What it is
Ansys SpaceClaim is Windows 3D modeling software for engineers who want to work with geometry without learning a complex traditional CAD system. Its direct modeling tools can create, edit, repair, and simplify geometry, including CAD models prepared for simulation. The software also supports assembly design, surfaces, sheet-metal design and unfolding, and preparation of models for manufacturing. For reverse engineering, it can autosurface mesh data and convert STL geometry to CAD. STL tools can repair faceted files for 3D printing, and bidirectional geometry linkage connects SpaceClaim with Ansys Workbench. It imports formats including .dsco, .sat, .sab, .asat, .asab, .pdf, .igs, .iges, .ipt, .iam, .msh, and .tgz; exports include .dwg, .dxf, .CATPart, .CATProduct, .cgns, .xls, .xlsx, .msh, and .tgf. Pricing is on request. Ansys offers a free 30-day trial of Discovery, which includes SpaceClaim in its Discovery Modeling license.
Who it suits. SpaceClaim may suit engineers using Windows who need to prepare or modify geometry for simulation, manufacturing, or 3D printing. Its direct modeling approach is also relevant to reverse-engineering workflows.
Good
- Direct modeling for geometry creation and repair
- Converts STL geometry to CAD
- Includes sheet-metal design and unfolding
- Links geometry bidirectionally with Ansys Workbench
Watch for
- Windows platform only
- Pricing is available on request
Verdict
SpaceClaim focuses on direct geometry work, with tools for simulation preparation, manufacturing, reverse engineering, and 3D printing. Buyers should confirm pricing and whether the Discovery trial and license arrangement fit their needs.
Plans and prices
| Plan | Price | Billed |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery Modeling license | — | — |
From Ansys SpaceClaim's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026. Every plan
What the maker publishes
- 3D printing
- Its STL preparation tools can repair faceted files and prepare models for 3D printing. source
- Assembly design
- Yes source
- Company
- Ansys says its engineering simulation software has enabled innovators across industries for more than 50 years. source
- File import and export
- Import: .dsco, .sat, .sab, .asat, .asab, .pdf, .igs, .iges, .ipt, .iam, .msh, .tgz; export: .dwg, .dxf, .CATPart, .CATProduct, .cgns, .xls, .xlsx, .msh, .tgf source
- Founded
- 1970 source
- Geometry editing
- SpaceClaim can create, edit, repair, and simplify geometry, including CAD models prepared for simulation. source
- Headquarters
- Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, United States source
- Manufacturing
- Features include model preparation for manufacturing, jig and fixture design, and sheet metal design and unfolding. source
- Modeling method
- direct source
- Platform
- The Ansys 2025 R1 platform support matrix lists SpaceClaim for Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2019, and Windows Server 2022. source
- Purpose
- Ansys describes SpaceClaim as lightweight 3D modeling software for engineers who want 3D modeling without learning complex traditional CAD systems. source
- Reverse engineering
- The product can autosurface mesh data and convert STL geometry to CAD for reverse engineering. source
- Security
- Synopsys states that customer data for its applications is encrypted in transit using HTTPS/TLS 1.2 or better and at rest using AES 256-bit encryption or better. source
- Security assessment
- Synopsys says it scans each product release for security vulnerabilities and performs penetration tests, code reviews, and architectural risk assessments for major new features. source
- Sheet-metal tools
- Yes source
- Support
- Ansys directs users with product-specific inquiries to their Sales or Account Representative, who routes requests to the appropriate support team. source
- Supported platforms
- Windows source
- Surface modeling
- Yes source