Best software for reverse engineering reviewed by Artec 3D

Artec Studio

PRICE

• 30-day free trial

• €800 for annual subscription

  US $1,200 for annual subscription

  US $1,200 for annual subscription

• €2,000 lifetime license with free updates

  US $2,900 lifetime license with free updates

  US $2,900 lifetime license with free updates

OS

Windows

PROS

• Boosted algorithms for maximum accuracy and speed when scanning
• Excellent texture and geometry tracking algorithms
• Scans can be fitted with CAD primitives

CONS

• A full-package software might be needed for a complete range of reverse engineering tools

A smooth 3D scanning experience should be intuitive and time saving. When scanning is complete, being able to then seamlessly process your 3D scan data is the next step towards creating high-quality 3D models. To do all this and achieve excellent results, an intuitive workflow and user-friendly software is essential – which makes Artec Studio exactly what you need.

While processing data in Artec Studio, you can either choose Autopilot, a smart mode with much of the work done for you, or manual mode for versatility and full control. Autopilot takes charge of the entire process and prompts every next step, whereas manual mode allows flexibility for more experienced users. Whichever path you choose, you are guaranteed precision and high accuracy.

Artec Studio is designed specifically to streamline your reverse engineering workflow with such advanced features as Boolean operations, enabling you to alter models with CAD entities and meshes. In turn, the cutting-edge Auto Surface tool helps you turn organic shapes into a solid CAD model. Professional yet easy to use, this industry-acclaimed 3D scanning software from Artec 3D also boasts high-speed alignment, a new mesh-splitting tool, and an improved Segment brush.

KEY POINT

Artec Studio has all the key scan-to-CAD functionality for reverse engineering, and for a complete range of reverse engineering tools. It can be paired with a full-package software such as Geomagic Design X.

An all-in-one solution, Artec Studio provides you with every tool to create, resize, and reposition primitive solid shapes of your mesh. This complete Scan-to-CAD functionality allows reverse engineering operations to be carried out directly within the software. A key part of Scan-to-CAD is the use of CAD primitives: these are CAD-ready objects that can match the geometry of your model, speeding up the process of turning it into a CAD file. This is available to you in Artec Studio, and by fitting primitives to your 3D model in the same software where you captured your data, you greatly accelerate the engineering process.

Artec Studio saves reverse engineering specialists much time and effort for further and more complex operations, too. Once you are done with scanning and processing, you can effortlessly export your model to the industry’s best reverse engineering software. Artec Studio’s CAD primitives greatly boost the reverse engineering workflow: with key geometrical data extracted and saved in any popular CAD format, you can export your meshes and CAD objects to Design X or Geomagic for SOLIDWORKS in just one click.

Autodesk Meshmixer

PRICE

• Free

OS

Windows, macOS

PROS

• Abundance of tutorials and user material
• Extensive and user-friendly editing
• Quick format adjustment
• Reliable hollowing feature

CONS

• May be too advanced for beginners
• Requires a very capable graphics card and updated graphics card drivers

What started off as a ‘hobby tool’ for the 3D printing community has transformed into a state-of-the-art software for working with mesh files: Meshmixer. Whether you need to tidy up a 3D scan, prepare your file for 3D printing, or perform additional operations on your model as part of the reverse engineering process, Meshmixer will have you covered.

With some practice, you will be able to manipulate your models with a great variety of tools. Simply drag your files into the edit space, then go ahead and adjust, cut, clean-up, repair, and mix 3D models. To use Meshmixer, you don’t need to be a tech expert, or to understand every last detail about the software. However, you will still need some time to explore the software’s basic functionalities to make use of its full potential.

Meshmixer tutorials are available online, so you can quickly learn about all the nuances related to mesh modification. Whether you are a newbie or an experienced reverse engineering specialist, you will soon feel right at home with this software.

Artec Metrology Kit

PRICE

• Entry version €21,900, Professional version €34,100

  Entry version US $27,400, Professional version US $42,700

  Upon request

OS

Windows

PROS

• Compatible with top-tier software solutions like Geomagic Control X, PolyWorks, and more
• Accuracy of up to 2 microns

CONS

• Requires at least a basic understanding of metrology-grade photogrammetry workflow

A holistic technology in the form of an optical coordinate measuring system, Artec Metrology Kit is valuable for industrial applications. The Metrology Kit can be easily integrated into reverse engineering, testing, or inspection workflows both in and outdoors. Whether you choose to use it as a standalone optical measurement solution or as a referencing tool for making the most of 3D scanning, you get guaranteed high-precision results.

One impressive way of using the Metrology Kit is to combine its photogrammetry results with the data captured with one or a combination of Artec 3D scanners. The volumetric accuracy, in this case, can go up to 15 µm/m. With a robust device like Artec Leo, this will be up to 3x the volumetric accuracy across a one-meter scan and up to 14x across 15 m. Another good news is that with the Metrology Kit plugin, your 3D scanning plus photogrammetry workflow is outright inside Artec Studio.

For objects as diverse as mechanical parts, aircraft components, boats, vehicles, or even wind turbines, the Metrology Kit can be a perfect measuring solution when you need impeccably accurate measurements or comparisons with 3D meshes or CAD entities. The Kit’s straightforward process enables you to integrate photogrammetry results into your workflow, keeping the efforts minimal, and the results precise.