Solid Modeling Solutions

What Solid Modeling Solutions does

Solid Modeling Solutions (SMS) was a private US-based software firm, founded in 1998 and headquartered in Wausau with California incorporation, that developed 3D geometric modeling kernel libraries used in computer-aided design, computer-aided engineering, and industrial design workflows. Its core products were SMLib, a solid modeling library, and NLib, a NURBS-based geometry library, supporting polygonal and NURBS representations of solid models. SMS operated with a small team (1–10 employees) and historically monetized this technology through licensing to CAD/CAE software vendors and industrial integrators, though no pricing, customer, or revenue data is publicly disclosed.

In May 2022, SMS was acquired by NVIDIA Corporation of Santa Clara, CA and dissolved as a separate corporate entity. NVIDIA folded the SMLib and NLib kernel technology into its Omniverse platform and the OpenUSD ecosystem, where it underpins geometry operations for simulation, digital-twin, and industrial 3D workflows. SMLib and NLib are maintained as legacy support content via NVIDIA documentation rather than as independent products. SMS no longer operates as an independent product company, and no further operating, headcount, customer, or revenue disclosures exist following the acquisition.

Name

Solid Modeling Solutions

Legal name

Solid Modeling Solutions

Website

https://smlib.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Solid Modeling Solutions was a private US software firm that developed 3D solid modeling kernel libraries (SMLib and NLib) for CAD, CAE, and industrial design workflows. The company was acquired by NVIDIA in May 2022 and dissolved, with its technology integrated into NVIDIA's Omniverse platform and OpenUSD ecosystem.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

CAD/CAE Geometric Kernel Software

NAICS

Industrial Design Services (54142), Industrial Design Services (541420)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

3D Design & CAD for Additive Manufacturing (IMAAACAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Digital Design Services (BPAHAKAK)

Keywords

• 3D solid modeling
• NURBS library
• Geometric kernel
• Polygonal modeling
• CAD software development

Headquarters

HQ city

Wausau

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D

Core offering

Solid Modeling Solutions (SMS) developed and licensed 3D solid modeling library technology, including SMLib and NLib, used as geometric modeling kernels for CAD, CAE, and industrial design software applications. The libraries provided NURBS, polygonal, and solid modeling capabilities to software developers building computer-aided design and engineering tools.

Product overview

Solid Modeling Solutions (SMS) was a company that developed SMLib and NLib libraries for solid modeling. The company was acquired by NVIDIA in May 2022 and dissolved as a separate corporate entity. SMS technology has been incorporated into NVIDIA's Omniverse platform and OpenUSD ecosystem. SMS no longer operates as an independent product company; its products are now legacy offerings maintained for compatibility purposes within the NVIDIA ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SMLib Solid modeling library (SMLib) developed by Solid Modeling Solutions for 3D geometric modeling, including NURBS and polygonal solid modeling capabilities. Licensed to software developers building CAD, CAE, and industrial design applications. Acquired by NVIDIA in May 2022 and now maintained as legacy support content within the NVIDIA ecosystem.
• NLib Geometric modeling library (NLib) developed by Solid Modeling Solutions for 3D solid modeling operations. Licensed to software developers building CAD, CAE, and industrial design applications. Acquired by NVIDIA in May 2022 and now maintained as legacy support content within the NVIDIA ecosystem.

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• NVIDIA CorporationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2022Solid Modeling Solutions (SMS) was acquired by NVIDIA Corporation of Santa Clara, CA in May 2022 and was dissolved as a separate corporate entity. NVIDIA is incorporating SMS technology into its Omniverse platform and OpenUSD. SMS's core products, SMLib and NLib, continue to be available as legacy support content through NVIDIA documentation.

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights2 records

Direct peers

• Spatial Corp (Dassault Systèmes): Supplies 3D component technology (modeling kernels, 3D interop, visualization) embedded into CAD, CAM, and CAE applications — the closest functional peer to SMS's geometry kernel offerings.
• OpenCASCADE: Provider of open-source and commercial 3D geometric modeling kernels (OCCT) widely used in CAD/CAE/CAM applications — a directly comparable solid modeling kernel technology to SMS's SMLib/NLib.
• ACIS (Spatial): ACIS is a long-established 3D solid modeling kernel competing with Parasolid and previously with SMLib-style technology for embedding into third-party CAD/CAE applications.
• C3D Labs (C3D Toolkit): Developer of C3D Toolkit, a modular set of 3D geometric modeling components (modeler, converter, vision, etc.) used to build CAD/CAE/CAM products — directly comparable kernel-component peer to SMS.

Broad incumbents

• ANSYS: Major CAE/simulation platform that consumes geometric modeling technology for simulation workflows — comparable to SMS's downstream CAD/CAE integration use cases.
• Siemens Digital Industries Software (Parasolid): Parasolid is one of the most widely licensed 3D solid modeling kernels in the industry, bundled within Siemens' broader PLM portfolio and licensed to other CAD vendors — a broader incumbent in the same kernel category as SMS.
• PTC (Creo kernel / Granite): PTC operates its own 3D modeling kernel technologies underpinning Creo and other CAD products — comparable as a CAD platform incumbent with proprietary geometry IP.
• Autodesk (Autodesk Shape Manager / Fusion 360 kernel stack): Major CAD platform vendor with its own geometry engines (e.g., Autodesk Shape Manager) used across Inventor, Fusion 360, and other products — competes in the broader 3D solid modeling space where SMS kernels were deployed.
• Hexagon (MSC Software / Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence): Owns MSC Software and other CAE/CAD assets, with substantial geometric modeling and simulation IP — comparable as a broad incumbent across CAD/CAE workflows where SMS kernels were embedded.

Emerging players

• IronCAD: Direct-modeling based 3D CAD vendor serving industrial design and mechanical engineering markets — overlaps with SMS's industrial design / CAD customer workflows.

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights4 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Solid Modeling Solutions