LiDAR laser scan data and Chief Workflow

[chrismac]

Hello, does anyone have experience with using LiDAR data alongside Chief? Such as FARO, Trimble, or Matterport. It looks like there is not a direct integration for point clouds into Chief. I have experience with this type of data in other programs, but never with Chief. Curious to know other's workflow. Any tips greatly appreciated. 

 

Chris 

[Renerabbitt]

1 hour ago, chrismac said:

Hello, does anyone have experience with using LiDAR data alongside Chief? Such as FARO, Trimble, or Matterport. It looks like there is not a direct integration for point clouds into Chief. I have experience with this type of data in other programs, but never with Chief. Curious to know other's workflow. Any tips greatly appreciated. 

 

Chris 

Certainly. I typically order a matterpak which is an obj file conversion of the matterport scan then I slice it in blender as well as decimate it. Then import in units of meters as a symbol and save it in a plan file that youwill reference.
Reference it so that you arent constantly rebuilding a heavy scene. (The scan can be a 1M poly on up)

[chrismac]

Thank you Rabbitt! How accurate are you finding the Matterport data? I've heard it can have a large margin of error. Are there scan techniques to improve resolution? Have you used it for exteriors as well? I've heard the proprietary software for Matterport can be limiting. I have not used Matterport but am familiar with FARO in a previous role. 

 

Best,

Chris

[SHCanada2]

6 hours ago, chrismac said:

Have you used it for exteriors as well?

I'm always looking for a good exterior scan option. 

 

But FARO seems like a pretty penny. I've tried a bunch of photogrammery apps, but none worked that well.  Do you know of other options other than FARO

[Renerabbitt]

On 9/9/2025 at 2:36 PM, chrismac said:

Thank you Rabbitt! How accurate are you finding the Matterport data? I've heard it can have a large margin of error. Are there scan techniques to improve resolution? Have you used it for exteriors as well? I've heard the proprietary software for Matterport can be limiting. I have not used Matterport but am familiar with FARO in a previous role. 

 

Best,

Chris

The pro 3 camera is very accurate since it mixes photogrammetry and a professional grade lidar sensor. Lidar from your phone will be very poor.
Lidar on exterior is ok for somet things, though I personally don't see a ton of need there.
I will say it only takes me 2-4 hours with a helper to measure an entire place directly into chief and take photos and do a phone lidar scan for backup. 

 

[SHCanada2]

20 hours ago, Renerabbitt said:

The pro 3 camera is very accurate since it mixes photogrammetry and a professional grade lidar sensor. Lidar from your phone will be very poor.
Lidar on exterior is ok for somet things, though I personally don't see a ton of need there.
I will say it only takes me 2-4 hours with a helper to measure an entire place directly into chief and take photos and do a phone lidar scan for backup. 

Lidar on the phone is only good for ~15 ft, so exteriors do not work that I have tried

 

I do similar workflow, but I use a photogrammery app as a back up. Which lidar app is your preference?

 

I'm currently doing elevations from photos, and attempting to measure eave heights from ground, and then discerning a heel height and peak height. It works for "simple houses" but not those with upper roof lines which are back from the front facade. Have you found any better technique?