Skip to main content

​
Overview

The ScanNode represents a 3D scan or point cloud that can be loaded into the scene as a reference. This is useful for importing existing building scans, LiDAR data, or photogrammetry models to use as a basis for creating the building model. Key features:
  • Reference to 3D scan/point cloud asset via URL
  • Position, rotation, and scale transformations
  • Opacity control for overlay visualization

​
Type Signature

import { z } from 'zod'
import { BaseNode, nodeType, objectId } from '../base'

const ScanNode = BaseNode.extend({
  id: objectId('scan'),
  type: nodeType('scan'),
  url: z.string(),
  position: z.tuple([z.number(), z.number(), z.number()]).default([0, 0, 0]),
  rotation: z.tuple([z.number(), z.number(), z.number()]).default([0, 0, 0]),
  scale: z.number().default(1),
  opacity: z.number().min(0).max(100).default(100),
})

type ScanNode = z.infer<typeof ScanNode>
Source: /home/daytona/workspace/source/packages/core/src/schema/nodes/scan.ts

​
Fields

​
Inherited from BaseNode

​
id
string
required
Unique scan identifier.Format: scan_{randomString}Example: "scan_a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8"
​
type
string
required
Always set to "scan".Default: "scan"
​
name
string
Optional name for the scan.Example: "Building LiDAR Scan", "Ground Floor Point Cloud"
​
parentId
string | null
required
Reference to the parent node’s ID (typically a Site or Building).Example: "building_abc123"Default: null
​
visible
boolean
Controls scan visibility.Default: true
​
camera
CameraSchema
Optional camera viewpoint for the scan.
​
metadata
any
Custom metadata for the scan.Default: {}

​
Scan-Specific Fields

​
url
string
required
URL or path to the 3D scan/point cloud asset.Example: "https://example.com/scans/building.ply", "/assets/scan.e57"Supported formats may include: PLY, E57, LAS, LAZ, PCD, or other point cloud formats.
​
position
[number, number, number]
required
Position of the scan in 3D space.Format: [x, y, z] in metersDefault: [0, 0, 0]Example: [10, 0, 5]This allows you to place the scan at a specific location in the scene.
​
rotation
[number, number, number]
required
Rotation of the scan around X, Y, and Z axes in radians.Format: [rx, ry, rz] in radiansDefault: [0, 0, 0]Example: [0, Math.PI / 2, 0] (90° rotation around Y axis)This allows you to orient the scan to align with your building model.
​
scale
number
required
Uniform scale factor for the scan.Default: 1Example: 1.0 (original size), 0.5 (half size), 2.0 (double size)Useful for adjusting scan dimensions to match the scene coordinate system.
​
opacity
number
required
Opacity of the scan visualization (0-100).Default: 100Range: 0 (fully transparent) to 100 (fully opaque)Example: 50 (50% transparent), 100 (fully visible)Lower opacity values are useful for using the scan as a background reference while modeling.

​
Example

import { ScanNode } from '@pascal/core/schema/nodes/scan'

const scan: ScanNode = {
  object: 'node',
  id: 'scan_abc123',
  type: 'scan',
  name: 'Building Exterior Scan',
  parentId: 'building_xyz789',
  visible: true,
  url: 'https://storage.example.com/scans/building_01.ply',
  position: [0, 0, 0],
  rotation: [0, 0, 0],
  scale: 1.0,
  opacity: 60,
  metadata: {
    captureDate: '2024-01-15',
    scanner: 'Faro Focus3D',
    pointCount: 125000000,
  },
}

​
Usage

​
Creating a Basic Scan Reference

import { ScanNode } from '@pascal/core/schema/nodes/scan'

const scan = ScanNode.parse({
  name: 'Ground Floor Scan',
  url: '/assets/scans/ground_floor.ply',
  opacity: 50, // Semi-transparent for reference
})

​
Creating a Positioned and Rotated Scan

const positionedScan = ScanNode.parse({
  name: 'Aligned Building Scan',
  url: 'https://example.com/scans/building.e57',
  position: [10, 0, 5],
  rotation: [0, Math.PI / 4, 0], // 45° rotation around Y
  scale: 1.0,
  opacity: 70,
})

​
Creating a Scaled Scan

const scaledScan = ScanNode.parse({
  name: 'Adjusted LiDAR Scan',
  url: '/scans/lidar_data.las',
  scale: 0.001, // Convert from mm to m
  opacity: 80,
})

​
Creating Multiple Scans for Different Floors

const groundFloorScan = ScanNode.parse({
  name: 'Ground Floor Scan',
  parentId: 'level_ground',
  url: '/scans/level_0.ply',
  position: [0, 0, 0],
  opacity: 50,
})

const firstFloorScan = ScanNode.parse({
  name: 'First Floor Scan',
  parentId: 'level_first',
  url: '/scans/level_1.ply',
  position: [0, 3, 0], // 3m above ground
  opacity: 50,
})

​
Creating a High-Opacity Reference Scan

const referenceScan = ScanNode.parse({
  name: 'Reference Point Cloud',
  url: 'https://storage.example.com/reference.pcd',
  opacity: 100, // Fully opaque
})

​
Creating a Faint Background Scan

const backgroundScan = ScanNode.parse({
  name: 'Background Context',
  url: '/scans/context.ply',
  opacity: 20, // Very transparent, just for context
})

​
Common Use Cases

​
As-Built Documentation

Load existing building scans to create accurate as-built models: 
const asBuiltScan = ScanNode.parse({
  name: 'As-Built LiDAR',
  url: '/scans/as_built.e57',
  position: [0, 0, 0],
  opacity: 60,
  metadata: {
    purpose: 'as-built documentation',
    accuracy: '±5mm',
  },
})

​
Renovation Projects

Use scans as reference for renovation planning: 
const renovationScan = ScanNode.parse({
  name: 'Existing Conditions',
  url: '/scans/existing.ply',
  opacity: 40, // Transparent to see new design on top
  metadata: {
    purpose: 'renovation reference',
  },
})

​
Site Context

Include site and surrounding area scans: 
const siteContextScan = ScanNode.parse({
  name: 'Site Context Scan',
  parentId: 'site_main',
  url: '/scans/site_context.las',
  opacity: 30,
  metadata: {
    extent: '100m radius',
  },
})

​
Coordinate System

Scans use 3D world coordinates:
  • X axis: horizontal (left-right)
  • Y axis: vertical (up-down)
  • Z axis: horizontal (front-back)
  • Rotation: Euler angles [rx, ry, rz] in radians
  • Scale: Uniform scaling factor

​
Supported Formats

While the schema accepts any URL string, common point cloud formats include:
  • PLY (Polygon File Format)
  • E57 (ASTM standard for 3D imaging)
  • LAS/LAZ (LiDAR data format)
  • PCD (Point Cloud Data)
  • XYZ (ASCII point cloud)
Check your viewer’s documentation for supported formats.

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Get started for freeTalk to us