Solidworks and Point Cloud data? 1

[NateFoerg]

Can anyone tell me how to import a point cloud (3d scan data from a CMM) into solidworks 2010 without buying an expensive program?

Are their any free utilitys?

I also have the data in DXF.

This is the first time I have ever tried to use solidworks, so please be gentle...

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

http://solidworks.cad.de/mm_24.htm

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

http://www.sharewareconnection.com/download-point-cloud-from-sharecon.html

 

[NateFoerg]

Thanks! I tried the second one a few days ago, its very expensive and crashes like crazy.

the first one looks good, but even after translating the page from german to english, I cannot find out how to install the plugin.

Any ideas on how to install it?

 

[KevinDeSmet]

If you have Solidworks Premium, you can go to Tools > Add-Ins and load ScanTo3D which allows you to import and work with scan data.

There is information how how to use ScanTo3d (if you have it) under Help > SolidWorks Tutorials and Help > SolidWorks Help

CSWP-Surf

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

NateFoerg ...

It is not a plugin. It is a macro which is run from within an open SW part. If I remember correctly, the accompanying .txt file has to be populated with the XYZ points before the macro is run.

 

[beachcomber]

Have a look at

http://www.sycode.com

They have software to import point-cloud data and convert to various formats.
10-day/use trials are available and they look reasonably priced.

bc.
2.4GHz Core2 Quad, 4GB RAM,
Quadro FX4600.

Where would we be without sat-nav?

 

[321GO]

I do this all the time.

I load the txt in Rhino via a VBscript.

Afterwards i import the IGES in SW.

Works like a champ.


p.s. is it for reverse engineering?

 

[321GO]

- KevinDeSmet

have you used Scanto3D? Is it a surface modeller, can one recreate "original" features?

 

[KevinDeSmet]

I haven't used it since we don't have Premium here, but it's part of Geomagic that Solidworks licenses, essentially.

It can auto surface a model (good for organic things like a face for reference if you make skigoggles) and a semi automatic mode where you can paint regions and then surface model it yes, that's a planar regions, that's a cylindrical face, that's a freeform surface and so on.

CSWP-Surf

 

[321GO]

- KevinDeSmet, tanks

- NateFoerg

just wondering, how do you deal with the probe radius offset in your sketches?

For me, this makes CMM point data realy dangerous to use.