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How to convert Parasolid (.x_t,.x_b) to PLY (Stanford .ply)?

PolyTrans|CAD+DCC performs mathematically precise CAD, DCC/Animation, GIS and BIM 3D file conversions into all key downstream 3D packages and file formats. Okino software is used and trusted throughout the world by many tens of thousands of 3D professionals in mission & production critical environments, backed by respectable personal support directly from our core development team.

Parasolid

Parasolid is a 3D geometric modelling toolkit developed by Siemens PLM's components group in Cambridge, U.K. This toolkit provides hundreds of complex mathematical algorithms and functions which allow software developers to create 3D modelling software based on "BREP solids" modelling techniques (among others). The toolkit uses a "transmit" file format to move data to and from the Parasolid toolkit in native format. The ASCII form uses the .x_t file extension and the binary form uses the .x_b file extension.

Since the late 1990s Parasolid has been used as the core modelling kernel by well known MCAD programs such as Unigraphics NX, SOLIDWORKS, Solid Edge, MicroStation, ANSYS, Delcam and others. Newer versions of the JT file format also include Parasolid functionality by way of the "XT BREP" geometry primitive.

Okino's PolyTrans|CAD provides for a defacto 3D Parasolid file conversion solution used by the world's primary & professional engineering, aerospace, military, corporate, animation/multi-media and VR/AR industries. However, we generally prefer that our core customers utilize either the original native CAD files (such as native SolidWorks files), a STEP AP214 file or an 'IGES BREP solids' file as outlined on our "CAD Data Sourcing Suggestons and Rules" page.

A much deeper overview plus explanation of Parasolid, and how it can be best used + understood, is outlined in this Okino WEB page.

PLY

PLY can generally be considered a simple, 1990s-era, university research oriented polygonal (mesh) 3D file format designed to store data from 3D scanners. It was developed by Greg Turk and others in the Stanford graphics. Its design was inspired by the Wavefront .obj format.

PLY was meant to be a simple, easily parsable file format and hence only conveys basic geometry information for a single object definition with polygon vertices, vertex colors vertex normals and UV texture coordinates. No materials nor hierarchy, lights or cameras are supported.

More information about Parasolid

Parasolid import converter's overview

PLY export converter's overview