When you commission a 3D laser scan, you receive more than just raw data: you receive a carefully curated set of deliverables in formats that fit your specific workflow. At Laser Scan Chicago, we tailor our output to your software environment, project phase, and end use. Below is a guide to the most common file formats and when each one is the right choice.
Point Cloud Formats
A laser scanner captures millions of individual points in three-dimensional space. These raw measurements are stored as point clouds, and several formats exist to serve different use cases.
E57
E57 is an open, vendor-neutral format developed by ASTM International specifically for storing 3D point cloud data. It supports intensity values, RGB color, and metadata, making it an ideal archive format and an excellent choice for sharing data across different software platforms. If you need a long-term master copy of your scan data, E57 is the gold standard.
LAS / LAZ
Originally developed for aerial LiDAR surveys, LAS (and its compressed counterpart LAZ) is widely used in civil engineering, surveying, and GIS applications. LAZ files are typically 80–90% smaller than LAS while retaining full fidelity. These formats are ideal when downstream workflows involve GIS software such as ArcGIS, QGIS, or infrastructure design tools that expect geospatially referenced data.
PTX / PTS
PTX and PTS are scanner-native text-based formats used for raw point data exchange. PTS stores simple XYZ coordinates (with optional intensity), while PTX preserves the full scan structure including the scanner's position and transformation matrix. These formats are often used when the raw scanner data needs to be imported directly into third-party registration software.
Autodesk-Native Formats
For teams working inside the Autodesk ecosystem: the most common environment in architecture, engineering, and construction: Autodesk's proprietary formats offer the tightest integration.
RCP / RCS (Autodesk ReCap)
RCS files are individual scan project files, and RCP is the master project file that links multiple RCS scans together. These are the native formats for Autodesk ReCap and plug directly into AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks, and Civil 3D with minimal friction. If your team works in Autodesk software, RCP/RCS deliverables let you attach, crop, and reference point clouds instantly without conversion steps.
DWG / DXF
Once a point cloud has been processed into linework, floor plans, sections, or 3D solids, the geometry is typically delivered as DWG (AutoCAD's native format) or the interoperable DXF. These are 2D and 3D CAD deliverables: not raw scan data: representing the drawn-over interpretation of the scan. DWG/DXF files are commonly used for renovation documents, structural drawings, and coordination with contractors who need clean CAD geometry rather than point data.
BIM and Interoperability Formats
Building Information Modeling workflows call for intelligent, data-rich models rather than bare geometry.
RVT (Autodesk Revit)
An RVT file is a full Revit model built from scan data. It can include walls, floors, structural elements, MEP systems, and metadata such as material classifications and room tags. Scan-to-BIM projects: where our team models directly from point cloud references: result in a deliverable RVT file ready for design development, clash detection, or facilities management.
IFC (Industry Foundation Classes)
IFC is the open BIM standard supported by virtually every major BIM authoring platform (Revit, ArchiCAD, Vectorworks, Tekla, and more). When a project team uses mixed software, or when long-term interoperability and open standards are required, we export models to IFC so every stakeholder can open and interrogate the data regardless of which application they use.
3D Visualization Formats
OBJ / FBX
For visualization, rendering, virtual reality, and game-engine workflows, OBJ and FBX are the standard delivery formats. OBJ is a simple, universally supported mesh format, while FBX supports richer scene data including materials, textures, and animation rigs. These are ideal when the deliverable is a photorealistic render, a VR walkthrough, or an interactive 3D model for client presentations.
Choosing the Right Format for Your Project
The right deliverable depends on what you're building and who needs to use the data. A general contractor may only need a DWG floor plan; an owner's representative may want an IFC model for their FM system; a design team may need both an RVT and an RCP to coordinate across disciplines.
At Laser Scan Chicago, we discuss format requirements at the start of every project so deliverables slot directly into your workflow on day one. Contact us to talk through your project's specific needs.