ACIS Import-Export Component

Overview

The Open CASCADE ACIS Import-Export SDK is one of the best answers to the question «How to open a SAT file». It provides Open CASCADE Technology-based applications with the capability of reading and writing SAT (Standard ACIS Text) file format and SAB (Standard ACIS Binary) files.

Two levels of data conversion are available:

• BRep data (geometrical and topological data)
• Attributes (colors and names) associated with BRep data

Reading of such data from files of all known format versions is possible, writing supports versions up to ACIS 7. BRep data can be transferred alone, or together with the associated attributes.

Features

• Reading/writing geometrical and topological data

At this level, geometrical and topological data from an ACIS file can be converted to the geometrical and topological data of Open CASCADE Technology shapes. Translation calls on the Shape Healing function to produce data which fulfill the integrity constraints of Open CASCADE Technology. Like in other data exchange modules by OPEN CASCADE, Shape Healing operations can be controlled by a resource file. Such resource file describes the operators and parameters to apply, and can be adapted according to particular needs. When no resource file is defined, the default healing operations apply.

In the same way, conversion of Open CASCADE Technology shapes to ACIS files is implemented. Translation can call Shape Healing under the control of a resource file, if it is present. This allows the user to adapt the written geometrical and topological data to the needs of the ACIS-based application on the receiving end.

• Reading/writing attributes

Association of attributes with shapes is possible with the help of XDE, Extended Data Exchange module of Open CASCADE Technology.

The reading function at this level fills an XDE data structure with conversion results as Open CASCADE Technology shapes, then adds colors and names present in the ACIS file format. They can then be accessed through the XDE API of Open CASCADE Technology.

When converting to ACIS, attributes attached to the Open CASCADE Technology shapes in an XDE data structure are translated to their ACIS equivalents.

Benefits

This SDK provides direct exchange of data with systems that support the ACIS format (AutoCAD, Inventor, etc.) for Open CASCADE Technology-based applications and can considerably extend the scope and increase the quality and speed of translation.

• This SDK provides a high level of exchange quality through the use of Shape Healing.
• It benefits from using XDE framework of Open CASCADE Technology.
• This interface requires no third-party license.
• Its source code can be licensed.

Please read about IntelliCAD (by 4M) in which this component was successfully applied.

Configuration

The ACIS Import-Export SDK is based on the latest version of Open CASCADE Technology, and requires no other external software.

It is available on all platforms supported by the corresponding version of Open CASCADE Technology.

Operational mode and possible limitations are described in the documentation accompanying the component.