HOOPS Exchange

Overview

HOOPS Exchange is a C++ SDK for developers building applications that import and export 2D and 3D CAD. It suits engineering software teams that need access to structured design data, not just file conversion. Its breadth makes it a strong candidate for CAD-heavy products, provided the team can accommodate release-by-release recompilation.

Key features

The SDK exposes B-REP geometry alongside PMI, model trees, views, persistent IDs, styles, construction geometry, and visualization data. That context is useful when an application must do more than display a shape; teams building a basic converter may find the depth unnecessary.

HOOPS Exchange supports more than 30 import formats and more than 10 export formats, with examples including CATIA, NX, SOLIDWORKS, Revit, IFC, JT, STEP, STL, and FBX. This breadth can help teams serve varied CAD workflows through one API, though format count alone does not establish what data each particular workflow retains.

The SDK uses PRC for data access and says it preserves data integrity and geometry accuracy. Tech Soft 3D also says HOOPS Exchange and PRC can compress files up to 100 times smaller than the original; treat that as a stated maximum, not an expected result for every file. Integrations include Parasolid and connections to ACIS, Open Cascade, Polygonica, HOOPS Visualize, OpenGL, DirectX, Vulkan, Unity, and Unreal, which gives developers multiple paths into geometry and visualization stacks.

APIs are available for C, C++, and C#. Animation conversion is supported. The maker also directs developers to a forum with dedicated sections for each HOOPS SDK, a useful route for questions and peer discussion.

Pricing

The HOOPS Exchange evaluation costs 0.00 USD per free and provides full access for 60 days, with technical support from the maker's experts. It is a substantial evaluation window for teams assessing integration fit, but it is not a free production tier: evaluation keys expire when the period ends and are unsuitable for production software. Production pricing is custom pricing.

There is no free plan. Teams should therefore assess licensing costs before committing product work beyond the evaluation, rather than treating the trial as an ongoing deployment option.

Platforms

The product FAQ names Windows, Linux, macOS, and Mac Catalyst, with limited functionality on iOS and Android. The broader platform list also includes web. Mobile developers should account for the stated functional limits on iOS and Android rather than assume parity with desktop platforms.

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 most appropriate when an application needs broad CAD exchange plus access to engineering structure. It is less compelling for an individual who only needs an occasional conversion.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Broad format coverage: More than 30 import and 10 export formats can address varied CAD inputs and outputs through a single API.
• Structured data access: PMI, model trees, persistent IDs, and other engineering data support applications that need more than geometry alone.
• Full evaluation access: The 60-day trial includes technical expert support, giving a team time and assistance to assess integration.

Cons

• Trial-only free access: Evaluation keys expire and cannot be used in production, so ongoing use requires a paid arrangement.
• Upgrade work: Releases are not binary compatible with older releases, and applications must be recompiled when moving to a new version.
• Mobile limits: iOS and Android support has limited functionality, which may constrain mobile product plans.

Alternatives

3D File Converter Software is a broader starting point for comparing file-conversion tools. Choose CAD Assistant when a free option for personal or commercial use is more important than unrestricted conversion: its commercial import components restrict model export and conversion.

Convert3D is worth considering when API conversion quotas and an annual Starter plan better match the workload. ODA File Converter is another free alternative. Spin 3D offers a free version for non-commercial use, while FBX2glTF is a free open-source option limited to FBX SDK 2019.2.

meshio may suit teams seeking MIT-licensed software, with NumPy at its core and optional netCDF4 and h5py dependencies for some formats. 3D Model Converter offers unlimited browser-local mesh workflows on its free plan alongside limited cloud credits and file size. 3D-Tool is a Windows choice if a free viewer that opens DDD, STL, and 3MF is enough; its free viewer cannot export CAD files.

Verdict

Choose HOOPS Exchange if you are developing engineering software that needs broad CAD import/export and access to structured model data. Its strongest case is the combination of format reach and engineering context in a single SDK, with a supported full-access evaluation to assess fit. Look elsewhere if you need a lasting free production option, or if frequent upgrades and recompilation are unacceptable for your release process.