Reality capture has made significant strides over recent years. What began as specialized solutions for surveyors has evolved into robust and accessible technology that has transformed fields such as architecture, engineering, construction, and infrastructure.
However, with this rapid advancement comes a new challenge: selecting the right tool for the task. From high-resolution 3D scanners and mobile mapping systems to quality imaging solutions with automated data insights, the options available today are more capable and diverse than ever.
This guide provides an overview of the individual features of each FARO® 3D scanning solution, ensuring that you can make an informed decision that aligns with your workflow, team dynamics, and project objectives.
Not all Reality Capture Solutions Are Created Equal
With accurate 3D data, visually engaging point clouds, and greater insights, reality capture technologies digitize existing structures and facilitate smarter decision-making. But not all solutions are created equal. Whether you’re capturing data for a comprehensive scan to BIM (Building Information Model) workflow or aiming to produce clean 3D models for digital insights, it's essential to grasp the distinctions among reality capture solutions.
Understanding The FARO Portfolio
Selecting the appropriate scanning tool necessitates understanding each available solution's specific characteristics. Options such as terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), mobile mapping, and imaging laser scanners each provide varying degrees of accuracy, usability, and application. The nature of the projects, the team's expertise level, and the specific insights required from the 3D data should guide the decision-making process.
FARO® Focus — Terrestrial Laser Scanning
Focus represents the pinnacle of precision. The tripod-mounted 3D laser scanner captures millions of data points from a fixed position, generating ultra-dense point clouds with millimeter accuracy. This level of detail makes the LiDAR solution indispensable for environments where accuracy cannot be compromised, like detailed scans for BIM workflows or high-stakes industrial projects.
FARO® Orbis™ Premium — Mobile Laser Scanning
Orbis Premium is known for its speed, versatility, and high-quality output. By merging LiDAR technology with 360o images, Orbis provides exceptional data and visuals in one compact, handheld device. Moreover, this scanner can be mounted on a backpack for navigating rugged terrains like forests or attached to a vehicle mount to cover larger areas efficiently and quickly.
FARO® Blink™ — Imaging Laser Scanning
Blink simplifies and speeds up reality capture. This sleek tripod-based system combines rich 360o images with point cloud data. Its user-friendly design, guided scanning, and automatic insights through FARO Sphere XG make it the ideal solution for professionals seeking quick data collection, quality visuals, and effortless setup.
Key Decision Criteria
Choosing the right reality capture solution goes beyond opting for the latest or most powerful device. It's about ensuring the tool aligns with your project requirements, workflows, and technical capabilities.
Here's some of the criteria we consider important when evaluating your next 3D laser scanning system:
- Level of Expertise
- Focus: This scanner demands higher expertise, requiring a solid understanding of scanning best practices to maximize your efficiency on-site.
- Orbis Premium: Designed for quick, efficient use, Orbis often allows a complete scan in one go. While it's considered an intermediate scanner, it still involves some mobile scanning nuances, such as ensuring to "close the loop”—finishing a scan where you started.
- Blink: The simplest scanner to master, Blink features a one-button operation, offers guided scanning, and provides automatic insights, making it accessible at all levels.
- Level of Detail and Point Cloud Accuracy
- Focus: Extremely high accuracy of up to 2mm.
- Orbis Premium: Mobile scan precision of up to 5mm, and Flash stationary scan precision of up to 2mm.
- Blink: Good accuracy of up to 4mm.
- Image Quality
- Focus: This scanner prioritizes accuracy while delivering impressive 360-degree visuals to support the data. With the added benefit of quicker Flash scanning, Focus produces highly accurate point clouds and stunning images.
- Orbis Premium: Automatically captures a large number of images during a standard scan at a good quality level. Additionally, it provides exceptionally high-quality 360-degree visuals from a fixed Flash scanning position.
- Blink: Truly an image-first solution, delivering high-quality 360-degree visuals with faster scanning times. Complemented by good point cloud accuracy, Blink provides quick, client-ready results and detailed imagery.
- Return on Investment
- Focus: Terrestrial laser scanning helps avoid costly mistakes in highly complex projects.
- Orbis Premium: Mobile mapping boosts efficiency on larger sites, lowering labor costs by capturing more in less time.
- Blink: Imaging laser scanning shines in fast-turnaround projects, where visual clarity and ease of use matter most.
Reality capture technology has made significant advancements, and the notion that 3D scanning is only for seasoned professionals is becoming outdated. However, it's important to note that not all 3D scanning solutions offer a simple path to extracting valuable insights. When selecting a laser scanner, considering the level of expertise is crucial.
If your projects rely on tight tolerances—such as in structural retrofits, industrial environments, or scan to BIM—then a high-accuracy 3D scanner is essential. However, not all projects require such high accuracy. Mobile mapping and imaging scanners still offer excellent detail for general documentation, progress tracking, and visual verification, all while speeding up the scanning process. By matching the level of detail to the job demands, you can avoid over-investing in capabilities you do not need.
It’s not always about the point clouds—high-quality images help share and understand reality capture data, facilitate clear communication among stakeholders, and lead to improved project reviews. Imaging laser scanners excel in this area, as they produce vibrant and context-rich images alongside 3D data. Mobile mapping devices also deliver quality visuals across larger areas, and while TLS prioritizes accuracy, modern scanners are often equipped with internal and/or external cameras to elevate the final deliverable further.
Return on investment is key to choosing the correct reality capture solution. The ideal system isn’t just accurate—it saves time, reduces site visits, and helps deliver projects on time. Although it’s difficult to quantify ROI, here are some thoughts to consider:
Our team is always on hand to dive deeper into your specific workflows to ascertain the most cost-effective solution with the best return on investment for your needs.
| Feature/Metric | FARO Focus | FARO Orbis Premium | FARO Blink |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | *** | **** | ***** |
| Speed of Capture | ** (Slower, very detailed scans) or, **** (Much faster during Flash scan) |
***** (Covers large areas faster, often in one scan) or, *** (Slower during a Flash scan, but providing improved data and image quality from a fixed position) |
**** (Quick setup, rapid data captured, and guided scanning) |
| Ideal Use Cases | Complex construction sites, BIM, As-built, infrastructure surveying | Utilities, general surveying, hard-to-access areas (mines or forests), urban planning or large interior spaces | Interior spaces, commercial real estate, utility management, construction progress & collaboration, and virtual walkthroughs. |
| Data Output | Extremely Dense, highly accurate pre-registered point clouds | Dense, high-accuracy point clouds, with good quality 360-degree images. Separate Flash scans within the data offer much higher density, better accuracy, and excellent images | Excellent quality 360-degree images, good point cloud accuracy, and automated insights |
| Range | Up to 100m, 200m, 400m (depending on the chosen scanner) | Up to 120m | Up to 80m |
| Learning Curve | Requires training to understand hardware and scanning best practices | Some nuanced scanning techniques are required, but the usability of the scanner is not complex | Minimal training is required, as it is intuitive with onboard guided scanning and automated insights |
| Processing | Offline | Offline or Cloud-based | Offline or Cloud-based |
| Project Workflow Return | High for very high-accuracy, high-stakes projects | High for time-sensitive, large area, and complex environment projects | High for fast-turnaround, visual first projects |
Bringing It All Into Focus (or Orbis and Blink)
In today's market, various reality capture solutions can overwhelm anyone with the different specs, formats, and features. However, selecting the right technology doesn't have to be a complicated task. It begins with clearly understanding your needs, project objectives, and how each tool integrates into your workflow. Whether you prioritize speed, precision, or ease of use, there's a straightforward path ahead—and we're here to help guide you along the way.
Set up a demo with us to discuss your business needs. This will allow us to match the right scanner for your needs and provide you with the clearest path to a fast return on investment.