ACIS - Format Overview

This guide is part of the RapidPipeline 3D Formats Knowledge Database.

ACIS is a 3D geometric modeling kernel developed by Spatial Corporation (part of Dassault Systèmes). It provides object-oriented C++ architecture with comprehensive 3D modeling capabilities including wireframe, surface, and solid modeling with both manifold and non-manifold topology. ACIS supports two file formats: Standard ACIS Text (.sat) which is human-readable ASCII, and Standard ACIS Binary (.sab) which is more compact. ACIS is widely used as the underlying modeling engine in many CAD applications. It is a file format mostly used for 3D geometric modeling kernel.

There are various ways to convert between ACIS files and other 3D formats. With RapidPipeline, you can easily convert and and optimize ACIS files, at scale. It supports ACIS, as well as many other file formats (examples: 3dsMax, 3MF, AutoCAD, CATIA, COLLADA, Creo, DGN, FBX, glTF, I-deas, IFC, IGES, Inventor, JT, Navisworks, OBJ, Parasolid, PLY, PRC/U3D, Revit, Rhino 3DM, Solid Edge, SolidWorks, STEP, STEP Enhanced, STL, USD, USDZ, VDA-FS, VRM, VRML), at high quality.

Due to the potential limitations aforementioned on the table above, in principle, this format cannot always perfectly convert 3D data between ACIS and other formats. In the following, you can find format conversion guides between ACIS and the most important other formats, along with a rough score for compatibility of this workflow:

Converting ACIS to Other 3D File Formats

• ACIS to FBX
• ACIS to glTF
• ACIS to OBJ
• ACIS to PLY
• ACIS to STL
• ACIS to USD
• ACIS to USDZ
• ACIS to VRM

Doing 3D conversion right, especially at scale, can be tricky, as 3D data is in general a rather complex (yet very powerful!) medium. This also applies to ACIS files - the conversion guide above gives a rough idea. Once you know what you would like to do, tools like RapidPipeline can help you perform the necessary steps, and to automate the process.

However, especially when introducing pipelines and workflows at scale in an enterprise context, it is usually good to rely on dedicated expertise, making sure you do not introduce any steps into your 3D workflow that are detrimental to the final output's quality, or that take your team too much time (and money).

If you're interested to hire dedicated expertise from the best in the field to help your company reach your goals fast and reliably, please do not hestitate to contact DGG. Being the creators of RapidPipeline, and ambassadors for open 3D standards for more than a decade, we have been building some of the world's most advanced 3D pipelines, having processed many millions of 3D assets.

Therefore, our expertise will help you to reach your goals faster, at scale, and with the least possible friction, since we are focused on maximum interoperability.

To get started with 3D data conversion and optimization today, sign up for a free account!

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