How Scan-to-CAD Works: Step-by-Step Workflow From Laser Scan to DWG (Nest3D)

New to Scan-to-CAD? Start with the high-level Scan-to-CAD Software guide first, then dive into the step-by-step process below

Who this guide will help

• Survey and reality-capture techs exporting E57 or FLS and racing to deliver drawings
• CAD drafters who inherit point-clouds and struggle with giant file imports
• Architects and contractors who get scans from vendors and need a repeatable path to DWG that junior staff can follow
• Mixed capture teams combining terrestrial and mobile SLAM data and looking for one fast pipeline

What you will learn

• A pre-flight field checklist that prevents downstream rework
• Key differences between E57 and FLS and when to convert
• The four-point coordinate alignment checklist that stops lost geometry
• How to map your CAD template so extracted features land on the right layers
• Practical slicing tips that make feature picks faster inside Nest3D
• Accuracy guardrails and when to fall back to manual trace
• A downloadable end-of-job QA sheet so every project ships cleanly

Field capture and registration essentials

Great CAD starts in the field. Lock in these basics before thinking about E57 to DWG.

1. Coverage and line-of-sight
   Plan enough stations so key walls and edges are visible from at least two views. Occlusions slow extraction and invite guesswork.
2. Targets and control for registration
   Use spheres, checkerboards, or natural overlap. Verify residual error before export.
3. Colour and imagery quality
   Colourised scans and panorama images speed visual recognition of edges and openings.
4. Logical naming
   Name scans by floor or zone. Clear organisation avoids confusion when you attach subsets later.

Data prep – E57 versus FLS

E57 is an open, vendor-neutral format. Most CAD and point-cloud suites read it directly.
FLS is native to the FARO ecosystem but also supported in Nest3D.

If your scanner exports a proprietary file, convert to E57 or FLS in the capture software or a processing suite. Broad compatibility makes the downstream CAD path smoother.

Coordinate and units alignment checklist

Misaligned coordinates cause the classic “where did my drawing go” error.

• Confirm units: meters or feet must match the CAD template.
• Decide on origin: local zero, site grid, or survey control.
• Check vertical datum: absolute sea-level heights or project relative.
• Record any rotation if the site grid is not aligned to CAD X.

CAD template mapping – layers, blocks, and styles

Open your delivery template in AutoCAD, BricsCAD, or ZWCAD before connecting Nest3D. Pre-mapped layers mean extracted geometry lands correctly and you skip a cleanup pass later.

Mini checklist

• Layers for walls, doors, topo points, utilities, text
• Block library loaded (door symbol, pipe tag, elevation mark)
• Text and dimension styles set to project units
• A base sheet started if you need plan or section sheets

Ten-step Nest3D scan-to-CAD workflow

Step 1 – Load scans
Create a Nest3D project and import your E57 or FLS files. Group large jobs by floor or wing.

Step 2 – Verify registration
Confirm overlap error is within tolerance. Set coordinate mode to local or absolute.

Step 3 – Open CAD and connect
Load your DWG template. Launch the Nest3D connector for AutoCAD, BricsCAD, or ZWCAD.

Step 4 – Navigate the scan
Use panorama view to stand in each station and 3-D view to see overall geometry.

Step 5 – Set section planes
Horizontal slice at one metre to catch wall lines. Vertical slice down corridors to grab openings. Thin slices give crisper picks.

Step 6 – Click to extract features
Pick two points on a wall face, place topo points, mark heights, click the axis of a pipe. Geometry and annotation appear instantly in the open DWG on the correct layers.

Step 7 – Use accuracy habits
Zoom the pano before picking. Cross-check critical spans from a second station. Switch to absolute height mode when tying interior to site topo.

Step 8 – Manage large scan sets
Toggle groups off in Scan Manager to keep navigation fast. Draft one floor at a time.

Step 9 – Apply custom buttons
Map a Wall button to the wall layer, a Door button to your dynamic door block, a Topo button that labels elevation. One-time setup saves hours on every job.

Step 10 – QA and publish
Run the layer check, spot-measure between control points, walk the scan virtually for omissions, then save the DWG and package sheets for delivery.

Troubleshooting tips

• Wrong layers: remap the button layer assignment and re-sync.
• Slow performance: hide unused scan groups or split the project into zones.
• Height mismatch: confirm the template uses the same vertical datum as the scan.
• Missing geometry: if occluded, mark “verify in field” rather than guessing.

Need legacy paper plans digitised? Use a raster converter like Scan2CAD, then overlay the converted DWG with your Nest3D linework for a complete set. For a tool comparison read Nest3D vs Scan2CAD.

Frequently asked questions

Which files do I need to start?
E57 or FLS laser scan files with good registration.

Do I need to clean the scan?
Minor clean-up helps but perfect indexing is not required. Ensure noise is low where you plan to click.

Does Nest3D create 3-D models?
It focuses on 2-D CAD only. Import the scan and DWG into a BIM tool later if the scope grows.

Can junior staff handle extraction?
Yes. The visual panorama plus template mapping lowers the skill barrier. Seniors can review in minutes.

What accuracy can I expect?
Accuracy equals scan quality plus precise picks. Confirm with spot dimensions before you issue drawings.

Next steps

• Start your free 14-day trial to test the workflow today.
• Time your current process, then compare with the live extraction speed in our manual vs automated scan to cad.
• For mixed raster and scan projects, read the full Nest3D vs Scan2CAD comparison.
• Ready to budget? See full rates on the Pricing page.