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For software developers · 3D InterOp SDK

Convert SLDPRT to XCGM in your application

3D InterOp is a CAD interoperability SDK that lets your software read SLDPRT files and write XCGM, with exact B-Rep geometry carried across and nothing tessellated.

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 SOLIDWORKS part · Writes XCGM
  • Exact geometry → exact geometry
  • C++ / C# APIs
bracket.sldprtSOLIDWORKS part · exact B-Rep · PMI
Your application
3D InterOp SDK
SOLIDWORKS readerHealingXCGM writer
part.xcgmXCGM · exact B-Rep

SLDPRT to XCGM at a glance

Both formats store exact geometry, so the model stays exact. The differences are in the product data each one can carry.

SOLIDWORKS part (source)XCGM (target)
Full nameSOLIDWORKS PartCGM native file
Standard / ownerDassault Systèmes SOLIDWORKSDassault Systèmes / Spatial (CGM Modeler)
File extensions.sldprt.xcgm
GeometryExact B-RepExact B-Rep
Assemblies / structurePart file (assemblies are SLDASM files)Yes
PMISemantic (DimXpert) and graphical, SOLIDWORKS 2014 and laterSemantic (read)
3D InterOp supportRead onlyRead and write

What's preserved, what changes

Here is what your application can expect to carry across from SOLIDWORKS part to XCGM.

  • Preserved
    Exact geometry
    Solids and surfaces stay exact B-Rep. The model is never reduced to a triangle mesh.
  • Not carried
    PMI
    3D InterOp doesn’t write PMI to XCGM, so the PMI read from SLDPRT isn’t written. Keep STEP AP242 as an output when PMI matters.

Why software vendors add SLDPRT to XCGM conversion

Hand models to kernel-based applications

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

Downstream modeling and analysis

An exact XCGM 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 XCGM kernel often prefer to exchange XCGM files directly.

Things to check before you ship

  • Written XCGM versions: R2012 to 2025 1.0.
  • PMI and miscellaneous data aren’t written to XCGM.
  • Supported SLDPRT input: SOLIDWORKS 98 to 2026.
  • 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 SLDPRT (.sldprt) file?

    An SLDPRT file is a SOLIDWORKS part: a single component with its exact 3D geometry, feature tree and properties. SOLIDWORKS is built on the Parasolid kernel.

  • Target format

    What is an XCGM (.xcgm) file?

    XCGM is the native file format of the CGM geometric kernel, used by CGM Modeler and Dassault Systèmes applications. It stores exact B-Rep geometry.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Both formats store exact B-Rep geometry, so the model is translated without being tessellated into triangles.

3D InterOp doesn’t write PMI to XCGM, so the PMI read from SLDPRT isn’t written. When PMI matters, offer STEP AP242 as an output.

No. PMI and miscellaneous data aren’t written to XCGM.

Yes. If your application uses Parasolid, a Parasolid-based SOLIDWORKS reader is available.

Semantic PMI from SOLIDWORKS 2014 to 2026, and graphical PMI from SOLIDWORKS 2014 onwards.

3D InterOp reads SOLIDWORKS 98 to 2026.

3D InterOp writes R2012 to 2025 1.0.

  • Building software that needs to convert SLDPRT to XCGM?

    3D InterOp is an SDK that lets your application read SOLIDWORKS part and write XCGM alongside 30+ CAD and BIM formats.