NextEngine HD 3d scanner... the verdict?

[Khalid]

Hi again,
The following thread of mine is where i started with degraded results... You will know how improvement comes by using some good hardware i later converted...
DAVID-Laserscanner Forum • View topic - MY VERY LOW COST SETUP

[drwhen]

Hi Khalid,

Thanks for all your information. I have only used the David system and never used the NextEngine. I have been trying to get as much information as I can for the results of NextEngine scanner.

I have only reported my experience with David. I have not had the great experience that you have. I understand that if I take "a lot" of time and invest many hours into getting the right cameras, corner backgrounds, laser, Pc and motorized scanning hardware together, I might get good results. Still, unlike yourself, I have found the Fusion portion of David very frustrating, non-intuitive, and crashy. Maybe with many hours of using I could get better results.

My interest in NextEngine is that it is supposed to be turnkey. Maybe less setup time each time a scan is required. Is it better? I don't know. I do know that David is more difficult to set up each time and calibrate, etc. I also find the forum painful to use...it is often many many days before a brief, limited response is returned. I have already agreed that David may cost less, but there is a price to be paid in all the hours it takes to setup a mechanical scanner, get familiar with the software, and get good results that can be used in CNC in short order. But sorry, no bias... I cannot recommend one or the other so far....

[drwhen]

Khalid said:

"Hi again,
The following thread of mine is where i started with degraded results... You will know how improvement comes by using some good hardware i later converted..."

also:
"This numbering will goes on as i will move to improve my setup Keep in touch and stay tuned .... In the last i will go to computerize the whole setup with stepper motors and controllers (Not that cheap).."


Khalid,

My point exactly. It has taken you much more than a year to get your David system to a point where you get professional results. How many hours did you spend tweaking the system in the last year? Most people do not want to invest a year to get good results and their time is worth much more than that. Is NextEngine better? I don't know and that is what I am trying to learn.

[Khalid]

Hi Khalid,
...Still, unlike yourself, I have found the Fusion portion of David very frustrating, non-intuitive, and crashy. Maybe with many hours of using I could get better results.

I have never got a single crash with david Fusion process... Fusiing the scans is an ART... I wish you purchase the NextEngine and you will see how difficult is fusion .... In the latest softwares like Geomagic and Rapidform you will find different techniques of fusing the scans... This is because their is no single way to get 100% perfect fusion without any hardwork...

I use many methods and ways that help me fusing difficult scans within minutes 100% perfect ... I will discuss and give tips to you later when you get the NextEngine scanner and your scans do not fuse upto the mark ...

[Khalid]

Khalid said:

"Hi again,
The following thread of mine is where i started with degraded results... You will know how improvement comes by using some good hardware i later converted..."

also:
"This numbering will goes on as i will move to improve my setup Keep in touch and stay tuned .... In the last i will go to computerize the whole setup with stepper motors and controllers (Not that cheap).."


Khalid,

My point exactly. It has taken you much more than a year to get your David system to a point where you get professional results. How many hours did you spend tweaking the system in the last year? Most people do not want to invest a year to get good results and their time is worth much more than that. Is NextEngine better? I don't know and that is what I am trying to learn.

Hi,
drwhen, it took me one year..it is alright..but i have logged my results and showed the best hardware to achive the great results too...
You now do not need to get one year (reinvent the wheel), just read my posts and in a week you will get the similar results that i am having now...

But , now, i really want you to purchase the NextEngine.. so that we can keep going this thread with amazing scans and great comparision..

[drwhen]

Dear Khalid,

I pardon your misunderstanding. I am trying to find a good comparison of NextEngine vs. David. So far, you have only been defensive about David. If I could run out and purchase NextEngine based on positive reviews, I would do so. That is what I am trying to get here. I have also described my poor results with David. That's all.

Thanks. Perhaps someone else here could give more info on results with NE. I have enough info about David.

[mcphill]

Fusing scans on the NextEngine IS very easy. Just put in 3 points on pairs of scans and it auto-aligns using the geometry of the scans. That's if you scan manually. If you do a bracket or 360 scan using the stage, it automatically aligns for you, as it knows where each scan is in space (the stage is attached and driven by the scanner).

[Khalid]

Fusing scans on the NextEngine IS very easy. Just put in 3 points on pairs of scans and it auto-aligns using the geometry of the scans. That's if you scan manually. If you do a bracket or 360 scan using the stage, it automatically aligns for you, as it knows where each scan is in space (the stage is attached and driven by the scanner).

Drwhen,
Here you go
user_manual:shape_fusion [DAVID-Wiki]
just tell me what is missing here?


Hi mcPhill,
In David Laser scanner you can choose between six different registration modes for pairwise surface alignment: 'Free rotation', 'Rotation around x-axis', 'Rotation around y-axis', 'Rotation around z-axis', 'Manual alignment', and 'Only fine registration'.

You have Talked about Manual Alignment David also has this functionality but you can choose at least 3 or more than 3 surface points to Align the Pairs...

Now my Question to You, have you tried a object scanning all around without the rotary fixture of NextEngine?.. If so how does your scan aligned then easy or difficult?..I mean lets you have 10 scans , you started manually alignment of Scan1 and 2, then 3 to 2 then 4 to 3 then...10 to 9 and what happen if all goes good or you are getting misalignment or crevice between the last scan and the first scan..???

I have used the David with Rotary fixture and all the scans aligned 100% perfect within 10 minutes (20 scans).... The question is without rotary fixture, the David also passes the test for me...

[Khalid]

One thing more to say
What is the purpose of Keeping the Forum Open to the General Public???... David kept its forum open to all of you so you can see the good, bad and ugly things... but what about the NextEngine, can't access the forum unless you purchase the system.. so you can see only good things on their website but can't see the user experiences in the Forum...

So another big advantage of David

[Khalid]

Dear Khalid,
So far, you have only been defensive about David. If I could run out and purchase NextEngine based on positive reviews, I would do so.

My initial posts on this thread were my honest feedbacks about both the system..I never ever stressed any body to purchase the David Laser Scanner..but i gave you the answers of your comments only... With full regards to you, Your comments seems to me a very bad impression on the David Laser Scanner so i just tried to clarify for the CNCZONE community members...

Thanks. Perhaps someone else here could give more info on results with NE. I have enough info about David.

Yes.. This is what i also want to know, NextEngine websites declared that they have thousands of users around 80 countries of the world..but the scan results on internet are seldom seens !!!!!... Their forum is also for the NextEngine users only, so we can't dig out the problems or good things!!!

So, if you kindly contact them and show this Thread on CNCZONE may be some one willing to show some very good scans with their systems.. Many of us will be much happy if someone volunteer to come here and show us the Good, The Bad and the Ugly about the NextEngine...

[drwhen]

Khalid,

I am looking for others with experience with NextEngine and maybe others are too. I explained that David did not work out for me and I don't really care for it. Maybe NextEngine is no better. You promote David and have not used NextEngine though you apparently are on a crusade against it for some reason. You are claiming that I am doing the same with David. However, I have used David for many, many hours and expressed my dislike and reasons. After you try NextEngine, feel free to do the same. Until then, we know where you stand.

[Khalid]

Yes I will try NextEngine if they send me Free for comparison work