Structure and components of an X_T file
Header - includes metadata such as file version, information about the software used, and the Parasolid kernel version. This section ensures compatibility when exchanging files between different CAD systems.
Geometric data: The central region of the x_t file that contains the geometric information describing the 3D model.
It includes the following elements:
Vertices: coordinates defining significant locations in space.
Edges: Vertex lines that establish the boundaries of the model.
Faces: Surface information that characterizes the exterior of the object.
Solids: Describes volumetric entities, such as solid bodies.
Topological data: information about the relationships between different elements. This data is necessary to develop a coherent and complete 3D model.
The X_T file can be easily viewed and edited using a text editor. Manual editing, on the other hand, can be difficult, which is why it is only used for troubleshooting or specific adjustments.
(ii) The X_B file format
This binary file format serves as a storage space for 3D exchange data geometric models. They are part of the Parasolid family and are widely used in CAD, CAM, and CAE applications. X_B files contain data in a binary format, making them more compact and faster to process. This distinguishes them from X_T files, which is the main purpose of the format.
Improved performance when handling complex assemblies and large models makes it ideal for many large-scale applications.
Structure and components of an X_B file
Binary-encoded header: Like x_t files, x_b files begin with a header that contains metadata about the version of the file, the software used to create the file, and the version of Parasolid. However, the data is stored in a binary format to save space.
Binary Geometry Data: Similarly, X_B files store 3D geometric data in binary form, including edges, vertices, faces, and solids.
Topological data: The file shows the topological relationships between data stored compactly to save space.
Both file formats contain the same data. However, the binary format is a bit more compact and can be processed faster by software. The Parasolid file format is a proprietary format, developed by Siemens, and widely used in CAD systems that support the Parasolid kernel. The main advantage of the Parasolid file is that it remains identical to the actual 3D model.
Creating and exporting Parasolid files
Creating Parasolid files is fairly straightforward for CAD software that supports the Parasolid kernel. With a few minor differences, exporting Parasolid files to X_T or X_B formats is a similar process for all CAD platforms. Here are the steps for some of the most commonly used CAD software: