Scan Built 3D vs. Real Estate Scans — Why Accuracy Matters
Real estate marketing scans, such as those created with platforms like Matterport, are designed primarily to create an immersive walkthrough experience that helps showcase a property for sale. These systems excel at visual presentation, but they are generally not intended or specified for the high-precision measurement requirements of design, engineering, or construction workflows.
At Scan Built 3D, we use the NavVis VLX & MLX survey-grade laser scanning systems, paired with the NavVis IVION platform, to capture and deliver data that can achieve millimetre-level accuracy in suitable conditions. Our scans are not only visually clear — they are created to perform when you need to design, document, or build with confidence.
The IVION Advantage
Unlike marketing-focused platforms, our NavVis scans are delivered through NavVis IVION — a secure, professional-grade online workspace where you can:
Visually explore your project from any device
Take precise measurements directly within the viewer
Toggle layers, floor levels, and viewpoints
Add notes and annotations for your team or contractors
Share controlled access without sending large files
This means you’re not just viewing your project — you’re actively working with it.
| Feature / Capability | NavVis MLX + IVION (Scan Built 3D) | Matterport / Marketing Scans |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Design, engineering, construction documentation | Real estate marketing & property promotion |
| Accuracy | 5 mm point-cloud accuracy in a controlled test environment (500 m² area) | Typically ±20–50 mm depending on model and environment |
| Data Type | Full colourised point cloud + panoramic imagery | Panoramic imagery, with optional lower-density point cloud |
| File Exports | DWG, RVT, IFC, E57, LAS, OBJ, more | Limited (often JPG, OBJ, proprietary formats) |
| BIM Compatibility | Optimised for Revit, Archicad, AutoCAD | Limited, often requires heavy post-processing |
| Platform | NavVis IVION — interactive, measurable, sharable | Matterport Cloud — primarily visual tour |
| Site Coverage | Large & complex spaces, multi-storey, industrial | Optimised for interiors; newer hardware (Pro3) supports some exterior scanning but with lower accuracy & density |
| Scanning Speed | Fast capture with 3D SLAM technology | Slower in large or complex spaces |
| End Use Cases | As-builts, design, engineering, compliance, fabrication | Property listing visuals, marketing walkthroughs |
Why This Matters for Your Project
If you’re building, renovating, or documenting a site, the accuracy, interoperability, and usability of your data will directly affect your project’s success.
A marketing scan might be ideal for showcasing a property — but for professional work, survey-grade capture and a platform that supports precise measurement and CAD/BIM integration can make all the difference..
Ready to Get Started?
Contact Scan Built 3D today to discuss your project and see how our NavVis MLX + IVION workflow can provide the clarity, accuracy, and control that marketing-focused scans were never intended to deliver.