Algorithmic approaches to BIM modelling from reality

This chapter explores the principles and features of algorithmic development to create parametric building models from 3D data. In order to obtain Building Information Modelling outputs from 3D point cloud data of huge size, a series of processes including data editing, registration, data structuring and modelling are required. The translation of scanned data into effective parametric models will have a dramatic effect on the efficiency of design, maintenance and preservation of buildings within their context. The difference between parametric models and point clouds is that pure geometry does not have explicit data available on the characteristics of the subject. When reverse engineering an object, it is very convenient to be able to scan and then use dimensions captured in a manual modelling process. In reality, point cloud data often consists of many scans that need to be aligned with each other to form a more complete image of the subject.