BIM Pure

Point Cloud Geometry in Revit Family - Paul Aubin Tutorial

The video demonstrates how Autodesk Revit now supports importing OBJ mesh files generated from point‑cloud data, allowing users to embed scanned geometry directly into Revit families. Aubin walks through the workflow: select a limit box around a point‑cloud segment, send it to Autodesk’s cloud service (or local drive) to create a mesh, then decimate the model by 98 % to keep file size manageable while preserving visual quality. He shows coarse, medium and fine display settings and explains how to assign visibility rules so only the low‑poly version loads during regular navigation. Key examples include a keystone that originally contained millions of triangles, which Autodesk flagged as too large for shipment, and a salvaged architectural detail captured via photogrammetry rather than laser scanning. Aubin notes that textures often disappear during conversion and that the OBJ import lacks scaling controls, requiring careful unit selection. For BIM practitioners, this capability bridges the gap between as‑built documentation and parametric modeling, enabling realistic renderings and accurate clash detection without bloating the central model. However, the current limitations—texture loss, fixed scale, and reliance on cloud credits—highlight areas where Revit must evolve to fully support high‑resolution scanned assets.