Convert IFC to Parasolid in your application
3D InterOp is a CAD interoperability SDK that lets your software read IFC files and write Parasolid, carrying across the exact geometry the IFC file contains.
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 IFC · Writes Parasolid
- Mixed geometry → exact geometry
- C++ / C# APIs
IFC to Parasolid at a glance
IFC can mix exact solids and facets; Parasolid stores exact geometry. Exact elements are written as exact geometry, and elements stored only as facets stay faceted.
| IFC (source) | Parasolid (target) | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Industry Foundation Classes | Parasolid transmit file (text X_T, binary X_B) |
| Standard / owner | buildingSMART, ISO 16739 | Proprietary — Siemens |
| File extensions | .ifc, .ifczip | .x_t, .x_b, .xmt_txt, .xmt_bin |
| Geometry | Exact B-Rep and tessellated geometry | Exact B-Rep |
| Assemblies / structure | Yes: spatial and element hierarchy | Yes (Parasolid assembly structure) |
| 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 IFC to Parasolid.
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Preserved
Exact geometryExact B-Rep read from IFC is written to Parasolid as exact geometry.
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Changes
Faceted partsParts the IFC file stores only as facets are written as facets.
Why software vendors add IFC 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 IFC input: IFC2x3 to IFC4x3 ADD2, from .ifc and .ifczip files.
- 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 an IFC (.ifc) file?
IFC is the open, vendor-neutral standard for exchanging building information models, maintained by buildingSMART and published as ISO 16739. It carries building elements with their geometry, properties and relationships.
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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
The exact B-Rep that 3D InterOp reads from IFC is written to Parasolid; parts stored only as facets stay faceted.
Parasolid has no assembly hierarchy, so your application decides how the IFC structure is grouped or flattened before writing.
Yes. Writing Parasolid needs a Parasolid installation: there is no Parasolid Direct writer.
3D InterOp reads IFC2x3 to IFC4x3 ADD2, from .ifc and .ifczip files.
3D InterOp writes Parasolid 12 to 38.0.150.
Yes. 3D InterOp reads and writes both formats, so Parasolid to IFC is supported too.
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Building software that needs to convert IFC to Parasolid?
3D InterOp is an SDK that lets your application read IFC and write Parasolid alongside 30+ CAD and BIM formats.