In the world of 3D laser scanning, the hardware often gets the spotlight — and while scanners like the FARO Focus and the new FARO Orbis are incredible tools, the real power lies in the software ecosystem behind them. Scanning is just the first step; processing, analyzing, collaborating, and delivering actionable results depends on choosing the right software for the job.
In this post, we’ll take a detailed look at how FARO’s software platforms — SCENE, As-Built, BuildIT Construction, Stream, Sphere XG, and Zone 3D — work alongside Focus and Orbis scanners. We’ll break it down by industry to help you identify the ideal tools for your workflow.
Industry Workflows & Software Recommendations
Let’s explore which software platforms fit best for different industries, and how their key features solve real-world challenges.
Construction & BIM
Construction sites are fast-moving, high-stakes environments where access to current, accurate as-built data is critical. FARO’s software solutions streamline progress tracking, QA/QC inspections, and BIM validation.
Recommended FARO Software:
- FARO Stream — Connects Orbis and Focus scanners to Sphere XG, providing live data uploads and real-time site progress checks.
- FARO Sphere XG — Cloud-based project management and data collaboration platform.
- FARO SCENE — Advanced scan registration and processing.
- As-Built for AutoCAD & Revit — Point cloud-based modeling and clash detection inside design platforms.
- BuildIT Construction — Precision deviation analysis, tolerance checks, and automated QA/QC reporting.
Key Tools & Use Cases:
🔹 On-site Registration (SCENE): Align and verify scans on-site, preventing costly return visits.
🔹 Deviation Analysis (BuildIT): Instantly compare installed conditions to BIM models, identifying out-of-tolerance work.
🔹 Clash Detection (As-Built for Revit): Detect conflicts between real-world conditions and design models.
🔹 Sphere XG Integration: Centralize scan data, reports, and models for real-time access from job trailers, offices, and client sites.
Why It Matters:
Minimize rework, document progress visually, verify work against design tolerances, and maintain site-wide situational awareness — all while managing projects from a secure, cloud-based environment.
Industrial Facilities & Plant Management
Managing industrial plants means dealing with complex, congested environments and critical tolerances. FARO’s software provides the precision and reporting tools necessary for maintenance planning, asset management, and construction projects within operational plants.
Recommended FARO Software:
- FARO Stream + Sphere XG — Enable hybrid and mobile scanning workflows with live uploads.
- FARO SCENE — Manage and register dense point clouds from complex facilities.
- BuildIT Construction — Perform dimensional inspections and as-built validation against CAD drawings.
Key Tools & Use Cases:
🔹 Deviation & Tolerance Analysis (BuildIT): Ensure installations match engineering specifications within defined tolerances.
🔹 Automated QA/QC Reports: Rapidly generate reports detailing out-of-spec conditions or verified tolerances for management and regulatory approval.
🔹 Sphere XG Project Management: Host, view, and manage multi-scan projects remotely, supporting global teams and plant management operations.
Why It Matters:
With FARO’s software suite, plant managers can quickly verify modifications, prevent costly shutdowns, and maintain digital twins for ongoing facility optimization.
Heritage Preservation & Architecture
When dealing with irreplaceable cultural sites or historic architecture, preserving exact conditions in 3D is essential. FARO’s solutions capture every nuance while offering easy-to-share deliverables for restoration and archiving.
Recommended FARO Software:
- FARO Stream + Sphere XG — Allow teams to capture and upload site data instantly from remote or difficult-to-access sites.
- FARO SCENE — Create colorized, highly detailed 3D models.
- As-Built Modeler — Extract 2D drawings, elevations, and floor plans from point clouds for CAD/BIM documentation.
Key Tools & Use Cases:
🔹 High-Resolution Colorization (SCENE): Capture photorealistic, true-color 3D models for documentation and presentation.
🔹 Orthoimage Generation (As-Built Modeler): Produce scaled, high-detail orthophotos for site plans and facade drawings.
🔹 Floor Plan Extraction (As-Built Modeler): Quickly derive 2D plans and sections from scan data for restoration planning.
Why It Matters:
Preserve historical assets with precision, while providing architects and conservators with comprehensive, data-rich models for restoration and public engagement.
Public Safety, Forensics & Crime Scene Investigation
Time-sensitive, legally admissible 3D documentation is critical in forensic and crash scene investigations. FARO’s public safety tools ensure accurate, portable, and court-ready results.
Recommended FARO Software:
- FARO Stream + Sphere XG — Stream live scan data to a secure cloud for remote oversight and evidence preservation.
- FARO SCENE — Register and visualize scene data, including colorized, high-resolution scans.
- BuildIT Construction — Analyze crash scenes, bullet trajectories, or damage points directly in 3D.
- FARO Zone 3D — Specialized forensic analysis software for diagramming, simulation, and scene reconstruction.
Key Tools & Use Cases:
🔹 SCENE 2go: Package entire crime or crash scenes into portable, interactive files for courtrooms, legal teams, or remote investigators.
🔹 Trajectory & Impact Analysis (BuildIT): Model bullet paths, crash impacts, or fall trajectories directly from scan data.
🔹 Incident Diagramming (Zone 3D): Create accurate, scaled scene diagrams and simulations with integrated point cloud support.
🔹 Sphere XG Secure Storage: Protect sensitive forensic data in encrypted, cloud-hosted environments with controlled access.
Why It Matters:
Capture legally defensible evidence on-site, deliver interactive, court-admissible visuals, and collaborate across agencies — all while securely managing case files in the cloud.
Final Thoughts
Your FARO Focus and Orbis scanners are only as powerful as the software ecosystem that supports them. Whether you’re overseeing a complex construction site, restoring a historic landmark, managing a dense industrial plant, or documenting a crime scene, FARO’s software tools empower you to turn raw scan data into decisive, actionable results.
If you’re interested in seeing how these tools can elevate your scanning projects, let’s connect. I’d be happy to provide workflow demos, case studies, or a consultation tailored to your specific industry needs.