Acquisition of physical data with high precision is a key step in reverse engineering (RE). It is an important stimulative for the progress of reverse engineering with which various digitizing devices are invented, developed and made applicable. This paper introduces a three dimensional optical measurement method based on digital fringe projection technique in RE to improve the technique through its application. A practical example is presented and the result demonstrates the applicability and feasibility of the measurement system as well as the reliability and validity of relevant methods and algorithms.