For years, terrestrial laser scanning has been the undisputed champion of 3D mapping. It can produce dense, accurate point clouds, making it indispensable for as-built documentation, construction verification and complex surveys, but relying on a single methodology can lead to less efficiency and higher costs. Discover five methods for 3D mapping and surveying, what each one offers, and the industry-leading companies that provide them.

The Benefits of Using a Laser Scanning Alternative

While prized for its high accuracy, laser scanning is not always the optimal solution for every project’s scope, budget or timeline. The rise of alternatives has provided professionals with a new level of flexibility, driven by several benefits:

Greater Accessibility and Lower Costs

Many alternative methods utilize consumer-grade hardware, such as the 360° cameras employed in videogrammetry, thereby reducing the initial investment compared to laser scanners. This democratization of technology allows more teams to integrate 3D mapping into their daily workflows, not just milestone moments.

Unparalleled Speed and Efficiency

In many cases, alternatives to laser scanning can capture a complete site in a fraction of the time it takes to perform multiple terrestrial scans. Capturing data with a drone flight or a simple video walk-through is incredibly fast, which is a game-changer for projects that require frequent monitoring and agile decision-making. This speed saves labor hours and enables a near-real-time understanding of site progress.

Enhanced Flexibility and Data Richness

Alternative methods often provide greater portability and produce more visually compelling data. Handheld structured light scanners navigate complex and confined spaces. Because methods like photogrammetry are based on images, they naturally excel at capturing high-fidelity, photorealistic textures, making their models ideal for immersive virtual tours, stakeholder presentations and marketing materials.

What Are the Top-Rated Alternatives to Laser Scanning for 3D Mapping?

Below are five of the most significant alternatives to laser scanning, with details about how they work and the companies at the forefront of each method.

1. Videogrammetry

Videogrammetry is a reality capture method that uses video footage, often from a 360° camera, to generate a 3D model of a space. As the user walks through a site, the video captures thousands of overlapping frames from multiple perspectives. Specialized software then analyzes these frames, identifies common points and uses the principles of photogrammetry to calculate the geometry of the environment.

This method is exceptionally fast and easy to use. It’s ideal for capturing indoor spaces and tracking construction progress over time, offering a cost-effective way to create immersive 3D walkthroughs and monitor site changes.

Best Videogrammetry Company: Cupix

Cupix offers the best videogrammetry solutions. Its methods are enhanced with artificial intelligence and designed to work with 360° video. Unlike laser scanning, which requires specialized, expensive equipment, Cupix’s videogrammetry is cost-effective — the user walks through a site while recording a video with a consumer-grade 360° camera.

The video is then uploaded to Cupix’s cloud platform and processed via the company’s vision AI engine, which analyzes the video frames to understand the geometry of the space. The result is a 4D digital twin of the site, including an immersive virtual tour and a mesh-based 3D model. Users can also generate 3D point clouds from this data for use in other software applications, like Building Information Modeling (BIM).

2. Photogrammetry

Photogrammetry involves taking hundreds or thousands of overlapping photographs of an object or area from different angles. It then produces photorealistic 3D models by stitching the photos together using specialized software. Photogrammetry is ideal for projects where visual aesthetics are particularly important, such as creating models for presentations or virtual reality.

Best Photogrammetry Company: Autodesk ReCap

Autodesk’s ReCap software is an industry-standard tool used by architects, engineers and construction professionals to create 3D models from photographs. Autodesk ReCap’s primary role within the larger Autodesk ecosystem is to process reality capture data and convert it into clean, usable point clouds and 3D meshes. This output is optimized for direct integration with design and engineering software like Revit, Civil 3D and AutoCAD, streamlining workflows and allowing teams to base their designs on precise conditions.

3. Drone Mapping

Drone mapping captures aerial data using drones equipped with cameras or Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors, which provide even greater accuracy. As a method, it is ideal for inaccessible areas or large outdoor spaces, such as construction sites, agricultural fields or industrial plants. It supports fast data collection, produces high-resolution imagery and can help monitor changes over time.

Best Drone Mapping Company: DroneDeploy

DroneDeploy’s cloud-based platform turns drone imagery into maps, models and analytics. The company streamlines the process of planning flights and capturing and processing data. Once the imagery is processed, teams can generate high-resolution orthomosaics, digital elevation models and 3D models. They can then utilize built-in tools to perform critical tasks, such as calculating stockpile volumes, measuring distances and areas, and tracking site progress against design plans.

4. Total Station Surveying

Total station surveying uses lasers to measure angles and distances to a particular point, which can then be used to create a map or model. It is known for its high accuracy, making it ideal for projects where precise measurements are paramount, such as establishing control points for a construction site or verifying property boundaries.

Best Total Station Surveying Company: Trimble

Trimble is a recognized name in the world of surveying and geospatial equipment. Many global construction and survey sites use its robotic total stations for high-precision measurement. Trimble’s robotic total stations enable single-person operation. The instrument automatically locks onto and tracks the prism, allowing the surveyor to control the instrument remotely. Trimble’s total stations maximize efficiency and accuracy, ensuring reliable data collection for critical layout tasks and as-built verification.

5. Structured Light Scanning

Structured light scanning (SLS) projects a pattern of light, such as a grid or stripes, onto an object or surface. A camera then captures the distortion of this pattern. By analyzing the deformation, software can calculate the 3D coordinates of the surface, creating a dense and accurate 3D model. SLS is known for high resolution and accuracy. It is ideal for scanning smaller objects or for manufacturing and reverse engineering applications.

Best Structured Light Scanning Company: Artec 3D

Artec 3D’s scanners, like the Artec Eva and Artec Leo, capture complex shapes and textures with precision. This method is common in industrial design, manufacturing, health care and heritage preservation. It supports projects, like reverse engineering, quality control and custom prosthetics.

Comparing Top 3D Mapping Methods

With several distinct methods to consider, choosing the right one can be challenging. To simplify this decision, the following table provides an at-a-glance comparison of the key characteristics, costs and ideal use cases for each alternative.

How to Choose a 3D Mapping and Surveying Method

Choosing the appropriate method for a particular project requires balancing accuracy requirements, budget, project scale and environment, speed, and the final output. It is also important to consider each method’s limitations. Drone mapping users must be aware of local flight regulations and potentially disruptive weather, like wind and rain. Photogrammetry and videogrammetry may require well-lit environments. Structured light scanners typically have a limited range, and total stations are less efficient at creating a complete 3D model of an entire area.

In some situations, the best solution is to combine multiple methods. Professionals get to harness the advantages of each approach. A team could use drone mapping to create a master site plan, videogrammetry for daily progress walks and total station surveying to verify the precise location of structural footings.

Integrating Data into Existing Workflows

Capturing data from 3D mapping and surveying methods is only half of the process. Professionals must utilize the data in a way that enhances operations, and this requires a clear plan for workflow integration.

The first step is to ensure that captured data can be exported in a compatible file format. Point cloud formats, like .e57 or .rcp for use in design software, 3D mesh formats like .obj or .fbx for visualization and virtual reality, and traditional .dwg or .dxf files for survey line work are all common outputs. Many users want a scan-to-BIM or scan-to-computer-aided design (CAD) workflow, where the reality capture data serves as a precise 3D underlay for design and modeling.

How to process and share this data is another consideration. Cupix, DroneDeploy and other cloud-based platforms foster collaboration by helping teams upload data from the field and access results from anywhere, meaning there is no need for powerful local hardware.

Alternatively, desktop software gives users hands-on control over processing and is ideal for environments where internet access is limited. However, it does require a significant investment in capable computer hardware. Planning the entire data pipeline, from capture to final deliverable, unlocks the full value of any 3D mapping method.

Enhancing Reality Capture

From the fast, large-scale capture of videogrammetry to the high accuracy of total station surveying, reality capture methods are more diverse and accessible than ever. Traditional laser scanning is not the only option for generating robust 3D data.

Choosing a method is a strategic decision. The right choice will meet the unique demands of a project, including accuracy, budget, scale and speed. When professionals are knowledgeable about each method and its best use cases, they can build an efficient and cost-effective strategy for 3D mapping and surveying.