about. Raw scanned data is nothing but a point cloud. The expense comes from getting someone to convert it to a use-able parametric solid that you can alter in a 3D cad program or learning how to convert it yourself.
The irregularities (so to speak) of the scanned model is normally removed while converting a point cloud to a parametric solid. There are a couple great programs to do this but you really have to understand them. My favorite is Rapidform XOR3. The alternative is Geomagic. Once you're done converting in those, you can move onto something like Solidworks (my favorite 3D cad program) or Autodesk Inventor, etc..
