C3D Converter

The C3D Converter module performs conversion, reading, and writing of 3D models in various exchange formats and is responsible for data exchange with other systems. Its first key task is import: reading a file, an in-memory buffer, or a stream containing an external geometric model in one of the supported formats and constructing a C3D geometric model based on the imported data. Its second task is export: representing a C3D geometric model in one of the exchange formats and writing this representation to the specified file, memory buffer, or stream.

Along with information about the geometric shape of the modeled object, the converter can transfer a comprehensive set of data:

  • Information about shape, which can be described using solids, surfaces, wireframes, and point sets.

  • Information about model structure, where the model’s components are identified so they can be reused multiple times.

  • Information about products: identifiers, comments, data about authors, and similar metadata.

  • Attributes: visual properties and basic attributes.

  • Annotation elements: dimensions, technical requirements, and designations.

The C3D geometric kernel supports the text formats ACIS, IGES, STEP, X_T, STL, VRML, OBJ, and SAT, and the binary formats X_B, STL, JT, 3MF, and SAB. The ACIS, IGES, STEP, X_T, SAT, X_B, and SAB formats transfer information about the geometric shape of the modeled object using boundary representation (B-Rep), while the STL, VRML, OBJ, JT, and 3MF formats use polygonal representation. The JT format can contain a model both in boundary and polygonal form.

The 3D model converter provides a flexible set of options: it can control automatic stitching of surfaces into shells, restrict transfer to objects of certain types, or enable special modes for analysis and debugging. For applications where file input/output may become a bottleneck, data exchange through memory buffers and multithreaded operation of STEP and Parasolid converters is available, which significantly improves performance.

For license activation of the module, call the EnableMathModules() function with the appropriate parameters.