Put an end to plan rolls and full archive cabinets. We digitise your construction plans, CAD drawings and as-built plans up to 1.30 m wide, distortion-free and with text recognition: you then find title blocks, dimensions and project details in seconds.
Scanning takes place in our production in Glattbrugg near Zurich. You bring the plans by or send them by post, and you receive the finished files by download or email, usually within 24 to 48 hours.
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Scope of service
For us, digitising plans means more than just scanning. We handle the digitisation of your construction and as-built plans from preparation and true-to-scale capture on the large format scanner to structured archiving. In the end you have clean, searchable files named according to your convention that can be used immediately in any project.
- Large format scans up to 130 cm wide (unlimited length)
- High-resolution & true to scale (colour, greyscale or B/W)
- OCR text recognition (title blocks & legends fully searchable)
- Indexing & naming (according to your file naming conventions)
- Delivery as PDF, PDF/A, TIFF or JPEG (to your specifications)
- Distortion-free capture (including fine lines & details)
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What we scan
Our large format scanner captures plans up to 1.30 m wide in a single pass. The length is unlimited: long sections, facade elevations or utility plans are digitised in one piece and not assembled from parts. Typical orders from the canton of Zurich and the whole of Switzerland are:
- Construction and as-built plans (floor plans, sections, elevations)
- CAD drawings that only exist as paper printouts
- Cadastral maps and as-built documents from the archive
- Colour plans as well as greyscale or black-and-white originals
- Entire plan archives, schedule by arrangement
- Files and folders up to A3: see Digitise documents
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Your advantages with us
01. Digital sovereignty
You find instead of searching. Thanks to OCR text recognition, your plans are searchable by keyword within seconds: plan number, building, floor or planner, everything in the title block.
02. Space gained and order
Free yourself from full archive shelves and plan cabinets. We transfer your analogue holdings into a digital archive that takes up no physical space and can be reached from any workstation.
03. Utmost discretion
Your documents are in safe hands with us. We guarantee confidential handling of your plans and data throughout the entire digitisation process, from receipt to return.
04. Audit-proof standards
We work to strict quality guidelines. On request you receive your plans as PDF/A, a long-term archiving format that meets your compliance requirements.
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Quality and formats
Distortion-free and true to scale
A construction plan is only worth as much as its dimensions. That is why we capture plans distortion-free and true to scale; fine lines, hatching and small lettering remain legible. The scan is thus suitable not only for viewing but as a basis for further planning, for example for redrawing in DWG.
Text recognition and naming
Every scan goes through OCR text recognition. Title blocks and legends thus become searchable, in the individual PDF as well as across the entire archive. We name and index the files according to your file naming conventions so that they fit into your filing system without renaming.
File formats
The standard is a high-resolution PDF. For long-term archiving we supply PDF/A, and for further processing in CAD or GIS programs TIFF or JPEG on request. You specify colour, greyscale or black and white per order.
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How it works
Step 1: Fill in the order form
Download our order form and fill it in on screen or by hand: quantity, colour or greyscale, desired format and naming. Our standard is pre-filled; you only change what should be different.
Step 2: Hand over plans
Send us the plans by post or bring them directly to Glattbrugg. Simply enclose the order form.
Step 3: Scanning and archiving
We scan your plans distortion-free and in high resolution, recognise the text and name the files. You receive the finished PDFs by download or email, usually within 24 to 48 hours.
Send to:
LOY
Flughofstrasse 58
8152 Glattbrugg
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Next step
Your plans are scanned? Next: convert to DWG
A scanned plan can be read and searched but not drawn on. If you are converting, renovating or bringing in specialist planners, our specialists redraw the scan as an editable CAD file: with separate layers, dimensionally accurate and to SIA. More under Convert PDF to DWG.
On request we file the digitised plans directly in your project on the LOY construction project platform: versioned, tagged and findable for everyone involved. You will find an overview of all steps from paper to BIM under Digitise plans.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does scanning my plans take?
We usually process orders within 24 to 48 hours. For very extensive plan archives we agree the schedule with you in advance. Tell us if it is urgent, and we will tell you what is possible.
How large can the plans be?
Our large format scanner captures plans up to 1.30 m (130 cm) wide. The length is unlimited; long plans are scanned in one piece. We digitise smaller formats up to A3, such as folders and files, under Digitise documents.
In which file format do I receive my scanned plans?
As standard we supply high-resolution PDFs, on request as long-term archivable PDF/A. TIFF or JPEG are also no problem for plans. Note the format you need on the order form.
Are the scans true to scale?
Yes. We capture plans distortion-free and true to scale, in colour, greyscale or black and white. Fine lines and details are preserved, so the scan can serve as a basis for further planning.
Can I bring plans by or have them collected?
You can drop off and collect your plans directly at our premises in Glattbrugg near Zurich. Alternatively, use the post to LOY, Flughofstrasse 58, 8152 Glattbrugg. Collection from your premises can be arranged on request.
How are the files named?
According to your specifications. Tell us your file naming convention, for example project number, building, floor and plan number, and we name and index the scans accordingly. Without specifications we use the information from the title block.
What does scanning plans cost?
The price depends on quantity, format and the desired processing (colour, OCR, naming). Tell us the volume via the order form or the contact form, and we will quote the price in advance.
Can the scanned plans be converted to DWG?
Yes. Our specialists redraw scanned plans as editable DWG or DXF files, with separate layers and dimensionally accurate. Details, prices and delivery times can be found under Convert PDF to DWG.
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Get started now
Do you have your plans to hand? Download the order form or contact us directly. We advise you personally on your digitisation project, by phone on +41 58 517 44 20 or by email at info@loy.ch.