NX part and assembly format Reference
NX is a solid modeling package based on the Parasolid kernel. The package contains many (mostly optional) modules, for example CAD, CAM, CAE, Sheet metal applications, knowledge bases, Quality control and Rapid prototyping. The file structure is binary.
The following table explains how common elements are called in both Alias and NX.
| NX | Alias |
| Segment | Span (curve) |
| Point | Point |
| Patch | Span (surface) |
| Pole | CV (Control vertices) |
| Sew | Stitch |
| U/V Grid | Patch Precision |
| Parameters | History |
| Control polygon (display only) | Hull |
| Silhouette curve | Horizon curve |
| Blank | Invisible |
| Reference Set | Set |
| Category | Category |
| Custom view | Variant |
| Knot point | Edit point |
Supported NX geometry and data mapping
The following sections describe the mapping process used for geometry types and non-geometric data that can be transferred between Alias and NX.
Supported Alias geometry types
The following Alias geometry types can be exported to NX. Non-geometry entities such as Lights, Cameras, Textures, Windows, Animation are not supported by the translator. The numbers in the table entries refer to the "Notes for NX Entities" section below.
| Alias Entity | NX Entity |
|---|---|
| Construction Plane | Not supported. |
| Mesh | Not supported at this time. |
| Conic | Rational Curve |
| Arc | RationalCurve |
| Circle | RationalCurve |
| Line | Line |
| Curve | BCurve |
| Surface | BSurface; (1), (2) |
| Trimmed Surface | Face(1), (2) |
| Plane | Bounded Plane(1) |
| Shader | Colour Attribute(3) |
| Shell (Open) | Sheet Body |
| Set | Not supported |
| Group | Group |
| Layer | Layer(4) |
| Category | Category |
| Shell (Closed) | Solid Body |
Notes for NX entities
- NX can not have free standing Surfaces so all surfaces are mapped to faces which must be attached to a sheet body.
- Surfaces having internal discontinuities will be split at those discontinuities.
- Mapped as a Display Attribute of the mapped surface or shell.
- Layer Name is not mapped
Supported NX Entity objects geometry types
The following NX geometry types can be imported to Alias. The letters and numbers in parentheses refer to the "Notes for Alias NX entity object entries" section below.
| NX Entity Objects | Alias Entity |
|---|---|
| WCS | Not supported |
| BSurface | Surface |
| Bounded Plane | Curve |
| Cylindrical Surface | Curve |
| Conical Surface | Curve |
| Tabulated Cylinder | Surface |
| Ruled Surface | Surface |
| Blended Face Surface | Surface |
| Surface of Revolution | Surface |
| Offset Surface | Surface |
| Sculptured Surface | Surface |
| BCurve | Curve |
| Line | Line(Curve) |
| Arc | Curve |
| Conic | Curve |
| Point | Point (Curve)(1) |
| Sheet Body | Shell (Open)(2) |
| Assembly | Groups/Instance(3) |
| Group | Group |
| Layer | Layer |
| Category | Category |
| Reference Set | Not supported |
| Part Attribute | Not supported |
| Solid Body | Shell (Closed) |
Notes for Alias NX entity object entities
- An NX Point is converted to a degree 1 curve composed of two coincident points. On export to NX this construction is converted back to an NX point.
- If the Sheet body only points to one face then this is converted to a trimmed surface in Alias.
- This is a one way mapping, assemblies cannot be exported.
Related pages
- NX import options
- NX export options