HOOPS Exchange
CAD data exchange software
CAD software
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- Ease of management
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What is HOOPS Exchange
HOOPS Exchange is a software development kit (SDK) for importing and exporting 3D CAD data between major CAD formats. It is typically embedded into engineering, PLM, visualization, and manufacturing applications that need to read native CAD files and convert them to neutral or other target formats. The product focuses on CAD translation with access to geometry, assembly structure, PMI/metadata, and tessellation for downstream use in viewing, analysis, or re-authoring workflows.
Broad CAD format translation
The SDK supports translation across a wide range of CAD formats used in mechanical design and manufacturing workflows. This helps software teams reduce the number of separate translators they need to integrate and maintain. It is commonly used when applications must accept files from multiple CAD authoring systems and normalize them for internal processing.
Access to PMI and metadata
HOOPS Exchange exposes not only B-Rep geometry but also assembly hierarchy and associated attributes used in downstream processes. Depending on source format, this can include PMI (such as dimensions and annotations) and other model metadata. This is useful for applications that need more than tessellated viewing data, such as manufacturing planning, inspection, or technical documentation.
Embeddable SDK for developers
The product is delivered as an SDK intended for integration into other software products rather than as an end-user CAD application. This makes it suitable for ISVs and internal engineering tool teams building custom import/export pipelines. It can be paired with other components in the HOOPS product family for visualization or geometry processing, but it is usable as a standalone translation layer.
Not an end-user CAD tool
HOOPS Exchange is primarily a developer component, so it does not replace full CAD authoring software for design creation and editing. Organizations looking for interactive modeling, drafting, and design management will need separate CAD applications. Value realization typically requires engineering effort to integrate and test translations in the target workflow.
Translation fidelity varies by format
As with most CAD translation technologies, the completeness of transferred data can vary by source/target format and by the specific CAD features used. Some proprietary constructs, constraints, feature history, or specialized annotations may not map cleanly across systems. Teams often need validation processes and exception handling for edge cases and version differences in native CAD files.
Licensing and deployment complexity
Commercial CAD translation SDKs commonly involve per-platform builds, version compatibility management, and licensing terms that must align with the embedding application’s distribution model. Supporting multiple operating systems or processor architectures can increase integration and QA effort. Long-term maintenance typically includes updating the SDK to keep pace with new CAD file versions and customer requirements.
Seller details
Tech Soft 3D
Bend, Oregon, USA
1996
Private
https://www.techsoft3d.com/
https://x.com/techsoft3d
https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-soft-3d/
