You scan a job site using a laser scanner (e.g., Faro, Leica, Trimble) or drone (DJI Phantom 4 RTK). The raw output is usually .E57 , .LAS , .LAZ , or proprietary manufacturer formats.
Unlike previous iterations, ReCap 2020 focused heavily on . It allows users to import raw data from LiDAR scanners, photogrammetry drones, and digital cameras to produce high-fidelity point clouds and meshes. Key Features of ReCap 2020 1. The "Pro" Distinction By 2020, Autodesk had clearly segmented its product. ReCap 2020 refers primarily to the Pro version (paid subscription), which includes the full scanning and processing engine. The free "ReCap Photo" (web-based) remained for simple photogrammetry, but the desktop application focused on heavy-duty point cloud manipulation. 2. Enhanced Scan to Mesh One of the most celebrated updates in the 2020 build was the Scan to Mesh algorithm. Users can now convert massive point cloud datasets into clean, watertight meshes faster than in the 2019 version. This is vital for 3D printing or importing organic shapes into Inventor. 3. Intelligent Indexing (.RCS & .RCP) ReCap 2020 refined its proprietary indexing format. The .RCP (Project File) and .RCS (Scan File) structure allows users to load only the visual data they need, reducing RAM usage. The 2020 update introduced background indexing, meaning you could begin cleaning up a scan while ReCap finished processing in the background. 4. Real-Time Rendering Improvements Using the same graphics core as AutoCAD 2020, ReCap 2020 offered improved DirectX 12 support. This resulted in smoother panning and zooming through point clouds with millions of points, even on standard workstation GPUs. The "Realistic" viewing mode now displays color gradients more accurately, mimicking the natural lighting of the scanned environment. 5. Advanced Cleaning Tools The 2020 version introduced a more intuitive "Noise Removal" algorithm. It specifically targets "outliers"—stray points caused by reflective surfaces or moving objects (like people or cars). The Limit Box tool was updated to allow non-destructive cropping, preserving the original data while hiding irrelevant sections. Workflow: From Field to Finish with ReCap 2020 To understand the value of Autodesk ReCap 2020, you must understand the standard reality capture workflow: autodesk recap 2020
You open ReCap 2020 and create a new project. You import the raw files. The software indexes the data, creating a unified .RCP file. The 2020 algorithm is roughly 20% faster than the 2017 version for large datasets (e.g., 500+ scans). You scan a job site using a laser scanner (e
ReCap 2020 offers automatic registration. It detects overlapping geometry between individual scans and stitches them into a single coordinate system. The 2020 update improved machine learning detection for "flat walls" which previously confused automatic alignment tools. It allows users to import raw data from
You remove "noise" (trees, vehicles, temporary fencing). You classify remaining points into categories: Ground, Vegetation, Buildings, and Utility. ReCap 2020 allows you to export these classified layers separately.
Many infrastructure projects (bridges, tunnels, rail) have 5-10 year lifecycles. If a project was initiated in ReCap 2020, updating the software to 2026 can break complex registration constraints. Many teams keep a "2020 installation" specifically to maintain legacy .RCP files.