After reviewing the state-of-the-art of surface model reconstruction methodologies in reverse engineering system and their applications from home and abroad,the two ways of classical surfacing and rapid surfacing for surface model reconstruction were analyzed deeply.Some key issues such as modeling strategies,handling and reconstruction objects,and modeling quality were also discussed by combining some examples.Main characteristics of two surface model reconstruction methodologies were summarized.Finally,the meaning of combination of the above-mentioned methodologies in surface model reconstruction and the future development trend were pointed out.