QuickSurface – reverse engineering software from 3D scan to CAD
Turn a 3D scan from any scanner into an editable CAD model and export it to STEP or IGES. The new QuickSurface AI in QuickSurface Pro 2027 (available from 17 November 2026) rebuilds suitable mechanical parts as a parametric model with sketches, dimensions and a feature tree.
QuickSurface models continue in SOLIDWORKS for mechanical design → more about SOLIDWORKS
Scan to CAD in three steps
QuickSurface loads an STL, OBJ or PLY mesh or a PTX point cloud, helps you turn it into CAD and saves the result in a format your design and manufacturing teams already work with.
3D scan the part
Scan your part with any 3D scanner that exports STL, OBJ or PLY meshes or PTX point clouds.
Convert to CAD
Use QuickSurface tools to rebuild parametric and freeform surfaces and edit the model to your design intent. In Pro 2027, QuickSurface AI can prepare mechanical parts for you.
Export and use
Export to standard STEP or IGES (Pro also to Parasolid) and continue in SOLIDWORKS, Fusion, NX, Creo or your CAM software. The model is also ready for CNC machining or 3D printing.
The bridge between 3D scanning and manufacturing
QuickSurface combines parametric modelling with freeform surfaces (hybrid modelling), so it handles prismatic parts as well as organic shapes. It is built on the Siemens Parasolid kernel and easily processes meshes of around 100 million triangles.
QuickSurface AI – AI-powered reverse engineering
QuickSurface AI is part of QuickSurface Pro 2027 and is available worldwide from 17 November 2026. It turns a 3D scan into a fully editable parametric CAD model with sketches, dimensions and a feature tree, recognising mechanical features and the design intent of the part. The AI does the heavy lifting, the engineer stays in control.
A parametric model, not just a mesh
The result is not just a surface wrapped over the scan but a model with editable sketches, dimensions and a feature tree that you keep working on like any other CAD part.
Holes, fillets, chamfers, revolved features and drafts
QuickSurface AI is designed primarily for prismatic and suitable complex mechanical parts. The first release does not reconstruct freeform and organic shapes automatically – you keep modelling those with the QuickSurface tools.
From hours to minutes
In the manufacturer’s internal testing on suitable mechanical parts, the AI cuts manual reconstruction from hours to minutes. Results depend on geometry and scan quality; you verify accuracy with deviation analysis.
How QuickSurface AI works
Six steps from a 3D scan to a validated CAD model.
1. Import the 3D scan
Load an STL, OBJ or PLY mesh or a PTX point cloud from any 3D scanner.
2. Align the part
Set the part orientation and the coordinate system.
3. Start AI reconstruction
QuickSurface AI recognises the features of the part and builds a parametric model.
4. Inspect and refine
Review the feature tree, sketches and dimensions and adjust whatever you need.
5. Validate accuracy
Deviation analysis shows how closely the model fits the scan.
6. Export
Save the model as STEP or another format and continue in your CAD system.
Licensing, AI assistant and data security
No extra cost with Pro 2027
QuickSurface AI is included with eligible QuickSurface Pro 2027 licences at no additional licence cost; active maintenance or a subscription is required. It is not included in QuickSurface Lite or QuickSurface for SOLIDWORKS.
Your own AI assistant via MCP
QuickSurface AI connects through the open Model Context Protocol (MCP) to the AI assistant you already use, such as Claude Desktop or OpenAI Codex. Assistant usage is billed by its provider.
Your data stays with you
QuickSurface AI runs locally, never uploads your scan files or projects and sends no telemetry. The assistant only receives views of the part, measurements, the model structure and cross-sections. With a local AI model everything can run fully offline.
Products
QUICKSURFACE is specialized software for converting 3D scan data into CAD models, with easy editing and export to common formats.
QUICKSURFACE Lite is a simplified tool for fast scan-to-3D-model conversion and export to IGES/STEP.
QUICKSURFACE Pro is a reverse engineering tool that converts scans into CAD models and exports to IGES/STEP. Version Pro 2027 adds QuickSurface AI.
QUICKSURFACE for SolidWorks lets you work with scan data directly in SOLIDWORKS and export it to IGES/STEP.
What you can model with QuickSurface
Prismatic parts, freeform surfaces, organic shapes and mechanical components – QuickSurface has tools for every type of geometry, and hybrid modelling combines them in one model.
Prismatic
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Freeform
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Organic
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Mechanical
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Hybrid
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Castings
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QuickSurface and QuickSurface AI – FAQ
What is QuickSurface used for?
QuickSurface is reverse engineering software. It turns a 3D scan of a part into a CAD model that you export to STEP or IGES and use in design, CAM, CNC machining or 3D printing.
Which file formats does QuickSurface import and export?
It imports STL, OBJ and PLY meshes and PTX point clouds from any 3D scanner. It exports STEP and IGES; the Pro edition also exports Parasolid.
What is QuickSurface AI and when is it available?
It is the AI feature of QuickSurface Pro 2027, available worldwide from 17 November 2026. It turns a 3D scan into an editable parametric CAD model with sketches, dimensions and a feature tree.
How much does QuickSurface AI cost?
It is included at no additional licence cost with eligible QuickSurface Pro 2027 licences with active maintenance or a subscription. You connect your own AI assistant (for example Claude Desktop or OpenAI Codex), and its usage is billed directly by the provider. QuickSurface Lite and QuickSurface for SOLIDWORKS do not include QuickSurface AI.
Which parts can QuickSurface AI handle?
Mainly prismatic and suitable complex mechanical parts. It recognises holes, fillets, chamfers, revolved features and drafts. Automatic reconstruction of freeform and organic surfaces is not supported in the first release.
Is my data safe when I use the AI?
QuickSurface AI runs locally, never uploads scan files or projects and sends no telemetry. The AI provider only receives views of the part, measurements, the model structure, cross-sections and your messages. With an AI model running on your own computer, everything can run fully offline.
Which QuickSurface edition should I choose?
Lite for simpler projects and beginners, Pro as the full professional toolset for complex work (the only edition with QuickSurface AI), and for SOLIDWORKS to work directly inside SOLIDWORKS. 4CAD will help you choose.
Can I try QuickSurface for free?
Yes, QuickSurface Pro and QuickSurface for SOLIDWORKS come with a free 30-day trial. Contact us using the form below.
How is QuickSurface licensed?
Pro and for SOLIDWORKS come as a perpetual licence with one year of maintenance (updates and support); after that, maintenance is optional. Since 1 January 2026 they are also available as a 1-year subscription. Lite is available as a 1-year subscription.
What are the system requirements?
A PC with Windows 10 (64-bit), an Intel i5 or better CPU, 16 GB RAM and a dedicated NVIDIA or AMD graphics card.
Contact us
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