HOOPS Exchange

HOOPS Exchange is a C++ SDK for development teams adding 2D and 3D CAD import and export to applications through one API. It exposes CAD information including B-REP, PMI, model trees, views, persistent IDs, styles, construction geometry, and visualization data. The product lists more than 30 import formats and more than 10 export formats, including CATIA, NX, SOLIDWORKS, Revit, IFC, JT, STEP, STL, and FBX. It uses PRC for data access and says it preserves data integrity and geometry accuracy. The maker also says files can be compressed up to 100 times smaller than original CAD files. Integrations include Parasolid, ACIS, Open Cascade, Polygonica, HOOPS Visualize, OpenGL, DirectX, Vulkan, Unity, and Unreal. APIs are listed for C, C++, and C#. Windows, Linux, and macOS are supported, with limited functionality on iOS and Android. A free 60-day evaluation provides full access and technical expert support, but its license keys expire and are not suitable for production software. New releases are not binary compatible with older releases, so applications must be recompiled when updating.

HOOPS Exchange offers broad CAD data access and format support for teams integrating CAD workflows into applications. The evaluation is time-limited, and release changes can require recompilation.

HOOPS Exchange is aimed at development teams building engineering applications for mechanical design, manufacturing, construction, shipbuilding, plant, and process industries.

Overview

HOOPS Exchange is a C++ SDK for developers adding CAD import and export to engineering applications. It best suits teams that need to work with detailed engineering data across many file formats; the trade-offs are a short evaluation window and recompilation when upgrading.

Key features

The SDK exposes B-REP geometry alongside product and manufacturing information (PMI), model trees, views, persistent IDs, styles, construction geometry, and visualization data. That depth is useful when an application must preserve engineering context, not merely show or convert a shape. Teams building a basic file-conversion utility may find the breadth unnecessary.

HOOPS Exchange supports more than 30 import formats and more than 10 export formats, including CATIA, NX, SOLIDWORKS, Revit, IFC, JT, STEP, STL, and FBX. Consolidating format support behind one API can simplify an application's CAD workflow, though format count alone does not establish which data survives a particular import or export path.

The SDK uses PRC for data access and says it preserves data integrity and geometry accuracy. Tech Soft 3D also says files can be compressed up to 100 times smaller than the originals with HOOPS Exchange and PRC; that maximum is not a guarantee for every file. Integrations include Parasolid, with connections to ACIS, Open Cascade, Polygonica, HOOPS Visualize, OpenGL, DirectX, Vulkan, Unity, and Unreal, giving teams options across geometry and visualization workflows.

The maker offers a free 60-day evaluation with full access and technical support from its experts. Evaluation keys expire at the end of the period and cannot be used for production. Releases are not binary-compatible with older versions, so applications need recompilation after an upgrade—a real maintenance cost for teams supporting deployed integrations.

Pricing

HOOPS Exchange evaluation: free. It includes full access, a 60-day evaluation, and technical expert support. This is enough time to assess integration in a development project, but it is not a production license; the evaluation key expires after 60 days. The paid SDK uses custom pricing, so teams should plan for a commercial licensing discussion rather than assume the evaluation can serve as a free tier.

Platforms

The product FAQ lists Windows, Linux, macOS, and Mac Catalyst, plus limited functionality on iOS and Android. The broader platform listing also includes web. APIs are available for C, C++, and C#. Mobile support is therefore more constrained than desktop support, and teams should account for the stated limitations when targeting iOS or Android.

Who it's for

HOOPS Exchange is aimed at development teams building engineering applications for mechanical design, manufacturing, building and construction, shipbuilding, plant, and process industries. It is the better fit when an application needs rich CAD data access and broad import/export coverage through an SDK. It is less compelling for individuals who only need occasional file conversion or a finished viewer.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Broad import and export coverage can reduce the need for separate CAD format pathways.
• Pros: Access to PMI, model trees, persistent IDs, and other engineering data serves applications that need more than geometry.
• Pros: The 60-day evaluation includes full access and technical expert support, giving development teams a defined period to assess integration.
• Cons: Evaluation keys expire and are not valid for production, so commercial licensing is necessary for deployment.
• Cons: Version upgrades require recompilation, adding work for teams maintaining applications across releases.
• Cons: iOS and Android functionality is limited compared with the listed desktop platforms.

Alternatives

For a no-cost option focused on CAD file viewing and conversion, CAD Assistant is free for personal and commercial use across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows, but commercial import components restrict model export and conversion. Choose it when those limits fit better than an SDK integration.

ODA File Converter is a free alternative from a non-profit technology consortium focused on CAD and BIM interoperability. Consider it when that interoperability focus and its free offering suit the task.

For a permissively licensed software library, Open Asset Import Library (Assimp) is free under a modified three-clause BSD license, with the license text required in products that include it. It is a different route for teams that can work within those licensing terms.

CAD Exchanger is another paid option with a free trial, available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows; its Lab product offers perpetual or subscription licensing and node-locked or floating licenses. Compare it when those licensing choices or platform coverage better match your deployment.

For Windows users seeking a viewer, 3D-Tool has a free edition with no time limit that opens DDD, STL, and 3MF files but cannot export CAD files. Its Basic plan is €200. Pick it for that narrower viewing need, not for an application SDK.

Convert3D offers a free API plan with 10 conversions per month and no commitment, or a Starter plan at $899 a year for 5,000 conversions per year. It may suit teams whose needs are bounded conversion volumes rather than embedded CAD-data access.

Spin 3D offers a free version for non-commercial use. Consider it when that use restriction and its platform availability suit your needs.

Vertessia offers a free plan covering mesh conversions and STEP-to-mesh conversion, with reconstruction and 3D preview through a free account and three free STEP downloads on signup. It is a more focused choice for those conversion tasks.

Browse 3D File Converter Software for more options in that category.

Verdict

Choose HOOPS Exchange if you are building an engineering application that needs broad CAD format support and access to structured data beyond geometry. Its single-API approach and full-access evaluation make it a strong development option; look elsewhere if you need a production-ready free tool, a simple standalone converter, or an upgrade path that avoids recompilation.