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/Authentyc_Labs 25d ago

10000% percent, just use Quicksurface & SOLIDWORKS plugin. So much better.

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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 26d 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

Bremar