E57 to DWG: Step-by-Step Conversion

What you will get and how fast

If you need to convert E57 to DWG, this guide shows how to create a clean 2D DWG inside AutoCAD, BricsCAD, or ZWCAD in minutes, not hours. The workflow uses panorama picking so linework lands directly in your CAD while junior staff execute and seniors review. Teams using this method often see about 60 percent less drafting time compared with manual tracing.

Related guides
Prefer FARO files. Read FLS to DWG.
Want the full workflow across formats. See Point Cloud to CAD for 2D Plans.

Key outcomes

• A templated 2D DWG that follows your layers, linetypes, and blocks.
• Runs inside your CAD with no BIM step required. Supports AutoCAD, BricsCAD, ZWCAD.
• Geometry measured on the point cloud for accuracy, with clear steps for section planes and relative or absolute heights.
• A tight QA checklist to prevent rework. Scale and units, layer mapping, lineweights, text heights, block placement.
• Fast fixes for common problems such as empty or too light exports, performance lag, and unit mismatches.

What is an E57 file

An E57 file is a vendor neutral point cloud format that stores millions of 3D points with attributes like color, intensity, and scanner position. It is commonly produced by terrestrial laser scanners and registration software. E57 preserves capture quality, but it is not a deliverable for CAD teams who need a 2D DWG they can edit and plot.

Why convert E57 to 2D DWG

• Produce editable as-built floor plans or site plans in AutoCAD, BricsCAD, or ZWCAD.
• Keep your DWG template standards. Layers, linetypes, blocks, text sizes.
• Replace manual slice and trace with panorama picking that writes linework directly to DWG.
• Let junior staff handle production while seniors review and approve.

Requirements

CAD compatibility

• AutoCAD, BricsCAD, or ZWCAD installed and licensed
• Stable recent version recommended
• Write access to your company DWG template

Your DWG template

• Clean template with layers, linetypes, text styles, blocks, and dimension styles you actually use
• Example block library for doors, cores, symbols, north arrow, title block
• Simple one page layer naming guide if available

E57 input quality

• Registration completed in your scanner software
• Units confirmed
• Density appropriate to the drawing scale
• Color optional but helpful for visual picking

Project setup

• Decide relative vs absolute heights for the job
• Confirm north or project rotation before you place linework
• Define the deliverable. Single floor plan, multiple levels, or site plan

Performance expectations

• Large E57 files are fine if you control visibility
• Use section planes and Scan Manager to keep the viewport responsive
• Close other heavy apps while working

Preflight checklist

• CAD opens and saves the DWG template without warnings
• E57 loads and displays correctly
• Units match between scan and CAD
• Layers you plan to use are toggling as expected
• A small test export measures a known distance correctly

E57 to 2D DWG workflow: step by step

Follow these steps to perform an E57 to DWG conversion inside AutoCAD, BricsCAD, or ZWCAD. The workflow uses panorama picking so linework lands on the right layers from your DWG template.

Step 1: Install together on a free 15 minute call

What you do

• Submit the short form Start Your Free 14-Day Trial.
• We help you install the plugin for your CAD and confirm the DWG template path.
• Verify the toolbar appears and a sample project opens.

Result
Nest3D is available in your CAD. Your template is ready for mapped layers, linetypes, and blocks.

Tips

• Keep one CAD open during install.
• Store the DWG template in a shared location so the team uses the same standards.

Step 2: Open your E57 and your DWG template

What you do

• Open your DWG template in AutoCAD, BricsCAD, or ZWCAD.
• Load the E57 file and confirm units.
• If the project requires it, set relative or absolute heights.

Result
The point cloud is visible. Your template layers and linetypes are ready to receive linework.

Tips

• Use Scan Manager to show only the scans you need.
• Hide decorative layers so new linework stands out.

Step 3: Orient and section the point cloud

What you do

• Create a horizontal section plane at the target level.
• Set a slice thickness that captures walls and openings clearly.
• Align to project north if required.

Result
A thin, readable slice is ready for picking.

Tips

• For typical interiors, a thinner slice improves accuracy.
• Use relative height for interior datum. Use absolute height for topography.

Try the workflow
Start Your Free 14-Day Trial. If you prefer help, you'll also get the option to book a free setup call once you secure your free trial.

Step 4: Pick features in the panorama

What you do

• Open the panorama view and click features. Walls, doors, cores, openings, survey points.
• Use Custom Buttons to place blocks and text that match your standards.
• Watch linework appear on the correct layers with the right linetypes.

Result
Clean, measured linework flows into your DWG while you navigate the scan.

Tips

• Work room by room to keep selections organized.
• Use short, readable layer codes in the template for faster audits.

Step 5: Export and audit a clean 2D DWG

What you do

• Save the drawing as a new 2D DWG deliverable.
• Run a fast QA. Measure a known distance, scan for stray layers, check lineweights and text heights, confirm block substitutions.
• Add title block, north arrow, and notes as required.

Result
A production ready 2D DWG that follows your template and is easy to hand off.

Next up
Need CAD specific commands and tips. See AutoCAD Point Cloud Plugin.

QA checklist before delivery

Scale and units
Verify drawing units match the E57 units. Measure a known distance in CAD to confirm. If needed, set correct units and rescale using a known baseline.

Layer mapping
Confirm new linework lands on the correct layers. Isolate recent layers and spot check walls, doors, cores, survey points. Update template mapping if needed, then repick or move by filter.

Linetypes
Check that walls, centerlines, hidden lines, and contours look correct at print scale. Use Print Preview at A3 or Letter and view at 100 percent. Reload linetypes or adjust scale if required.

Lineweights
Ensure printed thickness matches your standards. Print to PDF with your CTB or STB and review. Load the correct table and reassign by layer if needed.

Text heights
Confirm room names, levels, and notes are readable at the intended scale. Standardize paper heights in text styles if required.

Blocks and symbols
Validate doors, cores, north arrow, legends, and title components. Replace nonstandard blocks with your library and purge unused items.

Coordinates and north
Check orientation and north arrow against the project. Rotate view or UCS to project north if needed.

Elevation datum
Verify relative versus absolute heights are correct. Spot check known levels. Switch mode if required and repick critical points.

Title block metadata
Confirm project name, date, scale, and sheet ID are filled and correct. Lock title block layers.

File weight and performance
Ensure the file opens quickly and prints cleanly. Purge and clean, remove temporary layers, and thin visible scans if performance lags.

Common issues and fast fixes

The export looks empty or too light
Slice is too thin or the section plane misses geometry. Increase slice thickness, move the section to the correct height, and verify visibility in Scan Manager.

Everything feels slow after loading the E57
Too many points visible at once or background apps eating memory. Show only needed scans, section before picking, and close heavy apps.

Distances do not measure correctly
Unit mismatch between the E57 and the DWG. Confirm units before picking. If you already drew, scale by a known baseline and correct units.

Linework lands on the wrong layers
Template mapping is incomplete or duplicates exist. Standardize layer names in the template, map each feature to a clear target layer, then repick or move by filter.

Blocks and text are the wrong size
Text styles or block scales do not match paper scale. Adjust text styles, replace nonstandard blocks, purge and reinsert if needed.

Walls are jagged or noisy
Slice includes clutter or the E57 is very dense. Narrow the slice around the target elevation and hide noisy scans.

North and rotation are off
Work started in an arbitrary view. Align to project north, set UCS, lock a named view, and update the north arrow.

Heights are wrong on the sheet
Relative and absolute modes are mixed. Decide the datum early, switch if needed, and repick critical points.

The DWG is heavy and slow to open
Temporary layers, unused blocks, and leftover point visibility. Purge, clean, save a fresh handoff file, and hide or thin scans.

Time saved compared with manual tracing

Teams moving from slice and trace to panorama picking often cut about 60 percent of drafting time. On a typical as-built floor plan that can mean 30 to 40 hours saved per project.

Where the savings come from

• Linework goes straight into your DWG with the right layers and linetypes.
• Junior staff can execute while seniors review and approve.
• Less rework because geometry is measured on the point cloud.
• Faster setup with a reusable DWG template.

Ready to export your first 2D DWG

Convert your E57 point cloud to DWG in AutoCAD, BricsCAD, or ZWCAD in minutes. No credit card. Free 15 minute setup included.

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