NextEngine HD 3d scanner... the verdict?

[drwhen]

I may be wasting my time here but what the heck. I am surprised at how little activity there is in the area of 3d scanning. It sure seems to have some good applications, especially in CNC hobbyist machining. I think the verdict is still out on NextEngine and their scanner. I have really scoured the web looking for users that were both happy with the product and the company from a support point of view. Not much to see. The NextEngine website has the same info it did a year ago... not a good sign either. I am tired of the same old Jay Leno demo.

I know many people have played with the David Laser Scanner software and have mixed results. Too many variables from the type of camera, corner targets, laser color, intensity & focus, PC, etc. etc. I have had some good and bad results and don't care much for the fusion software in David. Meshlab seems to help but as mentioned is "crashy".

NextEngine looks like a good turnkey system but I would think it would be much more popular considering the price. So what's the hangup? Is the company support that bad? Are the scan results that poor? Is it worth waiting to see if someone can put together a scanner with the Microsoft Kinect? Are structured light scanners much better than what NextEngine can do? So many questions. So little information.

[mcphill]

I have had a NextEngine for years, and I like it. The support is second to none - it is online based, and they usually get back to you within a couple hours. Support runs within the software, and you can easily attach screenshots or the model as needed.

I think the issue is the "what next" problem. I can scan whatever I want, but... What next. It is quite difficult to go from scan to solid model. Tools within SolidWorks are not enough to use the detail of the scan for a good model. I have finally been able to spring for the RapidWorks addon from NextEngine which is supposed to make reverse engineering from the scan data much better and easier. Unfortunately I have been short on time since I got it, so I haven't gone far up the learning curve yet.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to post them, and I would be happy to answer. Again, I am very happy with the price, speed, and detail from the scanner. To date I use it mostly to print directly from scan to a Dimension FDM printer.

[Khalid]

Hi Dr_When I have seen your thread on Vectric Forum.. Thanks for starting this topic here..
Their are too many variable to select a good scanning system.... As far as nextengine is concerned, it is robust, simple, user-friendly lowcost and a good laser scanning system... The HD model has some very good results too..But, if you compare it with David Laser scanner it has some drawback too... Nextengine can scan a limited size object only however the David scanner is customisable and you can scan as small object as HouseFly and a big object like a Human, Car or sofa set... But David scanner system require some patience, judgment, hardware, and experimentation to get excellent results...The David system is low cost...

I am using David Laser Scanner as i do not have bucks to purchase the NextEngine system... This limitation, pushed me improve my hardware and experimentation on David laser scanner and the accuracy now i can achieved with low cost camera and laser is within 0.2mm.. Recently I ordered CCD Mono camera and thin green Laser line, and i expect to get the accuracy <0.1mm.. This type of accuracy with a low-cost setup is enough for me...
Moreover, David is going to launch the structured Light abilities in the next Version David V3.0.. This will not only speed up the scanning process but the accuracy that i am expecting with a good hardware is 0.08mm...

I offer free laser scanning services and many peoples from USA and Europe got the services so far...If you want to check the scanning quality just visit my following blogsite and see all the pages:
Laser Scanning

[mcphill]

Nextengine can scan a limited size object only...

Not true. There is a maximum size for a single scan, but it is VERY easy to stitch scans together to make it as large as needed. A can can be patched together from many multiple scans.

In addition, you can crop the scanning area to do a VERY quick scan of a small object, like a coin. It would be interesting to see what scanning a fly would be like, though...

[Khalid]

Not true. There is a maximum size for a single scan, but it is VERY easy to stitch scans together to make it as large as needed. A can can be patched together from many multiple scans.

In addition, you can crop the scanning area to do a VERY quick scan of a small object, like a coin. It would be interesting to see what scanning a fly would be like, though...

i have done honest comparison of Nextengine with David Laser scanner.. Comparing to David, Nextengine scan window is limited size..off-course you can scan and stitch them together to get the complete object..

The David scanner setup is customizable for a bigger object as well as a smaller object.. For example you can scan the Front portion of a Full scale car with David but not with NextEngine...

A Full scale car will require only 8 scans with David Laser Scanner whereas the same car scanning with nextengine may require triple or more scans compare to David..

So its all about comparison of David VS NextEngine...

If you have a NextEngine scanner then we can easily compare the scanning capabilities with David.. See the some comparision here:
DAVID-Laserscanner Forum &bull; View topic - David vs NextEngine

PS:
Attached is the Fly scanned with David by Mattia

[drwhen]

Hi Khalid,

I have enjoyed viewing your work and comments here and on David_Laser forum for a few years. Your work is exceptional.

I just wanted to take issue with your link to the David forum that details a "comparison" of David to NextEngine. This really was not a fair, unbiased comparison. Most of the users of David (Mattia, Hal, Bongobat) have been working with David for years. One person only was using the older NextEngine scanner with no real experience. I understand the advantage of close-up work with David and a high quality camera (for scanning flies & coins) but this was not a good, fair comparison of both. It would be great to see a real comparison with both up to date products performed by unbiased hobbyists.

[mcphill]

I don't care what who buys or what is better. I am not a sales rep. I like my scanner, may do some comparisons, but the setup I can pretty much guarantee is a snap compared to a "homebrew" solution. That is NOT to say a homebrew output is inferior, but in my experience it takes TONS of time to get the the skills and tricks figured out.

[Khalid]

drwhen.. Why not to start a new thread "DAVID VS NEXTENGINE" here at CNCZone... This will be really interesting

[Khalid]

I will be happy if some of the Official of NextEngine participate in this comparision.. As they are the founder of NextEngine they know how to get the scan done in a best way...

This will help us a lot in comparision and if the NextEngine win in this comparision ..Your confusion will be solved... I will be ready in the coming weekend for this comparision..I will post the object and video of the scanning process so that no body have a doubt i am using expensive high-tech system...

The Thread will contains no bashing on any product.. We will scan and put in front of the CNCZONE members for their comments....

The following will be the Objective of Exercize:
1- Cost comparision
2- Scan setup comparison
3-Scan Quality comparision
4-Scan details/Resolution comparision
5-Scan Accuracy comparision
6- Scanning object size Vs No of scans comparsion

Regards

[drwhen]

Hi Khalid,

When comparing David, we should be sure to mention the real cost. This includes shipping a starter kit from Germany and also, because neither you, Bongobat, Hal or other power users do manual scanning, should itemize the costs for planeless scanning. Whether you use the Arduino boards, and stepper motor and the fabrication of elements/frame to house the scanning laser, those costs add up. Some people use a simple mechanical timer for a scanning motor so that keeps the cost down. I am still puzzled that David and it's developers have also kept the documentation limited to a Wiki that does not address all the problems encountered with David. Piecing together a system usable for a business by a casual cnc user is very time consuming and far from being turn-key

[Khalid]

Hi Khalid,

When comparing David, we should be sure to mention the real cost. This includes shipping a starter kit from Germany and also, because neither you, Bongobat, Hal or other power users do manual scanning, should itemize the costs for planeless scanning. Whether you use the Arduino boards, and stepper motor and the fabrication of elements/frame to house the scanning laser, those costs add up. Some people use a simple mechanical timer for a scanning motor so that keeps the cost down. I am still puzzled that David and it's developers have also kept the documentation limited to a Wiki that does not address all the problems encountered with David. Piecing together a system usable for a business by a casual cnc user is very time consuming and far from being turn-key

Hi Dr_when, I unfortunately unable to post the comments on Vectric Forum.... However your one last post at vectric forum was very biased about David... I want you to post the same here so that i can give you the comments...... I hereby not a Representative of David Team, but as a satisfied user...

Okay Let e tell you my cost with full honesty:I didn't bought the DAVID STARTER KIT....

1- I bought the David USB only+shipment: 340 Dollar
2- DIY myself the Calibration Panel (Qty-2)and some paper print to paste on it (including super-glue): 3 Dollar
3- Arduino Demoulvie + Shipment: 39 Dollars
4- Gearbox 1:250 ratio from local store: 40 dollar
5- Some Aluminum Profile(local market) 8 dollars
6- Logitech Pro 9000 webcam(local) 79 dollar
7- Laser green 20mW deal extreme 13 dollar
8- Camera Tripod Stand (already at my home 15 dollar
9- DIY myself SLA7062M controller 20 dollar
10- wiring, buttons,switches enclosure 5 dollars
11- Stepper Motors from Scrap Laser Printer 1 dollar
All above was done with improvement and little time daily..
Total Cost: 563 US Dollars

Above is my cost on the Planeless setup with full honesty.. Its DIY... But the majority of good users of David like Walter, Greg etc will have simillar cost not more than 800 US Dollars by any way...

Now, as i am talking about my cost on above setup.. Now, we can compare the results with my above setup and the Nextengine or any other scanner... With above setup i can scan a Full scale CAr total scans 8 all around and a house Fly... Totally customizable... DID I MENTION THAT THEY ARE LAUNCHING THE STRUCTURED LIGHT SCANNING IN DAVID...

Regards


PS:
I never used any other software for Mesh cleanup and Alignment.... The David ShapeFusion is the best i have ever seen... I have limited access to RapidForm XOR3 Redesign and GeoMagic, and honestly, no one can compete the David ShapeFusion...

If you have seen my blogsites all the scans are cleaned up and Aligned with David Shape Fusion... if comparison comes, i will make a small video of How easy cleanup and alignment of scans within David shapeFusion...

Now, You tell me the Cost of NextEngine including the necessary accessories and software...

[Khalid]

Hi Khalid,

I am still puzzled that David and it's developers have also kept the documentation limited to a Wiki that does not address all the problems encountered with David.

Sorry to say, Again very biased... They have all the informations available not only on the Wiki but they are running a Forum with 1000'nds of threads.. You can ask a question and you will find the answer...

But their are some basic requirement that you must first fullfill.. You need a good camera to get satisfaction results.. I prefer Logitech 9000 (79 dollar), but the majority of new-comers comes with cheap chinese cameras (15 dollar) so their results are bad...
You need a good laser, i use 13 dollar deal extreme laser..but the new comers are using 2 dollars cheap low wattage lasers...

So we recommend them to upgrade to get the good quality results...

You have a CNC, if you use cheap lead screw, controller, degraded power supply do you expect high accuracy with it?..