DISQUS

Devon T. Sowell · 1 year ago

Hi Josh-

RE:"Think of the application your using it for, the accuracy of the data you need and how you’ll be using that data."

I need plus/minus .005" on loaded PCBs that are about 6" sq. Possible?

Many people have mentioned reviews on this product, but I've yet to see one from a 'real' user.

Thanks,
Devon

Tom Charron · 1 year ago

One thing I'd like to add about RapidWorks that wasn't mentioned above is that once you build the model in RapidWorks, you can transfer it into SolidWorks with a complete feature tree.

RapidWorks uses the Parasolid kernel and D-Cubed sketching engine just like SolidWorks does, and the process of building the model is very similar. So once the model is built, it transfers nicely and you can continue working on the model in SolidWorks as though you had started from scratch in SW.

-- Tom
www.rapidform.com

Ricky Jordan · 1 year ago

Here is my 2 cents on the whole RapidWorks vs. ScanTo3D issue.

I have used ScanTo3D successfully for many projects. It is a great tool and with some learning has proven that it can get the job done. We have gone through an evaluation of RapidWorks in recent months. The biggest (but not only) difference between the two is simply TIME. ScanTo3D can get you there but it requires more time for tweaking sketches and in some cases manually creating features using the surfacing tools inside of SolidWorks.

RapidWorks has a much more advanced data set for refining mesh data and automated surface generation. The interface in RapidWorks is similar to SolidWorks in many respects and you do indeed build a feature tree much like SolidWorks. There are many great toolsets but the one that really impressed me was how you can create a blend (fillet) between two surfaces. The blend function will analyze the mesh and adjust the curvature of the blend to match the mesh as it blends surfaces together. They also carry both Tangent and Curvature conditions for many of their surface creation tools.

As soon as I get free of a few ongoing projects, we will be moving forward with purchasing RapidWorks. The time saved in reverse engineering models will allow us to be more responsive to our customers and more competitive in our jobs.

These comments are in no way meant to diminish the efforts that SolidWorks has put into ScanTo3D. Both are very capable packages but I think we are really talking about two different types of software here. For the occasional user where time to model isn't as much of a factor, ScanTo3D is great since it is a native SolidWorks application and those who have Premium already have it. For those that do Reverse Engineering often or even as a common business offering, RapidWorks seems to me to be a better fit.

Best Regards,

Ricky Jordan
http://www.rickyjordan.com

Kyle Mason · 1 year ago

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.

Ben · 1 year ago

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

Ben

Josh · 1 year ago

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.

Josh · 1 year ago

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

Chris Booth · 1 year ago

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.

Tom Charron · 1 year ago

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
www.rapidform.com

James · 1 year ago

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.

Josh · 1 year ago

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.

kholish · 1 year ago

Hi All,

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

Thanks

William · 1 year ago

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

Jon W. · 11 months ago

I am an Engineering student at STCC in Springfield MA. I have recently inquired about the NextEngine scanner that we have. So as of yesterday I've began reviewing it..(reading the manual, going through the tutorials, and setting up the football to scan it) everything has gone smooth until I get to the aligning part. I have been push -pinning the parts however they do not want to mesh together. So this is where I am at and I have to re-review the tutorial to find what I am doing incorrectly. All in all though easy user interface pretty straight forward direction thus far. Jon

chack · 2 months ago

It is very intersting, because I was analizing the Rapidform and is very similar than RapidWorks and is for a 90% off the prices.

Josh M · 2 months ago

Hi, what are the biggest differences? Have you used Rapidform yet?

vikrantkandimalla · 2 months ago

I am in the footwear industry and need to scan shoe soles for making CAD models and 3D prints. As you know, the soles are textured with matte finish and coarse finish. The surfacing is getting affected with this when I use Scanto3D due to unwanted points picked up due to the texture. Is Rapidworks better in this regard? Or is there any other process?

ron66 · 2 months ago

Question... can rapidworks be used with any scanned data or it proprietary to nextengine scanner?

Josh M · 2 months ago

Rapidworks has a native format, but it can export .iges and .step. what other scanned data are you talking about. Like importing an .stl file?

ron66 · 2 months ago

Yes I am not using a next engine scanner so im not sure if i can import any scanner generated stl obj or other files

Josh M · 2 months ago

I would contact NextEngine and also ZCorp. Send them your sole and have them scan it (or part of it) to see what the results are. This would be a great test to see the capability of each. Let us know what happens!