terrestrial scanners (Faro, Leica, Trimble)
• LAS/LAZ - From LiDAR scanners and mobile mappers
• PLY - From Matterport or photogrammetry

Conversion process:

1. Open Autodesk ReCap Pro (separate software, requires license)
2. Import your E57, LAS, or PLY file into ReCap
3. ReCap will process and register the point cloud (can take 15-30 minutes for large files)
4. Export from ReCap as RCP (ReCap Project) or RCS (ReCap Scan) format

Step 2: Import RCP/RCS into CAD Software

Once you have the RCP or RCS file from ReCap, you can import it into AutoCAD or Revit:

• AutoCAD: Use the POINTCLOUDATTACH command and select your RCP/RCS file
• Revit: Go to Insert tab → Point Cloud → select your RCP/RCS file

The point cloud can be massive—hundreds of megabytes or even gigabytes—so this import step can take several minutes, especially for large projects.

Step 3: Manually Trace Walls

This is where the real work begins. You'll need to:

1. Set up your view to see the point cloud clearly (usually a top-down plan view)
2. Zoom in and start tracing wall lines, following the point cloud data
3. Draw each wall segment as a line or polyline
4. Ensure walls are properly connected at corners
5. Check for accuracy against the point cloud

For a typical office space with 20-30 rooms, you might be drawing 100+ wall segments. Each one needs to be precisely aligned with the point cloud data below it.

Step 4: Add Doors and Windows

Once walls are traced, you need to identify and mark openings:

• Door openings (typically 0.9m wide for interior doors, but you need to check for each case.)
• Window openings (vary by building type)
• Archways and other openings

You'll need to carefully examine the point cloud to identify these features, as they're not always obvious from a top-down view. This often requires switching between different views (plan, section, 3D) to confirm what you're seeing.

Step 5: Clean Up and Refine

After the initial tracing, you'll spend significant time:

• Fixing wall connections and corners
• Removing duplicate lines
• Ensuring proper wall thickness
• Adding dimensions and annotations
• Checking for missing walls or rooms

Step 6: Export Final File

Finally, export your completed floor plan as a DXF or DWG file that can be used in other CAD software or shared with clients.

Time Breakdown for Manual Method

For a typical 200m² residential floor plan:

For larger commercial spaces (500m²+), this can easily stretch to 12-20 hours.

Method 2: AI-Powered Automated Conversion

What if you could skip the manual tracing entirely? That's where AI-powered point cloud conversion comes in.

ScanToBIM-CAD uses advanced machine learning models to automatically detect architectural elements from your point cloud. The AI identifies:

How It Works: The AI Detection Process

The automated workflow uses a three-step process:

1. Point Cloud Analysis: The AI analyzes the spatial distribution of points to identify planar surfaces (walls) and openings
2. Semantic Segmentation: Machine learning models classify each point or region as wall, door, window, or other
3. Geometry Extraction: The detected elements are converted into clean BIM/CAD geometry with connections and dimensions

Step-by-Step: Using ScanToBIM-CAD

Here's exactly how to convert your point cloud using our automated tool:

Step 1: Upload Your Point Cloud

Go to ScanToBIM-CAD and create a free account (no credit card required). You get 2 free conversions to start.

Upload your point cloud file directly—no ReCap conversion needed! We support:

• PLY - ASCII or binary format
• E57 - From Faro, Leica, Trimble scanners (no ReCap needed!)
• LAS - Standard LiDAR format (no ReCap needed!)
• LAZ - Compressed LAS (automatically decompressed)

Just drag and drop your file. No ReCap conversion, no format conversion—we handle everything automatically. This saves you the 15-30 minutes and $2,000+/year ReCap license that the manual method requires.

Step 2: AI Processing (1-3 Minutes)

Once uploaded, our AI automatically:

• Converts your file format if needed (E57→PLY, LAS→PLY, etc.)
• Analyzes the point cloud structure
• Detects walls, doors, windows, and furniture
• Generates clean BIM/CAD geometry

You'll see real-time status updates in your dashboard. Small files (under 30MB) typically complete in under 90 seconds. Larger files (100MB+) may take 2-3 minutes.

Step 3: Review Results in 3D Viewer

When processing completes, you can immediately view your results in our interactive 3D viewer. This lets you:

• Rotate and zoom to inspect the detected geometry
• Verify that walls, doors, and windows are correctly identified
• Check for any areas that might need manual adjustment

The viewer uses the same web-ifc technology that powers professional BIM software, so you're seeing exactly what you'll get in your CAD files.

Step 4: Download Your Files

Download both formats:

• DXF (2D floor plan) - Ready for AutoCAD, LibreCAD, or any CAD software
• IFC (3D BIM model) - Ready for Revit, ArchiCAD, or Blender

Both files are generated automatically. The DXF gives you a clean 2D plan view, while the IFC provides a full 3D BIM model with proper wall heights, door/window openings, and architectural relationships.

Step 5: Refine in Your CAD Software (Optional)

The AI gives you a high percentage complete BIM/CAD floor plan. You'll typically need to:

• Add dimensions and annotations
• Adjust any diagonal or curved walls (AI works best with orthogonal layouts)
• Add room labels and area calculations
• Fine-tune door/window positions if needed

This refinement typically takes 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on complexity. Compare that to the 8+ hours of initial tracing you'd do manually.

Comparison: Manual vs Automated Methods

Let's look at the real numbers. Here's a detailed comparison for different project sizes:

*$3 per conversion at $29/month plan (10 conversions), or free with trial

Real-World Cost Example

Let's say you're a surveyor doing 10 as-built floor plans per month:

Even if you outsource the manual tracing at $400 per floor plan, you're still saving $3,700/month with automation.

When to Use Each Method

Use Automated Conversion When:

• You have interior scans with orthogonal (perpendicular) walls
• You need quick turnaround (same-day results)
• Cost efficiency is important
• You're doing multiple floor plans regularly
• You want consistent, repeatable results
• Your scans are from handheld LiDAR (SatLab, GeoSLAM, BLK2GO) or terrestrial scanners (Faro, Leica)

Stick with Manual Tracing When:

• You need survey-grade precision (sub-centimeter accuracy)
• Your building has many curved or diagonal walls
• You're working with exterior scans (automated tools work best for interiors)
• You need highly detailed annotations and custom symbols
• The project requires extensive customization beyond basic floor plans

Best Practices for Point Cloud to Floor Plan Conversion

Whether you choose manual or automated methods, these tips will help you get better results:

1. Start with Clean Point Cloud Data

Good input = good output. Before converting:

• Remove noise and outliers using CloudCompare or similar tools
• Ensure proper registration if using multiple scan positions
• Check that the point cloud has adequate density (especially for walls)
• Remove or mask moving objects (people, vehicles) if possible

2. Choose the Right Format

For automated conversion, PLY and E57 formats typically work best. LAS files are also well-supported. If you have RCP files from ReCap Pro, export them to E57 first.

3. Process One Floor at a Time

For multi-story buildings, process each floor as a separate point cloud. This gives you:

• Better AI detection accuracy
• Easier cleanup and refinement
• Clearer file organization

4. Verify Results Before Finalizing

Always review the generated floor plan against the original point cloud. Check:

• Wall positions and thickness
• Door and window locations
• Room boundaries and connections
• Missing or extra walls

5. Use Appropriate Wall Thickness

Standard wall thicknesses vary by building type:

• Interior partitions: 100-150mm (4-6 inches)
• Exterior walls: 200-300mm (8-12 inches)
• Load-bearing walls: 200-400mm (8-16 inches)

Most automated tools (including ScanToBIM-CAD) use standard thicknesses, but you can adjust these in your CAD software during refinement.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Challenge 1: Noisy or Incomplete Scans

Problem: Point clouds with gaps, noise, or low density make it hard to detect walls accurately.

Solution: Pre-process your point cloud in CloudCompare to remove outliers and fill small gaps. For automated tools, ensure your scan has at least 10-20 points per square meter on wall surfaces.

Challenge 2: Diagonal or Curved Walls

Problem: AI detection works best with orthogonal (perpendicular) walls. Diagonal walls may be detected as multiple segments or need manual adjustment.

Solution: Use automated conversion to get 90% of the work done, then manually adjust diagonal walls in your CAD software. This is still much faster than tracing everything manually.

Challenge 3: Complex Room Shapes

Problem: Non-rectangular rooms (L-shaped, curved, etc.) can be challenging for automated detection.

Solution: Automated tools will detect the basic shape. You'll need to refine complex geometries manually, but you're still saving hours of initial tracing work.

Challenge 4: Multi-Story Buildings

Problem: Point clouds that include multiple floors can confuse automated detection.

Solution: Split your point cloud by floor level before processing. Most scanning software allows you to filter points by Z-height, or you can use CloudCompare to separate floors.

The Future of Point Cloud to Floor Plan Conversion

AI-powered conversion is rapidly improving. What used to take days now takes minutes. As machine learning models get better, we can expect:

• Better handling of diagonal and curved walls
• Automatic detection of room types and labels
• Integration with building codes and standards
• Real-time processing for live scanning workflows
• Better accuracy for exterior scans

The technology is already here. The question isn't whether to automate—it's how quickly you can adopt it to stay competitive.

Conclusion: Choose the Right Tool for Your Workflow

Converting point clouds to floor plans doesn't have to be a week-long project. With AI-powered automation, you can get professional results in minutes instead of hours.

For most interior as-built documentation projects, automated conversion is the clear winner:

• 94% time savings
• 91% cost reduction
• Consistent, reliable results
• No expensive software licenses
• Accessible to teams of all skill levels

The manual method still has its place for highly specialized projects requiring survey-grade precision or extensive customization. But for the vast majority of floor plan creation tasks, automation is the smart choice.

Ready to try it yourself? Start your free trial with ScanToBIM-CAD and convert your first point cloud to a floor plan in 2 minutes. No credit card required—just upload your file and see the results.

Have questions about point cloud conversion? Check out our other guides on point cloud formats and as-built documentation workflows.