CAD data exchange

Data Exchange Formats

Readers and writers for CAD geometry, assemblies, metadata, mesh assets, BIM, and point clouds.

01Precise CAD geometry
02Assemblies and metadata
03Mesh, scene, and scan data

Integration model

Common OCCT representations for exchanged data

Interfaces convert to OCCT shapes or XCAF document structures and follow a common wrapper approach. The catalog combines formats available in the open-source distribution with added commercial translators.

Complete catalog

Supported file formats

Showing all 23 formats

STEP.stp, .stepRead / WriteOpen Source

ISO 10303 product manufacturing information.

IGES.igs, .igesRead / WriteOpen Source

Established exchange format for CAD geometry.

XCAF.xbf, .xml, .ocfRead / WriteOpen Source

Native OCCT storage with assemblies and extended CAD attributes.

BREP.brep, .shapeRead / WriteOpen Source

Native boundary-representation geometry.

VRML.wrl, .vrmlRead / WriteOpen Source

Interactive 3D vector graphics.

STL.stlRead / WriteOpen Source

Triangulated geometry widely used for 3D printing.

PLY.plyWrite onlyOpen Source

Polygon format commonly used for scanned objects.

glTF.gltf, .glbRead / WriteOpen Source

Efficient delivery of 3D scenes and assets.

OBJ.objRead / WriteOpen Source

Wavefront polygonal geometry format.

JT.jtRead / WriteCommercial

ISO lightweight format for product visualization.

Parasolid.xt, .xb, .x_t, .x_bRead onlyCommercial

Siemens solid-modeling kernel format.

DXF.dxfRead / WriteCommercial

AutoCAD drawing exchange format.

ACIS.sat, .sabRead / WriteCommercial

Spatial solid-modeling kernel format.

Assimp.blend, .3ds, .3mf, .ac, .amf, .ase, .dae, .x3d, …Read onlyCommercial

Broad mesh compatibility through Assimp.

USD.usd, .usda, .usdz, .usdcRead / WriteCommercial

Universal Scene Description and composition.

FBX.fbxRead / WriteCommercial

Autodesk platform-independent 3D exchange.

RVM.rvmRead onlyCommercial

AVEVA PDMS Review Model for plant design.

STP XML.stpx, .stpxz, .stpa, .stpzRead / WriteCommercial

XML representation of STEP product data.

XPDMXML.xpdmxmlRead onlyCommercial

XML Product Data Management format.

MSC / NASTRAN.nasRead onlyCommercial

Finite-element analysis data.

IFC.ifcRead onlyCommercial

Industry Foundation Classes for BIM.

E57.e57Read onlyCommercial

Standard container for point-cloud data.

Point Cloud.ptx, .pts, .pslRead onlyCommercial

Common 3D scan and point-cloud formats.

Additional bridges

Additional MCAD and AEC integrations

MCADCATIA, NX, Creo, SOLIDWORKS, Inventor, Solid Edge

AEC / BIMRevit, Navisworks, DWG

Data exchange integration

Which product data must be preserved?

Specify the required geometry, hierarchy, appearance, PMI, and metadata before selecting readers and writers.

Discuss an exchange workflow Explore integration DevTools