XYZ Machine Tools and ZUANT 3D
This artice posted on LinkedIn speaks about our involvement with producing the virtual tour of their extensive facilities – contact us to find out more.
3D site capture for AEC
Why 360° / 3D Tours Matter on Real Projects
Stop imagining the site. See it. Decide.
If you lead design, manage construction, or carry estates responsibility, you already produce excellent drawings and specifications. Where projects wobble is not the model – it’s the gap between model and field reality.
Email threads, PDFs and phone photos force everyone to reconstruct the site in their heads. That’s slow. It’s stressful. And it’s risky.
A 360° / 3D tour changes one thing fundamentally:
It gives every stakeholder the same visual truth. One link. Same context.
What that means in practice
- Fewer site visits – reviews that take minutes, not meetings
- Faster sign-off – because the decision point is visible
- Cleaner audit trail – “what it looked like then” is no longer guesswork
- Better collaboration – architects, PMs, M&E, client teams all see the same facts
- Reduced disputes – clarity reduces interpretation
This is not about replacing BIM or CAD. It’s about adding a reality layer beneath them.
You already model brilliantly. We simply document what is actually there – accurately, time-stamped, and shareable.
Think of it as:
From Site to Insight. One space. One story. One truth.
For teams who assume it’s expensive or complicated, the reality is this:
a modest capture cost often removes hours of travel, rework and miscommunication later. It pays for itself in saved time alone.
How It Works – Capture, Process, Deliver
We keep it simple and precise.
LiDAR scanning provides a full dolls house model and precise floor plan for reliable insurance assessments.
2.1 Capture – Rapid, Accurate Reality
We use the Matterport Pro3 LiDAR camera to scan the space.
- Approx. ±20 mm at 10 m range
- High-resolution imagery (~135MP)
- Typical hosted depth range ~20 m
- E57 exports can extend further (up to ~100 m depending on conditions)
- High-Density mode available for thin services and detailed areas
We typically:
- Use Standard mode for general areas (speed + efficiency)
- Switch to High-Density in service-heavy zones (MEP, ceilings, plant rooms)
- Establish a stable control scan each visit for visual QA between stages
Result: a complete, measurable digital twin of the site as it is today.
2.2 Processing – From Scan to Usable Assets
After capture, we publish a secure 3D link and, where required, provide technical exports.
Visual Tour (for decision-making)
- Private or public web link
- Inside, Dollhouse and Floorplan views
- Measurement tools
- Tagged issues, RFIs, risks, references
- Guided highlights for key decision points
This is what turns “I think” into “I can see”.
2.3 Technical Outputs – For Design & Coordination
When your team needs more than viewing:
E57 Point Cloud (ASTM E2807)
- Vendor-neutral geometric truth
- Per-scan cloud + pano + metadata
- Best for modelling and QA
- Recommended for downstream BIM/CAD workflows
Workflow example:
E57 → Autodesk ReCap (RCP/RCS) → AutoCAD / Revit link
Revit Plug-in Route
- Matterport for Revit plug-in
- Pull E57 / XYZ or purchased BIM File directly into Revit
- Speeds up authoring workflow
- Does not auto-model – your team controls LOD
Optional BIM / CAD Deliverables
- LOD-200 BIM (RVT) – paid add-on
- CAD/DWG outputs
- Quick-start models when tracing from scratch isn’t practical
The key distinction:
- Matterport = capture + host + exports
- E57 = geometric truth
- Revit plug-in = import helper
- SimLab STAGES = comparison + timeline, not authoring
We keep those roles clean to avoid workflow confusion.
2.4 Today vs Then – Versioning & Progress
A space isn’t static. That’s where staged capture matters.
We rescan at key milestones and enable:
- Scan-vs-scan comparisons (quick checks inside Matterport)
- Timeline + split-screen comparison using SimLab STAGES
- As-built vs BIM/CAD side-by-side
- Issue logging with exportable CSV logs
Ideal for:
- Progress validation
- Snag and RFI context
- Variance reviews
- Claims-friendly documentation
Instead of asking, “What was there when we agreed that?”, you just step back in time.
Add-Ons – The Tour Is Just the Start
A 3D tour is not the end product. It’s the foundation.
3.1 Collaboration & Coordination Layer
SimLab STAGES
- Timeline by phase: As-Is → With-Works → Post-Works
- Split-screen: scan vs BIM / IFC / DWG / 2D
- Issue pinning and exportable logs
- Browser-based review for non-CAD stakeholders
Perfect when coordination and version control matter more than pure modelling.
3.2 Asset & IoT Integration
SIM-ON
- Connect digital twin to IoT and building automation
- Asset management in 3D
- Maintenance scheduling in context
Turns a scan into a living operational interface.
3.3 Marketing, Engagement & Lead Capture (Where Relevant)
For commercial property, hospitality or exhibition environments:
- Zuant3D / CAPTUR3D overlays
- Embedded media and documentation
- Lead capture + CRM integration
- Visitor analytics (dwell time, hotspots viewed)
The same model that supports coordination can also support sales.
3.4 ESG & Operational Impact
- Fewer unnecessary site visits
- Reduced travel emissions
- Better pre-works clarity = less waste
- Clear historic record for compliance
A digital twin is not just convenient – it supports measurable ESG outcomes.
The Bigger Picture
This is not about technology for its own sake.
It’s about:
- Faster decisions when context is visible
- Fewer emails, fewer calls, fewer repeats
- The same facts for every stakeholder
- A record you can search and share
You already design and manage complex spaces. We simply ensure that what’s built, changed, agreed or disputed is documented in a way that stands up.
Show — don’t second-guess.
Benefits of Google Street View for Businesses
Lert customers explore your business directly from Google Search and Maps
Publishing a Google Street View tour lets customers see your business before they visit, directly from Google Search and Google Maps. For many organisations, it’s one of the simplest ways to improve visibility, trust and engagement online.
Increased Visibility on Google
A Street View tour appears within your Google Business Profile, Maps listing and local search results. This helps your business stand out from competitors and encourages more people to click through to your listing.
Result: more profile views, more directions requests, more enquiries.
Builds Trust and Confidence
Customers can explore your premises in advance, understand the layout and get a feel for the environment. This is especially valuable for venues where atmosphere, accessibility or scale matter.
Result: fewer uncertainties, stronger first impressions, better-qualified visitors.
Improves Customer Decision-Making
Street View helps people decide whether your business is right for them before they arrive. For hospitality, retail, leisure and healthcare settings, this often leads to higher-quality visits and fewer wasted enquiries.
Result: visitors arrive with clearer expectations and greater intent.
Always Open, Always Up to Date
Your Street View tour works 24/7, showing your space even when you’re closed. It’s also easier to update than traditional photography if your space changes.
Result: a long-lasting digital asset with ongoing value.
Supports SEO and Local Search Performance
Google favours rich, visual listings. Businesses with Street View tours often see improved engagement metrics, which can support better local search performance over time.
Result: stronger local presence without ongoing ad spend.
Complements Your Wider Digital Strategy
Street View works alongside your website, social media and full 3D virtual tours. It’s often the first touchpoint, leading people into deeper engagement elsewhere.
Result: a smoother journey from discovery to visit.
At EC2XRwe offer a fixed rate for Google Street View of £250 + VAT, which includes one site visit, high-quality 360 tour photography, plus integration on your Google Business profile.
See How It Works: A Simple Guide to 360 Virtual Tours
You’ve created an amazing space. Now let people explore it properly.
You’ve probably seen 360° virtual tours online — the kind where you can click, move and explore a space as if you’re there. But how do they actually work, and why are so many businesses using them to showcase their spaces?
At EC2XR, we create interactive 3D virtual tours that let people explore real environments remotely, on any device. Unlike video or photography alone, a virtual tour gives viewers control. They choose where to look, where to move next, and what information to open — creating a far more engaging experience.
Step 1: Capturing the Space
We visit your venue and capture it using professional 360 cameras and LiDAR scanning. This records the space exactly as it is — including layout, proportions and detail — whether it’s a shop, hotel, gym, restaurant or large commercial site. Indoor and outdoor areas can be linked into one continuous experience.
Step 2: Building the Virtual Tour
The captured data is processed into a navigable 3D model. From there, we add interactive elements such as information points, images, videos, menus, pricing, floor plans or links. These sit naturally inside the space, allowing visitors to learn as they explore.
Step 3: Sharing Everywhere
Once complete, your tour can be shared with a simple link or embedded directly into your website, listings or social media. It works on desktop, mobile and tablets — no apps or headsets required.
Why Businesses Use Virtual Tours
Virtual tours help customers understand your space before they arrive. They set expectations, build confidence and often shorten the journey from interest to action. Many clients also reuse the same tour for staff training, inductions and internal planning.
In short, a 360 virtual tour turns your physical space into a digital asset — always open, always accessible, and always working for your business.
If you’ve invested time and money creating a great environment, a virtual tour lets the world experience it properly.
Read more about how this would work in your sector HERE
Or better still, contact us for a chat about your specific requirements…
LiDAR Scanning for Commercial Insurance
Fast, accurate documentation for claims, risk surveys and reinstatement works
EC2XR provides LiDAR-based 3D scans and virtual tours that give insurers, adjusters and restoration teams an exact visual record of commercial properties. From warehouses and retail units to offices, schools, hospitality spaces and industrial sites, LiDAR scanning delivers clarity, accuracy and transparency at every stage of a claim.
- Enhanced risk assessment
- Efficient property underwriting
- Expedited claims processing
Why LiDAR for Commercial Claims?
Accurate measurements, instantly
LiDAR captures detailed geometry of your building, fixtures, equipment and contents. Every measurement is precise, consistent and reviewable long after the site visit.
A complete digital record
Loss adjusters, restoration teams and insurers can revisit the site virtually — reducing travel, speeding decisions and supporting ESG goals.
Ideal for fire, flood and impact damage
Scans can be completed quickly, even in difficult conditions, creating a permanent record before remediation begins.
Collage of four interiors from different sectors
Integration with Insurance Workflows
Xactimate Compatibility
Our scans can be converted into Xactimate-ready assets, enabling faster and more reliable estimating. Adjusters can pull measurements, areas and volumes directly into their calculation models.
TruePlan for Xactimate
We can supply TruePlan outputs — professionally produced floor plans, elevations and CAD assets generated from the scan data. These speed up the reinstatement process and reduce errors.
Sketch & Floor Plans
For insurers needing a simple floor plan, we can deliver clean, accurate Sketch plans alongside the 3D tour and LiDAR model.
OBJ, E57 and MatterPak
For technical teams, architects and restoration contractors, we provide:
- E57 point clouds for CAD, BIM and engineering
- OBJ models for visualisation and design work
- MatterPak bundles for integrations and rebuild planning
Benefits for Insurance, FM and Risk Teams
- Faster assessment and decision-making
- Clear evidence for claims and disputes
- Reduced site visits for multi-party teams
- Better communication between insurers, adjusters and contractors
- A lasting, date-stamped record for compliance and auditing
Book a Scan with EC2XR
We deliver high-fidelity scans across the UK, with minimal disruption to operations.
Perfect for pre-loss risk documentation and post-loss evidence capture.
Call us now on 020 8123 9360 or use our contact form
A Smarter Way To Document Home Damage
Why Homeowners are turning to LiDAR Scanning for Home Insurance
When something goes wrong at home — a leak, a fire, a storm, or unexpected structural damage — the last thing anyone wants is a complicated insurance process. The challenge is simple: insurers need clear evidence, accurate measurements and reliable information, while homeowners want a straightforward, stress-free assessment.
This is exactly where LiDAR scanning is now helping thousands of homeowners across the UK.
LiDAR isn’t new. It’s used in engineering, surveying and architecture every day. But in the world of home insurance, it has quietly become one of the most effective tools for documenting damage quickly, clearly and accurately.
What is LiDAR scanning?
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) uses laser-based measurement to build a precise 3D model of your home. It captures the layout, structure, fixtures and damage with exceptional accuracy — much more reliable than photographs alone.
The result is a fully interactive 3D walkthrough of your property that insurers, adjusters and contractors can explore without needing multiple home visits.
Why LiDAR helps homeowners during a claim
- A true-to-life digital record
LiDAR creates an exact, time-stamped record of your home. Whether it’s fire damage, an escape-of-water or a fallen tree, nothing is missed or mis-measured.
- Faster, clearer communication
Loss adjusters and contractors can assess the space remotely. Fewer visits. Fewer delays. Less stress for you.
- Ideal for urgent situations
LiDAR captures everything quickly — even before drying, strip-out or emergency works begin. You get evidence at the moment you need it most.
- Better estimates and reinstatement plans
EC2XR can supply outputs that slot straight into insurance systems, including:
- Xactimate-compatible data for quicker and more accurate estimates
- TruePlan floor plans and elevations for reinstatement
- Sketch plans for simpler claims
- E57 point clouds / OBJ models for more complex structural work
These aren’t extras — they speed up decisions and reduce the risk of disputes.
- Peace of mind for the homeowner
With a detailed virtual record, you don’t have to worry about forgotten rooms, missing details or unclear damage descriptions. Everything is captured once and reviewed as many times as needed.
A simple, respectful process
LiDAR scanning is quick and non-intrusive. Most homes are documented in under 60–90 minutes. EC2XR works sensitively in lived-in or damaged environments, providing clear communication throughout.
A better way to start the insurance process
For homeowners, LiDAR removes uncertainty. For insurers, it reduces friction. And for everyone involved, it delivers clarity — exactly when it’s needed.
If you’ve recently experienced damage at home or want to protect yourself with a pre-loss digital record, EC2XR can help.