Autodesk ReCap Point Cloud to BIM Pipeline for Autodesk Workflows
Autodesk ReCap processes point clouds for seamless integration with Revit, Civil 3D, and the Autodesk ecosystem, serving as the bridge between reality capture and BIM.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Autodesk
- Category
- Point Cloud Processing
- Pricing
- Subscription
- Starting Price
- $50 /month
- Best For
- Revit and Civil 3D users
We use Autodesk ReCap for professional projects. See our workflow →
What is Autodesk ReCap?
Autodesk ReCap is the reality capture hub within the Autodesk ecosystem. The software converts point clouds from various scanner brands into RCP/RCS format optimized for Revit, Civil 3D, and other Autodesk products.
Autodesk tiers it as ReCap and ReCap Pro. The base version of ReCap imports, views and converts point cloud data and is available in all Autodesk suites as well as a free download from Autodesk's website; ReCap Pro is the paid tier, described by Autodesk as being for scan and photogrammetry projects. Autodesk lists the ReCap Photo capabilities (photo import, GPS tags, GCP import, automatic photo-to-mesh in RCM/OBJ/FBX, photo-to-orthoview and depth map, multiple parallel projects) as rows inside its ReCap / ReCap Pro comparison chart rather than as a separate subscription; check Autodesk's current chart for which rows each tier carries. The software's strength is seamless Autodesk integration rather than standalone processing power.
At THE FUTURE 3D, ReCap is our standard conversion pipeline for clients using Revit or Civil 3D. We often register in scanner-native software (Cyclone, SCENE) then convert to RCP for optimal Autodesk performance.
Autodesk ReCap Key Features
Comprehensive capabilities that make Autodesk ReCap a professional choice for point cloud processing.
Autodesk Integration
Native RCP/RCS format provides optimal performance in Revit, Civil 3D, and Navisworks.
Point Cloud Registration
Register multiple scans using targets or cloud-to-cloud matching for unified datasets.
Photo-to-Mesh
Automatic photo-to-mesh in RCM, OBJ and FBX formats. Autodesk does not publish mesh generation from laser point clouds.
Limit Box
Define limit boxes to isolate specific areas, reducing file size for efficient BIM work.
E57 Support
Import industry-standard E57 format from any scanner brand for conversion to RCP.
Cloud Storage
Integration with Autodesk cloud services for sharing and collaboration.
Autodesk ReCap Pricing & Plans
Autodesk ReCap offers flexible subscription plans to match your needs.
ReCap Pro
- Point cloud editing
- Registration
- RCP/RCS export
- Measurement tools
- Also $405/year or $1,210/3-year
AEC Collection
- ReCap Pro included
- Revit
- Civil 3D
- Navisworks
- Full Autodesk suite
Pricing shown is Autodesk’s own published pricing, not THE FUTURE 3D’s, and is indicative only — vendors change plans and figures without notice. Check Autodesk for the current price before making a purchasing decision.
Don't Want to Buy Software?
At THE FUTURE 3D, we own Autodesk ReCap licenses and use it for client projects. You get professional point cloud processing deliverables without purchasing software yourself. Get a free project quote →
Autodesk ReCap Pros & Cons
Advantages
- Seamless Revit/Civil 3D integration
- RCP format optimized for Autodesk performance
- Included with AEC Collection
- Limit box for efficient file management
- Accepts E57 from any scanner
- Cloud collaboration support
Limitations
- Less powerful than specialized registration software
- Autodesk ecosystem focused
- Basic registration compared to Cyclone/SCENE
- Base ReCap is limited to import, view and convert — advanced tools sit in the paid ReCap Pro tier
Who Should Use Autodesk ReCap?
Autodesk ReCap is Best For
- Revit and Civil 3D users
- Scan-to-BIM workflows
- AEC Collection subscribers
- Format conversion to RCP
- Autodesk-centric organizations
Consider Alternatives If
- Primary registration software needs
- Non-Autodesk workflows
- Organizations avoiding Autodesk subscription
- Advanced point cloud processing
Technical Specifications
System Requirements
- Operating System
- Windows — see Autodesk's current published system requirements
- RAM
- See Autodesk's current published system requirements
- Storage
- See Autodesk's current published system requirements
- GPU
- See Autodesk's current published system requirements
Supported File Formats
Integrations & Compatible Platforms
Autodesk ReCap Alternatives
Depending on your specific needs, these alternatives may also be worth considering.
How We Use Autodesk ReCap
Our professional workflow leveraging Autodesk ReCap for client projects.
Register point clouds in scanner-native software (Cyclone, SCENE)
Export registered data as E57
Import to ReCap for RCP conversion
Apply limit boxes for efficient file sizes
Export RCP/RCS for Revit workflow
Deliver to client ACC or local files
Deliverables We Produce with Autodesk ReCap
Related Services Using Autodesk ReCap
Compatible Equipment
Autodesk ReCap works with data from these scanners and drones that we use.
Autodesk ReCap Services Near You
We provide professional point cloud processing services using Autodesk ReCap across 195+ locations in the United States and worldwide. avg 1-hour response time.
South Florida (HQ)
Florida
Northeast
West Coast
Midwest
Autodesk ReCap FAQ
What is Autodesk ReCap?
Autodesk ReCap is point cloud processing software that converts scan data into RCP/RCS format for optimal performance in Revit, Civil 3D, and other Autodesk products.
Is ReCap included with Revit?
ReCap Pro is included with the AEC Collection subscription. Standalone Revit subscriptions may not include full ReCap functionality.
What is the difference between ReCap Pro and ReCap Photo?
They are tiers of one product line, not separate subscriptions. Autodesk's ReCap / ReCap Pro comparison chart puts the ReCap Photo features — photo import in JPEG rectilinear format, GPS tags, GCP import, automatic photo-to-mesh in RCM/OBJ/FBX, photo-to-orthoview and depth map, and multiple parallel projects — in the ReCap Pro column, and describes ReCap Pro as being for scan and photogrammetry projects. The free base ReCap imports, views and converts point cloud data.
Can ReCap import FARO or Leica scans?
Yes — Autodesk states that ReCap imports scans in various formats (it does not publish the enumerated list). In practice we register in the scanner-native software (SCENE, Cyclone) first, then convert to RCP for Autodesk performance.
What is RCP format?
RCP (Reality Capture Project) is Autodesk's native point cloud format optimized for performance in Revit and other Autodesk products.
Is ReCap necessary for Revit users?
Revit can load RCP files. ReCap is needed to convert E57 or other formats to RCP, and for point cloud editing and limit box creation.
How much does ReCap cost?
ReCap Pro is $55/month standalone, or included with AEC Collection ($2,975/year). ReCap Photo is a separate subscription.
Need Professional Point Cloud Processing Services?
We use Autodesk ReCap for client projects across Southeast Florida. Get a free quote for your project—no software purchase required.