3 Affordable Scan to CAD Tools Not Just For CAD Specialist [With Video Demos]
Published on January 5, 2026.
Written by: Paul Motley
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We recently updated this popular article that was originally published on: March 29, 2019.
Our team found an interesting Reddit post related to reverse engineering from 3D scanner data to CAD:
Affordable Scan to CAD Software (Geomagic Alternative)
Are there any other options for turning scans to usable 3D files? I have a Geomagic trial right now and it works great but it’s about $8k to purchase. I’m hoping there is a more affordable option. Thanks!
Geomagic has been a well-established solution for converting scan data from professional 3D scanners to CAD models. We have customers who love Geomagic for SOLIDWORKS (plugin for SOLIDWORKS) and Geomagic Design X (standalone scan to CAD software) because they have extensive features for reverse engineering. They also have automated features like the Autosurfacing tool that makes it much easier to reverse engineer complicated and even organic designs.
However, if you need to do reverse engineering based off of 3D scan data and you just don’t have the budget to purchase a professional high-end package, are there any affordable alternatives to Geomagic out there?
* Update since we first published this article: Geomagic Design X has introduced a more affordable subscription-based option, starting at $1,900. For more information, please visit our Shop. If you’re still interested in exploring other 3D reverse engineering solutions for comparison, please continue reading.
Yes! There are more affordable options out there. Here, we’ll present you with three alternative Scan to CAD solutions that are accessible in terms of:
Affordability
We know that ‘affordable’ is a subjective term but we’ll offer a range of solutions from $500 to just under $6,000 USD.
Ease of Use
Scan to CAD is viewed as a complicated skill that requires hours of specialized training. With these solutions, learn as you go.
Work With Scan Data
These options have the ability to transform 3D scan meshes (like STL or OBJ) from any 3D scanner into professional, usable CAD.
QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS / Mesh2Surface for Rhino
Reverse Engineering Plugin that works with your favorite CAD package
Plugin options that work natively inside your CAD software tend to be less expensive compared to standalone Scan to CAD software. If you are already a SOLIDWORKS or Rhino user, these plugins are made for you. As a bonus, it empowers you to work in a CAD environment you are already familiar with, so it’s easy to pick up and learn as you go. It’s essentially an extension of the CAD software you are already using with dedicated reverse engineering toolsets.
Mesh2Surface For Rhino
QUICKSURFACE For SOLIDWORKS (previously known as Mesh2Surface for SOLIDWORKS)
KVS is the developer of QuickSurface for SOLIDWORKS and Mesh2Surface for Rhino. The company’s mission is to make 3D reverse engineering software accessible to anyone who wants to turn 3D scan data into CAD models without spending time mastering traditional, often complex CAD systems. These solutions are particularly effective at reconstructing freeform and complex surfaces with ease.
From 3D Scanning To CAD: The workflow from capturing 3D scans using the Artec Space Spider (Top photo). The scanned data was imported into SOLIDWORKS. Then, we used QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS to access the comprehensive scan to CAD toolsets inside SOLIDWORKS to design this bike frame. (Please see the photos below comparing the original scan data to the created CAD model.) Using scan data as a guide for design is much easier and faster than designing from a blank slate.
Every reverse engineering project is unique and the process can be time-consuming in order to achieve the right and accurate results. This inspired KVS developers to create a universal tool that can be applied to different reverse engineering challenges while simplifying the process.
“Using Scan to CAD approach to product design, we see significant efficiency gains in our product design workflow. Drawing from my own experience, on average, the time required to design a part is now reduced down to approximately 25% of the original time or less.”
Chase EvansLead EngineerPhiladelphia Racing Products
Case Study: Learn how Philadelphia Racing Products use QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS to reduce the time required to design a part down to approximately 25% of the original time. Read Now →
These plugin solutions focus on finding the fastest, most accurate, and easiest way to convert 3D scan meshes into professional CAD models. It is straightforward to use and delivers similar performance to high-end reverse engineering software.
Why We Love QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS + Mesh2Surface for Rhino
Speed up manufacturing while reducing redesign costs.
Simple yet powerful tools to create 2D sketches, extruded 3D sketches, and revolved surfaces.
Tolerance surfacing shows instant color map deviation from scan data and gives you full control to fix it to get the best accuracy out of your CAD model.
It can create complex hybrid 3D models (prismatic and organic).
Redesign your object with the best accuracy and design intent.
Extract shapes by selecting what type of features need to be fit.
Provide the flexibility of designing custom products.
Export remodeled data for 3D printing.
Create complementary products or new parts to fit with existing parts.
Edit and repair CAD data for broken tools and molds.
How It Works
These reverse engineering plugins are affordable yet sophisticated Scan to CAD tools that go beyond basic arcs and curves. You can use STL, OBJ, or PLY meshes—as well as PTX point clouds—to create professional CAD/CAM models. They can handle large 3D scan data without lag.
Since each CAD software works differently, here are some of the main features of each plugin with video demonstrations:
Mesh2Surface for Rhino
QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS
Create 2D line sketches that can revolve or extrude surfaces
3D sketching on scan data
Freeform reverse engineering
Automatic surfacing for converting freeform organic shapes just with a click of a button.
Deviation Analysis (comparing scan data to CAD)
Video Demonstrations
Our team created videos to show what the plugins can do.
Mesh2Surface For Rhino: Reverse Engineering Basics
Mesh2Surface For Rhino: Reverse Engineer Complex Organic Surfaces
QUICKSURFACE For SOLIDWORKS: Reverse Engineering An Oil Pump Series
QUICKSURFACE is a 3D reverse engineering software that guides you through every step of the way to help you make the best decisions in creating accurate CAD models—with user control accuracy you can trust. Intuitive to use, QUICKSURFACE helps you create designs faster and more effectively in an often labor-intensive process.
QUICKSURFACE Overview
Type
Standalone software
Price for Single Commerical License (in USD – prices subject to change)
PRO Permanent License:$5,880 Lite Subscription-based License (1 Year):$540
The STL scan data of this mechanical part (left) was imported into QUICKSURFACE and then reconstructed into a fully parametric CAD model (right). View the 20 minute video tutorial.
While 3D scanners are coming down in price making the technology more accessible than ever before, 3D reverse engineering software can be expensive relative to its hardware counterpart—until now.
With plenty of scan to CAD tools at your disposal, QUICKSURFACE helps spread the use of the technology at a more affordable price point so more people can benefit from using scan data from a 3D scanner as a basis for design. QUICKSURFACE simplifies the path of converting 3D scans into usable CAD while giving users access to powerful tools.
One of the most common questions we hear is, “Can a 3D scanner directly output a CAD model?” The short answer is no. A 3D scanner produces point cloud or mesh data, which represents the part as a single, non-editable entity rather than a true CAD model. That’s where QUICKSURFACE comes in. The software converts scan data into editable CAD geometry, acting as the bridge between raw scan data and usable CAD models.
Here is a visual guide to QUICKSURFACE workflows.
It’s great for anyone looking for an affordable and well-rounded scan to CAD software. QUICKSURFACE has the power to work with prismatic or freeform shapes (and even hybrid), making it a very versatile reverse engineering software.
What We Love About QUICKSURFACE
An affordable Scan to CAD standalone option.
It works similar to other CAD software so the learning curve is not steep.
You don’t have to be a CAD specialist to use it.
It’s simple yet powerful.
Even if you haven’t used QUICKSURFACE in a while, you just pick up where you left off.
It offers standard CAD operations like trim, revolve, booleans, loft, sweep, extend, mirrors and patterns. Finish your work by adding fillets and chamfers.
New for QUICKSURFACE 2026: Now powered by Siemens Parasolid, delivering faster performance and rock-solid reliability.
How QUICKSURFACE Works
QUICKSURFACE helps you make the best decision in creating accurate CAD models using its proprietary best-fit algorithms. It gets the accuracy and design intent you need when building CAD models.
QUICKSURFACE works similarly to QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS plugin, except it is a standalone application. It also offers interactive, real-time deviation maps. As you build your CAD model, you can see exactly how close or how far you are deviating from the scan data. This empowers you to correct problems immediately instead of leaving them at the end of the reverse engineering process.
This Scan to CAD software has various tool kits to take on a wide range of reverse engineering projects to perform the job. You can create parametric models, hybrid parametric modeling for both organic and prismatic shapes. Export as industry-standard STEP or IGES file format to other CAD/ CAM packages or use your results for manufacturing (3D printing, CNC machining, etc.). QUICKSURFACE offers a full parametric tree into SOLIDWORKS.
Workflow at a Glance
Import 3D Scan Files
Compatible with any 3D scanners that export to STL, OBJ, or PTX file formats.
Scan to CAD
Use 3D scan data as a guide to create parametric, surface, or hybrid 3D models.
Useable CAD Model
Parametric model with history tree or export as IGES or STEP file into your CAD program.
Here are some of the main features of QUICKSURFACE with video demonstrations:
Parametric Modeling
It’s a key feature of QUICKSURFACE. Parametric modeling makes it easy to modify and make changes to the parameters from solid bodies even at a later date.
Freeform Modeling
With Quad Surface tool, reconstruct freeform surfaces for organic 3D mesh data not normally possible with the standard surfacing methods. Snap-to-mesh technology and real-time deviation analyzer empower you to create shapes accurately representing the scan data in no time.
Automatic Surfacing
Load the mesh, press a button, and get desired results. Independent of the size and complexity of the object, the surface follows the natural shape of the object. You still have the ability to modify the automatic surface, if the design intent requires it.
Hybrid Modeling
Reconstruct parts with both organic and prismatic shapes. Starting with freeform and basic primitives, you can build a complex CAD model by trimming them and can later change the surfaces based on the design intent.
Video Demonstration
QUICKSURFACE: How To Reverse Engineer Less Than Desirable Scan Data
Reverse Engineering from Scan Data to CAD with Artec Space Spider
QUICKSURFACE Reviews
Develop3D
“…QUICKSURFACE is about taking your mesh-based data out of your scanning process and achieving the geometry you want. Whether that’s a complete part, skinned and surfaced up, or a select set of reference surfaces from which you will begin to design another part, QUICKSURFACE handles these tasks in a very efficient, clearly defined and well-executed manner.”
Al Dean Co-founder, Develop3D
QUICKSURFACE landed on Develop3D Top 30 New Technologies that give product development work a major boost. There is also an extensive QUICKSURFACE review from Al Dean, Co-founder of Develop3D you can read it here: Read the full review.
Trustpilot
Trustpilot is an independent, third-party online review platform where customers can leave feedback about companies, products, and services. Read why users have rated QUICKSURFACE as their 3D reverse engineering software of choice.
Trusted by users—see their reviews on Trustpilot. Read More →
Cloud-based 3D modeling with scan to CAD capabilities
Autodesk Fusion (previously known as Fusion 360) is not just a CAD/CAM software. You can also use 3D scanner data as a visual reference for sketching CAD models.
Autodesk Fusion Overview
Type
Cloud-based 3D modeling, CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB software platform for product design and manufacturing with the capabilities of using 3D scans for CAD creation.
There is a growing popularity for designers, engineers, and machinists to use real-world data as the starting point for design. Autodesk Fusion is a powerful software at a price of under $1,000 per year (price as of January 5, 2026). With it being at the forefront and center as a CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB software platform for product design and manufacturing, you can also edit and repair imported scans or mesh models files (STL, OBJ, and now 3MF) as well as use them for creating CAD models.
With Autodesk Fusion, you can create custom products like eyewear, apparel, or prosthetics based on a person’s unique curvatures and measurements using 3D scan data.
Here, we have 3D scan data of a person’s leg (top photo) which can be referenced to create fitted prosthetics (bottom photo).
While this article focuses on using 3D scanner data as a basis for design, it is worth noting that many users (especially hobbyists, home users, students, and educators as there is a free version of Fusion 360 available) are using the software to add their own customization for downloaded STL mesh files from websites like Thingiverse and converting them into CAD models before 3D printing them.
What We Love About Autodesk Fusion
Great value for the price.
It’s at a good price point for people who are using a low-cost 3D scanner and need complementary software for converting scan data to CAD.
Autodesk Fusion is great for a full manufacturing process. It’s not just offering reverse engineering capabilities but also CAM which covers the design of a product as well as manufacturing.
How it Works
If you want to test the waters and see if CAD modeling with basic scan to CAD features is for you, give Autodesk Fusion a try. The software is better at handling less complicated scan data, typically mechanical parts (as opposed to organic freeform surfaces).
Here are some videos to give you a better idea of how Autodesk Fusion handles the scan to CAD process.
Reverse Engineering A Scanned Part in Autodesk Fusion 360 (STL to CAD)
QUICK TIP: Mesh to Solid Reboot
Autodesk Fusion Review
While it’s difficult to find reviews dedicated to Autodesk Fusion’s scan to CAD capabilities, it has favorable reviews on G2 from users as a CAD/CAM software.
Which Scan to CAD Software is Right for Me?
A quick way to determine the most suitable for your needs
If price is a major factor…
Plugins are typically the best affordable solution with dedicated reverse engineering tools. Therefore, either QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS or Mesh2Surface for Rhino would be great options. If you aren’t using any CAD software and want dedicated reverse engineering tools, the best value we offer is Rhino with Mesh2Surface for Rhino. The combined purchase price of this package is ~ $2,000 USD. Learn more →
If you are looking for a well-rounded standalone reverse engineering software…
QUICKSURFACE is a good choice.
If you already have SOLIDWORKS…
QUICKSURFACE for SOLIDWORKS is the best option as you don’t need to learn another software.
If you already have Rhino3D…
Mesh2Surface for Rhino is the best option as it’s a plugin for Rhino software.
If you want to try CAD modeling and also want to test out basic reverse engineering tools…
AutoDesk Fusion is a good choice to explore. The new Autodesk Fusion (formerly Fusion 360) still supports basic scan-to-CAD workflows like mesh editing and mesh-to-solid conversion, but its native tools are not as fully featured as specialized reverse-engineering software unless you supplement them with add-ins or external workflows.
If you really want to use Geomagic…
Geomagic Design X or Geomagic for SOLIDWORKS would be the options you should consider. There is different plans now for Geomagic Design X with the Go plan starting at $1,900 annually. There are also Plus and Pro plans available. They are considered high-end reverse engineering tools with comprehensive feature sets.
Dedicated scan to CAD tools that work natively in SOLIDWORKS to perform all types of reverse engineering jobs.
Dedicated scan to CAD tools to perform all types of reverse engineering jobs natively inside Rhino.
Sophisticated scan to CAD tools for reverse engineering all types of parts from basic to complex, mechanical to freeform, and even hybrid.
Good for basic scan to CAD conversion for less complicated parts that are more mechanical in nature.
Easy to Use
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Great for Organic Surfaces
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Got Questions?
Everyone has their own use cases and requirements. Please feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to help you figure out a Scan to CAD solution that works best for your needs.
Hello,
You have prepared a very useful and informative article. However, with these products, Autodesk Fusion 360 software, which has a much more affordable price range and capabilities for reverse engineering, will make it a more objective article!
I hope to update the article as soon as possible and evaluate not only certain products but also more cost-effective CAD software that offers reverse engineering features.
Thank you for your attention. I wish you good work.
Best Regards.
We really appreciate your response and for contributing to our article. We’re looking into adding Autodesk Fusion 360 software into our article, as well as adding a new standalone reverse engineering software called QUICKSURFACE.
Chase Evans Lead Engineer Philadelphia Racing Products
Hello,
You have prepared a very useful and informative article. However, with these products, Autodesk Fusion 360 software, which has a much more affordable price range and capabilities for reverse engineering, will make it a more objective article!
I hope to update the article as soon as possible and evaluate not only certain products but also more cost-effective CAD software that offers reverse engineering features.
Thank you for your attention. I wish you good work.
Best Regards.
Dear Ali Osman GÜLER,
We really appreciate your response and for contributing to our article. We’re looking into adding Autodesk Fusion 360 software into our article, as well as adding a new standalone reverse engineering software called QUICKSURFACE.
Warmest regards,
Pauline