High Speed LiDAR scanners were utilized to image the sandcastles. The two Leica HD6100 imagers took millions of individual measurements of everything they could "see". This type of scanner is commonly used for imaging the as-is or as-built conditions of buildings, process plants, even crime scenes.

Depending on the award given, each site was scanned 2 - 5 times from areas on the perimeter. Each scan was completed in about 3 minutes.

If this were a building the scan teams would have also used standard survey tools to create and maintain a control network. All points in the scan are relative and can be tied to other networks or GIS systems.

The Scanners see in 360 degrees. Anything within range is imaged. Even people, although if they don't stay very still only noise will appear in the scan. This is a single scan from one location.

Separate scans are registered together to make up the completed "point cloud." This cloud is made up of five scans. Large projects can be made up of hundreds or even thousands of scans.

Noise is removed from the cloud and areas of interest are highlighted. Special coloring and other visualization tools are then applied to acheive the desired result. Often the cloud is then moved to a CAD or other design or visualization program as an accurate guide to the as-is condition or record.