This blog comprehensively covers all the key steps involved in the reverse engineering

process including 3D scanning and STL file modification. It also talks about how different
software’s and their latest updates can help in speeding up and simplifying the whole
process.

DEFINITION
Reverse Engineering (RE) is a process of creating 3D design from existing part, component or
assembly. The term is coined due to its backward direction approach for making
components. Over the years with the development of CAD softwares, 3D scanners, and 3D
printing technology reverse engineering has become an important tool for product
designers and manufacturers.

DEFINITION

One of the methods to make a 3D model of a part is 3D Scanning. It is used to capture the
shape, size, and texture of an object. The output of scanning is a 3D file that can be edited
and saved. There are multiple methods to make a 3D model.

METHODOLOGY
 DIGITIZING: It is the contact-based method for collecting 3D data. The most common
application of digitizing is Co-ordinate Measuring Machine also known as CMM. The probe
slides against the surface and the cloud point data is captured. The probe can be point or
ball type and it collects 3D data points in space. This method is more suitable for geometric
shapes rather than freeform organic shapes.

 LASER SCANNING: It collects 3D data points by passing a laser line over the surface of the
object and then collecting it on a sensor. It is quick and very useful when scanning
freeform organic shapes. It can capture every minute details which cannot be captured
using digitizing. Also, large objects such as cars, artifacts, or sculptures are easy to scan
with laser scanning. Sometimes the object being scanned cannot be touched such as clay
models, antics, etc. In that case, laser scanning is more suitable.

PHOTOGRAMMETRY: This technology is used for creating 3D model from photographs.

There are multiple tools available that can be used to generate 3D model. The quality and
accuracy of the 3D model depend on no. Of photos, quality of photos, tools used to create
3D model. No. Of photos ranges from 1 to 100s and the processing time is directly
proportional to it. Some tools require pre-processing and post-processing for cleaning the
3D models.

The output of a 3D scan is generally a STL or OBJ file. Lets understand what are the different
methods to work with this file.

 SCULPTING
There are tools available that can be used to modify STL files. These tools are generally
known as sculpting tools and used for creating 3D sculptures, environments, and
 animations. Since these tools are specially designed for sculpting, they have wide variety
of options to modify an existing STL file, but that also requires good training for its
effective use. They can be also used to modify meshed surfaces. There are multiple
sculpting softwares in the market, out of which some are paid and some are open source.
Below is the list of some of the softwares that are popular for sculpting.
Although, all of them offers similar features there are differences in capabilities and tools
available.

 CONVERGENT MODELING
Convergent modeling converges meshes (called facet models) and solids (called classic
b-reps) into a single model. It’s a new technology that is available in Siemens NX and
Solid Edge. It lets you import a scanned 3D model as a convergent body and then feature
based modeling can be used on the body. It eliminates conversion from one format to
another and reduces the risk of loss of details. Although this method is only available in
NX and Solid Edge, other softwares such as PTC Creo and SolidWorks will be offering
similar technology in new updates.

STL TO CAD DIRECT CONVERSION SOFTWARES

There are softwares available that can be used to convert scanned 3D models into a
conventional history-based feature model. Below is a brief description of some of those
software’s:

1. GEOMAGIC DESIGN X
Geomagic Design X is a complete reverse engineering software that converts scanned
data into a history-based model with little or no human inputs. It can create planes,
sketches, and features automatically from scanned data. The CAD feature history can
be exported to CAD softwares such as SolidWorks, NX, Solid Edge, Inventor, Creo.

2. SPACECLAIM
SpaceClaim is also standalone software. It uses direct modeling approach to create CAD
models from STL files. It is very efficient in handling STL files. It can quickly create complex
solid bodies from scratch. It can trace the facets of STL file and create curves