Exterior facade scanning is not only about walking along a wall. To capture more complete facade point cloud data, teams need to plan the scanner model, field of view, operating distance, route, and supplementary scan positions before starting the job.

The SHARE SLAM S100 Series can support exterior facade capture, building documentation, as-built records, and reality capture workflows. For facade projects, understanding the vertical field of view is especially important because roof edges, top corners, balconies, recessed structures, and other elevated areas can be missed if the scanner is operated too close to the building.

Workflow Overview

A practical exterior facade scanning workflow usually includes five steps:

1. Check the facade height, site layout, obstacles, and safety conditions.
2. Select the suitable SHARE SLAM S100 Series model based on project size, vertical coverage needs, and required detail level.
3. Set the initial scanning distance based on facade height, then adjust according to site conditions.
4. Plan a smooth route with loop scanning, zigzag paths, long-distance views, and angled supplementary scans.
5. Review the facade point cloud after scanning and add supplementary scans if high areas, corners, or obstructed positions are incomplete.

This workflow helps teams balance facade detail, high-area coverage, and SLAM trajectory stability.

Who This Workflow Guide Is For

This guide is useful for teams working on:

• exterior facade scanning;
• building documentation;
• as-built documentation;
• construction site records;
• architectural renovation projects;
• building inspection and review;
• point cloud capture for CAD or BIM preparation;
• reality capture workflows for AEC teams, surveyors, contractors, and facade engineers.

SHARE SLAM S100 Series Field of View

The SHARE SLAM SHARE SLAM S100 Series provides wide 360-degree horizontal coverage, while the vertical FOV differs by model.

Because the vertical FOV is limited, scanning too close to the facade may cause missing data in elevated areas. The scanning distance and supplementary scan positions should be planned according to the actual facade height, site conditions, and the SHARE SLAM S100 model being used.

Which SHARE SLAM S100 Series Model Should You Choose?

Model selection should be based on the facade height, project scale, required detail level, and coverage needs.

The SHARE SLAM S100-32 PRO provides the widest vertical FOV in the SHARE SLAM S100 Series, but it does not remove the need for proper distance planning, smooth movement, and supplementary scans.

Why High Areas Are Easy to Miss

In exterior facade scanning, missing or sparse point cloud data is often caused by:

• Scanning too close to the facade: upper areas may fall outside the effective vertical FOV.
• Open-around occlusion: trees, poles, balconies, awnings, or nearby structures may block part of the facade.
• Sparse roof-point cloud: roof edges and upper corners may be captured with fewer points when the angle is not sufficient.
• Trajectory problems: if the scan path is too low, uneven, or lacks redundancy, high areas may receive limited coverage.

Good facade scanning requires balancing detail, coverage, and SLAM stability.

Recommended Operating Distance

As a practical starting point, the scanning distance can be set approximately equal to the facade height.

For example, if a facade is about 5 meters high, the operator can start scanning from around 5 meters away. The actual distance should then be adjusted according to:

• site conditions;
• obstacle distribution;
• safety and access limitations;
• required detail level;
• the SHARE SLAM S100 model being used;
• whether close-range detail scans or longer-distance overview scans are needed.

For higher facades or more complex sites, teams may need to increase the distance and add supplementary scan positions. For detail-heavy areas such as doors, windows, signs, and surface textures, close-range scans can be added after the main route.

Route Planning Matters

Route planning is one of the most important factors in facade scanning. A better route can help improve trajectory stability, reduce missing areas, and make the final point cloud easier to process.

1. Keep the Trajectory Smooth

Move steadily and avoid sudden turns, shaking, or unstable motion. When RTK is not enabled, try to form a closed loop whenever possible to improve trajectory stability.

2. Use Zigzag Routes

For high facades, zigzag routes can increase route redundancy and help improve vertical coverage. This gives the scanner more viewpoints and can reduce missing data in elevated areas.

3. Combine Close-Range and Long-Distance Scans

Close-range scans are useful for capturing facade details such as windows, doors, lower structures, and surface texture.

Longer-distance scans are useful for roof edges, upper floors, and elevated areas. Combining both can help produce a more complete facade point cloud.

4. Add Angled Supplementary Scans

Corners, protruding structures, recessed areas, columns, balconies, and other obstructed positions often require angled scans. Instead of scanning only from the front, add side or diagonal scan paths to improve coverage.

Capture Elevated Areas More Completely

For roof edges, top corners, and elevated areas, operators can step back at key positions. When site conditions allow, slightly tilt the device upward and perform a smooth, light horizontal sweep to improve high-area coverage.

This should be done smoothly. Sudden movements, excessive tilting, or unstable walking may affect the scanning trajectory.

Recommended Workflow Before Scanning

Before starting an exterior facade scan, teams should:

1. Check the facade height and site layout.
2. Select the suitable SHARE SLAM S100 Series model.
3. Estimate the initial scanning distance.
4. Identify occlusions such as trees, poles, balconies, awnings, recessed areas, and narrow passages.
5. Plan the main route, loop route, zigzag route, and supplementary scan positions.
6. Confirm whether RTK, safety access, or additional site constraints need to be considered.
7. Decide which areas require close-range detail scans and which areas require longer-distance overview scans.

Recommended Workflow During Scanning

During the scan:

1. Keep the movement smooth and stable.
2. Avoid sudden turns or abrupt device motion.
3. Form a closed loop whenever possible, especially when RTK is not enabled.
4. Use zigzag routes where vertical coverage may be insufficient.
5. Add close-range scans for details and longer-distance scans for elevated areas.
6. Add angled scans for corners, protruding structures, recessed areas, and obstructed positions.
7. Step back at key positions to capture roof edges, top corners, and high facade areas.

Recommended Workflow After Scanning

After scanning:

1. Review whether the facade point cloud is complete.
2. Check roof edges, upper corners, recessed areas, and occluded positions.
3. Add supplementary scans if important facade data is missing.
4. Process and review the point cloud in SHARE PointClouds Studio.
5. Use the final point cloud as a spatial reference for documentation, review, CAD preparation, or downstream project workflows.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common problems during exterior facade scanning:

• scanning too close to the facade and missing upper areas;
• using only one straight route along the wall;
• ignoring roof edges, top corners, balconies, and recessed structures;
• moving too fast or turning suddenly;
• relying only on close-range detail scans without longer-distance overview scans;
• forgetting angled scans for corners and obstructed positions;
• not checking point cloud coverage after scanning;
• treating the first scan as final even when important areas are missing.

Using the Point Cloud After Scanning

After exterior facade capture, the point cloud can be processed and reviewed in SHARE PointClouds Studio. Depending on the project workflow, the data can support:

• facade documentation;
• as-built records;
• site review;
• building condition reference;
• CAD preparation;
• BIM reference workflows;
• construction documentation;
• project communication and review.

The point cloud should still be checked by professionals before being used for project deliverables. Site conditions, scanning route, surface materials, occlusions, and processing settings can all affect the final result.

Key Takeaway

Better exterior facade scanning starts before the scan begins. By planning the SHARE SLAM S100 model FOV, operating distance, route, and supplementary scan positions, teams can capture more complete facade data and make the final point cloud easier to process and review.

For exterior facade scanning, the goal is not only to capture more details, but also to maintain route stability and reduce missing data in high or obstructed areas.

Common Workflow Questions

Why does scanning too close to a facade cause missing data?

Because the scanner has a limited vertical field of view. When the operator is too close to the facade, upper areas such as roof edges, top corners, balconies, or recessed structures may fall outside the effective capture range.

Which SHARE SLAM S100 Series model has the widest vertical FOV?

The SHARE SLAM S100-32 PRO has the widest vertical FOV in the SHARE SLAM S100 Series, with 40.3-degree vertical coverage.

Should the scanning distance always equal the facade height?

No. This is only a practical starting point. The actual scanning distance should be adjusted according to facade height, site conditions, obstacles, safety requirements, required detail level, and the SHARE SLAM S100 model used.

Is RTK required for exterior facade scanning?

RTK can support positioning workflows, but route planning is still important. When RTK is not enabled, operators should keep the trajectory smooth and form a closed loop whenever possible.

Can facade point clouds be processed after scanning?

Yes. Facade point cloud data can be processed and reviewed in SHARE PointClouds Studio. Operators should still check high areas, corners, and occluded positions, and add supplementary scans when key data is missing.

Need help choosing the right SHARE SLAM S100 Series workflow for exterior facade scanning?

Download full SHARE SLAM S100 Facade Scanning Infographic