” We stand on the shoulders of these pioneers. By understanding the origins, we can better appreciate the innovation required to propel the AECO industry into its truly digital future. ” CloudForma
Today, from light and lenses, we are tracing the origins of the point cloud in the AECO (Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operation) industry.
1. Introduction: The Foundation of Our Digital Built World
In the modern AECO industry, point clouds are key during all stages of the built asset lifecycle.
These vast collections of 3D data points, each representing a precise coordinate in space, form the bedrock for detailed BIM models, accurate digital twins, and sophisticated automation workflows.
They allow us to capture the exact “as-built” reality of structures and environments with unprecedented precision.
But where did this transformative technology come from?
It is not a sudden invention but rather a fascinating evolution spanning decades.
It is a story driven by the relentless pursuit of better measurement and understanding of our physical world.
2. Early Seeds: From Light to Lasers (1930s-1960s)
The fundamental idea behind measuring distances with light originated long before modern scanners.
As early as the 1930s, scientists like Irish physicist Edward Hutchinson Synge conceived of using light beams to study the atmosphere, laying conceptual groundwork.
By 1938, researchers were already experimenting with light pulses to measure cloud heights. The true catalyst for modern 3D scanning, however, was the invention of the laser.
In 1960, Theodore Maiman at Hughes Research Laboratory developed the first functional laser. Just a year later, Maiman’s team built the first LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) prototype. By bouncing laser light off a surface and measuring the “time of flight” for the pulse to return, precise distances could be calculated.
The first commercial LiDAR systems emerged in 1962, initially for atmospheric studies, but their potential for mapping soon became clear.
3. The Rise of 3D Scanning and Digital Data (1970s-1990s)
While early 3D scanning methods in the 1960s used combinations of lights, cameras and projectors, they were often slow and lacked accuracy.
The concept of a “point cloud” as a collection of coordinates for expressing topography was already being discussed in the 1970s within topographical surveying.
A pivotal moment arrived in 1985 when a NASA team led by Bill Krabill integrated GPS technology into airborne LiDAR systems. This allowed for accurate geo-referencing, making precise aerial mapping possible and propelling LiDAR into fields like topography, forestry and environmental studies.
The late 1990s marked a turning point for the AECO industry.
In 1998, Cyra Technologies (later acquired by Leica Geosystems) introduced the first tripod-mounted 3D laser scanner (Cyrax), specifically designed for surveyors and engineers. This breakthrough made it practical to capture dense 3D point clouds of existing environments.
Crucially, Cyra also developed the first integrated point-cloud software, addressing the challenge of processing and analysing the millions of data points generated. This was the true genesis of modern scan-to-BIM workflows.
4. The Era of Interoperability and Standardisation: The .e57 Format (2000s Onwards)
As 3D scanning technology became more prevalent, a new challenge emerged: interoperability which is also one the three pillars of BIM.
Different scanners and software produced data in various proprietary formats, hindering seamless exchange and collaboration. This led to the development of an open, vendor-neutral standard: the .e57 file format.
A group of volunteers within ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials) led the effort. The e57.04 subcommittee on data interoperability specifically worked on this, and the ASTM E2807 standard (.e57) was formally approved in February 2011.
The .e57 format was designed to store not just point clouds, but also associated images and metadata from 3D imaging systems. This standardisation was vital for data exchange and integration within the increasingly digital AECO landscape.
5. Beyond LiDAR: The Role of Photogrammetry
While LiDAR revolutionized 3D capture, photogrammetry also played a significant role in the origin of point clouds.
As early as 1851, French inventor Aimé Laussedat explored using photographs for mapping.
German architect Albrecht Meydenbauer coined the term “photogrammetry” in 1867 and used it to record historical buildings.
Photogrammetry involves taking multiple overlapping photographs from different angles, then using specialised software to create 3D models and, subsequently, point clouds.
Advancements in computing power have made photogrammetry an increasingly powerful and accessible method for 3D data acquisition.
6. Point Clouds Today: The Foundation for CloudForma’s Future
From early light pulses to sophisticated laser scanners and drone-based photogrammetry, the evolution of point cloud technology has been driven by the need for accurate and comprehensive spatial data.
Today, point clouds are fundamental for:
- As-built documentation
- Quality control
- Digital Twins and BIM models
- Virtual and Augmented Reality environments
- Automating AECO workflows.
From Light and Lenses: Tracing the Origins of the Point Cloud in the AECO industry. At CloudForma, we stand on the shoulders of these pioneers.
Our focus on automated .e57 to .IFC conversion directly addresses the legacy challenge of converting this rich, raw point cloud data into intelligent, interoperable BIM models.
By understanding the origins, we can better appreciate the innovation required to propel the AECO industry into its truly digital future.
©CloudForma with the help of ©Gemini