The Quick Answer
If your team designs in SOLIDWORKS and reverse engineers mostly mechanical or moderately complex parts, Geomagic for SOLIDWORKS is usually all you need: it works inside SOLIDWORKS and builds native SOLIDWORKS features. If you need heavy mesh repair, organic shapes, batch processing or models for more than one CAD system, choose Geomagic Design X.
Both are Geomagic products and both turn 3D scans into editable CAD. The difference is where you work, how deep the toolset goes and where the finished model needs to end up. The details below come from Geomagic's own product documents, as of October 2026.
Two Tools, One Goal
Geomagic for SOLIDWORKS: scan to CAD inside SOLIDWORKS
Geomagic for SOLIDWORKS is a plug-in that adds scan processing and feature extraction to the SOLIDWORKS ribbon. You scan directly into SOLIDWORKS with a supported scanner, or import point and mesh data, then use its wizards to create sketches, surfaces and feature-based solids. The result is native SOLIDWORKS geometry in your feature tree, with deviation analysis in every wizard so you can check accuracy as you go.
Geomagic Design X: dedicated reverse engineering software
Geomagic Design X is standalone software that combines history-based CAD with heavy-duty scan processing. It imports more than 60 file formats, handles very large scans, and builds a parametric model you can check at every step with the Accuracy Analyzer. Live Transfer then sends the model, feature tree included, to SOLIDWORKS, Siemens NX, Creo, AutoCAD or Inventor.
Side by Side
| Feature | Geomagic for SOLIDWORKS | Geomagic Design X |
|---|---|---|
| Where you work | Inside SOLIDWORKS | Standalone reverse engineering software |
| List price (USD) | US$2,739 a year or US$8,301 perpetual | From US$1,900 a year (Go), US$4,190 (Plus) or US$7,280 (Pro) |
| Scanner support | Direct scanning with supported handheld scanners and scan arms | Direct control of handheld scanners in every edition; arms, trackers and structured light scanners in Plus and Pro |
| File import | Standard point and polygon formats, including colour scans | More than 60 formats, including point clouds, meshes and CAD |
| Mesh tools | Decimation, noise reduction, smoothing, hole filling | Healing, remeshing and hole filling in every edition; the full repair suite in Pro |
| Feature extraction | Extrude, revolve, sweep and pipe, freeform surfaces and primitives, with automatic sketch creation | The same, plus a full parametric history; modelling wizards and exact surfacing in Pro |
| Accuracy checks | Deviation analysis in every wizard | The Accuracy Analyzer at every step of modelling |
| Colour and texture editing, batch processing | Not included | Included in Design X Pro |
| CAD output | Native SOLIDWORKS features | Live Transfer to SOLIDWORKS, NX, Creo, AutoCAD and Inventor, plus STEP, IGES and other neutral formats |
Choose Geomagic for SOLIDWORKS When
- Your team lives in SOLIDWORKS. There is no second program to learn, and the model is a native SOLIDWORKS part from the start.
- Your parts are mechanical or moderately complex. Housings, brackets, fixtures and tooling, where the fitting wizards cover the features you need.
- You want to design around existing parts. Bring a scan into the assembly and model new parts to fit.
- Your scan data is reasonably clean. The mesh tools handle the usual clean-up, without the deeper repair suite.
Choose Design X When
- Your scans are large or rough. Design X is built to process very large point clouds and repair difficult meshes.
- You model organic or freeform shapes. Castings, blades and ergonomic parts, where Design X Pro's exact surfacing turns the scan into precise surfaces.
- Your models go to more than one CAD system. Live Transfer covers SOLIDWORKS, NX, Creo, AutoCAD and Inventor, and neutral formats cover the rest.
- Reverse engineering is a regular job. Batch processing, automatic region detection and the deeper toolset in Plus and Pro save time on repeat work.
Price alone can mislead. Design X Go starts below Geomagic for SOLIDWORKS, and Live Transfer still delivers the model to SOLIDWORKS. But you model outside SOLIDWORKS, and Go does not include the tools of Plus and Pro. Choose by where you want to work and what your parts need.
Can a Team Use Both?
Yes. They are separate licences, and some teams run both: Geomagic for SOLIDWORKS for quick work inside their designs, and Design X for heavy or complex reverse engineering. If you are weighing Design X, our guide to Design X Go, Plus and Pro explains which edition fits which work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which SOLIDWORKS versions does Geomagic for SOLIDWORKS support?
Geomagic for SOLIDWORKS 2025.1 officially supports SOLIDWORKS 2021 to 2025. It does not work with the 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS platform.
Can Design X send models to SOLIDWORKS?
Yes. Every edition of Design X includes Live Transfer, which sends the finished model with its feature tree to SOLIDWORKS, as well as NX, Creo, AutoCAD and Inventor.
Which one is easier to learn?
If your team already knows SOLIDWORKS, Geomagic for SOLIDWORKS feels most familiar, because it works inside the same window. Design X is a separate program, but its modelling follows standard CAD, so CAD users pick it up quickly.
Do both check the model against the scan?
Yes. Geomagic for SOLIDWORKS has deviation analysis in every wizard, and Design X has the Accuracy Analyzer at every step of modelling.
Do you offer training for both?
Yes. We run private courses for Geomagic for SOLIDWORKS and Geomagic Design X, built around your own parts and scan data.
Product details are from Geomagic's product documents as of October 2026 and can change with new releases. Ask us for the current details before you buy.