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ACIS

ACIS is a proprietary 3D geometric modeling kernel developed by Spatial Corporation, a subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes, that provides the core computational engine for creating, modifying, and analyzing complex solid, surface, and wireframe models in computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), computer-aided engineering (CAE), and architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) applications.^[1]^[2] Originally developed in 1985 by three engineers—Alan Grayer, Charles Lang, and Ian Braid—at Spatial Technology for use in their Strata CAM software, ACIS was first released commercially in 1989 and named after its creators (or possibly drawing from Greek mythology's Acis).^[3] Over its more than 30-year history, it has evolved into a robust, high-performance library supporting boundary representation (B-Rep) modeling, Boolean operations, blending, direct editing, thickening, offsetting, and topology tracking, while maintaining thread-safety and multi-threading capabilities for efficient processing in modern applications.^[1]^[2] ACIS powers over 350 software applications worldwide, including integrations with Dassault Systèmes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform and the CGM modeling ecosystem, enabling the creation of precise 3D models and assemblies used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, and medical devices.^[1] Its persistence formats—text-based SAT and binary SAB files—facilitate data exchange by preserving full geometric connectivity, non-manifold topologies, and hybrid models (combining solids, sheets, and wires), though they lack native support for hierarchical assemblies or meshes, while supporting basic non-geometric attributes such as colors, names, and key-value metadata.^[2] Notable add-ons, such as ACIS Polyhedra for polygonal modeling and 3D Precise Mesh for finite element analysis preparation, extend its functionality for advanced workflows.^[1] As a closed-source solution with continuous updates, ACIS emphasizes reliability, accuracy, and developer support to reduce integration risks and costs in building high-quality 3D software.^[1]

Overview

Definition and Core Purpose

ACIS is a proprietary 3D geometric modeling kernel developed by Spatial Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes, designed for creating, manipulating, and analyzing solid, surface, and wireframe models in 3D applications.^[1]^[4] As the underlying software component, it provides the mathematical algorithms and data structures essential for handling geometric entities with high precision, supporting operations from basic geometry construction to complex assembly queries.^[1] The core purpose of ACIS is to serve as the foundational engine powering CAD (computer-aided design), CAM (computer-aided manufacturing), CAE (computer-aided engineering), and AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) software, where it enables precise boundary representation (B-rep) modeling critical for industrial design, simulation, and manufacturing processes.^[1] This kernel facilitates the development of robust 3D applications by over 350 software providers worldwide, reaching more than 3 million end-user seats across industries requiring accurate geometric computations.^[1] ACIS supports hybrid modeling by integrating parametric (history-based), direct, and faceted modeling paradigms, allowing users to manage complex geometries through flexible workflows that combine feature-based edits with unconstrained modifications.^[1] The kernel's name may derive from the initials of its creators (Alan Grayer, Charles Lang, and Ian Braid) or from the figure Acis in Greek mythology, symbolizing the creation and transformation of forms; it was first conceptualized in 1985.^[3]^[5]

Key Features and Capabilities

ACIS employs double-precision floating-point arithmetic for all object space calculations, providing approximately 14–16 significant digits of precision that supports sub-micron accuracy in models spanning scales from microscopic components to planetary dimensions.^[6] This robustness ensures reliable geometric representations and operations even in demanding applications requiring high fidelity.^[1] A core strength of ACIS lies in its interoperability, with native support for the SAT format and integration with tools for industry-standard formats including STEP and IGES, enabling seamless import, export, and data exchange between diverse CAD, CAE, and CAM systems.^[1] This capability minimizes translation errors and preserves model integrity across workflows.^[7] Performance is optimized through multi-threaded implementations of key operations, such as Boolean evaluations and topology validation, which efficiently manage large assemblies comprising complex geometries with millions of faces.^[8] These enhancements, including thread-safe APIs, reduce computation times and memory usage in high-volume modeling scenarios.^[1] ACIS facilitates hybrid solid-faceted modeling, integrating precise NURBS-based surfaces and solids with polyhedral meshes to perform Boolean operations on faceted data alongside boundary representations.^[9] This approach supports versatile applications in simulation, analysis, and manufacturing where mixed geometry types are common.^[1] With over 350 implementations worldwide and more than 3 million seats in production, ACIS demonstrates proven reliability, bolstered by backward compatibility spanning more than 30 years of releases to ensure longevity of legacy models.^[1]

History

Origins and Early Development

ACIS originated in 1985 when Alan Grayer, Charles Lang, and Ian Braid, who had previously contributed to the Romulus solid modeling system at Shape Data Ltd., founded Three-Space Ltd. in Cambridge, England, to develop a new boundary representation (B-rep) geometric modeling kernel for computer-aided design (CAD) applications.^[10]^[11] This initiative marked a shift from their earlier work, aiming to create a more versatile tool tailored for integration into commercial CAD software. Three-Space Ltd. collaborated closely with Spatial Technology Inc., which was incorporated in 1986 in Boulder, Colorado, to handle the commercialization of the emerging technology.^[12]^[10] The primary motivations for developing ACIS were to provide CAD vendors with a portable and extensible alternative to proprietary, in-house modeling code, thereby reducing development costs and improving interoperability across systems.^[11] Unlike earlier kernels tied to specific hardware or software environments, ACIS was designed to support advanced geometric operations while allowing customization and easy licensing. This focus addressed the growing need for robust solid modeling in industries like manufacturing and engineering, where flexibility in handling complex geometries was essential. Early efforts emphasized generalizing model representations to include wires, sheets, solids, and both manifold and non-manifold topologies, alongside enhancements in blending techniques, local operations, and numerical precision.^[10] Version 1.0 of ACIS was released in 1989, with its first major licensing agreement to Hewlett-Packard for integration into the ME30 CAD system, enabling precise 3D mechanical design.^[11] Initial capabilities centered on fundamental solid modeling primitives, including blends for filleting edges and sweeps for generating surfaces along paths, which facilitated the creation of more realistic and manufacturable parts. These features built on B-rep principles to ensure accurate representation of boundaries and topologies, with hybrid support for wires, surfaces, and solids from the outset. A key aspect of the early design was its implementation in C++, leveraging object-oriented principles such as encapsulation and inheritance to promote modularity and maintainability, allowing developers to extend functionality without altering core components.^[11]^[13]

Acquisitions and Evolution

In 2000, Dassault Systèmes acquired the 3D software components business of Spatial Technology, including the ACIS geometric modeling kernel, for $25 million in cash, establishing Spatial as a wholly owned subsidiary and enabling broader integration of ACIS into Dassault's ecosystem of design and engineering tools.^[14] This acquisition positioned ACIS as a key component for supporting data interoperability across Dassault's platforms, such as facilitating the import of ACIS models into the 3DEXPERIENCE platform for digital continuity in collaborative workflows.^[15] Following the acquisition, ACIS underwent significant evolutionary milestones. In the 2000s, the kernel introduced deformable modeling features, enabling simulations of elastic curves and surfaces to support free-form shape modifications in design processes. By the 2010s, development emphasized performance optimizations, including multi-threading support for concurrent operations on disjoint data sets starting around 2016, and advancements in handling faceted geometry for improved rendering and analysis efficiency.^[16]^[17] Post-2020 developments further aligned ACIS with emerging industrial needs, such as the 2022 1.0 release, which added tools for data preparation in digital dentistry applications and sheet metal manufacturing workflows, facilitating precise geometry handling for additive and subtractive processes. The April 2025 1.0.1 release introduced enhancements for CAD translation, model simplification, and mesh preparation for manufacturing and simulation workflows. During this period, the product was rebranded as the 3D ACIS Modeler to underscore its role as a foundational geometric kernel. As of November 2024, the 2025 release added support for ARM architecture on Linux platforms, expanding deployment options for edge computing and mobile engineering environments.^[18]^[19]^[20]

Technical Architecture

Core Components and Design

ACIS employs an object-oriented C++ architecture that leverages boundary representation (B-rep) for modeling solid objects, where topology is structured around vertices, edges, faces, and bodies to define the connectivity and hierarchy of geometric entities.^[1]^[21] This design separates topology from underlying geometry, enabling efficient manipulation and queries on complex models.^[22] Geometry is represented using a combination of analytic surfaces, such as planes, spheres, and cones, and free-form surfaces like NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines) for precise curve and surface definitions.^[1]^[22] The kernel's modular structure consists of a core modeling engine that handles fundamental geometric computations, an API layer providing programmatic access for integration into host applications, and optional add-on packages that extend functionality without modifying the core source code.^[1]^[23] These add-ons provide specialized capabilities, such as advanced analysis, polygonal modeling via ACIS Polyhedra, or interoperability tools, enhancing extensibility while maintaining the kernel's stability.^[9] This layered approach supports thread-safe operations and memory management features, including customizable allocators to prevent leaks in large-scale applications.^[22] Central to ACIS's design are tolerance-based modeling principles, which accommodate imprecise input data by defining local tolerances on edges and vertices, ensuring robust intersection and union operations even with geometric discrepancies.^[1]^[21] A global tolerance value, such as SPAresabs set to 1.0E-6, governs comparisons, while tolerant entities like TCOEDGE allow flexible handling of edge-vertex relationships to balance computational speed and precision.^[22] Integrated validator tools perform geometry healing, defect detection, and model analysis, identifying issues like self-intersections or invalid topologies to maintain data integrity.^[1] ACIS supports both direct modeling, which operates in a history-free manner for immediate edits, and parametric modeling modes, where operations are recorded via a history mechanism to enable design intent preservation and regeneration.^[1]^[21] The topology employs a graph-based structure with parent-child references and shared geometry across entities, facilitating efficient queries, transformations at the body level, and support for non-manifold configurations.^[22] This graph enables optimized Boolean operations and sweeping, while cellular topology extensions link volumetric and sheet cells through attributes for advanced spatial representations.^[21]^[22]

Platform Support and Compatibility

ACIS supports deployment on multiple operating systems, including 64-bit versions of Windows, Linux (x86_64 architecture), and macOS, facilitating broad application development across desktop environments.^[24] With the 2025 1.0 release (announced November 2024), Spatial extended compatibility to Linux on ARM processors, enhancing its suitability for edge computing in manufacturing workflows.^[25] This portability traces back to the kernel's origins in the late 1980s, when it was designed as a cross-platform geometric modeling solution.^[26] On the hardware side, ACIS leverages multi-threaded APIs to utilize multi-core CPUs, enabling efficient processing in parallel computing scenarios without requiring specialized hardware beyond standard x86 or ARM architectures.^[27] While core operations remain CPU-focused, integration with Spatial's visualization tools like HOOPS Visualize allows for GPU acceleration in rendering and tessellation tasks.^[28] For integration, ACIS provides primary API bindings in C++, with its object-oriented architecture allowing seamless embedding into applications via wrappers for languages such as .NET and Java.^[29] It is suitable for use in real-time applications within embedded systems, ensuring reliability in time-sensitive industrial deployments.^[1] Earlier versions maintained backward compatibility with legacy systems like Windows XP, though modern releases prioritize contemporary OS support for security and performance.^[30]

Modeling Functionality

Fundamental Modeling Operations

The fundamental modeling operations in ACIS enable the creation and modification of 3D geometry using boundary representation (B-rep) techniques, supporting wireframe, surface, and solid models while preserving topological integrity.^[1] Core solid creation begins with sketching 2D profiles using points, lines, arcs, and B-spline curves, followed by operations such as extrusion, revolution, sweeping, and lofting (also known as skinning) to generate surfaces that can be trimmed, stitched, and capped into watertight solids.^[31] These operations validate connectivity in wireframe entities, ensuring edges and vertices form coherent structures without dangling references.^[23] Boolean operations form a cornerstone for assembling complex models from simpler solids, including union (to merge overlapping volumes), intersection (to retain shared regions), and difference (or subtract, to remove one solid from another).^[23] These constructive solid geometry (CSG)-like tools operate on manifold and non-manifold topologies, maintaining closed, watertight boundaries for solid bodies to enclose valid volumes.^[31] Primitive solids, such as cuboids, cylinders, spheres, and tori, can also be instantiated directly with parametric inputs to serve as building blocks.^[31] Surface modification tools in ACIS include filleting to add rounded blends along edges, chamfering to create beveled transitions, and offsetting to parallel-shift surfaces or curves while adjusting for self-intersections.^[31] Fillets support variable-radius blending via methods like the rolling ball approach, where a figurative sphere of varying radius rolls along edges in contact with adjacent faces, generating smooth NURBS surfaces that fit the topology.^[32] ACIS also provides NURBS curve and surface fitting, trimming, and extension capabilities, allowing precise representation of freeform geometry through non-uniform rational B-splines with control points and knot vectors.^[23] All operations adhere to ACIS's B-rep architecture, automatically updating topological connectivity to ensure models remain valid and watertight where solids are involved.^[1]

Model Management and Visualization

ACIS provides robust tools for managing 3D models, enabling the computation of mass properties such as volume, centroid, and moments of inertia through numerical integration over the boundary representation (B-rep) structure of solids and surfaces. These calculations are performed using dedicated routines that evaluate geometric entities like faces and bodies, supporting applications in engineering analysis where accurate physical properties are essential for design validation.^[33] Additionally, ACIS facilitates the organization of complex assemblies through hierarchical structures, allowing developers to define parent-child relationships among parts and components for streamlined manipulation and querying. Part decomposition is supported via APIs that enable the breakdown of assemblies into individual entities, aiding in tasks like component isolation and subassembly analysis without altering the underlying geometry.^[1] For model analysis, ACIS includes capabilities for interference detection, which identifies clashes between geometric entities using efficient topological queries, ensuring collision-free designs in assemblies. Sectioning tools allow the creation of cross-sectional views by slicing through models along specified planes, providing insights into internal structures. Thickness measurement, particularly wall thickness analysis, evaluates the minimum and variable thicknesses across surfaces, which is critical for manufacturability assessments in industries like aerospace and automotive. These analysis functions are optimized for precision and speed, integrating seamlessly with the core B-rep kernel to handle detailed model inspections.^[9] Visualization in ACIS focuses on rendering high-fidelity representations of models, with tessellation algorithms converting precise B-rep geometry into polygonal meshes suitable for graphics pipelines, including export to formats like STL for 3D printing or simulation. Shading capabilities support smooth surface rendering, while hidden-line removal generates wireframe views that obscure internal edges, enhancing clarity in technical drawings and VR/AR applications. ACIS also supports the attachment of Product Manufacturing Information (PMI), such as geometric dimensions, tolerances, and annotations, directly to model entities, facilitating downstream manufacturing workflows by preserving semantic data. The kernel is designed for efficiency, robustly managing complex models through optimized data structures and algorithms that minimize computational overhead.^[1]^[9]^[34]

Extensions and Advanced Tools

ACIS offers a range of optional extensions that augment its core boundary representation (B-Rep) modeling capabilities, enabling specialized workflows in areas such as simulation preparation, mesh handling, and advanced surface manipulation. Deformable Modeling and Defeaturing were introduced in the 2000s and 2010s, respectively, to address demands for more flexible geometry processing in engineering applications. Faceted Modeling, enhanced by the ACIS Polyhedra module introduced in 2023, further extends these capabilities.^[35]^[36]^[37] Deformable Modeling, provided through the ACIS Deformable Modeling Component (ADM), enables interactive sculpting of free-form surfaces and curves by applying loads such as point pressure or distributed pressure to modify control points on spline-based geometry. This extension supports freeform bending, where surfaces deform sharply at curve constraints while maintaining original normals; twisting via multi-surface meshes with C0 or C1 connectivity; and stretching through localized adjustments that preserve overall topology and parent-child relationships between faces and edges. ADM integrates with ACIS by storing deformation data as attributes, allowing seamless transitions between sculpted and precise models without altering the underlying B-Rep structure.^[38]^[35] Defeaturing automates the identification and removal of minor geometric features, such as small holes or fillets, to simplify models for downstream processes like finite element analysis (FEA) simulations. This tool reduces mesh complexity by eliminating details that do not significantly impact structural or thermal results, thereby improving computational efficiency without manual intervention. It operates directly on B-Rep data, preserving the integrity of larger features while supporting tolerance-based criteria for feature selection. In 2025 1.0.1, a beta custom feature detection API was added to enable users to define and automatically detect instances of custom features for more targeted simplification.^[36]^[19] Faceted Modeling, enhanced by the ACIS Polyhedra module, facilitates operations on triangle meshes, including Boolean unions, differences, and intersections between faceted volumes. This extension allows conversion between approximate polygonal representations and precise B-Rep geometry, enabling healing of imported meshes, querying of topological properties, and manipulation for applications like rendering or clearance analysis. ACIS Polyhedra treats meshes as volumetric entities, supporting robust intersection computations that maintain watertight boundaries post-operation.^[9]^[37] In the 2022 1.0 release, ACIS received updates that bolstered support for sheet metal unfolding and dental crown modeling through a new mid-surface API, which extracts sheet-bodies from solid geometry at the midpoint between opposing faces. This functionality aids in flattening bent sheet metal parts for manufacturing preparation, such as determining blank sizes and optimizing material nesting, while also enabling precise blending and gap-filling for dental meshes, like those used in crown-root interfaces from scanned data. These enhancements build on core Boolean support to streamline workflows in additive manufacturing and biomedical design. In 2025 1.0.1, skinning operations (lofting) were optimized to reduce twists and self-intersections for cleaner output.^[39]^[19]

File Formats

Primary Formats and Specifications

The ACIS kernel primarily utilizes two file formats for storing and exchanging 3D geometric models: the Standard ACIS Text (SAT) format and the Standard ACIS Binary (SAB) format. The SAT format is an ASCII text-based standard designed for the exchange of boundary representation (B-rep) models, allowing human-readable storage of geometric data that can be viewed and edited with a standard text editor.^[40] It features a structured layout beginning with a three-line header that includes version information, units, and precision tolerances, followed by entity records defining the model's topology and geometry.^[41] The format is versioned to correspond with ACIS releases, with the specification for version 7.0 made publicly available around 2001, enabling interoperability with non-ACIS applications.^[40] In contrast, the SAB format serves as a binary variant of SAT, offering compact storage and faster input/output operations while preserving identical information content.^[2] This makes SAB suitable for applications requiring efficient file handling without the overhead of text encoding. Both formats support core elements such as solids, surfaces, and multiple bodies (representing separate parts without native hierarchical assembly support)—along with metadata including units (e.g., millimeters or inches) and tolerances for geometric precision.^[2] The SAT format maintains backward compatibility dating to ACIS's initial release in 1989, ensuring that files from earlier major versions can be read by subsequent releases within the same family.^[41] However, specifications for newer SAT versions, particularly those after the early 2000s, have become proprietary, limiting public access and requiring licensed ACIS software for full parsing and generation.^[11] As of the 2025 release, ACIS supports SAT versions corresponding to its major updates, maintaining compatibility within families.^[19]

File Structure and Compatibility

ACIS files organize geometric data using a hierarchical structure of entities that represent boundary representation (B-rep) models, starting from top-level bodies down to vertices. In the ASCII-based SAT format, this hierarchy is expressed through keyword-based syntax, where entities such as "body" denote solids, containing lumps (disjoint regions), shells (collections of faces), faces (bounded surfaces), and lower-level components like edges and vertices.^[41] Each entity record includes a sequence number, type keyword, pointers to related entities (using "$" followed by an index or "-1" for null), and terminates with a "#" symbol, enabling a direct mapping of the model's topology.^[41] The binary SAB format mirrors this hierarchical structure exactly, encoding the same entity records and pointers in a compact form with tagged data types (e.g., 4-byte integers for pointers and 8-byte doubles for coordinates), which reduces file size compared to SAT without altering the logical organization.^[41] SAB uses delimiters and tags to maintain compatibility with SAT's syntax, allowing seamless conversion between the two while handling large models more efficiently through binary efficiency rather than explicit compression.^[41] ACIS ensures compatibility by supporting forward and backward reading of files across versions, with the SAT format changing only in major releases to preserve readability within version families.^[11] However, limitations arise when loading files with newer features into older versions; for instance, advanced faceted data or entity IDs introduced post-Release 7.0 may be ignored or cause errors, as earlier readers lack support for these extensions.^[40] Binary SAB files maintain similar version handling. For export and import operations, ACIS-based systems provide tools to heal invalid files by automatically detecting and correcting common errors such as missing faces, unconnected edges, or topological inconsistencies during translation.^[11] Integration with neutral formats like STEP AP242 is widely supported, enabling bidirectional exchange of B-rep geometry while preserving PMI and assembly data, though some ACIS-specific attributes may require mapping or loss during conversion.^[42]

Versions and Releases

Versioning System

ACIS employed a sequential release numbering scheme prior to 2016, using the format R# where # represented the release sequence, such as R27 in 2013.^[43] Beginning with the 2016 1.0 release in September 2015, Spatial transitioned to a semantic versioning system tied to calendar years, adopting the format YYYY M.N.P, with YYYY denoting the model year, M the major release number, N the minor release number, and P the patch level.^[44] In this scheme, major version increments (M) signify breaking changes, including updates to the SAT file format that may affect compatibility, while minor versions (N) introduce new features without altering the existing API or file structure, and patch versions (P) focus exclusively on bug fixes and performance enhancements.^[45] This structured progression ensures developers can anticipate the scope of updates and plan integrations accordingly. Backward compatibility is maintained through a stable core API across major versions, minimizing the need for extensive application rewrites, though deprecated functions may require attention during upgrades.^[46] File format modifications, when they occur, are clearly documented in release notes to facilitate smooth transitions for users handling legacy data.^[45] The calendar-year alignment in the current scheme promotes predictability, allowing stakeholders to synchronize development cycles with annual releases.

Major Releases and Updates

The initial release of ACIS, designated R1, occurred in 1989 and introduced basic solid modeling capabilities, establishing the foundation for boundary representation (B-rep) geometry in engineering applications.^[47] A pivotal shift came with the 2016 1.0 release in September 2015, which marked the adoption of semantic versioning—using year-based major versions followed by minor and patch numbers—to provide clearer indicators of compatibility and feature evolution, alongside improved APIs for enhanced integration with application development.^[44] The 2020 1.0.1 release, announced in April 2020, added support for hybrid manufacturing workflows, combining additive and subtractive processes to streamline production pipelines, while also boosting application responsiveness and simulation robustness. In November 2021, the 2022 1.0 release enhanced product manufacturing information (PMI) exchange for better data interoperability in CAD systems and simplified multi-threading in ACIS, reducing complexity for developers implementing parallel computations.^[18] The 2023 1.0 release in August 2022, followed by the 1.0.1 update in May 2023, introduced polyhedral modeling extensions, including new Boolean operations for faceted bodies, which improved handling of mesh-based geometries in manufacturing automation and cross-department collaboration.^[48]^[49] The 2024 1.0 release in late 2023 emphasized workflow automation, with the 1.0.1 update in April 2024 expanding Linux platform support, introducing polyhedral sheet thickening APIs, and delivering performance enhancements for polyhedral healing and offset operations.^[50] Post-2020 updates have prioritized simulation robustness and groundwork for digital twin technologies, such as the 2024 1.0.1 integration of CSM-CVM meshing tools for validation in complex assemblies.^[50]^[51] As of November 2025, the 2025 1.0 release in November 2024 and the subsequent 1.0.1 update in April 2025 further advanced manufacturing and simulation workflows, including full Linux ARM compatibility for ACIS and seamless CSM-CVM enhancements for automated meshing.^[25]^[19]

Adoption

Software Integrations

ACIS serves as the foundational geometric modeling kernel in over 350 software applications worldwide, enabling precise 3D solid and surface modeling capabilities across various CAD platforms.^[24] This widespread adoption positions ACIS as a core component for mid-market CAD tools, where it provides robust geometry handling for hybrid 2D/3D workflows, in contrast to high-end systems like SolidWorks, which rely on the Parasolid kernel.^[37] Key integrations include BricsCAD, which employs the full ACIS kernel to support seamless 2D drafting and 3D modeling in hybrid environments.^[3] SpaceClaim formerly utilized ACIS for its direct modeling approach, allowing intuitive manipulation of imported geometry without parametric history.^[52] TurboCAD incorporates ACIS for advanced solid modeling features, such as filleting and Boolean operations, enhancing its versatility in architectural and mechanical design.^[53] Alibre Design leverages ACIS as its primary kernel for parametric part and assembly creation in affordable 3D CAD workflows.^[54] AutoCAD employs a partial implementation through ShapeManager, a derivative forked from ACIS version 7, for solid modeling functions while maintaining compatibility with earlier ACIS formats.^[55] The 2025 1.0.1 release of ACIS delivers enhancements for CAD translation, model simplification, and mesh preparation, supporting ongoing integrations in manufacturing and simulation workflows.^[19]

Industry Applications and Impact

ACIS plays a pivotal role in diverse industries by providing robust geometric modeling capabilities that support complex 3D design and analysis workflows. In manufacturing, it enables CNC preparation through defeaturing and simplification techniques, allowing designers to streamline models for machining while preserving essential geometric integrity. This facilitates faster transition from design to production, reducing errors in automated manufacturing processes.^[1] In the aerospace sector, ACIS supports interference analysis and assembly validation, essential for ensuring component fit and structural integrity in high-stakes environments. Its hybrid modeling features handle intricate topologies, aiding in the design of aircraft parts where precision directly impacts safety and performance. Similarly, in medical device development, ACIS powers implant design with deformable modeling tools, enabling the creation of patient-specific prosthetics through Boolean operations and blending that maintain biocompatibility and fit accuracy.^[1] Within architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC), ACIS contributes to building information modeling (BIM) by managing complex geometry for assemblies and topology tracking, supporting collaborative workflows in large-scale projects. These applications underscore ACIS's versatility, powering over 350 software products across more than 14 industries and reaching approximately 3 million end-user seats worldwide.^[29] The kernel's impact extends to fostering portable CAD development, as its open architecture allows independent software vendors to integrate advanced 3D modeling without reliance on proprietary systems, thereby reducing vendor lock-in and promoting interoperability. ACIS has also supported the evolution toward cloud and edge computing through platform-agnostic updates, including compatibility enhancements that align with modern ARM-based architectures for distributed design environments. Furthermore, it contributes to industry standards like ISO 10303 (STEP) by enabling native support for STEP file formats (STP), which facilitate seamless data exchange in product lifecycle management.^[56]^[1] Post-2020 developments have amplified ACIS's influence, particularly in preparing models for AI-assisted simulations, where enhancements improve workflow efficiency in predictive analysis. For instance, recent updates have boosted simulation accuracy in integrated CAD environments by optimizing geometric fidelity.^[1]

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Spatial Announces Commercial Support for Windows XP ... - CIMdata
May 10, 2005 · Spatial Corp., a Dassault Systemes company and provider of 3D components, announced support for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.
[29]
The Top 5 Essential Functions of 3D ACIS Modeler - Blog
Aug 5, 2013 · Finally, overlapping simple solids can be combined with Boolean operations like union and subtract to make a complex 3D model. In 3D ACIS ...Missing: core filleting chamfering
[30]
Blend Geometry
Rolling a ball of constant or variable radius along an edge while keeping the ball in contact with the faces to either side of the edge. Rolling a ball of ...Missing: watertight topology
[31]
Mass Properties
ACIS supplies routines that an application uses to find the mass properties attributable to a face or a body. Mass properties include:.Missing: B- rep integration
[32]
Glossary | Semantic PMI Import - Spatial Corp
Semantic PMI Import is a process that extracts detailed manufacturing information (PMI) such as geometric dimensions, tolerances, and symbolic thread features ...
[33]
[PDF] ACIS Deformable Modeling Component
Deformable modeling uses a simulation of an elastic curve or surface that mimics real–world behavior to change the shape being designed. The resulting free–form ...Missing: 2000s | Show results with:2000s
[34]
[PDF] 3D ACIS MODELER | HubSpot
3D ACIS Modeler delivers flexible modeling capabilities that enable manufacturing, engineering and design application providers to meet market demand for higher ...
[35]
ACIS Deformable Modeling
The ACIS Deformable Modeling Component (ADM) is built on top of the non-ACIS based deformable modeling component Standalone Deformable Modeling Component (SDM).
[36]
Shaping Up: Spatial's ACIS Geometric Kernel Catching Up to ...
Nov 17, 2022 · Spatial, a subdivision of Dassault Systèmes, has released v2022 1.0 of its geometry kernel, and the main improvement seems to be the enhanced handling of mesh ...
[37]
Spatial Announces the Release of 2022 1.0 - Business Wire
Nov 2, 2021 · 2022 1.0 Enables Data Prep for Digital Dentistry & Sheet Metal Manufacturing, Improves PMI Exchange, Simplifies ACIS Multi-Threading, and ...Missing: extensions | Show results with:extensions
[38]
[PDF] SAT Save File Format - Paul Bourke
SAT files are external, open format files for ACIS, either ASCII text (.sat) or binary (.sab), containing a header, entity records, and optional history data.
[39]
[PDF] SAT Save File Format
SAT files are open format, ASCII text files (.sat) used to store ACIS model data, viewable with a text editor, and contain a three-line header.
[40]
Glossary | SAT File Format - Spatial Corp
The SAT file format is a 3D modeling file format native to ACIS, a geometric modeling kernel. It stores precise 3D data, including solids and surfaces.
[41]
Top 8 Neutral 3D CAD File Formats - Capvidia
Jun 1, 2023 · 7. ACIS (File Extension: *.SAT) · Year Introduced: 1989, Last Updated: 2020 · Standard: None. · Representation: B-rep (precise) & Vis-rep ( ...
[42]
Convert ACIS to STEP - CAD Exchanger
The STEP format is a neutral file format used for the exchange of data in the field of CAD. It can contain data, such as 3D geometry, product structure, ...
[43]
Working with .sat and .sab Files in Teigha - Open Design Alliance
Oct 3, 2017 · R27 (2013) release, 21800. And the following enum is a list of all ... Or downgrade the Spatial ACIS version to 700 and use it with Teigha.
[44]
Spatial Annnounces 2016 1.0 Release of CGM Core Modeler, 3D ...
Sep 15, 2015 · Next generation CGM HLR is supported with both CGM Core Modeler and 3D ACIS Modeler, making it attractive for use in applications relevant to ...
[45]
Version Numbers
Spatial has always maintained the concept of a current version (release) number in ACIS, as well as a save version number. The save version allows one to ...Missing: system | Show results with:system
[46]
Spatial's ACIS Geometric Kernel version 2023 1.0 - Punch! CAD
A couple of users on the TC forums report that they can use current 32-bit TC PC versions, ACIS V29, on ARM Apple and Windows, I don't remember offhand whether ...
[47]
Spatial Technology Acquires ACIS Ownership Stake Held By Three ...
Jan 16, 1998 · Spatialintroduced the ACIS geometric modeler in 1989 as the industry-leading standardfor the engineering environment.Missing: 1987 | Show results with:1987
[48]
Spatial Announces the General Availability of 2023 1.0 - Blog
Aug 11, 2022 · 2023 1.0 Introduces Polyhedral ... MAC ARM platform support. Refer to the 3D ACIS Modeler release notes for a complete list of updates.
[49]
Spatial Announces the General Availability of 2023 1.0.1 - Blog
Both ACIS and CGM bridges now support MeshGems versions 2.4 to 2.15. Refer to the 3D Precise Mesh FAQs for more information. Back to Top-1.Missing: history | Show results with:history
[50]
Spatial Announces Release 2024 1.0.1 - Blog
Apr 30, 2024 · 3D InterOp Extends Support for BIM and Manufacturing; 3D ACIS Modeler Improves Polyhedral Modeling; CGM Provides More Tools for Manufacturing ...Missing: ARM | Show results with:ARM
[51]
Spatial Announces Release 2024 1.0.1 | Financial Post
Apr 30, 2024 · ACIS now provides functionality to compute the intersection graph ... CSM/CVM: Improvements to Cartesian Core Workflows. Article content.
[52]
Spatial Announces the General Availability of 2025 1.0 - Blog
Nov 19, 2024 · Support for Linux ARM. Beginning with this release, Spatial now supports Linux ARM for the 3D modelers ACIS and CGM as well as CSM-CVM and CDS.
[53]
Spatial Announces the General Availability of 2025 1.0.1 - Blog
Apr 30, 2025 · Key highlights include a new custom feature detection API in ACIS for more efficient model simplification, expanded CAD format support ...
[54]
https://www.alibre.com/version28/
[55]
IMSI Case Study - Spatial Corp
... Spatial's ACIS modeling ... A leading CAM software provider for sheet metal manufacturing used 3D ACIS Modeler for robust 3D modeling and simulation.Missing: dental | Show results with:dental
[56]
Alibre Design Version 28 Features | 3D CAD Software
Jun 1, 2024 · A list of features, enhancements, and bugfixes in Alibre Design version 28 ... Components. ACIS Modeling Kernel R2023 2D DCM Constraint ...
[57]
Spatial's 3D ACIS® Modeler Used in New CADKEY WorkshopTM ...
In keeping with CADKEY's hallmark interoperability with other CAD/CAM/CAE systems, industry-standard data translators (DWG, DXF™, ACIS®-SAT, Parasolid X_T, STEP ...
[58]
Which Geometric Modeling Kernel? - TransMagic
Jul 8, 2019 · * AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor are based on the ShapeManager kernel, which forked from ACIS version 7 in 2001. If you need to save an ACIS file ...
[59]
Glossary | What is an STP File? - Spatial Corp
STP files store 3D modeling data, part information, and metadata in a plain-text ASCII format that meets the STEP Application Protocols ISO 10303-242:2014.