Help: CAD and Mesh Software help/suggestions? (Turning 3D scans/mesh into modified 3d Prints)
I have been using Solidworks for a decade or more, but still gaps of knowledge about many of it's functions.
I picked up a decent 3D scanner(Rockit) in May; I get nice scans/mesh out of it. I feel parallelized with how little I can modify the scanned object(an stl after it leaves the scan program).
Quick-Surface software is quite popular to bridge the gap between mesh and CAD. I've tried the demo, and I see some potential, I'm still on the learning curve and feel very limited as to what I can do with it. I'm not sure if it's even what I want to be using despite how popular it is.
I feel like maybe I need to edit the shape of the mesh before I try and convert it into a CAD feature that I can fly with.
Blender and Fusion 360, I have practically no experience with, and unsure how I can use them for my goals.
In the image below, was my improper attempt to take a scan of a corner of a car trunk, and try and build a shelled box. but functions like shell, and many other fail trying to calculate in Solidworks, due to the complexity and improper features creation of the surface of the scan.
I'm very burnt out trying to teach myself a reliable workflow, not even sure if I'm using the right software and or if it's worth paying quite a bit for at this point.
I really need some direction as to what workflow/software I need to keep going.
I want to take a scan, like of various features on a car, be able to manipulate it like clay, then design with it in the CAD I know and love to give it the mechanically perfect shapes/features I need it to have.
Posted Jul 11, 2026, 9:01 PM UTC