Reverse engineering software
AI reverse engineering software for mechanical parts.
AI reverse engineering software for mechanical parts: Oscar rebuilds a 3D scan as a parametric feature tree, checks it against the scan, and exports STEP.
What reverse engineering software must do
Reverse engineering software turns a physical part into CAD that you can edit. Oscar, our patent-pending AI copilot, does the steps that an engineer does. You review each decision, and you keep the feature tree.
- 01
Read the scan
Open the mesh from your 3D scanner: STL, OBJ, PLY, or 3MF. Oscar also reads CAD files, drawings, and images.
- 02
Find the datums
Find the axes and the planes that the part was made around. All dimensions start from these datums.
- 03
Recover the design intent
Find the intended shape, and ignore the wear and the scan noise. Flag each dimension that the scan cannot prove.
- 04
Build a feature tree
Build sketches and features with named dimensions. Then you can change the part, as in its original CAD model.
- 05
Prove the result
Compare the model with the scan on a deviation map. Then write an inspection report.
- 06
Send it to your CAD tool
Export STEP for SOLIDWORKS, Siemens NX, Autodesk Fusion, Onshape, and other CAD tools. Or build the native feature tree in FreeCAD.
Worked example: a stepped shaft
- Input
- shaft_scan.stl · 8,000 points
- Datum
- One rotation axis
- Features
- Profile sketch · Revolve 1 · Taper 1
- Dimensions
- Ø24, Ø36, and Ø28 mm · 120 mm overall · 21.80° taper
- For review
- Shoulder position at z −35.00 mm: confirm
- Output
- shaft.step · a feature tree with named parameters
Where Oscar runs
| Status | What it does | |
|---|---|---|
| Oscar in your browser | Live | Scan to CAD with a feature tree, deviation checks, and STEP export. |
| Oscar for FreeCAD | Live, open source | Builds native FreeCAD features with a parameter spreadsheet. |
| Oscar for SolidCraft | Release soon, open source | Builds the design with the tools of SolidCraft, in its Assistant panel. |
| OriginShape Studio | In development | Our complete reverse-engineering studio, with Oscar built in. |
| SOLIDWORKS, Siemens NX, Autodesk Fusion, and Onshape | Plugins come next | Import the STEP file from Oscar today. |
Common questions
On the blog: How reverse engineering works: a part, step by step
What is reverse engineering software?
Reverse engineering software turns measurements of a physical part into a CAD model. The input is usually a 3D scan. The best output is a parametric model with features and dimensions that you can edit.
Which reverse engineering software is best?
That depends on the part and on the output that you need. Desktop scan-to-CAD software gives full manual control. Oscar uses AI to rebuild a feature tree, and you review each decision. Our comparison page shows the options.
Can AI do reverse engineering?
AI can do much of the work. It can find datums, fit features, propose standard sizes, and build the feature tree. An engineer decides each uncertain dimension. Oscar flags these dimensions and shows their evidence.
Is there free reverse engineering software?
FreeCAD is free and open source, and Oscar for FreeCAD is free under the Apache-2.0 license. Oscar in your browser starts free. When you need more credits, you move to a monthly plan.
Have a part without usable CAD?
Rebuild it with Oscar in your browser. If you do not have a scan, send us the part. We will plan the capture with you.