Ed Eaton gave an interesting presentation at SWW 2017 on this topic.
https://dimontegroup.com/solidworks-world-2017-using-3d-scan-data-effectively-model-curvy-stuff/
i just saw that fusion360 has a pull feature that is similar to geomagics shrinkwrap tool.
It is in the mesh tools and basically you create a flat surface and then use a tool to pull it to the shape of your mesh. Pretty cool
This looks promising for the seat portion of my workflow.
Check out Spaceclaim for the mesh tools.
You’re not going to get a better set of tools to deal with mesh data and reverse engineering than the following two plug-ins
Power Surfacing https://www.npowersoftware.com/NewPowerSurfacingOverview.html
and
Mesh2Surface https://www.mesh2surface.com/mesh2surface_for_solidworks/
Bring this thread back alive.
It just beggars belief in 2022 we are in this situation with Solidworks.
We have have 3D Sculptor on the the platform no-one wants to use when it should be within Soildworks not a seperate app. We have surfacing that is less capable than some CAD systems from 20+ years ago. The route for reverse engineering from scans in Solidworks is plainly inadequate.
We should really get behind a push to fix this in the next round of the top ten list.
RichGergely While you’re not wrong, this just isn’t an area that Solidworks or even DDS as a while is interested in taking on internally. They’re basically leaving this to 3rd party add-ons to do what you’re asking. They’ve quite literally have NOT changed the Scan to 3D aspect of the software in over 15 years. There have MAYBE been one or two little things added but nothing really that worth noting.
That said the softwares that come with most higher end 3D scanners $10K or more, have the ability to convert a mesh to a BREP/NURBS. This is a VERY big part of the process that will help to alleviate much of the bottle neck of the RE process. The main three options to take a look at are Power Surfacing, Geomagic, and Quick Surface… all offering various levels of reverse engineering features.
Not saying that you can’t make a gallant effort but considering that the overall efforts of DDS right now is to shift everyone to the 3D experience platform and less about adding anything to Solidworks, I’m just not sure that this is going to happen.
Arthur NY I agree it’s a uphill battle, scratch that probably more like looking at a vertical cliff face standing at the bottom. I’m in the middle of re-surfacing organic surfaces at the moment. Out of interest I rang up my VAR to ask about 3D sculptor and the guy I spoke to knew nothing about it which shows the disconnect between the 3D platform and the desktop version.
He said there were partners they work with, as you mention and others, that could probably help to some extent. I sent over what I was working on a few days ago to get there options but not heard back.
Bottom line, I will carry on with projects with organic surfaces and I will get them finished and everyone will be happy. I may end up purchasing additional software in the future to streamline this type of work but it grates that the software I have progress in the three key areas is slow - STL to surfaces - Sculpting - more powerful surfacing.
RichGergely If you can describe what it is that you want to do a bit more, like what you’re looking to do I might be able to help narrow down where you may want to look in terms of additional software.
The challenge with the VAR’s, and I wrote about this is another thread, is that they’re way too big now and there has been a loss in translation that’s happened especially in terms of tech support and overall knowledge. Granted there’s a lot more to know now a days which means that the VAR’s really have have tech support people that all have general overall knowledge but also specialist. This does exist to a certain extent but that the person you spoke with didn’t even know is not good. He/she should have at least known who to point you to within the organization that can answer the question.
What I can say is that 3D Sculptor is basically they’re approach to SubD modeling and as SubD modeling goes, in the grand scale of overall 3D software, it’s just “ok”. I’d give it a 3 MAYBE 4 at best. None of the CAD softwares companies really get what this modeling approach is about. It just feels like it is a tacked on solution rather than being a full bore approach to how this methodology works.
It’s not just a Solidworks issue. All the main platforms have issues with this.
There are specialist pieces of software that do this but it is NOT a push button activity.
Power Surfacing has been mentioned and we use that for sub d work inside SolidWorks. The original versions included the reverse engineering toolset but they soon realised this could be an extra cost option! I think they do a 30 day trial so try it.
To be honest though the app we use for this now is Rhino. The inclusion of subd tools changed this and made Rhino very usable for reverse engineering. Add to the fact that you can extract curves from meshes, create faceted nurbs surfaces from meshes (and have a decent performance after doing it) or drape surfaces, loft, sub d whatever onto a mesh means it is a great toolset. Again, they do a free trial that extends to a viewing app should you choose not to buy.
For reference, we do this in Rhino ourselves, albeit not that often now.
Also one more thing. If you want a really useful surfacing tool get the XNurbs add on for Solidworks and/or Rhino. Very handy and won’t break the bank.
Not sure if anyone is still reading this thread or not, and i certainly did not go through it with comb to see if this was mentioned already- PowerShape is a viable option for mesh modelling. you’re able to scan directly into it & go from there. it’s not super expensive, either. the down side is it is now an Autotrash product and only available via subscription.