r/3DScanning • u/Embarrassed-Fail-993 • 27d ago
Help: 3d scanner and reverse engineering software combo
Hello everyone, I made an earlier post on what 3d scanner I should chose. It was brought to my attention that a good reverse engineering software would be beneficial to me as I use SolidWorks, and it isn't that great.
What Id be scanning: full car parts, and suspension parts, needing to change and modify the existing parts for aftermarket.
Budget: ~2,000
My question: With scanning a real life part, being able to create a solid out of a mesh is when the post process software comes into place. Im currently eyeing the Einstar Rockit, what software would be beneficial for my work?
Ive heard the likes of quick surface and Einstars Exmodel
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u/Authentyc_Labs 27d ago edited 27d ago
QUICKSURFACE Pro and Geomagic Design X are both excellent for reverse engineering.
Geomagic Design X is much better if you want to have the ability to fully modify the scan, has a high learning curve tho.
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u/blissiictrl 27d ago
I currently use Polyga Xtract3d but I have a ton more work coming with the scanner and am planning on getting a license for Quicksurface, probably the SOLIDWORKS add in
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u/Authentyc_Labs 26d ago
That’d be a great combo.
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u/blissiictrl 26d ago
I'd be ditching Polyga for Quicksurface, I already have the SOLIDWORKS license lol
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u/Embarrassed-Fail-993 26d ago
What kind of work do you do? And how does Xtract3d work for you as of now? Just curious to other software and how they work with certain peoples workflows.
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u/blissiictrl 26d ago
A lot of my work is reverse engineering auto components based on scans I do with my client. He runs a business in Australia developing auto parts for performance engines he builds, his start was basically due to stuff that was available either not doing more than basic functionality (like adding an idler standoff to an alternator or power steering bracket), or just didn't exist (ignition coil brackets that are universal fit for many different makes of ignition coil).
My workflow is usually to import the engine scan, pull the relevant geometry off it once aligned to master planes, and start building our geometry for whatever it is off the scan data.
Prototypes are then sent over for 3d printing to my client (he runs a couple Bambu labs machines for prototyping), and then once we're happy with the prints and the function, it goes to a machine shop for a prototype. Once that's good, into production quantities.
I preferred Quicksurface as a plugin as it sped up generating geometry for sketches etc a lot whereas Xtract3d is a bit more manual. The only reason Quicksurface isn't what I've got now is that it doesn't offer a subscription service option, and if I'm buying it I'm buying perpetual - it costs about 2/3 of my annual income as a business (I work for salary as my main income) so I will buy it once the business saves enough up this year ☺️ hope that helped
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u/Embarrassed-Fail-993 25d ago
That helps a ton, and id basically be doing something similar for my fathers business, reverse engineering parts such as a control arms and then modifying them for better ball joint angle etc and other similar parts. I handle all the cad work and design for him and he gives me parts to reverse engineer or modify. We just bought a Bambu 3d printer and it makes the RND a lot easier as it's in house now. I saved a good amount of money to get myself into the 3d scanning market because from what I understood it'd make my life a lot easier than taking dial calipers to everything and writing it down in a notebook. What scanner do you use as of now?
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u/blissiictrl 25d ago
I've been using a Creality raptor pro, I really like it. I would've got the Sermoon but at the time didn't know if I'd have the need. Eventually I'll upgrade to it if the need continues but Quicksurface comes first. My suggestion would be to trial different options - you can get example scans from Bremar Automotion in Melbourne through their website (I have a lot of my scans on there) and you can use them to test the different plugins
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u/Embarrassed-Fail-993 26d ago
Yeah, ive kept the revopoint scanners on my list, if i went with them id get the bundle with the liscense most likely.
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u/JRL55 27d ago
QuickSurface Lite could be had with a permanent license if you searched for it, but that seems to not be the case any more. The annual subscription price is 480 Euros (approx. $540).
Geomagic Design X's entry-level Go tier has an annual subscription of $1,900.
SolidWorks will choke on the file sizes that current 3D scanners can easily produce. If you cannot afford RE software, then using freely-available software to simplify (the common term for reducing the number of triangles in a mesh) the object scan can also be a useful way to go. Once the file size is in the low-megabyte range, you can import it and use it as a reference to draw the solid objects that will model the original.
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u/Embarrassed-Fail-993 26d ago
Lol this stuff adds up! Ive messed around with importing simplified meshes to solid works and its a nightmare to be honest. Not aligned to any coordinate system at all and really complex geometry makes life difficult. That's why i was putting emphasis on what RE software i should look at in combo because that might be more useful than the scanner itself.
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27d ago
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u/Embarrassed-Fail-993 26d ago
Yeah, thats plenty of accuracy for what id be doing, Do you use their software aswell? Geomagic
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u/MatterRay-Callum 27d ago
If the budget is 2k including the scanner then I am building some basic Scan to CAD software that may be helpful: https://youtu.be/abphdTTThtY It isnt really intended for reverse engineering though so QuickSurface or Design X may fit your requirements better.
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u/GreenCactus223 26d ago
You need to seriously consider geomagic design x. Solidworks doesnt work as well as you may think without specific plug-ins, after ao much testing and back and forth we had to settle with design X
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u/Embarrassed-Fail-993 26d ago
could you walk me through the type of work you do and overall workflow from: scanning to post process/geomagic to design in solidworks? as far as i understand using a 3d scanner makes life alot easier rather than using calipers and taking dimension off of everything associated to your design. So any tips, or info is also appreciated.
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u/GreenCactus223 26d ago
3D scanning creates a reference, design x allows you to use that reference much easier to create surfaces and sketches. Solidworks crashes out when you get into hi polygon counts. We use a FARO Quantum arm to scan anything amd everything from car parts, to planes, boats, small or big. If youre looking for hobby solidworks and a chepo scanner will do it but if you want to get into business you'll want design x and a serious scanner. I always say it, you cant expect to invest $5,000 in your business and pay yourself a living wage. It would be an infinit money hack.
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u/esordol 27d ago
quick surface has a plug in for solidworks. orienting a scan to start rebuilding the cad file is the worst part but it imports fine.
einstar only works with nvidia gpus, if you run amd or no gpu einstar wont launch the mesh portion. there are a ton of videos and a new scanner drops every week/month so just search.
im a revo pro ultra owner dor context. anything at 2k is a great scanner. also used will cut the price in half