Parasolid is the geometric modeling kernel that enables Shapr3D to run the complicated calculations in the background while you’re modeling. Shapr3D is not the only CAD software that is built on Parasolid; major CAD players including Solidworks, Siemens NX, Solid Edge, OnShape, and MicroStation also rely on Parasolid.
Note: A geometric kernel is a component of the CAD system that does calculations in the background to define your models, adjustments, fillets, holes, chamfers, etc., mathematically. Different kernels have different understandings of a complex shape; that means that translations between these systems always contain a healthy amount of approximation and reparametrization. Many people use STEP files to overcome this hurdle, but it’s always better to use the native file.
Why is this a big deal? How does it make Shapr3D more robust?
Shapr3D is the first CAD software that implemented Parasolid natively on a tablet.
The earlier versions of Shapr3D (until version 3.0) ran on an open source geometric modeling kernel called Open Cascade. Soon enough, it became clear that Open Cascade was not quite the solution Shapr3D needed. Shapr3D needed a robust and reliable technology that could pave the way for rapid feature development, perfect compatibility with major CAD software, and unprecedented high performance on a tablet. And that’s Parasolid.