ISO: CAD assistance regarding 3D Scanned result (making usable NURBS or alternative)

[Zahnrad Kopf]

ISO: CAD assistance regarding 3D Scanned result (making usable NURBS or alternative)

Short -

Seeking assistance with a 3D Scanned model. Need to either convert it to something else to be able to use it for creating CAD geometry, or figure out how to make it usable for use as a cutting tool to remove the inverse of its form in other geometry.

Willing to pay for one time service/time if need be.

Feel free to PM me, email through the forum's email function, or use our website's contact form for initial contact. ( avoiding bots harvesting email addy in open forum )

Thank you.


Long -

I have a 3D scanned model in STL that I need to use as a "base" for creating geometry that "mounts" to it with relative accuracy and good fit.

Ultimately, it would be great to have the model converted into something NURBS and useful, but I am completely open to other methods, as well. ( like using the scanned model as a form tool to "cut" or "subtract" from the model geometry that I am creating. )

I haven't had to do this at this level before, so am working frustratingly blind and don't know what I don't know. After several months ( a year, actually ) of frustratingly slow progress ( due to working on this in my "spare" time ), I am seeking assistance with the effort.


Any CAD whipper snappers feel like helping an old, decrepit, ignorant Luddite?

 

[Mhajicek]

I know Solidworks can do that. You can import an STL as a solid body. I don't currently have a seat though.

 

[Zahnrad Kopf]

I know Solidworks can do that. You can import an STL as a solid body. I don't currently have a seat though.

Yes, but it is not usable to create geometry from. It is basically just a graphic file on the screen, like a jpg. I need to be able to use it. This means either converting it to NURBS, or making it suitable to use as a "form tool" for cutting the geometry that I have created on another model.

There is software that does this. I simply do not have it, and to obtain it would be folly, considering the price, much less time and training required. The most expedient path forward is to work with someone that already has the access and the skills, and simply pay them. ( or accept their good will )

 

[vmipacman]

Yes. Solidworks is bad with stl files.

Best way I have worked with stl’s is to import them into a 3dsMax or Maya. High dollar soltwares used for gaming and animation. Then the stl can be fully worked with and re-exported as a solid.

 

[Zahnrad Kopf]

Yes. Solidworks is bad with stl files.

Best way I have worked with stl’s is to import them into a 3dsMax or Maya. High dollar soltwares used for gaming and animation. Then the stl can be fully worked with and re-exported as a solid.

Yes, that is my understanding of it. Also MESH Labs and a few others related directly to Reverse Engineering efforts. I am looking for someone that has access and the knowledge to help. I have inquired about possibly sending for professional assistance, but honestly once they hear what I desire, they equate it to a company looking to manufacture something for monetization, and price it accordingly. And that is far too much money to justify on my crappy little personal project.

 

[Mud]

Anyone know how Solid Edge is with converting STL files? If it can do it, I'll try it, plus I'd like to do the same thing for myself in the near future.

 

[Zahnrad Kopf]

Anyone know how Solid Edge is with converting STL files? If it can do it, I'll try it, plus I'd like to do the same thing for myself in the near future.

I'd LOVE to be flatly wrong, but I don't think it does this kind of stuff. My understanding is that it needs to be one of the programs specifically for editing and converting meshes into NURBS. Happy to be misinformed, though!

 

[Herding Cats]

https://machinistboard.com/index.php?threads/converting-igs-to-solid.415/

 

[Mud]

FWIW I found this in the help database. I'm not familiar with any of these procedures.

Siemens Documentation

docs.plm.automation.siemens.com

 

[Mhajicek]

There is a kind of hidden option in Solidworks to import the STL as a solid body. It's still got all those little triangular facets, but it can be edited or used to make a cavity in another solid. Or you can use it to define wireframe to make a clean solid.

 

[vmipacman]

There is a kind of hidden option in Solidworks to import the STL as a solid body. It's still got all those little triangular facets, but it can be edited or used to make a cavity in another solid. Or you can use it to define wireframe to make a clean solid.

True. But I’ve found it rarely works. If there is even one vertex that doesn’t make a complete closed model the import will fail. But it’s certainly worth a try

 

[Mhajicek]

True. But I’ve found it rarely works. If there is even one vertex that doesn’t make a complete closed model the import will fail. But it’s certainly worth a try

It didn't fail for me, but only used it a couple of times. There are plenty of utilities out there for "repairing" an STL that may help in those situations.

 

[jz79]

It was a while ago, but I was given a quite (unnecessary) detailed scan of a cars subframe, 400something MB, way too detailed and noisy to import into SW straight away (as point cloud), I used Blender to reduce the mesh data, smooth it out, then this much smaller point cloud imported into SW, scaled as necessary, used the points in the cloud to create planes where needed and create sketches to extrude or cut away from the model I was asked to make

The initial problem was the very large amount of points, SW just bogged down completely, like good 10+ seconds if you wanted to rotate a view for instance, once the amount of points was reduced, it went back to normal

I tried googling now if Blender can do NURBS export if you want to go the "solid" route, but it seems it cannot

I don't think making a solid and then using it to shape your part is a good idea, usually those scans contain lots of uneven surfaces, and that will get copied to the part and will probably cause all sorts of problems, chamfering for instance, I'd expect CAM software to also complain about surfaces like that, might work for 3d printing though if that is how you're going to make the part

 

[Pattnmaker]

We have a program that's an add in to Solidworks called 3d xtract. It was only around $1000. It works similar to some of the features of geomagic. Not as powerful but also not $25,000. We tried importing scan data into SW as well and had the severe choking problems as well. Minutes to rotate a view. The 3d xtract allows you to open scans, slice them, create sketches etc without the choking. The files are large and definitely slow things like saves down.

We have had a fair amount of scanning done and we have a scanner. If you can avoid nurbs at all do so. If you have to do any cleaning up or modification to nurbs in SW IT SUCKS!!!!!

The nice thing about creating parametric models from scans is that the stl does not need to be a watertight model before you start modeling the part.