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Home > Supported File Formats > Parasolid to X3D


How to convert Parasolid (.x_t,.x_b) to X3D (VRML2, VRML97)?


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.

     

X3D

X3D is the XML-based replacement to the venerable VRML2/VRML97 (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) file format of the 1985-era. X3D extends VRML2 with support for CAD, geospatial, humanoid animation and NURBS. It also provides for multi-stage and multi-texture rendering. Each new iteration of the file format brings more modern functionality, headed up by the Web3D Consortium.

VRML2 (and its brotheren X3D) continue to be two of the very best of non-MCAD file formats. Many people (wrongly) believe that FBX is the primary "translation file format" but VRML2 pre-dated it by at least 10+ years and has equally good or better functionality (and in an open, non-proprietary specification).

VRML1 and VRML2 are 3D file formats with a long and complex history. They were originally developed in the mid 1990s to define 'interactive 3D worlds' on the then-new World Wide WEB. However, statistically speaking, VRML2 became more well known as a high quality "data translaton and storage" file format, partly due to Okino pushing it as such a standard in the industry. It was implemented by a good number of 3D software packages and hence became a "reliable back door" to convert 3D assets out of those packages before FBX, DWF, COLLADA, U3D and other similar file formats came along in the mid to late 2000s, or glTF in the late 2010's. So many new 3D file formats were introduced between 2005 and 2007 that many quickly died away or just became ghosts of the past.

Its brothern are also known as VRML2, Classic VRML, VRML97, VRML1 and Inventor2.