Comments on: SolidWorks ScanTo3D vs. NextEngine’s RapidWorks: Which Is Better?

By: William

William — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:59:46 +0000

Hey solidwork professionals,
I'm interested in the scanto3d option of Solidworks, but don't know
If it is the right software for what my company wants to do.
We're 3d scanning machines and all parts etc. in a warehouse, So we can
convert to solidmodels, and then convert to rapid prototyping and simulations.
any clue,
William

By: William

William — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:59:46 +0000

Hey solidwork professionals,
I’m interested in the scanto3d option of Solidworks, but don’t know
If it is the right software for what my company wants to do.
We’re 3d scanning machines and all parts etc. in a warehouse, So we can
convert to solidmodels, and then convert to rapid prototyping and simulations.
any clue,
William

By: kholish

kholish — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:07:56 +0000

Hi All,

My customer need to scan bus prototype in 1:1 scale.
What is the best tool and software ?

Thanks

By: kholish

kholish — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:07:56 +0000

Hi All,

My customer need to scan bus prototype in 1:1 scale.
What is the best tool and software ?

Thanks

By: Josh

Josh — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:10:11 +0000

James, I would definitely contact NextEngine to discuss that. I think they’re scanners are the best prices I’ve seen. What you’re talking about certainly seems feasible to me, but I have not seen a 3D scan flattened.

By: James

James — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 22:29:52 +0000

I’m currently searching for a software solution which I’m finding difficult to locate. In short, I’ll be using full detail 3D scans of small objects and need to take a full 3 dimensional scan map of the surface, reducing it to a 2d plane, cut and trim desired areas for producing vinyl stickers which allow for the curves, angles and the such. Most of the software solutions are FAR too complex, licensing is prohibitively expensive, and just plain overkill for my needs. Is there consumer package which may have the features I need? A moment of someones time and vast knowledge for direction would be very much appreciated and the cost saving would certainly be significant.

By: Tom Charron

Tom Charron — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:28:21 +0000

Chris,

Some more info on RapidWorks: we’ll be releasing an update in the next few weeks that makes 64 bit available for the first time. ScanStudio, the software that runs the NextEngine and does mesh optimization, etc. will also go 64 bit, probably a little bit later than RapidWorks. It would be safe to get a 64 bit OS (XP 64 is a good choice, but I know RapidWorks will run well on Vista 64 too) because you can run the 32 bit versions of SS and RW for the time being, and make the switch to 64 at no cost once they’re released.

I also just confirmed with one of our engineers that RW 64 bit’s liveTransfer (the data interface that pushes models into SW with feature trees) will work with SolidWorks 32 bit and I presume 64 bit as well.

- Tom
http://www.rapidform.com

By: Chris Booth

Chris Booth — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:08:54 +0000

Very nice work Josh,

that’s clarified quite a lot of things for me personally that I hadn’t been able to find anywhere else on the web. What carefully composed and appropriate questions you asked there Josh - I couldn’t have done better myself!

In this article I get the idea of the power of the RapidWorks software, and it makes me think of the importance of a good computer and OS. Maybe Vista 64 bit? Oh no - I feel some more important still unanswered questions coming through, such as:

Is the Next Engine scanner software ready to run with the Vista 64 bit OS? And if it’s not, do Next Engine know when it will be?

But thanks Josh and the other Solidworks Bloggers who contributed for clarifying quite a lot for me about these two options.

By: Josh

Josh — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:41:38 +0000

By the way, thanks Ricky and Tom for the added clarity. May your scans be filled with accuracy and usable data.

By: Josh

Josh — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:40:26 +0000

Devon, I hear ya man. And as I was hoping, this post brought some users experiences out. Ricky’s comment is gold. Just what clarification is needed. Now, just an up-close review is needed.

By: Josh

Josh — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:41:38 +0000

By the way, thanks Ricky and Tom for the added clarity. May your scans be filled with accuracy and usable data.

By: Ben

Ben — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:18:07 +0000

Kyle although it does not have rapidworks you should look at the David-Laserscanner.com scanner for car panels

Ben

By: Kyle Mason

Kyle Mason — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:29:24 +0000

Josh,

Do you know of any large scale (fit around a car) scanner. I might have a need for it in the future and since you brought up this topic thought to ask here.

By: Ben

Ben — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:18:07 +0000

Kyle although it does not have rapidworks you should look at the David-Laserscanner.com scanner for car panels

Ben

By: Kyle Mason

Kyle Mason — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:29:24 +0000

Josh,

Do you know of any large scale (fit around a car) scanner. I might have a need for it in the future and since you brought up this topic thought to ask here.