Parasolid

Is a geometric modeling kernel originally developed by Shape Data Limited, 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.