Parasolid exchange is usually a text .x_t file or a binary .x_b file. Several mechanical CAD systems can write them, including workflows that start in Solid Edge or NX, but the extension does not tell you which application or schema version you received. CADProps reads both in-house; model units in the file are metres. Renaming between X_B and X_T does not change the encoding.
Open X_T or X_B
Use the Parasolid viewer on the original file. Check the expected bodies, orientation and one known dimension before area, volume or mass. Open an X_T file online is the full sequence.
Volume is for a valid closed solid. Mass is volume times a density you confirm. An assembly or a partial load must be labelled with its scope.
Convert to STEP
Parasolid to STEP writes an exact STEP when every face is reconstructed; omitted or approximated faces leave only a mesh STEP. Neither restores a feature tree. Reopen the STEP and repeat the dimension check. Parasolid vs STEP and IGES vs Parasolid explain when to stay with X_T.
Native files that are not X_T
Solid Edge .par and .psm files can show the bodies recovered from their embedded Parasolid data or their saved facets, and supported .asm files show their saved assembly scene. A PAR or PSM part is shown as an exact B-Rep, with exact STEP export, only when its embedded Parasolid model rebuilds into closed, valid solids and matches the part's saved display; other previews are approximate, as described on the Solid Edge viewer. When a part stays approximate, ask for X_T or STEP, as described in open a Solid Edge file. Creo .prt and .asm, including numbered saves, use a separate file check and saved-thumbnail preview. No Creo 3D geometry, measurement or STEP export is available; request STEP from Creo for a geometry handoff.
The format matrix lists the formats that are not supported.
Original article: CADProps · https://www.cadprops.com/parasolid/