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For software developers · 3D InterOp SDK

Convert FBX to ASAT in your application

3D InterOp is a CAD interoperability SDK that lets your software read FBX files and write ASAT, writing the FBX facets as faceted geometry, since FBX 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 FBX · Writes ACIS assembly
  • Triangle mesh → faceted B-Rep
  • C++ / C# APIs
scene.fbxFBX · mesh scene
Your application
3D InterOp SDK
FBX readerHealingACIS writer
assembly.asatACIS assembly · exact B-Rep

FBX to ASAT at a glance

FBX stores triangles; ACIS assembly is an exact-geometry format. The mesh is written as faceted geometry: 3D InterOp doesn’t rebuild smooth surfaces from triangles.

FBX (source)ACIS assembly (target)
Full nameFilmboxACIS assembly, text (ASAT) and binary (ASAB)
Standard / ownerAutodeskSpatial (3D ACIS Modeler)
File extensions.fbx.asat, .asab
GeometryTriangle meshExact B-Rep
Assemblies / structureYes: scene hierarchyYes
3D InterOp supportRead and writeRead and write

What's preserved, what changes

Here is what your application can expect to carry across from FBX to ACIS assembly.

  • Preserved
    Product structure
    The FBX product structure is written to ASAT.
  • Changes
    Faceted geometry
    FBX stores triangles, so the ASAT file holds faceted bodies, not solids. 3D InterOp doesn’t rebuild exact B-Rep from a mesh.

Why software vendors add FBX to ASAT conversion

Hand models to kernel-based applications

Many CAD, CAM and CAE applications are built on the ACIS assembly kernel. Writing ACIS assembly gives them exact geometry they can load without another translation step.

Downstream modeling and analysis

An exact ACIS assembly 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 ACIS assembly kernel often prefer to exchange ACIS assembly files directly.

Things to check before you ship

  • Written ASAT versions: ACIS R18 to 2026 1.0.
  • Supported FBX input: FBX 2.0 to 7.7 (mesh nodes).
  • 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 Study

About the formats

  • Source format

    What is an FBX (.fbx) file?

    FBX is Autodesk’s format for exchanging 3D scenes between content-creation, game and real-time tools. It stores meshes, materials and the scene hierarchy.

  • Target format

    What is an ASAT (.asat) file?

    ASAT and ASAB are the assembly versions of the ACIS save file, in text and binary form. They store the product structure of models built on Spatial’s 3D ACIS Modeler kernel.

Frequently asked questions

No. FBX stores triangles, and 3D InterOp writes them to ASAT as faceted geometry. It doesn’t rebuild exact B-Rep from a mesh.

Yes. 3D InterOp reads the FBX product structure and writes it to ASAT.

An ACIS assembly (ASAT/ASAB) doesn’t support layers or colors at instance level, suppressed or hidden instances, or units at instance level.

Yes, when the folder of the FBX file is writable. 3D InterOp also reads the visual material properties.

3D InterOp reads FBX 2.0 to 7.7 (mesh nodes), as visualization data.

3D InterOp writes ACIS R18 to 2026 1.0.

Yes. 3D InterOp reads and writes both formats, so ASAT to FBX is supported too.

  • Building software that needs to convert FBX to ASAT?

    3D InterOp is an SDK that lets your application read FBX and write ACIS assembly alongside 30+ CAD and BIM formats.