Convert 3DXML to Parasolid in your application
3D InterOp is a CAD interoperability SDK that lets your software read 3DXML files and write Parasolid, writing the 3DXML facets as faceted geometry, since 3DXML stores triangles rather than solids.
Spatial does not offer an online converter or a desktop conversion app. 3D InterOp is a component that software vendors embed in their own products.
- Reads 3D XML · Writes Parasolid
- Triangle mesh → faceted B-Rep
- C++ / C# APIs
3DXML to Parasolid at a glance
3D XML stores triangles; Parasolid is an exact-geometry format. The mesh is written as faceted geometry: 3D InterOp doesn’t rebuild smooth surfaces from triangles.
| 3D XML (source) | Parasolid (target) | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | 3D XML | Parasolid transmit file (text X_T, binary X_B) |
| Standard / owner | Dassault Systèmes | Proprietary — Siemens |
| File extensions | .3dxml | .x_t, .x_b, .xmt_txt, .xmt_bin |
| Geometry | Tessellated geometry | Exact B-Rep |
| Assemblies / structure | Yes | Yes (Parasolid assembly structure) |
| PMI | Graphical PMI | PMI groups and attributes (3D InterOp representation) |
| 3D InterOp support | Read and write | Read and write · up to Parasolid 38 |
What's preserved, what changes
Here is what your application can expect to carry across from 3D XML to Parasolid.
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Changes
Faceted geometry3DXML stores triangles, so the Parasolid file holds faceted bodies, not solids. 3D InterOp doesn’t rebuild exact B-Rep from a mesh.
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Not carried
PMIParasolid has no PMI, so the PMI read from 3DXML isn’t written. Keep STEP AP242 as an output when PMI matters.
Why software vendors add 3DXML to Parasolid conversion
Hand models to kernel-based applications
Many CAD, CAM and CAE applications are built on the Parasolid kernel. Writing Parasolid gives them exact geometry they can load without another translation step.
Downstream modeling and analysis
An exact Parasolid B-Rep can still be edited, meshed or machined by downstream tools, which a tessellated export would not allow.
Exchange within one ecosystem
Partners whose tools share the Parasolid kernel often prefer to exchange Parasolid files directly.
Things to check before you ship
- Written Parasolid versions: Parasolid 12 to 38.0.150.
- Writing Parasolid needs a Parasolid installation: there is no Parasolid Direct writer.
- Supported 3DXML input: 3D XML 4.0 to 4.3 (tessellated data only).
- B-Rep stored in authoring-mode 3D XML files isn’t imported: only the tessellation is read.
- Validate a sample of translated files in the target system your users actually work with.
Working with Spatial was a real milestone for us: Thanks to the powerful 3DInterOp library, we were able to successfully bring our complex CAD-based solutions to the cloud while remaining flexible to meet individual customer requirements. For us, Spatial is not just a technology partner, but a true enabler of our product strategy.
Dr. Arno Michelis, Founder, Simus Systems
Read the Case StudyAbout the formats
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Source format
What is a 3D XML (.3dxml) file?
3D XML is Dassault Systèmes’ lightweight XML-based format for sharing 3D product data. 3D InterOp reads and writes its tessellated representation, with product structure and graphical PMI.
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Target format
What is a Parasolid (X_T) file?
Parasolid is the geometric modeling kernel developed by Siemens and used by many CAD, CAM and CAE applications. Its transmit files store exact B-Rep models as text (.x_t) or binary (.x_b).
Frequently asked questions
No. 3DXML stores triangles, and 3D InterOp writes them to Parasolid as faceted geometry. It doesn’t rebuild exact B-Rep from a mesh.
Parasolid has no PMI, so the PMI read from 3DXML isn’t written. When PMI matters, offer STEP AP242 as an output.
Parasolid has no assembly hierarchy, so your application decides how the 3DXML structure is grouped or flattened before writing.
Yes. Writing Parasolid needs a Parasolid installation: there is no Parasolid Direct writer.
No. B-Rep stored in authoring-mode 3D XML files isn’t imported: 3D InterOp reads the tessellation only.
3D InterOp reads 3D XML 4.0 to 4.3 (tessellated data only), as visualization data.
3D InterOp writes Parasolid 12 to 38.0.150.
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Building software that needs to convert 3DXML to Parasolid?
3D InterOp is an SDK that lets your application read 3D XML and write Parasolid alongside 30+ CAD and BIM formats.