This guide is based on EXStar v1.0.5.0, EXScan H v1.1.0.1, and EXScan HX v1.3.0.3 software versions.
The EXScan software offers a powerful suite of post-processing tools designed to help clean, refine, and enhance mesh data—whether it’s generated through scanning or imported from external files in STL, OBJ, or PLY formats.
Let’s walk through each of these tools found under the Post Processing tab.
1. Texture Adjustment
If your mesh has texture data, you can adjust its brightness and contrast.
You can set values between -100 to 100 to correct the colors.
Original File:
After Texture adjustment:
When you're done, simply hit ‘Confirm’ to save or ‘Cancel’ to discard the changes.
2. Simplification
This tool helps reduce file size by minimizing the number of triangles in the mesh.
This is especially useful when working with high-resolution scans.
Use the slider (0–100%) to control how much simplification you want.
Just click 'Apply' to carry out the operation.
The mesh from the image above has been simplified from 1.183.108 triangles to 177.466, which means decreasing its size from 56 to 8.5 MB.
Click ‘Confirm’ to keep or ‘Cancel’ to revert. Be cautious—too much simplification can lead to loss of detail.
3. Mesh Optimization
This tool adds more triangles in areas with curves to better capture surface details. Use it alongside simplification for best results.
Set a value between 0–100%, click ‘Apply’.
Click ‘Confirm’ to keep or ‘Cancel’ to revert.
In the previous example, applying 100% Mesh Optimization increased the polygon count slightly—from 1,183,108 to 1,193,489 triangles.
At first, it looks like nothing really changes.
It helps balance triangle distribution—larger ones for flat areas, smaller ones for curved sections—giving you a lighter yet accurate model.
4. Smooth
Scan data often includes minor noise. The Smoothing tool reduces this by repositioning mesh points for a cleaner surface.
Adjust the intensity (0–100%), hit ‘Apply’, then decide to Confirm or Cancel the update.
5. Remove Small Floating Parts
This tool is useful when your scan includes unwanted fragments (like bits of background).
Set the threshold (0–100%) to remove smaller mesh “islands” and keep only the main object.
Click ‘Apply’ to clean up, and Confirm to finalize or Cancel to undo.
6. Auto Hole Filling
This tool allows the automatic filling of the holes based on their edge topology.
Unwatertight meshes (with holes) can be auto-filled using one of three methods:
-
Curvature – Matches surrounding curves.
-
Tangent – Similar to Curvature but slightly smoother.
-
Flat – Fills holes with flat surfaces.
The perimeter setting allows you to specify the maximum size of holes that should be filled.
Set the maximum hole perimeter to control which holes are filled. Click ‘Apply'.
Click 'CONFIRM' or 'CANCEL' to update.
7. Manual Hole Filling
This tool identifies holes and highlights them.
Choose the fill method (Curvature, Tangent, or Flat), manually select the holes to fix, and track progress with the counter at the top.
Click Confirm to keep or Cancel to discard changes.
8. Texture Remapping
After post-processing steps like hole filling or simplification, textures may no longer align properly.
Use this tool to re-project texture data onto the mesh, including newly filled holes.
You can find the Texture Remapping tool on the right side of the screen, marked with this icon below,
Simply click the icon and hit 'OK' to let the software automatically remap the textures onto the updated mesh.
Also, you can enable Texture Layout Optimization to generate a clean UV map, ideal for further editing in third-party software.
Click on 'Apply' to carry the texture remapping operation.
*Note: Texture tools work only with meshes created in EXScan, not with imported textured meshes.
9. Flip Normal
Sometimes, it’s necessary to flip the surface orientation (front vs. back) of mesh parts—especially for compatibility with third-party software.
This tool lets you do just that, even for individual mesh islands.
In EXScan, front faces are shown in bright blue, while back faces appear in a darker shade of blue.
In some applications or third-party software, the direction of the normal vector matters. That’s why EXScan includes an option to flip the front and back faces of the mesh.
Select the flip as needed and click Confirm to apply.
Use this tool to intersect the mesh with a plane and flatten it at the cut. It’s great for aligning the mesh with coordinate systems.
11. Mirror
The Mirror tool lets you create a mirrored version of your mesh using a plane you define.
To use it, first load your mesh and select the Mirror tool.
If you want to keep the original mesh as it is, make sure to check the option to preserve the original. If not, the original mesh will be replaced after mirroring.
Next, hold down the Shift key and use the left mouse button to draw a line—this line sets the axis for mirroring.
Once you're ready, click ‘Apply’ to generate the symmetrical version of your mesh.
Confirm or cancel as needed.
