Native CAD interfaces
Direct support for the CAD formats listed here.
Designcenter Solid Edge Viewer
Open ASM, PAR, and PSM files
intuitive & practical 3D without CAD expertise
affordable & universal many 3D/2D interfaces
Modern, easy-to-use CAD viewer
Cost-effective CAD converter for all formats
The 3D-Tool Viewer opens Designcenter Solid Edge ASM, PAR, and PSM files without Designcenter Solid Edge software.
The 3D-NativeCAD Converter converts Designcenter Solid Edge models to a wide range of formats such as STEP, IGES, JT, SAT, Parasolid X_T, STL, OBJ, 3D-PDF, 3D-HTML, FBX, 3MF, and glTF.
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Stable, precise CAD data processing.
Windows support
Compatible with current Windows versions.
Check Designcenter Solid Edge Files From Suppliers
PAR, ASM, and PSM files from Designcenter Solid Edge often show up only occasionally - for example when a supplier delivers a PAR part, an ASM assembly, or a PSM sheet metal part while the company itself runs a different CAD system. The 3D-Tool Viewer opens these files without requiring an installation of Designcenter Solid Edge of your own.
For PSM sheet metal parts in particular, wall thickness and geometry can be checked directly in the viewer before releasing an order. For further processing, the 3D-NativeCAD Converter turns PAR, ASM, and PSM models into STEP and other common exchange formats.
What are ASM, PAR, and PSM files?
- Files with the ASM, PAR, or PSM file extension are native 3D files created by the CAD/CAM software Designcenter Solid Edge. The ASM file extension is also used by Creo Parametric. Creo files can be identified by a number after the file extension (*.asm.1, *.asm.2).
- PAR and PSM are part file formats. PAR files contain solid parts, while PSM files contain sheet metal parts. This distinction reflects specific modeling functions.
- ASM is the assembly file format and is linked to at least one PAR or PSM file, usually several, and often to additional ASM files.
- Like Designcenter (Siemens NX) and SolidWorks, Designcenter Solid Edge uses the Parasolid modeling kernel.
Solid Edge versions
The first version of Solid Edge was introduced in November 1995. Solid Edge was developed specifically for Microsoft Windows. Through version 4, Solid Edge used the ACIS modeling kernel from Spatial. After the acquisition by Unigraphics Solutions (UGS), Solid Edge switched to the UGS Parasolid modeling kernel in version 5.
Siemens acquired UGS in 2007. The ST 1 through ST 10 versions were followed by Solid Edge 2019. Since then, version names have used a year designation.
Siemens' Designcenter suite now brings together NX and Solid Edge. Solid Edge is offered under the name Designcenter Solid Edge. Older releases cannot open file versions created with newer releases. In these cases, Siemens recommends the Parasolid exchange format X_T or X_B.
Additional native Designcenter Solid Edge file formats
- dft Native 2D drawing from Designcenter Solid Edge, derived from a Designcenter Solid Edge 3D model
- pwd Solid Edge welding environment. This file environment has not been developed further since version 17. Its functions are now available in the ASM environment.
- Parasolid X_T and X_B files are 3D exchange formats without a modification history. However, they are the preferred choice for exchanging 3D models between CAD/CAM programs with a Parasolid kernel. These include Designcenter (Siemens NX), SolidWorks, and Designcenter Solid Edge.
How do I open Designcenter Solid Edge ASM, PAR, and PSM files?
Open Designcenter Solid Edge ASM, PAR, and PSM files with a Designcenter Solid Edge installation. Alternatively, use CAD/CAM software with a Designcenter Solid Edge interface, such as Designcenter (Siemens NX).
The free Solid Edge View supports native Designcenter Solid Edge parts, assemblies, and drawings, but has not provided measurement functions since version 2022.
The 3D-Tool CAD Viewer opens Designcenter Solid Edge ASM, PAR, and PSM files and provides extensive measurement and analysis tools. You can try 3D-Tool free of charge for 14 days.
How do I convert native Designcenter Solid Edge models?
Without CAD software with a Designcenter Solid Edge interface, the design must be exported from Designcenter Solid Edge to a common 3D exchange format, such as STEP. Parasolid x_t or x_b is recommended for exchange with Designcenter (Siemens NX) and SolidWorks.
Converting ASM, PAR and PSM to STEP is also possible with a 3D converter.
The 3D-NativeCAD Converter in 3D-Tool Premium converts native Designcenter Solid Edge models and models from many other CAD systems reliably into the standard 3D exchange formats STEP, IGES, SAT, and Parasolid X_T.
Try the Designcenter Solid Edge viewer and converter for free
3D-Tool is a CAD Viewer with many native CAD interfaces, including Designcenter Solid Edge, plus professional measurement tools, draft analysis, and wall thickness analysis.
- Open, measure, annotate, and publish ASM, PAR, and PSM files for the 3D-Tool Free Viewer or as 3D-PDF
- Open ASM, PAR, and PSM files and save them as STL, 3DS, PLY, WRL, or OBJ
- Convert ASM, PAR, and PSM files to STEP, IGES, SAT, X_T, and JT
- Convert Designcenter Solid Edge models into 3D product visualizations such as 3D-HTML, FBX, 3MF, and glTF
Free, no-obligation 14-day trial with all functions, the Designcenter Solid Edge interfaces, and the 3D-NativeCAD Converter. The trial key activates all 3D interfaces, including Designcenter (Siemens NX), CATIA, Inventor, STEP, SAT, and Parasolid.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between PAR and PSM files?
PAR files contain solid parts from Designcenter Solid Edge, while PSM files contain sheet metal parts. The distinction reflects specific modeling functions within Designcenter Solid Edge. Both are native Designcenter Solid Edge part formats, while assemblies use ASM files. 3D-Tool opens PAR, PSM, and ASM models. This lets you inspect individual parts and assemblies without Designcenter Solid Edge.
Can Designcenter Solid Edge files from a newer version be opened in an older release?
Generally not. Siemens recommends the Parasolid exchange format X_T or X_B for exchanging data between different Designcenter Solid Edge versions. The recipient must support the selected Parasolid version. Agreeing on the exchange format before sending the model helps avoid a situation where the native file cannot be imported by the receiving system.
How can I open PAR, PSM, and ASM files without Designcenter Solid Edge?
3D-Tool opens Designcenter Solid Edge parts in PAR and PSM format and assemblies in ASM format without a Designcenter Solid Edge installation. The viewer provides measurement and analysis tools. A free 14-day trial also includes the 3D-NativeCAD Converter, allowing you to try the required export formats with your own models.
What is a Solid Edge PWD file?
A PWD file is a Solid Edge welding-environment file. This file environment has not been developed further since version 17; its functions are now available in the ASM environment. It can therefore occur in older Solid Edge projects. When exchanging such data, identify the original file environment instead of treating PWD as an ordinary PAR part file.
Which formats can Designcenter Solid Edge files be converted to?
The 3D-NativeCAD Converter in 3D-Tool Premium reliably converts native Designcenter Solid Edge models to STEP, IGES, JT, SAT, and Parasolid X_T. For exchange with Designcenter (Siemens NX) and SolidWorks, the Parasolid X_T or X_B format is specifically recommended.