Announcing Solid Edge Reverse Engineering Beta

By SandeepM

What is Reverse Engineering and why is it needed?

RE process.png

The reverse engineering process involves measuring an object and then reconstructing it as a 3D model. The physical object can be measured using 3D scanning technologies like CMMs, laser scanners, structured light digitizers, or Industrial CT Scanning (computer tomography). The measured data alone, usually represented as a point cloud, lacks topological information and is therefore often processed and modeled into a more usable format such as a triangular-faced mesh, a set of NURBS surfaces, or a CAD model.

Reverse engineering is also used by businesses to bring existing physical geometry into digital product development environments, to make a digital 3D record of their own products, or to assess competitors’ products. It is used to analyze, for instance, how a product works, what it does, and what components it consists of, estimate costs, and identify potential patent infringement, etc.

How is Reverse Engineering available in Solid Edge?

Currently, the Reverse Engineering in Solid Edge is in beta mode and is provided as an add-on through a separate setup.

Solid Edge will focus on extracting surfaces from a mesh file (only STL for Beta) and convert them to a solid model.

SE RE process.png

Why Beta –

The primary goal of this beta program is to enable you to spend dedicated time using the Reverse Engineering add-on, simulating your typical work processes for reverse engineering. This allows you to expose any potential issues, using the product for your workflow during beta instead of after release. We look forward to you incorporating the new functionality into your typical design workflow and providing us feedback on the results. This approach has worked quite well in past releases, and all beta program participants have been very positive about the benefits of participating. The beta program also allows the Solid Edge team to gain a better understanding of how you use the product and the documents you create. This is valuable knowledge that we can apply in future releases.

How can I participate in this Beta?

It’s simple. You need to download and install the add-on on top of Solid Edge ST9MP2. After installing you can check the new functionality into your typical design workflow and provide us feedback on the results. To provide the feedback see the ‘How to report the beta issues’ section below.

Note that Reverse Engineering is currently available only to following licenses-

Solid Edge Premium

Solid Edge Classic

Solid Edge Academic

Solid Edge AcademicU

For more details as below please see the attached readme file.

Prerequisites.

Operating System Requirements and Information.

Known issues and limitations.

Installing/Uninstalling and running Reverse Engineering ST9 (Beta).

Documentation

Technical Support.

How do I download and install the software?

Use the following GTAC link to download the zip file (Reverse_Engineering_ST9_Beta.zip) to your machine. You will need Webkey and password to acces this link.

https://download.industrysoftware.automation.siemens.com/solid_edge/ST9/RE_Beta/

2. Unzip the file and open the folder.

3. Click on the setup.exe to install the Reverse Engineering add-on.

4. Once installed , open Solid Edge and you will see the ‘Reverse Engineering (Beta)’ ribbon tab in part and sheetmetal environments.

SE RE ribbon.png

How do I learn to use the Reverse Engineering commands?

Please see the attached video demo for the usage of commands.

Also attached is the help file which you can download and have a look at. This help is also available on pressing F1 inside the Reverse Engineering commands.(Available only for ST9 MP1 onwards)