---
title: "Guided Workflow | Modeling an As-Built Steel Structure"
slug: "cyclone-3dr-guided-workflow-modeling-an-as-built-steel-structure"
tags: ["Scan2Model"]
updated: 2026-09-07T11:51:38Z
published: 2026-09-07T11:51:38Z
canonical: "rcdocs.leica-geosystems.com/cyclone-3dr-guided-workflow-modeling-an-as-built-steel-structure"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://rcdocs.leica-geosystems.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Guided Workflow | Modeling an As-Built Steel Structure

In this exercise, you will learn how to prepare and leverage the scan of an industrial site to accurately extract a steel framework.

**Exercise overview:**

> [!NOTE]
> Open the file **OilSite.3dr** ([download](https://www.cyclone3dr.com/download_helper.php?File=Cyclone3DRSampleData/OilSite.zip)).

This dataset is a selected area of an oil site. You can [navigate](/v1/docs/cyclone-3dr-imagenavigationtoolbar) through the data and understand the environment.

For convenience, the point cloud has already been [classified](/v1/docs/cyclone-3dr-cloudautoclassificationc) using the Plant model.

## Create a UCS aligned with the steel structure

Creating a UCS aligned to your steel structure will help you to save time during extraction.

You can use the [Corner](/v1/docs/cyclone-3dr-cwucscorner) tool to easily create a coordinate system from two perpendicular planes.

1. Locate the cement block next to the position `27,43; -23,01; -1,55`**.**
2. Run **Corner** tools and hover on the external corner. The coordinate system will be previewed.

![image-20260420-070042.png](https://cdn.document360.io/820e11db-8ed5-45ae-ac86-f6b77dcb2aa7/Images/Documentation/image-20260420-070042.png)

Previewed coordinate system while hovering the cement block.
3. Click and press ENTER to validate the new coordinate system.
4. Change the origin of the UCS to match the baseplate of the closest steel column.
  1. Run [Change Origin](/v1/docs/cyclone-3dr-changeucsoriginc).
  2. Enable the **XYZ mode** in the toolbar.
  3. Copy the following coordinates `0,05073; 0,04783; 0,28794 `
  4. Validate.
  5. (optional) Rename the UCS.
5. Select the point cloud and launch [Scan to Steel](/v1/docs/cyclone-3dr-scantosteelc).

![image-20260420-070151.png](https://cdn.document360.io/820e11db-8ed5-45ae-ac86-f6b77dcb2aa7/Images/Documentation/image-20260420-070151.png)

Final UCS.

## Defining levels to handle multi-storey steel extraction

The first step of the workflow is to define the different levels to be extracted from the point cloud.

If the steel structure spans multiple levels, taking the time to set them up now will make the rest of the workflow much easier, especially:

- to easily extend column at the same elevation,
- to clone steel elements from one level to another,
- to organize the elements in the output files (e.g., IFC).

By default, the first level is created at Z=0, using the active coordinate system.

If the **classification** is available, the command automatically switches the point cloud display to it.

1. Click on the ‘+’ button in the command. A new level is created.
2. Double click its elevation in the **Elevation** column to set the elevation to “5.55”.
3. Press ENTER to validate.
4. In the same way, add another level at Z=7.05.
5. Double-click on levels name in the list to rename them “Base”, “Level 1”, “Level 2”.

![image-20260421-184644.png](https://cdn.document360.io/820e11db-8ed5-45ae-ac86-f6b77dcb2aa7/Images/Documentation/image-20260421-184644.png)

Created levels

![image-20260421-184805.png](https://cdn.document360.io/820e11db-8ed5-45ae-ac86-f6b77dcb2aa7/Images/Documentation/image-20260421-184805.png)

Preview of the levels in the 3D scene.

## Extracting columns and beams from the point cloud

The levels are now set up correctly.

1. Exit the **Scan to Steel** workflow.
2. Activate the clipping box “Extraction”.
3. Run the workflow again.
4. Click **Next** to move on to the **Steel Extraction** step. It allows extracting the elements of the steel structure from three categories: **Beam, Column** and **Other** elements (such as struts).
5. Adjust the scene display to help you focus on the elements you want to extract:

> [!NOTE]
> **Tips**
> 
> Adjust the point size with ALT+mouse wheel during extraction to inspect local areas without changing the command’s visibility settings.
  1. Expand the **cloud filter menu** and keep only Steel-related **classes** visible. Hold CTRL while clicking class checkboxes to show only the selected classes.
  2. Set the point cloud opacity to about 30%.
  3. Hide the levels.
6. Activate the **Column** mode in the toolbar.
  1. Select the **Europe** standard.
  2. Set the type to be extracted to **I-Beam**.
  3. Enable the **Force vertical** and **Snap to levels** options.
7. Locate the column next to the coordinate system
  1. Click a point in the center area

![image-20260421-193015.png](https://cdn.document360.io/820e11db-8ed5-45ae-ac86-f6b77dcb2aa7/Images/Documentation/image-20260421-193015.png)

Click in the center of the column to extract from a single point.
  2. Press ENTER to run the extraction.

> [!NOTE]
> **Tips**
> 
> - If the area is too challenging (noise), you can click a second point on another face of the scanned element to improve the automatic reference selection. The extraction starts automatically after the second click.
> - Consider the scanner position to select the most reliable faces for the extraction.
> - Try to avoid areas with noise or including non-relevant points (for example, next to corners where other elements intersect).
8. The column is extracted. You can now review the selected reference and check the related metrics: the **Overall error** and the **Coverage** for each reference.
9. Check that the selected **Reference** is “HE180A”. Otherwise, select it from the list.
10. Repeat the same steps to extract the second column.

![image-20260420-153502.png](https://cdn.document360.io/820e11db-8ed5-45ae-ac86-f6b77dcb2aa7/Images/Documentation/image-20260420-153502.png)

The two extracted columns.
11. Now, activate the **Beam** mode in the toolbar to extract the beam element located **at the top** of both columns:
  1. Check that **Force horizontal** is enabled.
  2. Using the same principles as before, click two points that are far enough apart on two distinct faces of the beam. For example, click the first point on the underside around X=0.9, and the second one on the lateral side around X=2.0.
  3. Check that the extracted **Reference** is “HE180A”.

![image-20260420-070818.png](https://cdn.document360.io/820e11db-8ed5-45ae-ac86-f6b77dcb2aa7/Images/Documentation/image-20260420-070818.png)

The extracted beam.
12. Once the three elements have been extracted, adjust the alignment using their respective axes.
  1. Select the first column and keep its axis position in Middle Center.
  2. Do the same with the second column.

![image-20260526-053539.png](https://cdn.document360.io/820e11db-8ed5-45ae-ac86-f6b77dcb2aa7/Images/Documentation/image-20260526-053539.png)

Columns axes set to Default center
  3. Select the beam and set the axis position to the highest position along the elevation. Depending on the extraction, it can be **Bottom Center** or **Top Center.**

![image-20260526-053759.png](https://cdn.document360.io/820e11db-8ed5-45ae-ac86-f6b77dcb2aa7/Images/Documentation/image-20260526-053759.png)

New axis position of the beam
  4. Enter **Alignment** mode in the toolbar to make sure that all elements are perfectly aligned with one another.
  5. Select the three elements by following the order: column 1, column 2, beam.
  6. Check the previewed result and validate it with ENTER.
  7. The beam is now extended and aligned with the column axes.

![image-20260526-053932.png](https://cdn.document360.io/820e11db-8ed5-45ae-ac86-f6b77dcb2aa7/Images/Documentation/image-20260526-053932.png)

The three extracted elements are now aligned

## Duplicating elements

Since the structure is made of repetitive elements, you can duplicate the first three first elements instead of extracting them again.

1. Exit the workflow.
2. Display both polylines “Steel Direction 1” and “Steel Direction 2”.
3. Make sure the limit box is still enabled.
4. Run again the workflow.
5. Hide the levels again and show only the relevant classes.
6. [Edit the limit box](/v1/docs/cyclone-3dr-editlimitboxc)(CTRL+Space) to extend the clipping area until the second set of columns is visible. For example, set the Y length around 4.5 m.

![image-20260526-055137.png](https://cdn.document360.io/820e11db-8ed5-45ae-ac86-f6b77dcb2aa7/Images/Documentation/image-20260526-055137.png)

New size of the limit box from the Top View.
7. You can now **copy** the elements:
  1. Activate the **Duplicate** mode in the toolbar. This mode lets you copy the selected elements one or multiple times. Copied elements are previewed in real time.
  2. Select both columns and the beam by holding CTRL (in the graphic scene or in the Extraction result console).
  3. In the left panel, select the **Repeat** mode.
  4. Activate the [Direction](/v1/docs/cyclone-3dr-definenormaldirection) tool and select the **Direction** option.
  5. Click on the red polyline to set up the **Direction** option from it, then press ENTER.
  6. Set the **Step** to 3 m and **Repetitions** to 1.
  7. The copy preview should now be at the right position. Check the positioning by changing the point cloud display (visibility and/or transparency).
  8. Press ENTER to validate the copy.

![image-20260526-055343.png](https://cdn.document360.io/820e11db-8ed5-45ae-ac86-f6b77dcb2aa7/Images/Documentation/image-20260526-055343.png)

Three new elements have been duplicated.

## Extract struts and remaining beams

### Extract struts

1. Exit the workflow and hide the polylines.
2. Run the workflow again.
3. In the class filter, enable only the **Steel structure diagonal** class. If necessary, adjust the limit box size again to make the elements visible (CTRL+Space).
4. Select the **Others** mode to extract the first pair of struts.
  1. Set **Standard** to **Europe**.
  2. Set **Type** to **Corner**.
  3. Set **Constraint** to **None**.
5. Click a **single point** on a fully scanned area and then press ENTER or click two points to run the extraction.
6. Check that the selected **Reference** is “L80X10”. If not, select it from the list.
7. Switch to **Select** mode.
8. Slide both ends of the strut to extend them to the desired position. Setting the camera to -X may help during the edition.

Extract the second strut the same way, then repeat the process for the second pair of struts. Check that the same reference is extracted for all struts. If not, edit them accordingly.

![image-20260526-060028.png](https://cdn.document360.io/820e11db-8ed5-45ae-ac86-f6b77dcb2aa7/Images/Documentation/image-20260526-060028.png)

The four extracted struts.

### Extract other beams

You can now extract and connect the other beam elements at the top of the first level:

- One beam of type **Europe / IPE120** in the center.
- Two beams of type **Europe / IPE200** on the sides.

![image-20260526-060706.png](https://cdn.document360.io/820e11db-8ed5-45ae-ac86-f6b77dcb2aa7/Images/Documentation/image-20260526-060706.png)

Additional beams on the first level.

### Scaling the model up to the next level

The first level is now done.

1. Hide the point cloud and show the **Levels**.
2. Select the five beams in the graphic scene or in the left panel.
3. Launch **Duplicate** mode.
4. Configure the copy settings:
  1. Set the direction to **Z**.
  2. Set **Step** to **1.5 m**.
  3. Set **Repetitions** to **1**.
5. Press ENTER to validate.
6. The new elements are still assigned to the first level though:
  1. Go back to **Select** mode and select the newly duplicated beams.
  2. In the left panel, change their **Level** from “Base” to “Level 1”. You can see effective change in the steel hierarchy tree.

> [!NOTE]
> **Tips**
> 
> The ‘Properties’ panel on the left can be collapsed to view and/or select information more easily.
7. **Extend** the columns:
  1. Select one of the columns.
  2. Click the upper handle of its axis. The clicking-point tools open so you can define a new end point.
  3. Set the alignment mode to **Vertex End**, then place the cursor on a corner of the target level (for example, Level 2), then click to validate the new point. The column is now extended to the next level.
  4. Repeat these steps for the three other columns.

![image-20260526-061108.png](https://cdn.document360.io/820e11db-8ed5-45ae-ac86-f6b77dcb2aa7/Images/Documentation/image-20260526-061108.png)

Final steel structure.

## Export the steel model to IFC (BIM)

The model is now complete.

Click **Next** to open the **Export** step and generate an output file.

1. Select **BIM** as the export option.
2. (optional) You can filter the exported elements:
  1. Enable **Selected elements** to limit the export to specific objects.
  2. In the **Level** section, locate the “Base” level
  3. Uncheck the **Others** category to filter out the extracted struts.
3. Click **Export**, choose a destination folder, and save the result as an **IFC** file.
4. **Exit** the workflow.