A method for measuring the sculptured surface of rotation by using coordinate measuring machine (CMM) and rotary table is proposed. The measurement is realized during the continuous rotation of the workpiece mounted on the rotary table while the probe moves along the generatrix of the surface step by step. This method possesses lots of advantages such as simplicity of probe motion, high reliability and efficiency. Some key techniques including calibration of the effective radius of the probing system, determination of the position of axis of rotation, auto-centering of the workpiece, data processing algorithm, are discussed. Approaches for determining the coordinates on measured surface, establishing workpiece coordinate system and surface fitting are presented in detail. The method can be used with contact or non-contact probes. Some fragile ceramic and plaster parts are measured by using the system consisting of a CMM, rotary table, motorized head and non-contact laser triangulation probe. The measuring uncertainty is about 0.02 mm which meets the general requirement in most cases.