Parasolid vs SAT vs IGES 1

[JordonMusser]

It has come up at my company that we need to decide on a solid format for PLM. Our parent company uses SAT files, but due to some known version issues I would like to use parasolid or IGES. Any arguments for/against the above?

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

For ... Parasolid is the native language of the engine which drives SolidWorks and therefor should be the most stable format for SW.

Against ... Not all programs can read/translate Parasolid. SAT might be the more universal format.

 

[JordonMusser]

Excellent, thanks.. that is the kind of "ammo" i need. What about IGES? similar issue, native to a specific package?

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

In my post I should have said, "IGES might be the more universal format."

The SAT format is to the ACIS geometry engine as the Parasolid formats (x_t or x_b) are to the Parasolid engine. Both can be read by most of the programs which use either engines.

 

[dogarila]

My choices would be in this order: Parasolid, Parasolid, Parasolid, STEP, IGES, SAT

 

[ctopher]

I agree with dogarila's order. I suggest the same.
Except, I would move the 3rd to the beginning and swap 2 & 3.

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 06/08
ctopher's home (updated Apr 30, 2008)

 

[tmalinski]

Is there a preference for which parasolid to use? binary or not?

thanks,
Tom

Tom Malinski

http://www.okayind.com/

Dell Prec 670, Xeon 3.8,2GB Ram, Nvidia Quadra FX 3450/4000 SDI
SWorks Pro & PDMWorks 2007 SP3.0

 

[ctopher]

I use binary. I have experienced less errors. But both have worked in various applications.
Below is additional info:

http://www.cati.com/articles/article4_6a.htm

http://www.13thmonkey.org/documentation/CAD/Parasolid-XT-format-reference.pdf

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 06/08
ctopher's home (updated Apr 30, 2008)

 

[josephv]

I agree that Parasolid is best for SolidWorks and for that matter UG products since they use the Parasolid kernel. However, if you are doing data xchange with AutoDesk 3D products, ACIS (SAT) might work better, since the kernel of many AutoDesk products is based on ACIS. You are correct that the version of SAT is actually critical for the data xchange to work (this is because AutoDesk does not technically use ACIS anymore, but a kernel that was based of an earlier version of ACIS).

If you are doing data xchange with products that do not use either the Parasolid or ACIS kernel, STEP might work best since it is a neutral format. IGES is another neutral format, but STEP is much more robust than IGES.

 

[rollupswx]

If you need to communicate with those still using Autodesk products be sure to set Options to ACIS V7 on save. Otherwise advise them to download the Hoops ACIS Viewer to convert down to V7.