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Reverse Engineering 101: Guide to Creating CAD from 3D Scans > Import scan data into SOLIDWORKS

Reverse
STEP 1
Engineering 101

 Import scan data Import scan data into

SOLIDWORKS
Planning

Create a new
coordinate system

Slice a 2D cross
Start the reverse engineering process by importing the
section 3D mesh �le (obj, ply, or stl) into SOLIDWORKS. The
cleanup process normally takes place inside the 3D
Sketch the part
scanning software that comes with the 3D scanner.
Revolve the sketch
This happens before the scan data is imported into
into 3D solid
SOLIDWORKS. The mesh will serve as the reference �le
Analyze for building the CAD model instead of designing it
Scan to CAD work�ow completely from scratch in SOLIDWORKS.
video

Here is the 3D mesh of the nozzle imported inside SOLIDWORKS. It’s

a relatively simple looking part, but if you don’t have access to 3D
scan data it would be di�cult to create a drawing from this as the
part contains organic shapes.

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What are the bene�ts to reverse

engineering directly in SOLIDWORKS?
Access to Feature History

If you think of a CAD �le as the blueprint of the part, the feature tree
provides a deconstructed view of how the part was developed.
Having a feature tree make the collaboration much easier because
all the background information on the part is provided in the �le and
it makes it more intuitive to change the design if needed in the
future.

If you use a standalone reverse engineering package, you will have

to export the �le as STEP or IGES and import it back into
SOLIDWORKS. The feature tree might not translate properly during
importing to preserve the relationships.

Many engineers and designers already have SOLIDWORKS

SOLIDWORKS is one of the world’s most popular CAD modeling

package used by 3.2 million users. Using a plug-in such as XTract3D
to complement SOLIDWORKS will be less expensive ($2,999) than
purchasing a standalone reverse engineering software (which can Contact us

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cost upwards of $20,000) to produce the same results. As a bonus,

you don’t have to learn a new work�ow or a new software.

Tip After Importing: Decimate Your Data

Often, 3D meshes coming out of a 3D scanner are massive

in �le size and contains lots of redundant data that you
don’t need. It makes it di�cult and slow to work with when
sketching the CAD model, especially if you have an older
PC.
After importing your mesh, you can reduce the complexity
of the mesh to decimate the data by going to XTract3D’s
toolbar: Mesh Info → Decimate

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