Join us for an exciting and insightful hour. 
Sit back, relax, and watch our live webinar from the comfort of your desk

If you’re looking to simplify your reverse engineering process, reduce frustration, and cut down modeling time, this webinar will give you the clarity and tools to get there.

Webinar Overview

A common misconception about reverse engineering is that a 3D scanner can generate a usable CAD model at the push of a button. In reality, 3D scan data is captured as point clouds or meshes—formats that aren’t readily editable for design or manufacturing. In this upcoming webinar, we’ll uncover the truth behind common Scan to CAD myths and show what actually works.

You’ll learn how to approach Scan to CAD in a practical way, without the complexity. We’ll demonstrate a proven workflow using QUICKSURFACE software to tackle real-world Scan to CAD challenges in manufacturing.

Don’t miss this session: Paul Motley at GoMeasure3D will be co-presenting with special guest—QUICKSURFACE Founder Kostadin Vrantzaliev. Together, they bring seasoned expertise in reverse engineering—from Scan to CAD—across a wide range of industry applications.

Reverse Engineering Webinar: How to Efficiently Convert Scan Data into Manufacturing-Ready CAD

Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026
Time: 1PM EST / 10PM PST
Duration: 1 Hour

Even if you can’t attend live, sign up to get access to the webinar recording after the event.

We’ll Cover:

In this one-hour webinar, you’ll learn practical solutions for converting scan data into CAD.

• How to convert 3D scan data into accurate, manufacturing-ready CAD using QUICKSURFACE
• Why using a dedicated reverse engineering software makes a big difference compared to relying solely on traditional CAD software
• Real-world efficiency gains from Scan to CAD projects (case examples)
• Live Q&A to answer any questions you have about reverse engineering workflows

Who Is This Webinar For?

This session is ideal for anyone:

• who is looking to better understand the Scan to CAD process, from beginners to advanced users
• working with 3D scanners or scan data who wants to apply it to reverse engineering applications

Got Questions?

We’re keeping this webinar casual and we welcome any questions you have about reverse engineering from Scan to CAD. Our presenters will be there to answer your questions live.

Presenters

Paul Motley

GoMeasure3D

Paul has over 15+ years of experience in 3D scanning across manufacturing, medical, and scientific research applications. He has worked extensively with a variety of 3D scanners and software, specializing in structured-light 3D scanning, reverse engineering, and quality inspection.

Kostadin Vrantzaliev

QUICKSURFACE

Kostadin is the inventor of QUICKSURFACE software. He brings over 25 years of experience in full life-cycle software development for CAD and 3D data processing, including more than a decade in project management and technical leadership. Known for his collaborative, solutions-focused approach, he helps teams tackle complex challenges and deliver practical, real-world results.

Reverse Engineering Webinar: How to Efficiently Convert Scan Data into Manufacturing-Ready CAD

Thursday, May 21, 2026
(1PM EST / 10PM PST)
Duration: 1 Hour

The post Upcoming Reverse Engineering Webinar: How to Efficiently Convert Scan Data into Manufacturing-Ready CAD appeared first on GoMeasure3D.

Our team found an interesting Reddit post related to reverse engineering from 3D scanner data to CAD:

Geomagic has been a well-established solution for converting scan data from professional 3D scanners to CAD models. We have customers who love Geomagic for SOLIDWORKS (plugin for SOLIDWORKS) and Geomagic Design X (standalone scan to CAD software) because they have extensive features for reverse engineering. They also have automated features like the Autosurfacing tool that makes it much easier to reverse engineer complicated and even organic designs.

However, if you need to do reverse engineering based off of 3D scan data and you just don’t have the budget to purchase a professional high-end package, are there any affordable alternatives to Geomagic out there?

* Update since we first published this article: Geomagic Design X has introduced a more affordable subscription-based option, starting at $1,900. For more information, please visit our Shop. If you’re still interested in exploring other 3D reverse engineering solutions for comparison, please continue reading.

Yes! There are more affordable options out there. Here, we’ll present you with three alternative Scan to CAD solutions that are accessible in terms of:

• 

  Affordability

  We know that ‘affordable’ is a subjective term but we’ll offer a range of solutions from $500 to just under $6,000 USD.

• 

  Ease of Use

  Scan to CAD is viewed as a complicated skill that requires hours of specialized training. With these solutions, learn as you go.

• 

  Work With Scan Data

  These options have the ability to transform 3D scan meshes (like STL or OBJ) from any 3D scanner into professional, usable CAD.

QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS / Mesh2Surface for Rhino

Reverse Engineering Plugin that works with your favorite CAD package

Plugin options that work natively inside your CAD software tend to be less expensive compared to standalone Scan to CAD software. If you are already a SOLIDWORKS or Rhino user, these plugins are made for you. As a bonus, it empowers you to work in a CAD environment you are already familiar with, so it’s easy to pick up and learn as you go. It’s essentially an extension of the CAD software you are already using with dedicated reverse engineering toolsets.

	Mesh2Surface For Rhino	QUICKSURFACE For SOLIDWORKS (previously known as Mesh2Surface for SOLIDWORKS)
Software Type	Plugin (Rhino 3D sold separately)	Plugin (SOLIDWORKS sold separately)
Software Compatibility	Rhino 5, 6, 7, or 8	SOLIDWORKS version 2017 or higher
Price for Single Commercial License of Plugin (in USD – prices subject to change)	Permanent License: $1,395	Permanent License: $3,690
	Learn More	Learn More

KVS’ Approach to Reverse Engineering

KVS is the developer of QuickSurface for SOLIDWORKS and Mesh2Surface for Rhino. The company’s mission is to make 3D reverse engineering software accessible to anyone who wants to turn 3D scan data into CAD models without spending time mastering traditional, often complex CAD systems. These solutions are particularly effective at reconstructing freeform and complex surfaces with ease.

From 3D Scanning To CAD: The workflow from capturing 3D scans using the Artec Space Spider (Top photo). The scanned data was imported into SOLIDWORKS. Then, we used QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS to access the comprehensive scan to CAD toolsets inside SOLIDWORKS to design this bike frame. (Please see the photos below comparing the original scan data to the created CAD model.) Using scan data as a guide for design is much easier and faster than designing from a blank slate.

Every reverse engineering project is unique and the process can be time-consuming in order to achieve the right and accurate results. This inspired KVS developers to create a universal tool that can be applied to different reverse engineering challenges while simplifying the process.

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“Using Scan to CAD approach to product design, we see significant efficiency gains in our product design workflow. Drawing from my own experience, on average, the time required to design a part is now reduced down to approximately 25% of the original time or less.”

Chase Evans Lead Engineer Philadelphia Racing Products

Case Study: Learn how Philadelphia Racing Products use QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS to reduce the time required to design a part down to approximately 25% of the original time. Read Now →

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These plugin solutions focus on finding the fastest, most accurate, and easiest way to convert 3D scan meshes into professional CAD models. It is straightforward to use and delivers similar performance to high-end reverse engineering software.

Why We Love QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS + Mesh2Surface for Rhino

• Speed up manufacturing while reducing redesign costs.
• Simple yet powerful tools to create 2D sketches, extruded 3D sketches, and revolved surfaces.
• Tolerance surfacing shows instant color map deviation from scan data and gives you full control to fix it to get the best accuracy out of your CAD model.
• It can create complex hybrid 3D models (prismatic and organic).
• Redesign your object with the best accuracy and design intent.
• Extract shapes by selecting what type of features need to be fit.
• Provide the flexibility of designing custom products.
• Export remodeled data for 3D printing.
• Create complementary products or new parts to fit with existing parts.
• Edit and repair CAD data for broken tools and molds.

How It Works

These reverse engineering plugins are affordable yet sophisticated Scan to CAD tools that go beyond basic arcs and curves. You can use STL, OBJ, or PLY meshes—as well as PTX point clouds—to create professional CAD/CAM models. They can handle large 3D scan data without lag.

Since each CAD software works differently, here are some of the main features of each plugin with video demonstrations:

	Mesh2Surface for Rhino	QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS
Create 2D line sketches that can revolve or extrude surfaces
3D sketching on scan data
Freeform reverse engineering
Automatic surfacing for converting freeform organic shapes just with a click of a button.
Deviation Analysis (comparing scan data to CAD)

Video Demonstrations

Our team created videos to show what the plugins can do.

Mesh2Surface For Rhino: Reverse Engineering Basics

Mesh2Surface For Rhino: Reverse Engineer Complex Organic Surfaces

QUICKSURFACE For SOLIDWORKS: Reverse Engineering An Oil Pump Series

Buy Now

Recommended Reading

Can A 3D Scanner Directly Output A CAD Model?

QUICKSURFACE

Standalone Scan to CAD Software

QUICKSURFACE is a 3D reverse engineering software that guides you through every step of the way to help you make the best decisions in creating accurate CAD models—with user control accuracy you can trust. Intuitive to use, QUICKSURFACE helps you create designs faster and more effectively in an often labor-intensive process.

QUICKSURFACE Overview
Type	Standalone software
Price for Single Commerical License (in USD – prices subject to change)	PRO Permanent License: $5,880 Lite Subscription-based License (1 Year): $540 Which version is right for you? View comparison chart →
Learn More

QUICKSURFACE’S Approach To Reverse Engineering

While 3D scanners are coming down in price making the technology more accessible than ever before, 3D reverse engineering software can be expensive relative to its hardware counterpart—until now.

With plenty of scan to CAD tools at your disposal, QUICKSURFACE helps spread the use of the technology at a more affordable price point so more people can benefit from using scan data from a 3D scanner as a basis for design. QUICKSURFACE simplifies the path of converting 3D scans into usable CAD while giving users access to powerful tools.

One of the most common questions we hear is, “Can a 3D scanner directly output a CAD model?” The short answer is no. A 3D scanner produces point cloud or mesh data, which represents the part as a single, non-editable entity rather than a true CAD model. That’s where QUICKSURFACE comes in. The software converts scan data into editable CAD geometry, acting as the bridge between raw scan data and usable CAD models.

It’s great for anyone looking for an affordable and well-rounded scan to CAD software. QUICKSURFACE has the power to work with prismatic or freeform shapes (and even hybrid), making it a very versatile reverse engineering software.

What We Love About QUICKSURFACE

• An affordable Scan to CAD standalone option.
• It works similar to other CAD software so the learning curve is not steep.
• You don’t have to be a CAD specialist to use it.
• It’s simple yet powerful.
• Even if you haven’t used QUICKSURFACE in a while, you just pick up where you left off.
• It offers standard CAD operations like trim, revolve, booleans, loft, sweep, extend, mirrors and patterns. Finish your work by adding fillets and chamfers.
• New for QUICKSURFACE 2026: Now powered by Siemens Parasolid, delivering faster performance and rock-solid reliability.

How QUICKSURFACE Works

QUICKSURFACE helps you make the best decision in creating accurate CAD models using its proprietary best-fit algorithms. It gets the accuracy and design intent you need when building CAD models.

This Scan to CAD software has various tool kits to take on a wide range of reverse engineering projects to perform the job. You can create parametric models, hybrid parametric modeling for both organic and prismatic shapes. Export as industry-standard STEP or IGES file format to other CAD/ CAM packages or use your results for manufacturing (3D printing, CNC machining, etc.). QUICKSURFACE offers a full parametric tree into SOLIDWORKS.

Workflow at a Glance

• 

  Import 3D Scan Files

  Compatible with any 3D scanners that export to STL, OBJ, or PTX file formats.

• 

  Scan to CAD

  Use 3D scan data as a guide to create parametric, surface, or hybrid 3D models.

• 

  Useable CAD Model

  Parametric model with history tree or export as IGES or STEP file into your CAD program.

Here are some of the main features of QUICKSURFACE with video demonstrations:

• 

  Parametric Modeling

  It’s a key feature of QUICKSURFACE. Parametric modeling makes it easy to modify and make changes to the parameters from solid bodies even at a later date.

• 

  Freeform Modeling

  With Quad Surface tool, reconstruct freeform surfaces for organic 3D mesh data not normally possible with the standard surfacing methods. Snap-to-mesh technology and real-time deviation analyzer empower you to create shapes accurately representing the scan data in no time.

• 

  Automatic Surfacing

  Load the mesh, press a button, and get desired results. Independent of the size and complexity of the object, the surface follows the natural shape of the object. You still have the ability to modify the automatic surface, if the design intent requires it.

• 

  Hybrid Modeling

  Reconstruct parts with both organic and prismatic shapes. Starting with freeform and basic primitives, you can build a complex CAD model by trimming them and can later change the surfaces based on the design intent.

Video Demonstration

QUICKSURFACE: How To Reverse Engineer Less Than Desirable Scan Data

Reverse Engineering from Scan Data to CAD with Artec Space Spider

QUICKSURFACE Reviews

Develop3D

“…QUICKSURFACE is about taking your mesh-based data out of your scanning process and achieving the geometry you want. Whether that’s a complete part, skinned and surfaced up, or a select set of reference surfaces from which you will begin to design another part, QUICKSURFACE handles these tasks in a very efficient, clearly defined and well-executed manner.”

Al Dean Co-founder, Develop3D

QUICKSURFACE landed on Develop3D Top 30 New Technologies that give product development work a major boost. There is also an extensive QUICKSURFACE review from Al Dean, Co-founder of Develop3D you can read it here: Read the full review.

Trustpilot

Trustpilot is an independent, third-party online review platform where customers can leave feedback about companies, products, and services. Read why users have rated QUICKSURFACE as their 3D reverse engineering software of choice.

Buy Now

Recommended Reading

How Do I Reverse Engineer A Part Using Low-Quality 3D Scan Data?

Autodesk Fusion

Cloud-based 3D modeling with scan to CAD capabilities

Autodesk Fusion (previously known as Fusion 360) is not just a CAD/CAM software. You can also use 3D scanner data as a visual reference for sketching CAD models.

Autodesk Fusion Overview
Type	Cloud-based 3D modeling, CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB software platform for product design and manufacturing with the capabilities of using 3D scans for CAD creation.
Get Pricing	Get pricing

Autodesk Fusion’s Approach To Reverse Engineering

There is a growing popularity for designers, engineers, and machinists to use real-world data as the starting point for design. Autodesk Fusion is a powerful software at a price of under $1,000 per year (price as of January 5, 2026). With it being at the forefront and center as a CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB software platform for product design and manufacturing, you can also edit and repair imported scans or mesh models files (STL, OBJ, and now 3MF) as well as use them for creating CAD models.

With Autodesk Fusion, you can create custom products like eyewear, apparel, or prosthetics based on a person’s unique curvatures and measurements using 3D scan data.

While this article focuses on using 3D scanner data as a basis for design, it is worth noting that many users (especially hobbyists, home users, students, and educators as there is a free version of Fusion 360 available) are using the software to add their own customization for downloaded STL mesh files from websites like Thingiverse and converting them into CAD models before 3D printing them.

What We Love About Autodesk Fusion

• Great value for the price.
• It’s at a good price point for people who are using a low-cost 3D scanner and need complementary software for converting scan data to CAD.
• Autodesk Fusion is great for a full manufacturing process. It’s not just offering reverse engineering capabilities but also CAM which covers the design of a product as well as manufacturing.

How it Works

If you want to test the waters and see if CAD modeling with basic scan to CAD features is for you, give Autodesk Fusion a try. The software is better at handling less complicated scan data, typically mechanical parts (as opposed to organic freeform surfaces).

Here are some videos to give you a better idea of how Autodesk Fusion handles the scan to CAD process.

Reverse Engineering A Scanned Part in Autodesk Fusion 360 (STL to CAD)

QUICK TIP: Mesh to Solid Reboot

Autodesk Fusion Review

While it’s difficult to find reviews dedicated to Autodesk Fusion’s scan to CAD capabilities, it has favorable reviews on G2 from users as a CAD/CAM software.

Which Scan to CAD Software is Right for Me?

A quick way to determine the most suitable for your needs

If price is a major factor…

Plugins are typically the best affordable solution with dedicated reverse engineering tools. Therefore, either QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS or Mesh2Surface for Rhino would be great options. If you aren’t using any CAD software and want dedicated reverse engineering tools, the best value we offer is Rhino with Mesh2Surface for Rhino. The combined purchase price of this package is ~ $2,000 USD. Learn more →

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If you are looking for a well-rounded standalone reverse engineering software…

QUICKSURFACE is a good choice.

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If you already have SOLIDWORKS…

QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS is the best option as you don’t need to learn another software.

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If you already have Rhino3D…

Mesh2Surface for Rhino is the best option as it’s a plugin for Rhino software.

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If you want to try CAD modeling and also want to test out basic reverse engineering tools…

AutoDesk Fusion is a good choice to explore. The new Autodesk Fusion (formerly Fusion 360) still supports basic scan-to-CAD workflows like mesh editing and mesh-to-solid conversion, but its native tools are not as fully featured as specialized reverse-engineering software unless you supplement them with add-ins or external workflows.

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If you really want to use Geomagic…

Geomagic Design X or Geomagic for SOLIDWORKS would be the options you should consider. There is different plans now for Geomagic Design X with the Go plan starting at $1,900 annually. There are also Plus and Pro plans available. They are considered high-end reverse engineering tools with comprehensive feature sets.

Affordable Scan to CAD Software Comparison

Here is a side-by-side comparison chart

	QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS	Mesh2Surface for Rhino	QUICKSURFACE	FUSION 360
Plugin or Standalone Software	Plugin	Plugin	Standalone Software	Standalone Software
Required software (Sold Separately)	SOLIDWORKS	Rhino	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Price	Permanent License: $3,690	Permanent License: $1,395	Permanent License (PRO version): $5,880 Subscription per year (Lite version): $540	Get pricing
Reverse Engineering Tools	Dedicated scan to CAD tools that work natively in SOLIDWORKS to perform all types of reverse engineering jobs.	Dedicated scan to CAD tools to perform all types of reverse engineering jobs natively inside Rhino.	Sophisticated scan to CAD tools for reverse engineering all types of parts from basic to complex, mechanical to freeform, and even hybrid.	Good for basic scan to CAD conversion for less complicated parts that are more mechanical in nature.
Easy to Use	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Great for Organic Surfaces	Yes	Yes	Yes	No

Got Questions?

Everyone has their own use cases and requirements. Please feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to help you figure out a Scan to CAD solution that works best for your needs.

Book a Free Personalized Web Demo

Request a Demo

The post 3 Affordable Scan to CAD Tools Not Just For CAD Specialist [With Video Demos] appeared first on GoMeasure3D.

Do you run a shop focused on designing and manufacturing aftermarket automotive parts, customizing vehicles, or restoring cars? If so, have you considered how investing in a 3D scanner could help modernize and streamline your operations?

3D scanning will save you valuable time and money, allow you to take on more complicated projects, spark creativity and innovation, and ultimately put you ahead of the competition.

Automotive shops that integrate 3D scanning technology into their product design process can quickly reverse engineer aftermarket or legacy parts and ensure a perfect fit for custom modifications. Digitizing the design process significantly reduces project time compared to traditional methods of manually measuring entire vehicles and individual automotive components—all while minimizing costly rework.

Benefits of using a 3D scanner for measurement:

• Avoid delays and rework
• Get consistently accurate measurements every time—no expert needed
• Shorten complex measurement tasks from days to a few hours

Chapter #1

3D Digitization: Modernizing the Reverse Engineering Process

The conventional approach to reverse engineering typically involves taking part measurements by hand using tools such as calipers, micrometers, height gauges, or gauge blocks. While these tools are effective for capturing basic dimensions, they fall short when it comes to accurately measuring complex or freeform geometry. When using traditional measurement tools, often-times printed templates or 2D drawings are used to visually verify measurements, which often requires constant iterations and adjustments, all done by hand. Overall, this traditional method can be time-consuming, labor-intensive, and frustrating.

Digitize Your Reverse Engineering Process with Scan to CAD Workflow

Step 1 Digitize Measurements with a 3D Scanner

A 3D scanner captures accurate measurement data by digitizing a physical object into a 3D model, which serves as a reference for creating a parametric CAD model. Having all the surface measurements at your disposal eliminates the need to start the design from scratch.

Step 2 Design Your Part in CAD Software

Import the output mesh data from a 3D scanner into your preferred CAD software with the help of a plugin (SOLIDWORKS, Rhino), or use a standalone reverse engineering software (Geomagic Design X, QUICKSURFACE) to guide the creation of a professional CAD model.

Using a handheld 3D scanner like the Artec Leo for car customization and repair makes a lot of sense. You can capture detailed 3D surface measurements quickly and easily with this portable device. Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, you are not bound by wires or a computer while scanning. It delivers accurate, repeatable data you can rely on to make informed decisions. Scan the part or vehicle once, then move straight into design by reverse engineering directly into CAD using precise measurement data. You’ll gain greater confidence and control, allowing you to complete projects with improved accuracy—and deliver better products in less time.

An Artec customer demonstrates the benefits of using an Artec Leo for taking measurements firsthand.

“Initially, we spent 3-4 days going back and forth, templating, [3D] printing a test piece, changing it, printing another. Prints were made of cheap material as well–not the stuff I used for end parts–we replaced this process with just 15 minutes of scanning.”

Dom Tucci, Industrial Designer Artec Leo customer Tucci Hot Rods

Reverse Engineering using a 3D Scanner

No more taking measurements manually. 3D scanning digitizes the reverse engineering workflow.

Scan Data

CAD Creation

Scan (left image): Using a 3D scanner to take measurements of an entire car or car part.
CAD creation (right image): Once you have all the surface measurements of the part, you can use them as a direct reference (similar to tracing) when creating the new CAD model.

Source: Using 3D Scanning to Repair and Customize the Famous Ford GT40

Chapter #2

Traditional Way of Taking Measurements vs. 3D Scanning

Compared to traditional methods of taking measurements, 3D scanning is a powerful tool for data collection. 3D scanners digitize a physical object to create a digital twin (or 3D model) of highly complex, organic surfaces of any autobody or automotive parts. They are super fast at collecting surface information, capturing millions of measurement data points per second with sub-millimeter accuracy.

By replacing traditional 2D measurement tools like tape measures, calipers, and hand gauges with a 3D scanner, you can capture every measurement point with exact XYZ coordinates, making it easy to pinpoint its exact position in real-world 3D space. These measurement points can then be imported directly into CAD software, eliminating manual data translation and significantly streamlining the design process.

Comparing Physical and Digital Methods

Physical Method

The conventional way of taking measurements manually

• Labor-intensive solution.
• Yield inaccurate and unreliable measurement data for complex parts.
• Difficult to figure out relationships between features.
• Can only take key dimensions.
• Contact measurement solution.
• Frequent and costly iterations.

Digital Method

Using a handheld 3D scanner for taking measurements

• Efficient measurement solution: Capture millions of data points per second, with measurement data in digital format.
• Take measurement once: Once the object is scanned, you can recall any measurements at any time on your computer.
• Non-contact measurement: No measurement interference with the part.
• Accurate measurements: Avoid costly rework. Using Artec Leo as an example, it captures measurement data with an accuracy up to 0.1 mm with a resolution of 0.2 mm.
• Measurement data can be imported into CAD software for use.

Not All Measurements are Straightforward

Taking manual measurements using tape measures, rulers, or calipers is a time-consuming and tedious task—especially for complex shapes and contours like those found on a car. With full surface capture, a 3D scanner collects measurements of the entire shape and surface of the vehicle part, not just a few key dimensions like manual measurement methods, which increases the risk of missing critical areas or angles.

Now that we’ve discussed the benefits of using a 3D scanner for reverse engineering, let’s take a look at why the Artec Leo works so well for digitizing cars, trucks, and other vehicles—especially when compared to other 3D scanners in the market.

Chapter #3

Why Use Artec Leo 3D Scanner for Taking Measurements?

The Artec Leo has no problems 3D scanning the exterior and interior of the car, all thanks to its portability and compact body. There’s no need for a computer during the data capture stage. It’s a self-contained device.

Scan Data Captured Using a Handheld 3D Scanner

3D models captured using the Artec Leo. This handheld 3D scanner captures all surface measurements of the physical part.

Reason #1: Take the 3D Scanner Directly to the Part that Needs Scanning

Let’s face it—bringing certain cars into the shop isn’t always practical. Whether it’s a collector’s vehicle, a race car, or a fragile car part, sometimes it’s better to bring the scanner to where you need to scan.

If you think 3D scanning is complicated, take a look at this video. Art scanned a truck bed outdoors using the Artec Leo. This handheld 3D scanner can scan difficult surfaces—even shiny frames, hood, or dark surfaces.

True Mobile Freedom

One of the biggest limitations of traditional 3D scanning solutions is the setup. Wires, tripods, and bulky computers—they all add time and limit where you can work. Whether you’re working on a car in the shop, need to scan at a client’s location, or scanning outdoors at a parking lot, the Artec Leo adapts to your workflow—not the other way around. 100% portability means true mobile freedom.

Reason #2: 100% Wireless 3D Scanning

Artec Leo is a truly wireless professional 3D scanner. Gone are the days when you might trip on the wire or have to constantly look back and forth on a separate computer to make sure you are capturing good-quality data.

With Artec Leo as a self-contained device, that means:

• It fits in your hands and moves easily around any vehicle.
• No cables to trip over or manage during scanning.
• No need for a laptop or PC tethered to the scanner.
• Battery operated.
• 100% wireless scanning and data transfer with Wi-Fi connectivity.
• A built-in touchscreen display lets you see your scan in real-time, so you know immediately whether you’ve captured everything you need. You can confirm the data is captured correctly while scanning on-site before you head back to the office.
• No problems with 3D scanning indoor or outdoor.

With the freedom to work wherever you go, feel confident that you’re collecting clean, complete data every time.

Reason #3: It’s a Smart Device Powered by Machine Learning

Powered by HD Mode

Using intelligent algorithms to generate ultra-sharp, clean, and detail-rich scans.

Artec Leo is a smart device with onboard processing. This means it processes data as you scan, adds more scan data, and aligns them in the scanner without the computer during the capturing stage. Powered by proprietary intelligent algorithms in Artec Studio 3D scanning software, Artec Leo captures only the data you need–more intelligence for less processing time and cleanup work.

HD Mode

On Off

Chapter #4

3D Scanning to CAD: Why It’s a Better Approach to Reverse Engineering

Measurement is the first part of the reverse engineering process. Creating the CAD is the more difficult part of the project, but it’s made easier with 3D scanning. The scan gives you the intel you need to confidently sketch your design in CAD.

Using the Scan to CAD Method of Reverse Engineering

Benefits:

• Speeds up your design time frame (streamlines the workflow)
• Reduces product development costs (saving you labor time)
• Gets you more accurate CAD models (develop better products)

Using manual measurements to create CAD models presents a lot of challenges. It’s tough to get accurate data from complex parts, especially when you’re dealing with organic and complex features. Figuring out clearances and making sure parts fit together properly is also tricky, since traditional measurement tools don’t give you the full picture. Mirroring parts accurately by hand is another headache. The whole process often turns into a frustrating cycle of trial and error just to get everything to fit right.

On the other hand, 3D scanning makes CAD creation much easier. It captures the full geometry of a part with a 3D scanner, with all the detail and accuracy you need. The best part? You can use the scan data directly in your CAD software as a reference—like tracing over a detailed outline—so building accurate models becomes a lot faster and less headaches. It cuts down on guesswork, reduces revisions, and helps you get to the final product faster and more smoothly.

Steps to CAD Creation

Physical Method

The conventional method of reverse engineering using hand measurements

Steps:

1. Take measurements by hand.
2. Design CAD from scratch using a few key dimensions.
3. Use 2D templates to make sure measurements taken are accurate. Repeat until you think it’s right. This usually involves many revision cycles.
4. Prototype.
5. Test to see if the prototype works. Repeat and refine until you get it right.
6. Done.

Roundabout Way

• Trial and Error: Revision cycle nightmare. Difficult to get fit and finish exactly right.
• Difficulty in measuring moderately to extremely complex parts accurately.
• Creation of properly mirrored parts is extremely difficult.
• Challenging to assess clearances accurately.
• Difficulty in making sure proper fitment and mating of assemblies and other components.

Digital Method

Using the Artec Leo handheld 3D scanner to take measurements digitally

Steps:

1. Measure once with a 3D scanner.
2. Design the part with visual reference guides of 3D surface data.
3. Most of the verification work is done digitally rather than physically. Adjustments can be made digitally.
4. Prototype (Fewer fixes and work compared to the physical method).
5. Done.

Straightforward Way

• Accurate measurements mean no guesswork. Creating a digital twin of a physical part allows you to have the measurements directly on the computer you can always reference.
• You don’t have to design from scratch. You can easily trace the scan data to assist in the creation of CAD.
• Produce better quality products.
• Guarantees proper fit and functionality of the designed part.
• Designing products faster means taking on more projects and doing more complicated work.

Case Study: Why Scan to CAD is a More Efficient Design Method

“Using the 3D mesh data to determine clearances and ensure the proper fit of mating parts becomes significantly easier and faster. As an extra advantage, the parts our team is designing are extremely accurate.”

Richard Schonberger Co-owner and CEO Philadelphia Racing Products

Philadelphia Racing Products (PRP), a manufacturer of high-performance aftermarket automotive parts, is dedicated to meeting the rigorous demands of racing enthusiasts. To keep up with growing customer demands, their engineering team was looking for an efficient solution for reverse engineering. In the past, they had to model the existing component first before they could even start designing the mating part—the product they ultimately needed to manufacture. With the adoption of a Scan to CAD approach to product design, the team can now reference a digital 3D mesh of the physical part instead of recreating it from scratch, allowing them to focus directly on designing the mating part. This has significantly streamlined the entire process.

Designing a Mating Part

Physical Method

The conventional way of taking measurements manually

Steps:

1. Model the physical part (time-consuming).
2. Then design the mating part from scratch in CAD software with a few key dimensions (time-consuming).
3. Done.

Digital Method

Using a handheld 3D scanner for taking measurements

Steps:

1. Model the mating part in CAD software using scan data as a guide (easier and faster than the physical method).
2. Done.

Example #1: Scan to CAD – Streamline the Product Design Process of Mating Parts

The PRP team used QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS to design a custom engine valve cover for a Chevrolet ‘Big Block’ motor in a hydroplane racing boat.

Example #2: Scan to CAD – Streamline the Product Design Process of Mating Parts

The PRP team used QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS to design a Billet LS Flexplate.

“Using Scan to CAD approach to product design, we see significant efficiency gains in our product design workflow. Drawing from my own experience, on average, the time required to design a part is now reduced down to approximately 25% of the original time or less.”

Chase Evans Lead Engineer Philadelphia Racing Products

Another key benefit of the Scan to CAD approach to design is the streamlined verification process. By digitizing the design process, the PRP team can now complete 90% of verification directly within the CAD model, eliminating the need for repeated checks against mating parts. This digital-first approach gives the team greater confidence going into the physical prototyping stage, knowing that fitment and clearances have been precisely validated.

If you’re a SOLIDWORKS or Rhino user, you can take advantage of a plugin like QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS to work seamlessly within your existing CAD environment. This native integration allows you to import 3D scan data directly into the software and convert it into editable CAD models. There’s no need to switch between multiple programs or learn a completely new software. QUICKSURFACE is intuitive to use and streamlines the reverse engineering workflow by taking advantage of 3D scanner data—saving time and improving accuracy right inside the tools you already know.

Read PRP Case Study

Conclusion

Adopting a Scan to CAD approach in product design can truly be a game changer. By capturing accurate 3D data from existing car components or autobody, designers and engineers can skip time-consuming manual measurements and never-ending iterations. This not only speeds up the development process but also improves accuracy, reduces errors, and allows for better design. Whether you’re customizing parts, reverse engineering, or restoring legacy equipment, integrating Scan to CAD into your workflow leads to smarter, faster, and more reliable results.

Book a Demo to See How 3D Scanning Can Help You with Your Automotive Application

The post Why 3D Scanners are a Game-Changer for Automotive Customization and Repair [With Video Demo] appeared first on GoMeasure3D.

With more than 6 million designers, engineers, students, entrepreneurs, and makers using SOLIDWORKS around the world, it’s no wonder this 3D modeling software is so popular for product design and development.

There are various tools accessible inside SOLIDWORKS that can help reverse engineer a part from Scan to CAD.

What is Scan to CAD?

The process involves using a 3D model (captured by a 3D scanner) as a guide to constructing a CAD model. Using 3D scanner data as intel is a smarter, faster, and more accurate method of building a CAD model than doing it from a blank slate.

Using the right tool for the job can make all the difference. You can work a lot faster by using the right tool, or get frustrated by using the wrong tool because it hinders you from accomplishing your goal.

SOLIDWORKS has its own mesh modeling toolset called Surface from Mesh. The tools allow you to manipulate a mesh object that you import from an *.stl, *.obj, *.off, *.ply, *.ply2 , or *.3MF file into surfaces and solids. Typically you would export the 3D scanner data as an .stl file and import it into SOLIDWORKS to start the Scan to CAD process.

You might be wondering:

Is Surface from Mesh sufficient to do Scan to CAD projects? How do the features compare to a dedicated Scan to CAD plugin for SOLIDWORKS that’s built specifically for reverse engineering a physical product using 3D scanner data?

Let’s compare them.

Scan to CAD Projects

• 

  SOLIDWORKS Surface from Mesh

  Toolset available in SOLIDWORKS for mesh modeling

• 

  Mesh2Surface plugin for SOLIDWORKS

  Specialized Scan to CAD modeling toolset that works natively inside SOLIDWORKS

Prefer To Watch a Video Instead?

Check out the video version of this article you can watch here.

The Scan Part of the Scan to CAD Process

Our test involves capturing a 3D model of a real-world object using a 3D scanner and then importing the STL mesh inside SOLIDWORKS.

The goal: transform the 3D scan data into a parametric CAD model.

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SOLIDWORKS Surface From Mesh

Here we’ll explore various aspects of the Surface from Mesh features to see how good it is at handling 3D scanner data from a professional 3D scanner.

SOLIDWORKS Surface From Mesh

1. Decimating 3D Scanner Data

   Decimation is a common practice when working on Scan to CAD projects. It means reducing the number of polygons in your 3D mesh to make the file size smaller and more manageable. Using a smaller file size can speed up the Scan to CAD process as it prevents the computer from lagging if the file size is too large for your machine to handle. If done properly, you can maintain relatively good accuracy and resolution compared to the original file, without compromising on quality.

   From our findings, decimating an imported 3D mesh that is 10,000 to 500,000 polygonal faces using Surface from Mesh takes approximately 20 seconds to a few minutes.

   

   

   Mesh2Surface for SOLIDWORKS can decimate 3D scanner data almost instantaneously.

   See the results

2. Creating Surfaces From 3D Scanner Data

   Surface from Mesh is capable of quickly creating planes and solids (such as cylinders) from a mesh body. It works particularly well for 3D printing applications when you have to convert a mesh that was created from a pre-existing CAD file. However, the toolset has difficulties when it comes to working with 3D scanner meshes, particularly a freeform object that is not prismatic.

   

   

   • 

   • 

   In line with our findings, SOLIDWORKS agrees with our results.

   

   SOLIDWORKS Online Help states, “The tool works best on mesh files with regular prismatic geometry such as planes, cylinders, cones, and spheres. It may not be appropriate for highly irregular meshes such as those created from a 3D scan of an organic shape. Because the feature only creates surfaces, the recommended workflow is to trim the surfaces to form a solid.”

   

   There are alternative tools such as Mesh2Surface for SOLIDWORKS that are better suited for creating solids from 3D scanner STL meshes because it’s built specifically for that purpose.

   See It in Action

3. Comparing the Deviation of the Sketch to the Scan Data

   The Body Compare feature allows you to see how close or how far the created surface bodies are deviating from the 3D scanner data. This is a powerful tool as it ensures the CAD model is accurate to the referenced real-world part. The visual color map makes it easy to see which areas are in and out of tolerance. You can specify the tolerance you can accept. Green means that the sketch is close to the scanned data. (It’s within the tolerance.)

   

   

   Mesh2Surface for SOLIDWORKS has a powerful deviation analyzer feature as well.

   Compare This Feature Now

   Now that we looked at the Surface from Mesh toolset, let’s see how they compare with Mesh2Surface for SOLIDWORKS.

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Mesh2Surface for SOLIDWORKS plugin

Once you install the Mesh2Surface plugin inside SOLIDWORKS, the Scan to CAD toolset performs as they always belong inside the 3D modeling software.

SOLIDWORKS Surface From Mesh

1. Decimating 3D Scanner Data

   Using Mesh2Surface for SOLIDWORKS to decimate 3D scan data is fast and simple. If you recall, it took 24 seconds for Surface from Mesh to decimate the 3D scan data. Using the same 3D model of the scanned part, decimation took 1 second when using Mesh2Surface for SOLIDWORKS.

   

   Mesh2Surface for SOLIDWORKS Decimation Test By The Numbers
   Number of polygon triangles (before decimation)	1,302,610
   Percentage reduction of all triangles	50%
   Number of triangles (after decimation)	651,305
   Time to decimate	1 second

2. Creating Surfaces From 3D Scanner Data

   Mesh2Surface was developed for Scan to CAD projects. It is equipped with intuitive tools to easily extract features from your 3D scan data or quickly reconstruct planes, cylinders, cones, and spheres. See for yourself how this process works using the SOLIDWORKS plugin.

   Watch the complete walkthrough of the sketching process

   Basic Workflow

   1. Take a 2D cross-section of the largest section.

      Mesh2Surface automatically calculates the best 2D cross-section for sketching the CAD model.

      

   2. Sketch the 2D profile

      Fit Sketch Entities tools make it quick and intuitive to create lines and geometries to sketch the outline without you redrawing it manually. It does most of the work for you.

      

   3. Extrude or revolve the sketch into a solid body.

      

   4. You can also do extruded cuts to subtract from solids.

      

   5. Continue this process until you have a completed sketch of the 3D model.

      

   

   Interested in exploring Mesh2Surface for SOLIDWORKS yourself?

   Request A 15-Day Free Trial

3. Comparing the Deviation of the Sketch to the Scan Data

   Similar to SOLIDWORKS Surface from Mesh, Mesh2Surface also has a Compare feature but with more advanced features to give you more intel to build better CAD models.

   This powerful tool helps you control the accuracy and the quality of your reconstruction at a glance at any time with its color map. Set your acceptable tolerance. The deviation analyzer works with any SOLIDWORKS body (surface or solid) and compares the reference scan data with almost instant speed. Mesh2Surface for SOLIDWORKS also provides you with the percentage of points that are within the tolerance number you set. In our example below, you can see that 85.96% are within tolerance.

   

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Conclusion: Which Scan to CAD Tool Should I Choose?

Based on our findings, you can see that Mesh2Surface provides quicker results with better outcomes compared to Surface from Mesh. This is not surprising, as Mesh2Surface is a plugin developed for Scan to CAD projects that involve using of 3D mesh from any 3D scanner imported into SOLIDWORKS to rebuild a CAD model.

Surface to Mesh is best for 3D printing applications, or for Scan to CAD projects where the 3D mesh:

• doesn’t have irregularities, or
• is a basic prismatic part that doesn’t have organic shapes.

Mesh2Surface for SOLIDWORKS can handle more complex Scan to CAD projects. This SOLIDWORKS plugin is an affordable Scan to CAD solution compared to other solutions in the market. You can learn more about the plugin on our website. Mesh2Surface is also available for Rhino. If you are looking for a standalone Scan to CAD software, be sure to check out QuickSurface which has similar toolsets created by the same developer.

Recommended Reading

A Detailed Guide to Reverse Engineering from Scan to CAD in SOLIDWORKS [With Videos]

The post Which Scan to CAD Tool is Better: SOLIDWORKS Surface from Mesh or Mesh2Surface for SOLIDWORKS? appeared first on GoMeasure3D.

Recently, we created new resources on the topic of reverse engineering. We thought now would be a good time to do a quick roundup of the most recent and most popular Scan to CAD resources available for anyone who is interested in this topic.

Here’s a list of our latest and most popular Scan to CAD resources:

If you don’t have the original CAD drawings for a part or want to design based on a physical object (this also applies to complementary products like a phone case), Scan to CAD is the quickest way to create CAD—especially for a complicated part.

Article

Can a 3D scanner output into a CAD file?

We often get a variation of this question but basically the answer is no. In this article, we’ll give you a detailed explanation why this is the case, as well as how you go about accomplishing this goal of converting scan data to CAD.

Get the Answer

Video Series + Article

A Detailed Guide to Reverse Engineering from Scan to CAD in SOLIDWORKS [With Videos]

Our Operations Manager, Paul Motley, did an extensive YouTube video series and a detailed guide to reverse engineering 3D scanner data into parametric CAD inside SOLIDWORKS.

In this 5 part video series, Paul shows you his thought process behind reverse engineering a mechanical part assembly (an oil pump) with multiple components. He explains the step-by-step process of using a 3D scanner, exporting the scanned data of each component into STL file format, and importing it into SOLIDWORKS as a visual reference for design. Paul also shows how to put the CAD components back into an assembly.

Watch The Entire Video Series

He also wrote an accompanying article further explaining his thought processes and takeaways:

Read The Scan to CAD Guide

Article

3 Affordable Scan to CAD Tools Not Just For CAD Specialists

This article was inspired by a Reddit question in finding alternatives to using Geomagic software if you simply don’t have the budget. This is an extensive article that provides affordable alternatives with video demonstrations. We originally wrote it back in 2019 but we recently updated the article.

Read Article

Video

Reverse Engineering A Scanned Part in Autodesk Fusion 360 (STL to CAD)

Can you do Scan to CAD inside Fusion 360?

The answer is yes! There’s a lot of interest in Fusion 360 because it’s a low-cost CAD modeling software. As a bonus, you can do reverse engineering inside Fusion 360.

Fusion360 has automated features to convert mesh to CAD. You can see it from these videos:

• 360 LIVE: Deep Dive into the New Parametric Mesh Editing and Reverse Engineering Tools
• Convert STL Mesh to a Solid Body in Fusion 360 (2021)

This workflow works particularly well if you have an STL file downloaded from websites like Thingverse and you want to make your own modifications to the design and then 3D print the model.

This article provides a pretty good explanation here:

Read Fusion 360: Import STL – 3 Easy Steps

However, if you are converting stl from a 3D scanner to CAD in Fusion360, the best way to do it is to sketch the part using scan data as a reference as we demonstrated in our video.

Webinar + Article

Virtual Happy Hour Workshop: Reverse Engineering from Scan to CAD

In our Happy Hour Workshop, Paul demonstrates how he repaired an engine mount on a boat generator using Scan to CAD to reverse engineer the damaged part.

In this workshop, attendees also had the chance to ask any questions they had about Scan to CAD.

Questions covered in this workshop:

• How can I make the process of reverse engineering from Scan to CAD faster and simpler?
• Do I need dedicated 3D reverse engineering software?
• How does reverse engineering using Artec Studio 3D scanning software compare to using dedicated Scan to CAD software?
• How do you do reverse engineering with Fusion 360?
• What are the major differences between SOLIDWORKS and Rhino?
• Which 3D scanner is the best for starting out reverse engineering from Scan to CAD?

Watch the Recorded Webinar

If you don’t have the time to watch the Happy Hour Workshop in its entirety, we wrote an article on the takeaways from that session.

Read Our 3 Takeaways

Got Questions About Scan to CAD?

We hope these resources will be helpful to you as you start your own Scan to CAD projects or learn about the best practices. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us. We’re always here to help!

Contact Us

The post Ultimate Resource Roundup: Everything You Need To Know About Scan to CAD appeared first on GoMeasure3D.

We love using the Artec Leo handheld 3D scanner together with the Artec Cloud online collaboration platform. The main reason is that once all the scans are captured with the Leo, you can directly upload the data wirelessly to the Artec Cloud for scan data processing. There are no wires to mess with!

Since Artec Cloud is a platform that can be used on any popular Internet browser, that got us wondering:

How Well Does the Artec Cloud Work with Mobile Devices?

While on Artec’s website (under the FAQ section) it says Artec Cloud is currently designed for desktop use, our team is always in the spirit of experimenting and discovering new things. We put this question to the test to see what we find out.

We wanted to see how far we can take the scan data we acquired from the Artec Leo without ever touching a laptop or a desktop computer. Can the Artec Leo paired with the Artec Cloud provide a truly mobile 3D scanning experience?

We’ve conducted two tests to try and figure this out. For our tests, we used the Artec Cloud on an iPad as the tablet, and Chrome as the browser.

Test #1

Uploading Scan Data to Artec Cloud and Doing Scan Processing There

You can watch our video findings here:

We used the Artec Leo to scan a small section of the railroad and then uploaded the scan data wirelessly.

Upload Time

• ~ 20 minutes
• Using 4G Network
• Uploaded 2.5 GB of Data

One of the great things about Artec Cloud is that it’s a collaboration platform so the more information you put into it, the more information you will share with your team to provide more context on the project.

With our initial testing, we were able to use the Artec Leo in conjunction with Artec Cloud on an iPad for processing without touching a laptop or desktop computer. This is very different from the conventional workflow we are used to and it’s all thanks to the Artec Cloud!

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Test #2

Using the Scan Data As A Reference For Design

In our second test, we wanted to see how far we can take the STL mesh we downloaded from the Artec Cloud and use it for a reverse engineering application (Scan to CAD). Keeping true to our test, we sketched the CAD model all on the iPad.

You can watch our video findings here:

Once we exported the data, we used an app called Shapr3D, a mobile and intuitive CAD app. We imported the STL scan data into the app and used it as a reference for designing a CAD model.

Shapr3D is foremost a CAD modelling app, not a dedicated reverse engineering platform, so we wanted to push the limits to see its capabilities of reverse engineering this railroad. If you need a highly accurate CAD model (in comparison to the scan data), we would still recommend doing it in Geomagic Design X or SOLIDWORKS.

In keeping with the test of seeing how far we can take our scan data using an iPad, we used an Apple Pencil to sketch the section of the railroad. Shapr3D allowed us to import the STL file, align the 3D mesh to a world coordinate system, and sketch out a CAD model of the section of the railroad we’ve scanned with the Artec Leo.

Interesting to note that our conventional workflow typically involves using a Windows-based machine. In our test, we only used the Mac operating system operating system (specifically the iPadOS) in both our tests.

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What Happens If We Did It The Convention Way?

We decided to go back and doing it the convention way on a desktop computer. First, we built out a section of the railroad using SOLIDWORKS by importing the STL data from the Artec Cloud.

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Conclusion

In our first tests, our upload speed was approximately 20 minutes on a 4G Network for 20.5 GB of data. Using a 5G network would theoretically make the workflow go even faster, and cutting down upload time substantially. In the future, faster data transfer speeds will help in facilitating the adoption of these types of mobile applications more quickly.

From our tests with using the Artec Leo and Artec Cloud, we also find there is a lot of promise in 3D scanning, scan data processing, as well as the application side of things where the entire workflow can be completely mobile.

Completely Mobile and Wireless Workflow

Upload scan data wirelessly	Using an iPad
3D scanning with the Artec Leo	Viewing and processing the scan data in Artec Cloud.	Download the STL mesh from Artec Studio and reverse engineer the rail using Shapr3D.

Artec Cloud allows us to view and process scan data without going the conventional route of using a laptop or computer with a Windows-based operating system. We did this entirely using Apple products. Shapr3D’s ability to very quickly and easily reverse engineer from scan data without sitting in front of a desktop computer is impressive even though it’s not a reverse engineering app. We look forward to further technology developments for the Artec Cloud and apps like Shapr3D!

The post In The Lab: Testing How Well the Artec Cloud Works with Mobile Devices appeared first on GoMeasure3D.

A Detailed Guide to Reverse Engineering from Scan to CAD In SOLIDWORKS [With Videos]

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Written by Paul Motley

In my 15+ years of working in the 3D scanning industry, I had completed many reverse engineering projects (for work and for personal projects as I love rebuilding cars). To be completely honest, I have spent plenty of time doing it the wrong way. I had to redo parts and wasted countless days and sleepless nights trying to figure out what is the most effective way of reverse engineering an existing part into parametric CAD.

I created this detailed guide because I want to show you all you need to know about the Scan to CAD process. Hopefully, this will help you avoid the mistakes I’ve made. It was trial and error that ultimately led me to come up with the best practices of reverse engineering.

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Inside My Thought Process

I want to give you insights into the best ways of reverse engineering a part using an oil pump as an example. It’s a great demo part as it has multiple components with complicated features as well as simple parts. It’s a mechanical assembly that has a lot of commonality to the parts I normally need to reverse engineer.

The process is also known as Scan to CAD, in which:

• you use a 3D scanner to capture the physical object into a digital 3D model
• export the scan data into an STL file
• import the 3D mesh back into SOLIDWORKS as a guide for design

Common questions you might be asking yourself along the way:

• What does this Scan to CAD process look like?
• What decisions do we need to make?
  • Has the part previously been designed in CAD?
    • If so, what was the original design intent or process?
    • If not, what changes can we make to make the part better?
• How does it work if I have a part with multiple components?
  • What are the critical components of the part?
• What is the most efficient way to recreate the part while maintaining accuracy?

I’ll be answering all these questions here.

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Preview of What I’ll Be Covering

I’ve created a video series you can follow along. It’s essentially a step-by-step guide to the entire Scan to CAD process. Along with these videos, I will highlight the takeaways from each step.

These are the basic steps of Scan to CAD:

Here is a preview of the video series so you can get a better sense of what I’ll be covering:

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Why I Use SOLIDWORKS

I want to use SOLIDWORKS as the CAD software to illustrate the SCAN to CAD process. The reason is that it’s one of the more popular CAD programs out there. It’s quite amazing to know that there are more than 6 million people using SOLIDWORKS.

To provide us with more tools to reverse engineer this part, I use a plugin that works natively inside SOLIDWORKS called Mesh2Surface. It has a lot of great Scan to CAD tools that work in synergy with the ones already available inside SOLIDWORKS.

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A Quick Word About Design Intent

Even before opening up SOLIDWORKS, it is crucial to understand Design Intent.

Design Intent is understanding the purpose of this part in terms of its function and how it relates to the other components of an assembly in order to build the part correctly.

Questions that help you figure out Design Intent of a part:

• What is the part being used for?
• What are the important aspects of the part?
• Does the part need to fit into or work with something else?

Whether the part we are reverse engineering is as complex as a jet engine or as simple as a pencil, we will first need to answer these questions in order to help guide decision-making throughout this entire process. This will help us decide on things like what we use for alignment, what features we want to reference, and how we can accomplish the goal of recreating the part to our intended goal.

Explore the Steps

Step 1

Getting the Reference Data By 3D Scanning A Part (Getting STL)

Video 1: 3D Scanning a Physical Part

Key Takeaways for Step 1:

Reverse engineering a complex part like an oil pump is much easier when you are using scan data to guide you on the design.

There’s often a common misconception that a 3D scanner can output a CAD model which is not true. You might look at this at first and think it’s complicated to use scan data as a starting point for the design. But it’s actually not.

The key is to break down this Scan to CAD process into smaller more manageable components and build out the design. The benefits far outweigh the work than if you have to design something like an oil pump completely from scratch. Designing this way is especially useful when there are multiple components of an assembly or if you have an organic freeform object.

The Scan to CAD approach to design almost feels like tracing a drawing. You are essentially using the scan data as a visual reference for design.

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Get the most accurate scans you possibly can.

You need accurate 3D scans in order to reverse engineer parts to the highest accuracy of the physical part. This all depends on the accuracy your 3D scanner is capable of achieving (ie. consumer vs. professional systems). Your output is only as good as your input. Even if you have a professional high accuracy 3D scanner, ensure it is operating at optimal conditions (ie. temperature) to capture the best scan results.

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You don’t need to scan all the details of the part for reverse engineering.

There’s no need to capture every single nook and crevice of the part. Capture the pertinent information you need to reverse engineer the part to save you valuable time.

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Use 3D scanning accessories to make your 3D scanning process much easier.

There are tips and tricks to make your 3D scanning process much smoother. For example, using a rotary table makes it much easier on yourself as you don’t have to walk around the object to scan. Instead, you spin the object and hold the 3D scanner in place.

We put together A Guide to the Best 3D Scanning Accessories. It includes tips on things you can use around your office for object fixturing and 3D scanner alignment to get the best quality scans.

Recommended Reading

A Guide to the Best 3D Scanning Accessories

Step 2

Creating CAD Models For Individual Components

Video 2: Reverse Engineering The Oil Pump Cover

Video 3: Reverse Engineering the Oil Pump Housing

Video 4: Reverse Engineering the Gear Shaft With Incomplete Scan Data

Key Takeaways for Step 2:

Setting yourself up for success.

How you set the part up at the very beginning is important because you will build it around the central feature or function.

For instance, one of the most critical aspects of reverse engineering comes in the initial alignment phase where we take a part and align it to the world coordinate system. The initial features or Datum that are used should be the primary focal point of the part. This is because this feature will be what the recast of the part’s measurements and features are based around. The initial alignment of a part to a world coordinate can give you speed advantages to the entire process or cause a massive slow down depending upon if the correct features are used or not.

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You need to understand the function of the part.

I can’t emphasize this enough. To really understand the order of operations of the entire reverse engineering process, you need to know how the part functions at the beginning of the process. This goes back to what we’ve talked about regarding Design Intent and how it guides you through the entire Scan to CAD process. If you don’t do this correctly, you will spend a lot of time redrawing the part as I have done many times in the past.

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Using 3D scan data is a great visualization tool for figuring out where critical dimensions should be.

Most of the time, these are the steps that are usually involved in building out the basic reference geometry:

1. Create a cross-section of the scanned part

   

2. Sketch the 2D profile

   

3. Revolve, extrude, merge, and/or trim the geometries together until you get a nice clean CAD.

   

Once you’ve done it a few times and get a hang of it, it gets easier and easier.

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Get all the geometry in place and figure out the final details later.

When you first look at reverse engineering a complicated part like an oil pump, it can be overwhelming at first. However, if you first focus on breaking down into shapes (spheres, circles, cylinders, arcs, etc.) and build out the basic structure of the part, you can then later go in and fine-tune the exact measurements when you are finalizing the part.

Depending upon the part that needs to be made, whether it was originally made in CAD or if you are drawing this part up in CAD for the first time, it is important to get the most critical aspects of the part out of the way first. There are core details that will be important and other features that are not as important. Having an idea of what these things are will greatly help in setting up an order of operations to create a model that is accurate without wasting time going back and redoing steps over and over again.

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Reverse engineering from Scan to CAD doesn’t mean you have to follow exactly how it is. Typically, you only get the information of the scanned data you need. You don’t reverse engineer the part exactly as-is and here’s why.

A manufactured part can never be as perfect as a CAD model (reality vs. concept). Oftentimes, the scanned data you are getting is from a part that is worn over time so it’s not in the pristine condition it once was right out of manufacturing. Even if it’s right out of production, manufacturing can never create anything that is as perfect as a CAD model.

In the Scan to CAD process, you need to decide on what you want to keep and what needs to be adjusted for your application (Design Intent). What parts of the object or assembly are the most critical?

Do you want to:

• Reverse a part exactly the way it is provided by scanned data?
• Modify the part according to your own needs?

More frequently than not, you should choose the second option as you are redesigning the part for current use.

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With a color deviation map, it makes it simple to compare the 3D scan data from the physical part to the CAD model to see how accurate I am sketching the part.

Because we’re using Mesh2Surface for SOLIDWORKS, it has a color deviation map where I could easily see how accurate I was building out the model as compared to the scan data.

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You can reverse engineer a part with partial scan data of a part.

There are times when you have no control over the quality of the scan data because you didn’t scan it yourself and/or that is the only source data you have to work with. You can still use it to build out a CAD model as we demonstrated in video 4 if you have the scan data for the core features. It usually works well when you have a part that has symmetrical or repeating surfaces where you can infer how the missing scan portion should be.

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Using a SOLIDWORKS plugin like Mesh2Surface makes Scan to CAD much easier and speeds up the process.

SOLIDWORKS is foremost a CAD software, not a reverse engineering software, so it is beneficial to use a Scan to CAD plugin like Mesh2Surface. The plugin provides additional features and tools you can use directly inside SOLIDWORKS to do Scan to CAD functions that you normally can’t do with SOLIDWORKS by itself. Mesh2Surface helps you do reverse engineering in the most efficient way while making sure you get accurate results with the 3D comparison feature (mesh vs. CAD). It takes the guesswork out of reverse engineering and it’s a more robust method to make sure you get the results you need.

Step 3

Component Assembly and Refinement

Video 5: Component Assembly and Refinement

Key Takeaways for Step 3:

In order for the components to fit nicely, measurements such as hole locations need to be identical and matching.

This is the stage where we make sure all the measurements are consistent so that individual components mate properly and holes are concentric to one another. For example, if the shaft is 0.5” in diameter, we need to make sure the hole that the shaft goes into will fit nicely with a 0.5” hole diameter as well (not 0.48” as I initially had it at).

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Make sure your measurements are properly rounded.

When you are following scan data, you might get a hole measurement that is 5.984”. You just need to double-check all your measurements to make sure they are a nice number for manufacturing. In this example, we would make the hole diameter 6” instead of 5.984”.

However, if there should be clearance between two components this also needs to be considered. For instance, a shaft fitting in a hole may need a few thousandths of an inch of clearance to operate correctly and this all needs to be considered as well.

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How you build your CAD will depend on how you plan to use it.

I built this assembly as a parametric CAD model using SOLIDWORKS so adjustments can be made pretty easily. If you are trying to replace an existing oil pump and you are doing this Scan to CAD process because you don’t have the original CAD or it never existed, then you would try to reverse engineer the part as close to the scan data as possible. If it’s for a new application, then you don’t have to follow to the tee to the scan data. As we’ve emphasized throughout this guide, the way you design it will be dictated by your application.

In Conclusion

Even if we have a part that, on the surface, looks complicated because it has multiple components that make up the assembly, it’s pretty basic to reverse engineer it once we break down the process.

• Build the essential components first. Deconstruct them into basic shapes to make the process less complicated.
• Once you have all the components, you can refine the measurements and work on how they relate to each other in an assembly.

I hope you find this guide useful. If you have any questions about this process, feel free to contact me and I’ll be sure to answer them.

Cheers,

Paul Motley Operations Manager, GoMeasure3D

The post A Detailed Guide to Reverse Engineering from Scan to CAD In SOLIDWORKS [With Videos] appeared first on GoMeasure3D.

We had our first-ever virtual Happy Hour Workshop this year. It was a great place where anyone could ask us questions and our team would answer them with a live demonstration. In this workshop, our focus was on the topic of reverse engineering from Scan to CAD. Our goal was to show how much easier and simpler it is to use 3D scanner data as a reference for product design instead of designing a CAD model from scratch.

For those who missed the session, here’s a quick recap by exploring three questions we answered and the key takeaways.

1. How can I make the process of reverse engineering from Scan to CAD faster and simpler?
2. Do I need dedicated 3D reverse engineering software?
3. How does reverse engineering using Artec Studio 3D scanning software compare to using dedicated Scan to CAD software?

Watch the Scan to CAD Episode On-Demand

If you want to view our Happy Hour Workshop in its entirety, you can watch the recording.

Question #1

How Can I Make The Process of Reverse Engineering from Scan to CAD Faster and Simpler?

Most of the time for basic reverse engineering applications, you don’t need to use a 3D scanner to capture a 3D model of your entire part down to the finest details to convert it from scan data to CAD. All you need is to take the necessary 3D measurements from the part using a 3D scanner as the data you get is extremely accurate. That means you might just need to take a couple of scans to get the critical information you need in order to figure out—for instance, hole locations or the basic structural dimensions of the part. Capturing only the data you need also keeps your file size small so you’re not dealing with big files you really don’t need.

Takeaway #1

You don’t need a fully completed 3D model to do reverse engineering from Scan to CAD. By scanning only the information you need, will make your reverse engineering process that much more efficient.

Example:

The project was to create a CAD model for the corroded mount (on the left) so we can manufacture and replace it. Since we don’t have the original CAD drawings, we need to make a new one. On the other side of the boat engine (on the right), the mount is in good condition so we scanned this one and used the scan data as a reference for design for creating the CAD model to replace the damaged mount. By 3D scanning the part in place without taking anything apart, we only needed to take out the corroded part once when we replaced it with the new one. The engine can remain in use until the replacement mount is ready.

The entire process from 3D scanning, drawing the CAD model, and sending the file to a fabricator for manufacturing took about 20 minutes.

Question #2

Do I Need Dedicated 3D Reverse Engineering Software?

Before we get to this question, we want to give a brief explanation of the two ways you can reverse engineer a part using 3D scan data as a reference to create a CAD model.

Ways To Reverse Engineering a Part from Scan to CAD

1. Using a dedicated 3D reverse engineering software

   

   Examples:

   • Standalone software: Geomagic Design X and QUICKSURFACE
   • Plug-in: Geomagic for SOLIDWORKS and Mesh2Surface for Rhino / Mesh2Surface for SOLIDWORKS

   How It Works:

   After your 3D scanning is complete, you would need to export your scan data out into an STL file from your 3D scanning software and then import it into these types of software to do the reverse engineering. These software have comprehensive and powerful tools to help you use scan data as a reference point for designing a new CAD model instead of doing it from scratch, making the job that much easier.

2. 3D scanning software such as Artec Studio has basic reverse engineering features.

   

   In Artec Studio 15, basic reverse engineering operations can be done if you don’t have dedicated reverse engineering software, or a Scan to CAD plugin for your favorite CAD software.

   How It Works:

   After you have completed your scans in Artec Studio and have merged them into the desired 3D model, you can use primitives to extract key geometrical data in a CAD format. Precise Positioning features makes it easier to position 3D models in the world coordinate system. Artec Studio allows you to export correctly positioned models with primitives aligned to the scan data as popular CAD formats (STEP or IGES files). You can then import them into SOLIDWORKS, Geomagic Design X and other CAD software for use to aid in sketching your CAD model.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

Going back to our original question, Do I need a dedicated reverse engineering software?, there are three additional questions you have to ask yourself. If you answer “yes” to the following questions, then investing in dedicated Scan to CAD software will help you save time.

1. Would you be doing reverse engineering pretty regularly?

   If you are doing reverse engineering on a regular basis, having a dedicated software is a time saver.

2. Are the parts you are trying to reverse engineer have complex geometry?

   Dedicated Scan to CAD software is better at handling freeform surfaces and organic shapes to create a CAD model that’s highly accurate to your scan data.

3. Is saving time an important factor for you?

   Dedicated Scan to CAD software has advanced tools that can help you be much more efficient at reverse engineering. We’ll show you more in the next takeaway.

Takeaway #2

If you only have one-off projects or if you just started to explore the possibilities of using Scan-to-CAD for your projects, you might want to try using Artec Studio first before investing into dedicated reverse engineering software to see if it’s a right fit for you.

Having a dedicated reverse engineering (Scan-to-CAD) software will make work easier and more efficient. If you do reverse engineering almost everyday, having a dedicated software will help you be more productive.

Typically, Scan to CAD plugins provide advanced reverse engineering functionality that you normally can’t get inside your preferred CAD modeling software (SOLIDWORKS, Rhino, etc.). It will cost less than a standalone software like Geomagic Design X or QUICKSURFACE if you are on a tight budget. It’s also a great choice if you prefer to do reverse engineering inside your preferred CAD modeling software.

Question #3

How Does Reverse Engineering Using Artec Studio Compare To Using Dedicated Scan to CAD Software?

In order to demonstrate the differences, it’s best to show step-by-step videos of the processes.

Artec Studio

For Artec Studio, Art gives you a quick tour of the reverse engineering features. Here is a preview.

Dedicated Scan to CAD Software or Plugin

Here is a video where we summarize and demonstrate the different options:

Takeaway #3

As you can see, you can take different paths to achieve the goal. It really depends on which method you choose to get the results you want. If you own a 3D scanner like the Artec, the Artec Studio software has all the great features for 3D scanning. As a bonus, it also includes basic reverse engineering functionalities that can allow you to do reverse engineering if you don’t want to spend extra money on a dedicated Scan to CAD software.

Using Artec Studio versus dedicated reverse engineering software is like taking a bus versus driving a car. It might be more economical to take the bus but having your own car is going to get you to your destination faster and it will take you to exactly where you need to go.

	Economical	Advanced Features
Transportation Going to a specific destination	Riding a Bus You would still need to walk to your destination as the bus only takes you to the bus stop.	Taking a Car Takes you to the exact location of where you want to go faster than a bus.
Reverse Engineering Using scan data as a reference for design	Artec Studio 15 3D Scanning Software Includes bonus reverse engineering features	Dedicated Reverse Engineering Software or Plug-in This is specifically what this software or plugin is built for. Specializes in Scan to CAD toolsets.

In Conclusion

You might be thinking of buying a 3D scanner for a specific application (for instance, for 3D visualization or quality inspection) and wanted to see what other purposes (such as reverse engineering) you can use the system for to justify the purchase. You might be also considering using 3D scanning to help you be more efficient at product design.

If you have questions related to Scan to CAD and want to explore your options, watch our Happy Hour Workshop episode to find out more.

Other questions that were asked and answered in the workshop include:

• How do you do reverse engineering with Fusion 360?
• What are the major differences between SOLIDWORKS and Rhino?
• Which 3D scanner is the best for starting out reverse engineering from Scan to CAD?

We recorded the session and it’s now available for on demand viewing.

Watch the Scan to CAD Happy Hour Workshop On-Demand

If you want to view our Happy Hour Workshop in its entirety, you can watch the recording.

The post 3 Takeaways from Our Happy Hour Workshop: Reverse Engineering from Scan to CAD appeared first on GoMeasure3D.

Virtual Happy Hour Workshop

Reverse Engineering From 3D Scanner Data to CAD
(Scan to CAD)

* This is a previously recorded session.

Welcome to our Happy Hour Workshop! In this one-hour session, we centered our discussion around a project we’ve recently been working on. One of the mounts that sits on a boat diesel generator needed to be replaced due to corrosion. This one-hour workshop shows you the step-by-step process of reverse engineering this mount without even moving a big heavy generator!

The other mount is in good condition so we’ve used a 3D scanner to scan the mount and use reverse engineering software to create a CAD file, which can be used to manufacture the mount. We’ll show you the step-by-step process of how to reverse engineer this mount and reveal the final results in the workshop. Complicated measurement challenges can often be simplified with the help of 3D scanning technologies.

Who Is This Session For?

This session is ideal for anyone:

• who wants to learn more about the scan to CAD process
• who already has a 3D scanner and want to find other uses

View the webinar by filling the form below:

First name: ^*

Last name: ^*

Email: ^*

^* These fields are required.

The post Happy Hour Workshop – Reverse Engineering from Scan Data to CAD appeared first on GoMeasure3D.

Welcome to our Virtual Happy Hour Workshop!
Sit back, relax, and have a drink at the comfort of your desk.
Let’s have a great conversation about anything you want to know about reverse engineering from Scan to CAD.

The Happy Hour Workshop is our new webinar series. This is an interactive session where you will be able to send in questions throughout the session and we’ll adapt the presentation to give you all the answers.

Virtual Happy Hour Workshop

On the Topic: Reverse Engineering from Scan Data to CAD
Thursday, May 27, 2021
(4PM EST / 1PM PST)
Duration: 1 Hour

* The workshop is now over but you can watch the recorded session:

Project We’ll Be Discussing

In this one-hour workshop, we’ll be focusing our discussion around a project we’ve recently been working on.

The other mount is in good condition so we’ve used a 3D scanner to scan the mount and use reverse engineering software to create a CAD file, which can be used to manufacture the mount. We’ll show you the step-by-step process of how to reverse engineer this mount and reveal the final results in the workshop. Complicated measurement challenges can often be simplified with the help of 3D scanning technologies.

Watch this video to learn more about the challenge that we’ll be discussing:

Who Is This Session For?

This session is ideal for anyone:

• who wants to learn more about the scan to CAD process
• who already has a 3D scanner and want to find other uses

Got Questions?

We’re keeping this workshop casual and we welcome any questions. If you want to ask our technical team directly in an open forum, join us in this Zoom meeting. They will be there to answer your questions live and show you how we do it in our lab.

Presenters

Paul Motley Operations Manager, GoMeasure3D

Art Pekun Application Engineer, GoMeasure3D

Virtual Happy Hour Workshop

On the Topic: Reverse Engineering from Scan Data to CAD

Duration: 1 Hour

View the recorded session by filling the form below:

The post Sign Up For Our Virtual Happy Hour Workshop: Reverse Engineering from Scan to CAD appeared first on GoMeasure3D.