{"id":44630,"date":"2026-09-21T13:06:56","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T11:06:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ironcad.eu\/blog\/ironcads-dual-kernel-technology\/"},"modified":"2026-09-21T14:28:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T12:28:13","slug":"ironcads-dual-kernel-technology","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/ironcad.eu\/en\/blog\/ironcads-dual-kernel-technology\/","title":{"rendered":"IronCAD&#8217;s dual-kernel technology"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;gcid-f52cc46c-103a-4f3e-bb71-6efb5f79ee25&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-f52cc46c-103a-4f3e-bb71-6efb5f79ee25%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}&#8221;][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Crumb trail&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0rem||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;0rem||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;0rem||||false|false&#8221; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; collapsed=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-342b504c-af3f-4a0e-9bbf-cd80ba9f1957%22:%91%22border_color_bottom%22%93}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_code _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<nav aria-label=\"breadcrumbs\" class=\"rank-math-breadcrumb\"><p><span class=\"last\">Home<\/span><\/p><\/nav>[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;off|desktop&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.8&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-3421bf6d-18b2-4c4f-a72e-22b2864b9384%22:%91%22link_text_color__hover%22,%22link_text_color__hover%22%93,%22gcid-body-color%22:%91%22ol_text_color%22,%22ol_text_color%22%93}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1>IronCAD&#8217;s dual-kernel technology<\/h1>\n<p>Most CAD systems use a single modeling kernel. IronCAD uses two: <strong>ACIS<\/strong> and <strong>Parasolid<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>These two engines each process 3D geometry in their own way. By supporting both within a single design environment, IronCAD offers additional flexibility when dealing with complex geometry and exchanging CAD data.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjEwOTA1In19@&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text=&#8221;More about IronCAD&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;left&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.7&#8243; _dynamic_attributes=&#8221;button_url&#8221; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;gcid-primary-color&#8221; button_icon=&#8221;&#xe03c;||divi||400&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-3421bf6d-18b2-4c4f-a72e-22b2864b9384%22:%91%22button_bg_color%22%93,%22gcid-primary-color%22:%91%22button_bg_color%22%93,%22gcid-heading-color%22:%91%22button_bg_color__hover%22%93}&#8221; button_bg_color__hover=&#8221;#21282e&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/ironcad.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Kernels-2.webp&#8221; alt=&#8221;3D CAD model in IronCAD with two modeling kernels, ACIS and Parasolid, linked to the same design.&#8221; title_text=&#8221;Kernels&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.8&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; border_radii=&#8221;on|8px|8px|8px|8px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;RGBA(255,255,255,0)&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;off|desktop&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;2rem||1rem||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.8&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>What is a modeling kernel?<\/h2>\n<p>A modeling kernel is the underlying software that determines how a 3D model is constructed and how geometric operations are calculated. Examples include fillets, chamfers, shells, and the merging or cutting of 3D shapes.<\/p>\n<p>IronCAD uses two modeling kernels, each of which can handle certain geometric situations in its own way.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; make_equal=&#8221;on&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;off|desktop&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.8&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;off|desktop&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;1rem||1rem||true|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;gcid-f52cc46c-103a-4f3e-bb71-6efb5f79ee25&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;2rem|2rem|2rem|2rem|true|true&#8221; border_radii=&#8221;on|8px|8px|8px|8px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-f52cc46c-103a-4f3e-bb71-6efb5f79ee25%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}&#8221;][et_pb_blurb title=&#8221;Parasolid&#8221; use_icon=&#8221;on&#8221; font_icon=&#8221;&#xf1b2;||fa||900&#8243; icon_placement=&#8221;left&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.8&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||0rem||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Developed by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.siemens.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Siemens Digital Industries Software<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;gcid-f52cc46c-103a-4f3e-bb71-6efb5f79ee25&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;2rem|2rem|2rem|2rem|true|true&#8221; border_radii=&#8221;on|8px|8px|8px|8px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-f52cc46c-103a-4f3e-bb71-6efb5f79ee25%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}&#8221;][et_pb_blurb title=&#8221;ACIS&#8221; use_icon=&#8221;on&#8221; font_icon=&#8221;&#xf1cb;||fa||400&#8243; icon_placement=&#8221;left&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.8&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||0rem||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Developed by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spatial.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Spatial<\/a>, a division of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.3ds.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dassault Syst\u00e8mes<\/a><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;gcid-f52cc46c-103a-4f3e-bb71-6efb5f79ee25&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-f52cc46c-103a-4f3e-bb71-6efb5f79ee25%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}&#8221;][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;2_3,1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.8&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-3421bf6d-18b2-4c4f-a72e-22b2864b9384%22:%91%22link_text_color__hover%22,%22link_text_color__hover%22%93,%22gcid-body-color%22:%91%22ol_text_color%22,%22ol_text_color%22%93}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>Why two modeling kernels?<\/h2>\n<p>ACIS and Parasolid may handle certain geometric situations differently. An operation that doesn\u2019t work well with one kernel can sometimes be resolved using the other.<\/p>\n<p>IronCAD therefore allows you to work with both kernels within the same design environment and switch between them as needed.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.8&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-3421bf6d-18b2-4c4f-a72e-22b2864b9384%22:%91%22link_text_color__hover%22,%22link_text_color__hover%22%93,%22gcid-body-color%22:%91%22ol_text_color%22,%22ol_text_color%22%93}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Kernel Collaboration<\/h3>\n<p>For certain modeling operations, IronCAD may use the other kernel if the active kernel cannot properly resolve a geometric problem.<\/p>\n<p>This happens, for example, with functions such as Blend, Chamfer, Shell, and certain direct geometric operations.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/ironcad.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icon-ironcad.webp&#8221; alt=&#8221;icon ironCAD&#8221; title_text=&#8221;icon ironCAD&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.8&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; border_radii=&#8221;on|8px|8px|8px|8px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.8&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-3421bf6d-18b2-4c4f-a72e-22b2864b9384%22:%91%22link_text_color__hover%22,%22link_text_color__hover%22%93,%22gcid-body-color%22:%91%22ol_text_color%22,%22ol_text_color%22%93}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>Import and Export Benefits<\/h2>\n<p>IronCAD supports, among other formats, ACIS SAT files and Parasolid X_T files. When importing, the corresponding modeling kernel can be used to ensure that native ACIS and Parasolid data is processed appropriately.<\/p>\n<p>This provides additional flexibility when you receive models from different CAD systems and want to further edit them in IronCAD.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_4,3_4&#8243; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;off|desktop&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.8&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;gcid-f52cc46c-103a-4f3e-bb71-6efb5f79ee25&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;2rem||2rem||true|false&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;off|desktop&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;2rem|2rem|2rem|2rem|true|true&#8221; border_radii=&#8221;on|8px|8px|8px|8px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-342b504c-af3f-4a0e-9bbf-cd80ba9f1957%22:%91%22border_color_bottom%22,%22border_color_bottom%22%93,%22gcid-f52cc46c-103a-4f3e-bb71-6efb5f79ee25%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.8&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/ironcad.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ChatGPT-Image-13-jan-2026-14_35_28-1-e1768311461538.webp&#8221; alt=&#8221;The Ctrl key on a keyboard is commonly used for keyboard shortcuts&#8221; title_text=&#8221;Ctrl key&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.8&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;3_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.8&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.8&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||0px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>Switching Between ACIS and Parasolid<\/h2>\n<p>If a part or operation doesn\u2019t produce the desired result, you can switch kernels yourself.<\/p>\n<p>Select the part and press Ctrl + K to switch between ACIS and Parasolid. You can also change the modeling kernel via the part\u2019s properties.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.8&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-3421bf6d-18b2-4c4f-a72e-22b2864b9384%22:%91%22link_text_color__hover%22,%22link_text_color__hover%22%93,%22gcid-body-color%22:%91%22ol_text_color%22,%22ol_text_color%22%93}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>Two kernels within a single design environment<\/h2>\n<p>For most users, the choice between ACIS and Parasolid remains largely in the background. But when dealing with complex geometry, external CAD data, or an operation that doesn\u2019t work right away, IronCAD offers additional options for continuing to work within the same design environment.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.8&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;gcid-f52cc46c-103a-4f3e-bb71-6efb5f79ee25&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||||false|false&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;gcid-0d1a127e-4ce1-4bb0-9503-eafc35a82551&#8243; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-0d1a127e-4ce1-4bb0-9503-eafc35a82551%22:%91%22border_color_top%22%93,%22gcid-f52cc46c-103a-4f3e-bb71-6efb5f79ee25%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}&#8221;][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;off|desktop&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;2rem||1rem||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">End-User Experiences<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">More than <strong>100,000<\/strong> users worldwide now rely on IronCAD.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row make_equal=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; width=&#8221;100%&#8221; width_tablet=&#8221;100%&#8221; width_phone=&#8221;100%&#8221; width_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; max_width=&#8221;2560px&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;1rem||2rem||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.23&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][dipi_blog_slider select_post_type=&#8221;project&#8221; select_custom_tax=&#8221;project_category&#8221; include_term_ids_of_project_category=&#8221;all&#8221; thumbnail_height=&#8221;280px&#8221; orderby=&#8221;rand&#8221; show_author=&#8221;off&#8221; show_date=&#8221;off&#8221; columns=&#8221;4&#8243; loop=&#8221;on&#8221; autoplay=&#8221;on&#8221; autoplay_speed=&#8221;2500&#8243; navigation=&#8221;on&#8221; pagination=&#8221;off&#8221; navigation_prev_icon_yn=&#8221;on&#8221; navigation_next_icon_yn=&#8221;on&#8221; thumbnail_height_tablet=&#8221;200px&#8221; thumbnail_height_phone=&#8221;160px&#8221; thumbnail_height_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; columns_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; columns_phone=&#8221;&#8221; columns_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.7&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; box_shadow_color_item=&#8221;gcid-f52cc46c-103a-4f3e-bb71-6efb5f79ee25&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-3421bf6d-18b2-4c4f-a72e-22b2864b9384%22:%91%22navigation_color%22,%22pagination_color%22,%22navigation_color%22,%22pagination_color%22%93,%22gcid-f52cc46c-103a-4f3e-bb71-6efb5f79ee25%22:%91%22box_shadow_color_item%22%93}&#8221;][\/dipi_blog_slider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discover how IronCAD combines ACIS and Parasolid, and learn about the benefits of dual-kernel technology for complex geometry, import, and export.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":44657,"template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":""},"categories":[110],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-44630","blog","type-blog","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ironcad"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ironcad.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/44630","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ironcad.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ironcad.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/blog"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ironcad.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/44657"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ironcad.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44630"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ironcad.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44630"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ironcad.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44630"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}