Run clash detection tests between new design models and the existing physical conditions. Common Use Cases Historic Preservation
Architects use the software to capture existing building conditions. This eliminates manual measuring errors and provides an exact digital twin for renovation and historic preservation projects. Civil Infrastructure
Drones capture highway bridges or tunnels. Teams use the data to inspect concrete cracking and structural shifting safely from the ground.
: Transitioned toward Autodesk Drive and BIM 360 for front-end data management and migration. autodesk recap 2020
Overall stable in 2020. Crash frequency is lower than 2019, but still occurs when manipulating huge datasets (500M+ points). Autosave helps. Export speeds to .RCP have improved, but simulation-to-mesh conversion can still be slow.
: ReCap Pro 2020 provides a suite of tools for cleaning, organizing, and visualizing massive datasets. You can hide specific "scan regions" or delete unwanted objects (like cars or people captured during the scan) to ensure a clean model.
Model structural columns, walls, and pipes directly over the point cloud to build an accurate as-built BIM model. Run clash detection tests between new design models
Industry-leading automated cloud-to-cloud registration algorithms. Intuitive markup, dimensioning, and tagging capabilities. Heavy hardware demands require expensive computer hardware. Subscription pricing can be high for smaller firms.
| Feature | ReCap 2020 (Perpetual) | ReCap Pro (Subscription) | |-------------------------|------------------------|--------------------------| | Desktop point cloud processing | Yes | Yes | | Photogrammetry (local) | Limited (basic) | Full | | Cloud photogrammetry | Credits required | Unlimited (with Pro) | | Mobile scanning (iPhone LiDAR) | No | Yes | | Access to Autodesk Construction Cloud | No | Yes | | Real-time collaboration | No | Yes | | Current support (2026) | Security only | Full updates |
Contractors compare as-built point clouds with BIM models. By overlaying the ReCap point cloud onto a Revit 2020 model, clash detection for rebar, MEP, and ductwork becomes visual and intuitive. Overall stable in 2020
: Import the raw data into ReCap to "register" (align) the different scans.
Autodesk ReCap 2020 stands as a pivotal release in the evolution of reality capture software. It bridges the gap between the physical world and the digital design environment, transforming laser scans and photos into accurate 3D models or 2D drawings. For professionals in AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction), this version introduced several workflow enhancements that remain relevant for legacy project management and data processing. What is Autodesk ReCap 2020?
The 2020 release focused on speed, cloud connectivity, and user experience. It introduced critical features that improved baseline workflows. 1. Advanced Scan Registration
Explain the differences between and newer versions Provide a tutorial on registering scans in ReCap Pro
Users can calculate distances, angles, and areas directly within point clouds. The software attaches notes, images, and hyperlinks to specific 3D coordinates. Scan-to-BIM Workflows