Choosing the right 3D scanning tool for AEC work can make or break your project’s efficiency and budget. The Leica BLK360 delivers impressive accuracy, but comes with a premium price tag and requires setup at every scan location. For most renovation surveys, as-builts, and progress tracking, ultra-high precision isn’t necessary—what matters is a reliable point cloud you can get quickly. Polycam, running on your phone, offers fast results with minimal hassle or expense. In this guide, you’ll see exactly when each tool is the smarter choice.
When Each Tool Wins
All Leica BLK360 figures below refer to the original BLK360 (G1); the newer G2 and the entry-level BLK360 SE have different speed and accuracy specs, noted in the FAQ.
| Polycam | Leica BLK360 (G1) | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | LOD 200 to 300, fast documentation, repeatable site capture | LOD 350 to 400, dense MEP coordination, structural deformation |
| Accuracy | ±½ inch on standard interior captures | 6mm at 10m, 8mm at 20m |
| Capture method | Continuous walk-through | Fixed tripod positions, ideally spaced 25 to 30 feet apart |
| Equipment cost | Phone you already own plus subscription | Contact Leica; hardware price not publicly listed |
| Operator requirement | Any team member with the app | Basic training recommended; registration requires office processing |
| Output formats | LAS, PLY, OBJ, FBX, GLB, USDZ, DXF, and more | RCP (via ReCap), E57, BLK; others via Cyclone software |
| Pick this when | Speed matters, LOD 200 to 300 is the target, accessibility is important | Dense MEP coordination, structural work, LOD 350 and above |
For as-builts, existing conditions, and progress documentation—the regular tasks for most AEC teams—you usually do not need millimeter accuracy or a special scanning setup. What matters is getting a usable point cloud without slowing down your site visit.
Accuracy Comparison
Leica BLK360 (G1): At the recommended scanning distance of 10m, the BLK360 delivers 6mm accuracy. That decreases slightly with distance, reaching 8mm at 20m. Both figures are one sigma and apply specifically to the G1 model.
Polycam (Space mode and Floorplan mode): Polycam has a standard accuracy of ±½ inch on standard interior captures, measured against a professional laser distometer. Ceiling height is typically the most consistent measurement, since it's captured from one large, unobstructed plane; for larger spaces over 5,000 sq ft, a wider margin of variation should be expected as small per-surface errors accumulate across a bigger sweep.
Polycam’s ±½ inch accuracy works well for most renovation and retrofit projects at LOD 200 to 300. The BLK360’s 6mm (about ¼ inch) accuracy at 10 meters is more precise, which matters for dense MEP coordination, structural work, or any job that needs exact measurements.
If your project needs measurements within a few millimeters, go with the BLK360. If you only need a spatial reference, Polycam is faster and much more affordable. Choose the tool that fits your accuracy requirements.
Capture Speed
Polycam stands out for its speed and ease of use.
With Polycam Space mode, you simply walk through the space to capture it. There’s no equipment to set up, no tripod, and no waiting between spots. After your walk, you can preview the mesh on your device and export a LAS file before you leave the site.
Leica BLK360 (G1) uses fixed tripod positions. Per Leica's own recommendation, the ideal distance between scans is 25 to 30 feet (7.5 to 9m), with each individual scan taking anywhere from about 40 seconds at low density up to roughly 3.5 minutes at high density, plus HDR imagery adding time on top. Covering a floor plate means repeating that setup, scan, and move sequence at every position, then bringing the data back to the office for processing in Cyclone REGISTER 360 PLUS. Full registration with colorized point clouds and panoramic images takes longer; Cyclone REGISTER 360 PLUS also offers a Quick Import option that skips WayPoint creation and point cloud colorization when that extra detail isn't needed, which is faster but produces a less complete dataset.
The BLK360’s VIS (Visual Inertial System) helps by pre-registering scans as you move between positions. However, using fixed positions and doing extra work in the office adds steps that Polycam’s walk-through method skips. For teams that visit sites often, the difference between setting up a tripod and just walking through really adds up over a project, more than the time for each scan.
Cost
Polycam is subscription-based. Current plans and pricing are at poly.cam/pricing. AEC workflows including LAS export and floor plan tools require a paid plan; the specific tier depends on your team's needs.
Leica BLK360 hardware pricing is not listed publicly on the Leica website. Contact a Leica reseller for current pricing. A standard purchase includes the scanner, transport shell, battery, and a one-year subscription to Cyclone REGISTER 360 PLUS (BLK Edition). Software subscription renewal is an ongoing cost after year one.
Polycam works on devices your team already has. There’s no need for new purchases, approvals, insurance, or calibration. For LOD 200-300 existing conditions, a Polycam subscription and a phone give you the same results as a BLK360 workflow, but for much less money and time. The BLK360 is worth it when you truly need higher accuracy and point density. Otherwise, Polycam is the clear choice.
Workflow: Making the Most of Your Access Window
Most scans happen when the space is empty; before hours, during lunch, or after closing. Your time to plan and scan is limited. With Polycam, there’s no equipment setup, WiFi pairing, or office processing. You just walk, preview, and export. In contrast, the BLK360 workflow needs more steps, like setting up the tripod, pairing with an iPad, starting scans at each spot, transferring data, and processing in the office. Both methods produce a usable point cloud, but only one fits within the short access window you usually have.
Export Formats and Downstream Compatibility
Polycam’s wide range of export formats is a real advantage. It supports LAS, PLY, OBJ, FBX, GLB, USDZ, and DXF—formats that AEC teams actually use. LAS files can be converted to RCS or RCP with Autodesk ReCap for Revit. DXF files go straight into AutoCAD. GLB and USDZ are ready for AR and web use.
The BLK360 exports RCP (with ReCap Pro Mobile), E57 (with the BLK Live app), and BLK (with BLK Data Manager for Cyclone). These formats work well with Autodesk and other professional point cloud tools, but there are fewer options, and using them with non-Autodesk software often requires converting the files first.
Five Projects Where Polycam Is the Right Choice
- Renovation survey for a commercial tenant fit-out. The project needs existing conditions drawings at LOD 200-300 for a 3,000-square-foot office suite, and they are needed this week. A Polycam capture, DXF export, and AutoCAD cleanup get the team to a usable drawing set the same day. A BLK360 workflow adds no value here.
- Weekly construction progress documentation. The project manager wants a spatial record of a floor at each site visit to track progress against program and document conditions for the contractor's records. Polycam integrates naturally into a regular site visit and builds a timestamped archive of site conditions over the project lifecycle.
- Pre-demolition conditions capture. A building is coming down in three weeks, and the team needs a 3D record of the existing structure and fit-out. The site is active, access is unpredictable, and LOD 200 is sufficient. Polycam captures what's needed quickly, without coordinating equipment or scheduling specialists.
- Multi-site FM documentation for a property portfolio. A facilities management team needs current spatial records for fifteen buildings across a portfolio. No specialist operator is available; the team needs to do this themselves. Polycam is the only realistic option at this scale without major procurement and training overhead.
- Client-facing as-built package for a small commercial building. The architect needs a point cloud, a floor plan, and a DXF file for the client at project closeout. Polycam produces all three from a single Space mode capture. The deliverable is ready the same day as the site visit.
Five Projects Where the BLK360 Earns Its Price
- LOD 350 MEP coordination on a complex hospital project. Service conflicts among structural, mechanical, electrical, and medical gas systems must be resolved at the coordination level, where tight clearances need to be confirmed with confidence. The BLK360's 6mm accuracy at 10m and high point density make it the right tool; Polycam's ±½ inch tolerance is not tight enough for this level of coordination.
- Structural assessment of an existing building for functional reuse. Column locations, beam depths, and slab profiles need to inform structural engineering decisions, and the engineer needs confidence in the dimensions. A published accuracy spec matters for this deliverable.
- Large industrial facility at LOD 300 with complex overhead MEP. A 50,000 square foot facility with overhead racking, dense services above suspended ceilings, and multiple plant rooms. At this scale and density, fixed-position BLK360 scans provide more complete ceiling-level geometry than a walk-through capture can deliver.
- Structural deformation study on an existing bridge or infrastructure asset. The project requires comparing scan data with a design model to identify deformation. Millimeter-level accuracy is required and will be cited in an engineering report. This is BLK360 territory.
- Pre-tender existing conditions survey for a major MEP refurbishment. A contractor needs to price a significant mechanical and electrical refurbishment and wants confident dimensions before tender. BLK360 delivers the density and accuracy a contractor needs to price complex MEP work with confidence.
The Hybrid Workflow: Getting the Best of Both
For projects with different LOD needs, it's often most cost-effective to use Polycam for most of the building and the BLK360 for certain areas. Begin with Polycam where you need speed and coverage, and use the BLK360 only where higher accuracy is needed.
- Capture all general floors and areas in Polycam Space mode. Office floors, corridors, stairs, and standard rooms at LOD 200-300 are Polycam territory.
- Use BLK360 for the plant room, main distribution risers, and any spots where LOD 350 is required. These are typically a small fraction of the total building area.
- Export Polycam captures as LAS and BLK360 captures as RCP. Register the Polycam LAS files in CloudCompare or ReCap if multiple sessions need stitching.
- Load both datasets into Autodesk ReCap and combine into a single RCP project. Link into Revit via Insert > Point Cloud.
- Model each area to the agreed LOD target from the combined point cloud.
You’ll capture most of the building with Polycam and use the BLK360 only for special cases. This approach makes the workflow efficient. The key takeaway: use Polycam for most jobs, and reserve the BLK360 for areas that need its higher precision.
FAQ
How does Polycam accuracy compare to the Leica BLK360? Polycam has a standard accuracy of ±½ inch for standard interior captures in Space and Floorplan modes. The Leica BLK360 (G1) delivers 6mm (roughly ¼ inch) at 10m and 8mm at 20m. For most renovation and retrofit work at LOD 200 to 300, Polycam's tolerance is sufficient, and the speed advantage is significant. For dense MEP coordination, structural assessment, or projects requiring tighter tolerances, the BLK360's spec provides more confidence.
What are the affordable alternatives to premium laser scanners for AEC work? Polycam is the most accessible option: it runs on a phone you likely already own, requires no specialist training, and exports the formats AEC teams need. For teams that want dedicated hardware with less cost and complexity than the full BLK360 setup, the Leica BLK360 SE delivers 4mm accuracy at 10m and scans in under a minute, at a lower price point than the standard BLK360. The newer BLK360 G2 offers faster scan settings (7 to 75 seconds depending on density) than the original G1. FARO's Focus Core is another entry-level terrestrial option. For most LOD 200-300 work, Polycam is the viable choice before stepping up to any of this dedicated hardware.
Which is the best 3D scanning app for AEC work? For mobile scanning that integrates with CAD and BIM workflows, Polycam's combination of LAS export, DXF floor-plan output, and broad format support makes it the strongest option. The formats it exports (LAS for point cloud workflows, DXF for CAD, GLB for web and AR) cover the full range of AEC downstream use cases. For visual walkthroughs without a BIM deliverable, Matterport also produces structured exports for downstream CAD use, at the cost of dedicated camera hardware and a paid add-on.
What is the best tool for scanning large warehouses? For large open-plan spaces at LOD 200-300, Polycam captures geometry efficiently. For warehouses where LOD 300 to 350 is required, overhead MEP is dense, or multiple services need to be coordinated, BLK360's fixed-position captures provide better ceiling-level coverage. For very large facilities over 10,000 square meters, a mobile mapping scanner like the Leica BLK2GO may be more efficient than either approach.
What is the best tool for capturing construction progress? Polycam is well-suited for construction progress documentation: it's fast, requires no specialist operator, and fits naturally into a site visit while building a timestamped archive over the project lifecycle. For detailed deviation analysis across scan sessions, a consistent capture methodology matters more than the tool; Polycam's regular captures provide a solid record for most progress-monitoring purposes.
Can Polycam and BLK360 point clouds be used together in Revit? Yes. Polycam exports LAS files, which are converted to RCS via Autodesk ReCap. BLK360 exports RCP directly via ReCap Pro Mobile. Both link into Revit via Insert > Point Cloud. In ReCap, multiple RCS files can be combined into an RCP project, so Polycam and BLK360 data can be registered and delivered to the BIM team as a single point cloud. This is the basis of the hybrid workflow described above.
When should a team step up from Polycam to a terrestrial scanner? When the accuracy requirement tightens, the LOD target climbs above 300, or MEP coordination demands a point density beyond what a walk-through can deliver. Those are the moments the BLK360 earns its place. Everything else is Polycam territory.