Residential Building Documentation

The Ground Truth 3D Deliverables and Their Applications

Ground Truth 3D offers comprehensive existing conditions measurement and modeling services globally. The final deliverables are meticulously generated by skilled modeling experts from raw data captured via LiDAR scanning and 360-degree photography. A typical project takes about one week from the on-site reality capture (4–6 hours for a 4,000 sq ft house) to project delivery following asset assembly and modeling phases.

2D Plans, Elevations, and Sections

We provide dimensionally accurate 2D home plans, elevations, and sections, eliminating the need for manual measurements. For interior work, we supply schematic or detailed interior elevations, including critical dimensions like ceiling heights and the location of switches, outlets, and registers. These plans are the critical starting point for Renovation Planning and Interior Remodeling, allowing designers to efficiently generate options and estimate costs. Using captured data, we can also generate accurate electrical and lighting existing conditions plans, simplifying home electrical system updates.

3D and BIM Modeling

We generate highly accurate 3D Revit models tailored to the client’s level of detail needs. These models include accurate building shells, structural elements, doors, windows, and major interior fixtures. BIM modeling allows for the addition of significant data annotations, such as wall assembly details and equipment information, saving time in renovation planning and ongoing operation. The detailed models are essential for Development Assessment, helping clients evaluate remodel potential, and are a powerful resource for Permit Planning, streamlining the submission process to regulatory bodies. They are also crucial for Design Visualization, enabling the seamless integration of proposed designs into the existing environment for high-fidelity renderings and immersive Virtual Reality (VR) formats.

Site and Landscape Modeling

All residential 3D models include immediate surrounding hardscape, decks, and topography. Additional modeling is available for major vegetation, retaining walls, fences, and other landscape features. LiDAR site scans capture landscape details with high precision, allowing for accurate placement and analysis of vegetation for health, views, and fire safety, and are often useful in permitting.

360 Photos and Point Clouds

Comprehensive 360° photography assists in accurate model conversion and provides a virtual review capability for designers, eliminating repeat site visits. The output of a LiDAR scan is a three-dimensional point cloud—a collection of billions of colored dots that accurately represent the scanned site. Both the photographs (hundreds per typical project) and the point clouds are shared with the client and serve as an invaluable, permanent digital archive for Historic Documentation, preservation, and future planning.