Geometric modeling kernel
3D modeling software component
title: "Geometric modeling kernel" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["3d-graphics-software", "computer-aided-design"] description: "3D modeling software component" topic_path: "general/3d-graphics-software" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geometric_modeling_kernel" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary 3D modeling software component ::
A geometric modeling kernel is a solid modeling software component used in computer-aided design (CAD) packages.{{cite web | last = Tyrka | first = Katherine | title = Kernel strategies | publisher = Design News | date = 2001-12-01 | url = http://www.designnews.com/article/CA155479.html | access-date = 2006-12-28 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927203719/http://www.designnews.com/article/CA155479.html | archive-date = 2007-09-27 | url-status = dead | last = Shah | first = Jami | author-link = Jami Shah | title = Parametric and Feature-Based CAD/CAM | publisher = John Wiley & Sons, Inc | date = 2004-06-27 | isbn = 0-471-00214-3 | page = 449 }} Available modelling kernels include:
- ACIS is developed and licensed by Spatial Corporation of Dassault Systèmes.
- SMLib is developed by Solid Modeling Solutions.
- Convergence Geometric Modeler is developed by Dassault Systèmes.
- Parasolid is developed and licensed by Siemens.
- Romulus was a predecessor to Parasolid.
- ShapeManager is developed by Autodesk and was forked from ACIS in 2001.
- Granite{{cite web |title=GRANITE Interoperability Kernel FAQ |url=http://www.ptc.com/products/granite/faq.htm |publisher=PTC Inc. |access-date=18 May 2013 |archive-date=3 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703092253/http://www.ptc.com/products/granite/faq.htm |url-status=dead
- C3D Modeler is developed by C3D Labs, part of the ASCON Group.
- CGAL is an opensource Computational Geometry Algorithms Library which has support for Boolean operations on Polyhedra; but no sweep, revolve or NURBS.
- Open CASCADE is an opensource modeling kernel.
- sgCore is a freeware proprietary modeling kernel distributed as an SDK.
- K3 kernel{{cite web |title=About the developer |url=http://k3-tent.com/about-the-developer.html |publisher=Innovation and research center "GeoS" |access-date=9 August 2016 |archive-date=9 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709045028/http://k3-tent.com/about-the-developer.html |url-status=dead
- SOLIDS++{{cite web |title=SOLIDS++ |url=http://www.integrityware.com/solids.html |publisher=IntegrityWare, Inc. |access-date=17 August 2016}} is developed by IntegrityWare, Inc.
- APM Engine{{cite web |title=APM Studio |url=http://apm.ru/produkti/programmnie_kompleksi/APM_WinMachine/APM_Studio/ |publisher=Research and Software Development Centre APM |access-date=18 August 2016 |archive-date=20 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820002222/http://apm.ru/produkti/programmnie_kompleksi/APM_WinMachine/APM_Studio/ |url-status=dead |title=Геометрическое ядро APM Engine |url=http://www.sapr.ru/Article.aspx?id=6985 |publisher=sapr |access-date=18 August 2016}}{{cite web |title=На ядре |url=http://isicad.ru/ru/articles.php?article_num=14210 |publisher=isicad |access-date=18 August 2016}} is developed by RSDC APM.
- KCM{{cite web |title=3D Software Development with Kubotek Kosmos |url=http://www.kubotekkosmos.com/products/3d_framework |publisher=Kubotek Kosmos |access-date=26 May 2023}} is developed and licensed by Kubotek Kosmos{{cite web |title=Kubotek Kosmos Announces the 5.0 Release of its 3D Framework Modeling Kernel |url=https://www.abc27.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/627758543/kubotek-kosmos-announces-the-5-0-release-of-its-3d-framework-modeling-kernel/ |publisher=EIN Presswire |access-date=13 April 2023}}
- SvLis Geometric Kernel became opensource and discontinued, for Windows only.
- IRIT modeling environment, for Windows only.
- GTS GNU Triangulated Surface Library, for polygon meshes only and not surfaces.
- Russian Geometric Kernel.
- Geometry Kernel,{{Cite web |url=http://rdf.bg/downloads-all/geometry-kernel-downloads/ |title=Geometry Kernel Library Packages |publisher=RDF |website=www.rdf.bg |language=en}} a multi-platform C++ library with source code accessible for clients, developed and distributed by RDF - Geometry Kernel web site.
- SolveSpace has its own integrated parametric solid geometry kernel with a limited NURBS support.
Kernel market
The kernel market currently is dominated by Parasolid and ACIS, which were introduced in the late 1980s. The latest kernel to enter the market is KCM. ShapeManager has no presence in the kernel licensing market and in 2001 Autodesk clearly stated they were not going into this business.
The world's newest geometric modeling kernel is Russian Geometric Kernel owned by the Russian government, and it is not clear if it is going to be commercially available, despite offering unique features over the other kernels on the market.{{cite web |title=Features of RGK |url=http://rgkernel.com/features-of-rgk.html |publisher= RGK |access-date= 15 August 2016}}{{cite web |title= Вопрос распараллеливания в разработке ядра геометрического моделирования |url= https://www.singularis-lab.com/docs/materials/05_Shapovalov_RGK_CKA.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221103151739/https://www.singularis-lab.com/docs/materials/05_Shapovalov_RGK_CKA.pdf |url-status= dead |archive-date= November 3, 2022 |publisher= Singularis Lab |access-date= 15 August 2016
Kernel developers
The table below contains a representative list of developers developing their own kernel or licensing the kernel from a third-party.{{cite web |last = Ushakov |first = Dmitry |title = Russian National 3D Kernel |url = http://isicad.net/articles.php?article_num=15189 |publisher = LEDAS Ltd. |access-date = April 3, 2012}}
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References
References
- [http://smlib.com/ SMLib]
- Yares, Evan. "Spatial, ACIS, CGM, and the future of geometric modelers". 3D CAD World.
- "Autodesk - Produktivität, Performance und Präzision: Neue Version der Autodesk Inventor-Familie".
- Levin, David. "Geometric Kernels and Irremovability of Presidents from Office". LEDAS Ltd..
- Yares, Evan. (April 2013). "Russian CAD". WTWH Media, LLC.
- "Geometros Solid Geometry Engine for C++, C#, Objective-C, Java - sgCore".
- "The IRIT modeling environment - Home Page".
- "GTS - The GNU Triangulated Surface Library".
- (2013-05-24). "Russian 3D-kernel RGK: Functionality, Advantages, and Integration".
- (2013-06-06). "Does the CAD world need another geometry kernel?".
- "Creo GRANITE Interoperability Kernel".
- "How Does Onshape Really Work?".
- "SpaceClaim General FAQ".
- "Software für 2D-/3D-CAD und PDM | HiCAD und HELiOS".
- "CAESES Software › CAESES".
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