System and method for mesh and body hybrid modeling using 3D scan data

A system for performing 3D CAD part body modeling using 3D scan data, comprising:

• a collection of 3D scan data representing the shape of a three dimensional object, the 3D scan data forming a model representing the three dimensional object;
• a CAD application being used to remodel at least one CAD part body with a part body modeling operation, the part body modeling operation allowing the use of a surface body modeling input argument;
• at least one identified region in the model, the at least one identified region associated with a portion of the 3D scan data;
• and
• a user interface enabling the receipt of a selection of the data associated with the at least one identified region, the selected data used to programmatically imply a surface body representing the region that is used as an input argument to the CAD part body modeling operation, the user interface further enabling the receipt of a selection modifying the previously selected 3D scan data, the modifying altering the 3D scan data geometrically or topologically, the implied surface body automatically modified based upon the modifying of the 3D scan data and used as an input to the CAD part body modeling operation.

A physical medium holding computer-executable instructions for performing 3D CAD part body modeling using 3D scan data, the instructions when executed causing a computing device to:

• a collection of 3D scan data representing the shape of a three dimensional object, the 3D scan data forming a model representing the three dimensional object;
• a CAD system being used to remodel at least one CAD part body;
• segment the model into a plurality of regions;
• receive a selection of data from at least one of the plurality of regions, the selected data used to programmatically imply a surface body representing the region, the implied surface body used as an input argument to a CAD part body modeling operation;
• perform the CAD part body modeling operation using the implied surface body:
• receive a selection of the modifying of the 3D scan data, the modifying altering the 3D scan data geometrically or topologically;
• automatically modify the implied surface body based on the modifying of the 3D scan data;
• and
• perform the CAD part body modeling operation using the modified implied surface body as an input argument.

A physical medium holding computer-executable instructions for performing 3D CAD part body modeling using 3D scan data, the instructions when executed causing a computing device to:

• provide a collection of 3D scan data representing the shape of a three dimensional object that cumulatively forms a model of the three dimensional object;
• receive a selection of the 3D scan data representing at least one region in the model;
• calculate with the computing device an implied surface for the at least one region using the selected data;
• use the implied surface as an input argument to a CAD part body modeling operation;
• perform the CAD part body modeling operation using the implied surface body;
• receive a selection of the modifying of the 3D scan data, the modifying altering the 3D scan data geometrically or topologically;
• automatically modify the implied surface body based on the modifying of the 3D scan data;
• and
• perform the CAD part body modeling operation using the modified implied surface body as an input argument.