Introduction
Laser measuring has transformed the way professionals capture room dimensions, replacing slow manual methods with precision tools. In interior scanning, speed, accuracy, and ease of use are critical — yet the evolution of the technology hasn’t always matched those needs. The industry leapt from single-point distance meters straight to full 3D scanning, leaving a gap for practical 2D solutions.
1960s–1980s: From Scientific Curiosity to Practical Surveying
1960: Theodore Maiman creates the first working ruby laser at Hughes Research Laboratories.
1961: Spectra-Physics sells the first commercial laser (He-Ne type).
Mid-1960s: Sweden’s AGA develops Geodimeter laser-based EDM instruments, making long-distance surveying far faster and more accurate than mechanical tools.
While these tools were primarily used outdoors for surveying and infrastructure projects, they set the foundation for using laser technology in any environment — including interiors.
1990s: Laser Measuring Enters the Building
In 1993, Leica Geosystems launches the Leica DISTO, the first handheld laser distance meter designed for everyday site work. Suddenly, one person could measure an entire room accurately without help. For interior scanning, this was a revolution: quick, reliable measurements in tight or cluttered spaces.
The Role (and Limits) of Total Stations Indoors
Total stations — combining laser distance measurement with precise angle measurement — became the standard for high-accuracy projects. They are sometimes used for interior scanning (e.g., large halls, industrial plants, or complex renovation layouts).
However, indoors they face challenges:
Setup time — tripod placement, alignment, and referencing can be slow in confined spaces.
Line-of-sight issues — furniture, partitions, and columns block measurements.
Overkill for simple plans — capturing basic wall positions and angles often doesn’t justify the complexity.
While powerful, total stations can be impractical when fast, adaptable workflows are required.
2000s–2010s: The Rise of 3D Laser Scanning
In the late 1990s, companies like Cyra Technologies (later acquired by Leica) introduced 3D terrestrial laser scanners, soon followed by FARO, Trimble, and others. These devices could capture millions of points to create detailed 3D models of interiors.
For complex heritage restoration or industrial plants, this is invaluable. But for everyday interior scanning:
Cost can be prohibitively high.
Training is essential to operate and process data.
Workflows take hours from capture to usable output.
The Overlooked Middle: 2D Laser Measuring for Interiors
Between point-to-point measuring and full 3D scanning lies 2D interior scanning — capturing all distances and angles in a single horizontal plane. This creates:
Accurate floor plans
Wall angles for precise joinery and cabinetry
Section views without processing huge datasets
Advantages of 2D for interiors:
Speed: Capture an entire room in minutes.
Portability: Smaller, lighter devices fit into any workspace.
Lower cost: Affordable compared to 3D scanners or total stations.
Ease of use: Minimal training, faster results.
Conclusion
The history of laser measuring in interior scanning shows a steady push toward higher accuracy and richer data. But more data isn’t always better. For many professionals — from carpenters and kitchen fitters to architects and interior designers — the right balance is 2D laser measuring: fast, accurate, and perfectly matched to the job.Curiously, the industry left 2D scanning largely unexplored for various reasons. Seeing this gap and the need for a simple, affordable solution that could help architects, engineers, and many other professionals, we developed the 2Dscanner. The 2Dscabnner delivers highly accurate floor plans for interior scanning while being far more cost-effective than the expensive 3D solutions currently on the market. Learn more on our website, explore our detailed help documentation, or watch in-depth demonstration videos on our YouTube channel.
Bibliography / Further Reading
Maiman, T. H. (1960). “Stimulated Optical Radiation in Ruby.” Nature.
Spectra-Physics Company History – First commercial He-Ne laser (1961).
AGA Geodimeter Historical Overview – Early laser-based EDM in surveying.
Leica Geosystems – Launch of Leica DISTO, 1993.
Cyra Technologies – Development of Cyrax 3D scanner (late 1990s).
FARO & Trimble 3D scanning product histories.
Texts on electronic distance measurement and terrestrial laser scanning methods.
