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 | Bookmark |
| 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 Notes for NX entities 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 |
Supported NX Entity objects geometry types
The following NX geometry types can be imported to Alias. The letters and numbers in parentheses refer to Notes for Alias NX entity object entities 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
