Our Technology

Our Technology

Overview

At LASERTECH ® Floorplans, we take pride in our state-of-the-art technology, and its application to the 2D and 3D as-built drawing and model production process.

Key to our system for creating laser-accurate as-builts are 4 core technologies: the Laser Disto from Leica for accurate measurement, the Microsoft Surface tablet as our chosen software platform, the LASERTECH ® Survey System (LTS) for data-gathering, and of course AutoCAD® and Revit® from Autodesk, the industry standard in terms of deliverable format for architectural drawings. Combined, this technology has revolutionized the production of accurate as-built drawings and models.

One of the keys to the production of our as-builts is our laser measuring technology. We use a hand-held laser measuring device, called a “DistoMeter” produced by Leica Geosystems, world leaders in the production of highly-accurate surveying and measuring equipment for many years. The Disto is accurate to within 1/16″ in 600 feet. We typically record all measurements to within 1/8″, which far exceeds accuracy requirements of any as-built drawing.

All LASERTECH ®  Building Surveyors carry a small lightweight Microsoft Surface tablet computer, with a Bluetooth wireless link to the laser Disto. We are constantly researching new technologies in this area, to ensure our operators have the most efficient field systems with which to perform their field surveys.

Field measurements that have been collected by the laser disto are automatically drawn and layered in our proprietary LTS CAD software on the tablet. Advanced closure routines and standards built into the software allow LASERTECH® Floorplans to certify results to 1/8″.  (Note:  This process is unique to LASERTECH® and sets us apart from all competitors.)

The production of a LASERTECH® 2D as-built drawing is of course not complete yet. The final product is a result of loading the LTS data file into a computer CAD workstation, running the latest AutoCAD® software.  Our CAD operators are highly skilled, trained on the same LASERTECH® Floorplans methodologies as our field people.  The beauty of the LTS systems is that 75% of the CAD work is done right in the field, the ‘field notes’ returned from the field are AutoCAD® DWG files!  Our operators simply need to confirm requirements were met, and do some fairly minor cleanup and preparation for client-suitable format, as well as produce PDFs, BOMA lease plans, and prepare for delivery.

The production of a LASERTECH® 3D model is the final step, if a Revit® file is required.  Unlike many competitors who will suggest an expensive 3D laser scan to then produce a Revit® model, at LASERTECH® we instead deliver all in 2D AutoCAD® format first, and then using all heights and vertical measurements collected, our highly skilled and specialized Revit® modelling team will convert the AutoCAD® files to Revit® format, in combination with extensive digital photography our Building Surveyors will collect on site, of both the exterior and interior conditions.  The advantage to our clients is you will get quicker results, with 2D drawings available shortly after completion of the field survey, and Revit® files typically within a week or two.

Leica disto d3a laser distance meter displayed on a white background.

Laser Accurate

Leica "Disto"

One of the keys to the production of our as-builts is our laser measuring technology. We use a hand-held laser measuring device called a “Disto”, produced by Leica Geosystems, world leaders in the production of highly-accurate surveying and measuring equipment for many years. The Disto is accurate to within 1/16″ in 600 feet. We typically record all measurements to within 1/8″, which far exceeds accuracy requirements of any as-built drawing.

Small & Lightweight

Surface Tablet

All LASERTECH ®  Building Surveyors carry a small lightweight Microsoft Surface tablet computer, with a Bluetooth wireless link to the laser Disto. We are constantly researching new technologies in this area, to ensure our operators have the most efficient field systems with which to perform their field surveys.

Person holding a microsoft surface tablet with a stylus.
Rows of draftsmen working at tilted drawing tables in an early 20th-century drafting office.

Certified Results

LASERTECH® Survey System (LTS)

Field measurements that have been collected by the laser disto are automatically drawn and layered in our proprietary LTS CAD software on the tablet. Advanced closure routines and standards built into the software allow LASERTECH® Floorplans to certify results to 1/8″.  This process is unique to LASERTECH® and sets us apart from all competitors.

Fits Together

AutoCAD®

The production of a LASERTECH® 2D as-built drawing is of course not complete yet. The final product is a result of loading the LTS data file into a computer CAD workstation, running the latest AutoCAD® software.  Our CAD operators are highly skilled, trained on the same LASERTECH® Floorplans methodologies as our field people.  The beauty of the LTS systems is that 75% of the CAD work is done right in the field, the ‘field notes’ returned from the field are AutoCAD® DWG files!  Our operators simply need to confirm requirements were met, and do some fairly minor cleanup and preparation for client-suitable format, as well as produce PDFs, BOMA lease plans, and prepare for delivery.

Screenshot of autodesk autocad software interface displaying a 2d line drawing of a layout plan with various colored lines and annotations.
3d architectural model displayed in cad software with interface elements and project tools visible.

3D Models

Revit®

The production of a LASERTECH® 3D model is the final step, if a Revit® file is required.  Unlike many competitors who will suggest an expensive 3D laser scan to then produce a Revit® model, at LASERTECH® we instead deliver all in 2D AutoCAD® format first, and then using all heights and vertical measurements collected, our highly skilled and specialized Revit® modelling team will convert the AutoCAD® files to Revit® format, in combination with extensive digital photography our Building Surveyors will collect on site, of both the exterior and interior conditions.  The advantage to our clients is you will get quicker results, with 2D drawings available shortly after completion of the field survey, and Revit® files typically within a week or two.