In the construction industry, as-built surveying is an essential step in design, renovation, as-built documentation, and facility management. However, measuring dimensions on-site, recording measurements, and converting field information into drawings can still require considerable manual work, particularly when multiple locations need to be surveyed or existing conditions must be updated frequently.
The development of Augmented Reality (AR) technology is opening up new possibilities for on-site measurement. By leveraging smartphone cameras and spatial understanding capabilities, AR applications can support direct measurements in real-world environments. Instead of using a smartphone only to take photographs or record notes, specialized AR applications can bring measurement and drawing creation into a single mobile workflow.
One example is AR Measure, an on-site measurement and 2D drawing application developed by skyACE. According to the product information published by its developer, the application uses AR capabilities on iOS devices to measure distances, capture on-site dimensions, and create dimensioned 2D drawings. Notably, the solution is designed to work on devices without LiDAR.
How does AR Measure work? What benefits can it bring to construction surveying, and how can it fit into a broader BIM/CAD ecosystem?
AR Measure is a smartphone-based measurement application that uses Augmented Reality (AR) to help users capture dimensions on construction sites.
AR combines real-world camera views with digital information displayed on the device screen. In measurement applications, this technology can help users identify measurement points, visualize distances, and capture dimensional data directly within a physical environment.
With AR Measure, the objective goes beyond displaying measurements on a screen. Its core value lies in connecting on-site measurement with the creation of dimensioned 2D drawings, making survey data easier to use in subsequent design and construction workflows.
AR Measure supports:
In a traditional surveying workflow, personnel typically measure dimensions using dedicated tools, record the results, take photographs of existing conditions, and then transfer the information into CAD software to produce drawings.
This approach remains important, especially for tasks requiring high measurement accuracy. However, switching between multiple tools can introduce additional steps and fragment project information.
With AR Measure, some of these activities can be performed directly on a smartphone.
Criteria | Traditional Workflow | AR Measure-Assisted Workflow |
|---|---|---|
| Dimension capture | Measure with tools and record values manually | Measure using AR on a compatible device |
| Information recording | Take separate notes or photographs | Combine measurement and recording within the application |
| Drawing creation | May require recreating drawings in CAD | Supports the generation of dimensioned 2D drawings |
| On-site operation | Depends on the tools and equipment carried | Uses a smartphone to support measurement activities |
This comparison describes general workflow differences rather than quantified test results. Actual efficiency depends on site conditions, device capabilities, and project requirements.
Users open the application on a compatible device and point the camera toward the area they want to survey. Using the device's AR capabilities, the application helps establish positions and spatial relationships for measurement. Users can then measure the required distances within the survey area through the interaction methods provided by the application. The key point is that AR technology is applied to a specific construction task rather than being used solely for visual experiences.
For effective implementation, the application must accommodate real-world operating conditions, including lighting, recognizable surfaces, available space, and the processing capabilities of the device.
After identifying the required measurement points, users capture dimensions for the areas or building components being surveyed. Depending on the application's functionality, the collected data can be used to record room dimensions, edges, and other elements that need to be represented in drawings.
Working directly on a smartphone can reduce reliance on separate note-taking and repeated data entry across multiple tools. However, AR measurement does not guarantee absolute accuracy. Measurements should be independently verified when they are used for work with strict tolerances, component fabrication, or construction activities requiring high precision.
This is a key differentiator between AR Measure and applications that only display distances. Rather than stopping at measurement capture, AR Measure is designed to convert measurement results into dimensioned 2D drawings. This makes site information easier to visualize, review, compare, and use in subsequent design or renovation workflows.
Dimensioned 2D drawing generation is one of AR Measure's key features.
It is important to distinguish between generating a 2D drawing from measurement data and automatically producing a complete CAD/BIM documentation package ready for construction. Further editing, information enrichment, dimensional verification, and compliance with drawing standards still depend on individual project requirements and the application's available functions.
AR Measure and Scan2BIM both bring mobile technology into construction surveying, but they address different needs.
AR Measure focuses on using AR to measure distances, capture dimensions, and create dimensioned 2D drawings. It is designed for on-site measurement tasks, particularly when users need a mobile tool to record dimensions and turn measurement data into drawings.
One notable feature is that, according to skyACE's product description, AR Measure does not require a device equipped with LiDAR. However, supported devices and specific measurement capabilities should be verified against the current application version.
Scan2BIM uses LiDAR on compatible iPhone or iPad devices to capture spatial information about existing buildings.
According to skyACE's product information, the solution supports spatial scanning, the creation of dimensioned 2D drawings, and 3D model generation, with potential integration into BIM workflows.
Unlike an approach that measures individual dimensions one at a time, Scan2BIM focuses on capturing the geometry of a space through scanning. Depending on the device, scanning conditions, and processing workflow, the resulting data can support the development of existing-condition information.
Read more: SCAN2BIM WITH LIDAR ON IPHONE AND IPAD: HOW DOES IT WORK?
Requirement | Suitable Approach |
|---|---|
| Measuring distances and dimensions on-site | AR Measure |
| Creating dimensioned 2D drawings from measurement activities | AR Measure |
| Scanning spaces using LiDAR sensors | Scan2BIM |
| Developing 3D models from scanned data | Scan2BIM |
| Building an integrated existing-condition digitization workflow | Consider combining AR Measure, Scan2BIM, and CAD/BIM systems |
No single solution is suitable for every scenario. Selection should be based on the survey scope, required level of detail, accuracy requirements, available devices, and output data formats.
Augmented Reality can enable design drawings and BIM models to be overlaid onto real-world construction environments for visual comparison and verification. This helps designers and contractors better understand design intent, potentially reducing errors and misunderstandings during construction.
AR-based visualization can also help teams identify potential issues before construction begins, allowing corrective actions to be considered earlier. Depending on the application and workflow, this may contribute to shorter construction timelines and lower costs.
These benefits depend on the specific AR solution being used. Visualization and design-model overlay capabilities should not automatically be assumed to be built into every measurement application.
AR technology can help stakeholders in architecture and construction, including designers, contractors, and clients, share a clearer understanding of physical spaces and design information. By making technical information easier to visualize, AR-supported workflows can facilitate discussions, improve design comprehension, and support faster decision-making.
The practical benefits depend on whether the application supports the required information-sharing and collaboration functions.
AR can also support safety-related activities on construction sites.
For example, AR-based applications may be used to visualize hazardous areas, present safety procedures, monitor site conditions, or improve safety training and education. These are broader applications of AR in construction rather than confirmed features of AR Measure itself.
AR measurement results are affected by the device, the surrounding environment, and how measurements are performed. Lighting, recognizable surfaces, measurement distance, and spatial conditions can all influence results. Applications should therefore be evaluated under actual operating conditions. Teams should establish which measurements are suitable for direct use and which require additional verification.
Not all smartphones offer the same AR processing capabilities. Before deployment, users should verify the supported operating systems, compatible device models, and application-specific limitations.
Although AR Measure is designed to operate without LiDAR, it is still described as an iOS-based solution. It should not be assumed that every Android device or every smartphone is compatible.
Measurement data should be checked before being used for design, construction, or acceptance inspections. Companies should also establish clear procedures for storing, naming, versioning, and sharing drawings.
If the application is connected to existing CAD/BIM systems or project management platforms, defining data formats, access permissions, and approval workflows can help reduce inconsistencies during project coordination.
Effective digitization is not simply about measuring faster. It is also about ensuring that collected data can be verified, managed, and reused for its intended purpose.
An important direction in construction technology is transforming smartphones into practical tools for technical work rather than using them solely for photography and communication.
When mobile applications incorporate AR, measurement, and drawing generation capabilities, smartphones can become active components of construction data collection workflows. This creates opportunities to connect on-site activities more closely with design and engineering processes.
Dimensioned 2D drawings are an initial step toward digitizing existing building conditions. To deliver value throughout the project lifecycle, the resulting data must be incorporated into subsequent workflows.
An integrated workflow may include the following stages:
This is a reference workflow, not a claim that every stage is automatically supported by AR Measure.
The key is to design connections between tools that reduce repetitive work, maintain data consistency, and allow field information to remain useful throughout subsequent project stages.
Every construction company has different surveying procedures, project types, and software environments. As a result, practical requirements may extend beyond standalone measurement or 2D drawing generation.
Potential software development requirements include:
These requirements must be analyzed and designed around the target systems and business processes.
They also highlight the importance of construction-focused software development expertise: the goal is not simply to implement a technology, but to turn it into a practical workflow that fits the construction industry's real-world requirements.
AR Measure illustrates how mobile technology can address a specific construction task: on-site measurement and 2D drawing generation.
However, digital transformation goes beyond individual features. When field data is connected with CAD/BIM, Web/Cloud systems, and project management workflows, construction companies can progressively establish a more consistent information flow from surveying through design and construction.
With a focus on Construction Domain × Software Technology, skyACE develops technology solutions for the construction industry across several areas:
This approach prioritizes understanding business requirements before selecting technologies, enabling solutions to be designed around each customer's workflows and existing systems.
Through BIMCAD Vietnam, customers can discuss their requirements for BIM/CAD software development, mobile applications, and specialized technology solutions for the construction industry.
AR Measure demonstrates how a smartphone can support construction site measurement and dimensioned 2D drawing generation, connecting surveying activities with technical data processing workflows.
Unlike Scan2BIM, which focuses on LiDAR-based spatial scanning and the generation of 2D/3D data, AR Measure uses AR to support distance measurement, dimensional data capture, and 2D drawing creation. The two approaches can complement each other depending on surveying requirements and project digitization goals.
To fully benefit from these technologies, companies must consider more than measurement capabilities. Accuracy, device compatibility, data management, drawing quality control, and integration with existing CAD/BIM systems are all important factors.
BIMCAD Vietnam develops BIM/CAD software, specialized plugins, and Web/Cloud, AI, and mobile solutions tailored to the construction industry's practical requirements.
If your company is looking for a development partner for on-site measurement applications, AR and LiDAR solutions, or mobile data integration with existing BIM/CAD systems, contact BIMCAD Vietnam to discuss your requirements and explore a suitable implementation approach.
