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Bringing Real-World Objects Into SketchUp With Your Phone

Every good design takes into consideration the real-world context, the environment in which it will complement and co-exist with. One of the ways SketchUp has enabled this capability is to capitalize on a fairly recent mobile phone feature to allow users to capture and import scanned objects from the real world into their designs.

LiDAR technology had been around for decades but only recently was  incorporated into mobile devices as a 3D scanning application.

What is LiDAR?

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure variable distances to the Earth.

These light pulses, combined with other data recorded by the airborne system, generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of the Earth and its surface of characteristics.

3D cloud model of metro station entry way

How Does LiDar Work?

LiDAR scan example in SketchUp

LiDAR works by sending out laser pulses and measuring how long they take to bounce back from objects.
Here’s a simple breakdown:

  1. Send Laser Pulses : The LiDAR device shoots out laser beams
  2. Hit Objects : The lasers hit objects like trees, buildings, or the ground
  3. Bounce Back : The lasers reflect back to the device
  4. Measure Time : The device measures how long it took for the lasers to return
  5. Calculate Distance : Using the time, the device calculates how far away the objects are
  6. Create 3D Map : It gathers all these measurements to create a detailed 3D map of the area

 

The process of LiDAR measuring

LiDAR uses laser pulses to measure the distance between objects.

Mobile Devices with LiDAR Scanning

Apple began incorporating LiDAR (light detection and ranging) into its products starting in 2020.

Since then, LiDAR sensors have appeared in every iPad Pro and Pro model iPhone. If you have a Pro model that’s 2020 or newer, it has a LiDAR sensor incorporated into the rear camera system.

With Android devices, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Google Pixel 6 Pro have LiDAR as well .

For Apple devices, the 3D Scanner App can be downloaded free from the Apple store. It has the ability to scan with LiDAR, Point Cloud and share different file formats e.g. share and export LAS file in meters with colours.

LiDAR scanner on iPhone camera
Metro station entry in a city

Metro Station Entry

Case Study: LiDAR Scanning a Metro Station Entry

To demonstrate how a scanned model can be imported into SketchUp, we are going to scan this Metro Station Entry Way using iPhone 15 Pro Max with the 3d Scanner App : Point Cloud. The 3D Scanner App is free on the App Store.

The scan takes about 3 minutes: the range of LiDAR of an iPhone Pro/iPad Pro is about 5m. Glasses, reflective or transparent surfaces are harder to capture, and it works best for a building lower than 2 storeys or in an interior space.

Point cloud LiDAR scan example

Scanning with 3D Scanner App: Point Cloud

A screen shot of a point cloud export

Share and export to LAS file in meters with color.

3D model of a metro station entry

Import LAS file into SketchUp with Scan Essentials. Move and rotate Point Cloud to align the model to model axis.

Using Scan Essentials in SketchUp

Scan Essentials is an extension that is available with a SketchUp Studio subscription. It contains everything you need to start using and managing point cloud data in your SketchUp models including importing a variety of file formats (e.g RWP, LAS/LAZ) into SketchUp, move and rotate Point Cloud to align scan data to the 3D model, and identifying any missed or inaccurate details among many other features.

It also offers inspection mapping tool for accurate modelling, adjusting distance and enhancing point cloud visualization with multiple colour and blending modes. Watch the video tutorial.

Moving 3D model

Use Scan Essentials in SketchUp to manage your imported point cloud model.

Case Study 2: Object Scan

Look at this example of using iPhone 15 Pro Max with Kiri Engine App to do a LiDAR scan on a 3D Timber model. Kiri Engine is a 3D scanner and LiDAR App, available on the App Store, has the ability to scan an object with mesh and texture. You can then export the scanned model to SketchUp (2024) as a USDZ file and manage the data with Scan Essentials.

A timber model on a table

Timber Model.

Steps to scan a real-life object

Scanning the model.

3D version of a scanned real life object

Exporting the model into SketchUp.

Video example of 3D scanned object post-import

Use Scan Essentials to move and align your object.

If you have an iPad, learn about the recently released Scan-to-Design. With Sketchup, you have many tools of bringing real-world objects into your design.

Ready to try SketchUp? Sign up for a trial or check out our subscriptions.

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