We’ve put together a white paper outlining the techniques and advantages of what we call third-generation reverse engineering. Click here to download a copy in PDF format. Feel free to share this with colleagues as well.

To summarize briefly: 3G RE is the process of making a full CAD model from 3D scan data, using well-established solid and surface modeling techniques. It’s the way RE is done using Rapidform XOR. Second generation (2G) RE is the process of creating NURBS surface models that are fit onto scan data (specifically, optimized polygon meshes of scanned objects). First generaration RE is the process of tracing over 3D scan data to build splines that you then use to make lofts and sweeps.

Obviously we strongly believe the third generation approach is the best in most cases of mechanical reverse engineering. If what you’re scanning is completely freeform or organic, the 2G approach is usually the best. That’s why we offer Rapidform XOS.