Parasolid
Encyclopedia
Parasolid is a geometric modeling kernel
originally developed by ShapeData, now owned by Siemens PLM Software
(formerly UGS Corp.), that can be licensed by other companies for use in their 3D computer graphics
software products.
Parasolid's capabilities include model creation and editing utilities such as Boolean modeling operators, feature modeling support, advanced surfacing, thickening and hollowing, blending and filleting and sheet modeling. Parasolid also includes tools for direct model editing, including tapering, offsetting, geometry replacement and removal of feature details with automated regeneration of surrounding data. Parasolid also provides wide-ranging graphical and rendering support, including hidden-line, wireframe and drafting, tessellation and model data inquiries.
When exported from the parent software package, a Parasolid commonly has the file extension .x_t. Another format is .x_b, which is in binary format so it is more machine independent and not subject to binary-to-text conversion errors. Most Parasolid files can communicate and migrate only 3D solids and/or surface data - Parasolid files currently cannot communicate and migrate 2D data such as lines and arcs.
To use Parasolid effectively, users need to have fundamental knowledge of CAGD, computational geometry
and topology
.
(CAD), Computer-aided manufacturing
(CAM), Computer-aided engineering
(CAE), Product visualization, and CAD data exchange
packages, users include:
Geometric modeling kernel
A geometric modeling kernel is a 3D solid modeling software component used in computer-aided design packages. Examples include Romulus, Parasolid, ACIS, ShapeManager and Open CASCADE....
originally developed by ShapeData, now owned by Siemens PLM Software
Siemens PLM Software
Siemens PLM Software is a computer software company specializing in 3D & 2D Product Lifecycle Management software. The company is a business unit of Siemens Industry Automation division, and is headquartered in Plano, Texas....
(formerly UGS Corp.), that can be licensed by other companies for use in their 3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
software products.
Parasolid's capabilities include model creation and editing utilities such as Boolean modeling operators, feature modeling support, advanced surfacing, thickening and hollowing, blending and filleting and sheet modeling. Parasolid also includes tools for direct model editing, including tapering, offsetting, geometry replacement and removal of feature details with automated regeneration of surrounding data. Parasolid also provides wide-ranging graphical and rendering support, including hidden-line, wireframe and drafting, tessellation and model data inquiries.
When exported from the parent software package, a Parasolid commonly has the file extension .x_t. Another format is .x_b, which is in binary format so it is more machine independent and not subject to binary-to-text conversion errors. Most Parasolid files can communicate and migrate only 3D solids and/or surface data - Parasolid files currently cannot communicate and migrate 2D data such as lines and arcs.
To use Parasolid effectively, users need to have fundamental knowledge of CAGD, computational geometry
Computational geometry
Computational geometry is a branch of computer science devoted to the study of algorithms which can be stated in terms of geometry. Some purely geometrical problems arise out of the study of computational geometric algorithms, and such problems are also considered to be part of computational...
and topology
Topology
Topology is a major area of mathematics concerned with properties that are preserved under continuous deformations of objects, such as deformations that involve stretching, but no tearing or gluing...
.
Applications
It is used in many Computer-aided designComputer-aided design
Computer-aided design , also known as computer-aided design and drafting , is the use of computer technology for the process of design and design-documentation. Computer Aided Drafting describes the process of drafting with a computer...
(CAD), Computer-aided manufacturing
Computer-aided manufacturing
Computer-aided manufacturing is the use of computer software to control machine tools and related machinery in the manufacturing of workpieces. This is not the only definition for CAM, but it is the most common; CAM may also refer to the use of a computer to assist in all operations of a...
(CAM), Computer-aided engineering
Computer-aided engineering
Computer-aided engineering is the broad usage of computer software to aid in engineering tasks. It includes computer-aided design , computer-aided analysis , computer-integrated manufacturing , computer-aided manufacturing , material requirements planning , and computer-aided planning .- Overview...
(CAE), Product visualization, and CAD data exchange
CAD data exchange
CAD data exchange involves a number of software technologies and methods to translate data from one Computer-aided design system to another CAD file format...
packages, users include:
- Abaqus
- ANSYS Icem-CFD
- Autodesk Inventor
- Cimatron ECimatronCimatron Group is one of the largest CAD/CAM software developers worldwide, offering manufacturing, toolmaking and CNC programming solutions. Founded in 1982, Cimatron is listed on the Nasdaq and Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the symbol CIMT...
- DesignFlow
- DesignSpace
- FemapFemapFemap is an engineering analysis program sold by Siemens PLM Software that is used to build finite element models of complex engineering problems and view solution results...
- Ironcad
- MasterCAMCNC Software/MastercamFounded in Massachusetts in 1983, CNC Software, Inc. is one of the oldest developers of PC-based computer-aided design / computer-aided manufacturing software. They are one of the first to introduce CAD/CAM software designed for both machinists and engineers...
- MicroStationMicrostationMicroStation is a CAD software product for 2- and 3-dimensional design and drafting, developed and sold by Bentley Systems. The latest versions of the software are released solely for Microsoft Windows operating systems, but historically MicroStation was available for Macintosh platforms and a...
- MoldflowMoldflowMoldflow Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Autodesk, Inc. that produces high-end plastic injection molding computer-aided engineering software. Moldflow was founded in Melbourne, Australia as Moldflow Pty. Ltd. in 1978 by Colin Austin...
- MSC.Patran
- MSC.SimXpert
- NX (Unigraphics)NX (Unigraphics)NX, also known as NX Unigraphics or usually just U-G, is an advanced CAD/CAM/CAE software package developed by Siemens PLM Software.It is used, among other tasks, for:* Design...
- OneCNCOneCNCOneCNC was first created in Australia in 1983 by QARM Pty Ltd, which is one of the oldest developers of PC-based computer-aided manufacturing software. They are one of the first to introduce CAD/CAM software designed for both machinists and engineers to run on mainstream desktop PC's...
- Powershape
- Renishaw Productivity+
- SolidFace
- Solid EdgeSolid EdgeSolid Edge is a 3D CAD parametric feature solid modeling software. It runs on Microsoft Windows and provides solid modeling, assembly modelling and drafting functionality for mechanical engineers...
- SolidWorksSolidWorksSolidWorks is a 3D mechanical CAD program that runs on Microsoft Windows and is being developed by Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp., a subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes, S. A. . SolidWorks is currently used by over 1.3 million engineers and designers at more than 130,000 companies worldwide...
- STAR-Design
- T-FLEX CADT-FLEX CADT-FLEX CAD is a Parasolid-based parametric CAD software application for 3D solid modeling and 2D design and drafting, developed and sold by Russia-based software company Top Systems....
- TopSolidTopSolid- Presentation :TopSolid is a fully integrated CAD/CAM software which is developed by the company Missler Software....
- VectorworksVectorWorksVectorworks is a computer-aided design and Building Information Modeling software program developed by Nemetschek Vectorworks that is used for drafting, technical drawing and 3D modeling. Vectorworks offers 2D, 3D, production management, and presentation capabilities for all phases of the design...
- GibbsCAMGibbsCAMGibbsCAM is a computer-aided manufacturing program developed by Gibbs and Associates , a division of Cimatron Group. GibbsCAM specializes in providing a powerful range of CNC programming functionality. The software is intended to be familiar to machine shop personnel...
- Altair HyperWorks