How to convert 3D scan to Solid Model

[BHTaylor]

I am working on a research project that requires that I scan a cast object and shell it out to a width of .125 inches. I used my school's 3D scanner to scan the cast, and I have a good model. I've made it a surface and exported it as an STP and an IGS into Inventor. I used the Sculpt feature to make it a solid object, but then I could not shell it because a few flaws in the cast made miniscule holes.

I then tried to use the scanning program's spline feature to cut the cast into splines to loft in Inventor. However, this made 5 non-connected lines at each location, so I couldn't loft.

Does anyone know how to create a solid and then shell with either method?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance!

(I am using Inventor Pro 2014)

[pcrawley]

Scan - probably produces a .OBJ or .STL format file.

Download Autodesk 123DMake http://www.123dapp.com/make

Import the model file

Thicken it

Job done.

If the scan is not great (holes/spikes etc), download Autodesk Project Memento http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/memento 

This tool is amazingly good at fixing small holes in meshes and removing spikes on poor scans.

Large comples poly-face meshes and Inventor don't tend to get on very well just because polyface meshes are inefficient shape descriptions.

[jmu7rf]

How did you convert the scan into mesh? 

[JDMather]

What brand of scanner do you have?

What software comes with the scanner?

[hiralhitech]

Follow this process to convert 3D scan data to Solid Model,

• First generate normal on the loaded model:
• Render > Show vertex normals
• Save the file (Export Mesh, .ply) with the option Normals and re-open it
• Filters > Point Set > Compute normals for point sets

You one can conveniently generate a 3D grid (mesh) model from,

• Filters > Point Set > Surface Reconstruction: Poisson
• Do not forget to use the top command bar to switch to the 3D mesh model.

The output or the 3D model can be then saved to a DXF format that can be loaded into any standard 3D CAD application.

Convert 3D scans into usable CAD models has posed quite a lot of challenges. Also a lot of times, from the options fast, good and cheap, engineers are able to attain any two of them, that too if they are lucky. Si it is better to take help from professional engineers who have successfully executed and delivered projects to convert 3D scan into CAD models with help of Autodesk Recap, which also provides advanced tools for processing and indexing of large point clouds, from 3D laser scanning (LIDAR).

I hope this helps!

[trevillaengineering]

Hi, I am the owner of Trevilla Engineering & Design, and read about post, hope you get your printer soon.

[admaiora]

I believe Recap (Autodesk) can do that

[girlschase20]

Hi guys I'm David new to this forum! But I cn help you with this.

Ok! now Follow the steps to create a solid and shell it in Inventor Pro 2014 after scanning a cast object.

Identify and patch the minuscule holes in the scanned model to ensure it's a closed surface.

Use the Sculpt feature to convert the surface model to a solid object.

Ensure there are no gaps or non-manifold geometry. 

Inspect the model for any irregularities.

Use Autodesk Inventor's tools to fix and optimize the geometry.

After converting to a solid, attempt the shelling process again.

If issues persist, adjust shell parameters or use the "Modify" tool to refine the model before shelling.

Alternatively, if shelling remains problematic, consider an alternative lofting approach.

Utilize the scanning program's spline feature to create connected splines.

Ensure the splines are correctly aligned and form a closed profile.

Use the lofting feature in Inventor Pro 2014, specifying the connected splines as profiles.

Adjust lofting settings as needed.

Remember to save your progress at each step. 😎