Export Parasolid into Inch Format

I really don't think it's a problem crossing units with parasolid, it's been a while since I needed to do that, but I do not remember any issues with it.

Hi Cid,
As far as i know ...Yes "Parasolid files always open with metric units".You can refer to the NX documentation also for this.
Best Regards
Kapil Sharma

Hi Cid,
Just out of curiosity a query from my side .." if you open an inch part and import parasolid in it.Then shouldn't it be as good as an inch part".Sorry if i am missing your point.
Best Regards
Kapil Sharma

so why can't a parasolid be imported into an inch based file ?

Thanks for the input guys, yes I could start a inch model.prt file and import it, but lets say I have to import it into another CAD program there for it will only be metric, this is a real big deal for me, I was mainly helping a friend out with this parasolid metric questions, Thanks for all of your help, I got my answer that I can pass on to my friend.

My bad meant to say this isn't a big deal for me. < in the previous thread >

All Parasolid data is created and stored using the base unit of Meter (or Metre for our European friends) and as such, when exported into one of its transmit formats that will be the units that are used.

Now as far as NX is concerned, even Part files created based on Imperial units (i.e. Inch) the Parasolid data stored in those Part files will be using the Meter for the base units, however the NX software will automatically manage how this data is presented and interpreted by the UI and the downstream applications whether the Part was specified in Imperial or Metric units. This includes when data is Exported FROM or Imported INTO an existing Part file, including Importing a 'Meter-based' Parasolid model into an existing Imperial unit Part file.

As a side note, the use of the Meter as the base unit for Parasolid data was a purely arbitrary decision based on what was felt to be the most practical standard when issues of accuracy and precision using floating-point math calculations was taken into consideration. This 'standard' was first applied when the initial release of Unigraphics (AKA NX) was made which incorporated the Parasolid kernel as the solid-modeling engine. This was UG V7.0, released in 1989. Subsequent to this first commercial use of Parasolid, when it was decided to offer to other software companies licenses for the Parasolid kernel modeler, it was agreed that ALL licensees of the toolkits, as well as those organizations who adopted exchange utilities based on the published Parasolid interface standard, that they would use ONLY the Meter as the base unit. This then assured that all Parasolid transmit files could be freely shared between different vendor's software packages without there being a concern for what the actual base units of the data was. In other words, the assumption was made by ALL involved parties that ALL exported Parasolid data would use a base unit of Meter.

Anyway, I hope this clears up why there should be NO concern whatsoever over the units of a Parasolid transmit file.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

jerry1423 said:

so why can't a parasolid be imported into an inch based file ?

Click to expand...

You should have NO problems whatsoever Importing a Parasolid model, even if it was originally Exported from a Metric unit Part, into an existing Imperial unit Part file. Or vice versa.

Now it is true that if you were to OPEN a Parasolid transmit file DIRECTING into NX, using the File -> Open... function, then there will be NO options offered as to the base units of the Part file being created. It will always be created using Metric units.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.