Reverse Architecture

As computer-aided design (CAD) has become more popular, Reverse Architecture has become a viable method to create a 3D virtual model of an existing physical space for use in 3D CAD, CAM, CAE or other software. The process involves measuring a given space and then reconstructing it as a 3D model. The physical space can be measured using 3D scanning technologies like CMMs, laser scanners, structured light digitizers, or Industrial CT Scanning (computed tomography). The measured data alone, usually represented as a point cloud, lacks topological information and is therefore often processed and modeled into a more usable format.