Convert JT to Parasolid in your application
3D InterOp is a CAD interoperability SDK that lets your software read JT files and write Parasolid, carrying across the exact geometry the JT 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 JT · Writes Parasolid
- Mixed geometry → exact geometry
- C++ / C# APIs
JT to Parasolid at a glance
JT 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.
| JT (source) | Parasolid (target) | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jupiter Tessellation | Parasolid transmit file (text X_T, binary X_B) |
| Standard / owner | Siemens, ISO 14306 | Proprietary — Siemens |
| File extensions | .jt | .x_t, .x_b, .xmt_txt, .xmt_bin |
| Geometry | Tessellated and/or exact B-Rep | Exact B-Rep |
| Assemblies / structure | Yes | Yes (Parasolid assembly structure) |
| PMI | Semantic and graphical | PMI groups and attributes (3D InterOp representation) |
| 3D InterOp support | Read only | Read and write · up to Parasolid 38 |
What's preserved, what changes
Here is what your application can expect to carry across from JT to Parasolid.
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Preserved
Exact geometryExact B-Rep read from JT is written to Parasolid as exact geometry.
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Changes
Faceted partsParts the JT file stores only as facets are written as facets.
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Not carried
PMIParasolid has no PMI, so the PMI read from JT isn’t written. Keep STEP AP242 as an output when PMI matters.
Why software vendors add JT 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 JT input: JT 8.x to 10.3 and 10.5 to 10.11.
- 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 JT (.jt) file?
JT is Siemens’ lightweight format for visualizing and sharing 3D product data, published as ISO 14306. A JT file can hold tessellated levels of detail, exact B-Rep, product structure and 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
The exact B-Rep that 3D InterOp reads from JT is written to Parasolid; parts stored only as facets stay faceted.
Parasolid has no PMI, so the PMI read from JT isn’t written. When PMI matters, offer STEP AP242 as an output.
Parasolid has no assembly hierarchy, so your application decides how the JT structure is grouped or flattened before writing.
Yes. Writing Parasolid needs a Parasolid installation: there is no Parasolid Direct writer.
Yes. 3D InterOp imports several levels of detail and the visual materials of JT files.
3D InterOp reads JT 8.x to 10.3 and 10.5 to 10.11.
3D InterOp writes Parasolid 12 to 38.0.150.
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Building software that needs to convert JT to Parasolid?
3D InterOp is an SDK that lets your application read JT and write Parasolid alongside 30+ CAD and BIM formats.