CATIA 3D Modeling Software

System requirements for running CATIA V5:

• Operating system:
  • Windows 10 (64-bit): Enterprise or Professional Editions (version 1507 or later).
  • Windows 11 (64-bit): Supported on version 23H2 and certified configurations.
  • IBM AIX: Version 7.1.
• Hardware:
  • Processor: Intel Xeon or AMD equivalent with high single-core performance.
  • RAM: Minimum 4 GB; 8 GB or more recommended for complex assemblies.
  • Graphics Card: OpenGL-compatible GPU, such as NVIDIA Quadro series, with at least 1 GB of dedicated memory.
  • Storage: Minimum 10 GB free disk space; additional space required for projects and modules.
  • Display: Minimum resolution of 1280 x 1024; higher resolutions recommended.
• Licensing requirements:
  • DSLS (Dassault Systèmes License Server)

System requirements for running CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE:

• Operating system:
  • Windows 10 and Windows 11 (64-bit): Certified configurations only.
  • Linux distributions such as RedHat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) are supported for server deployments.
• Hardware:
  • Processor: Intel Xeon W series recommended for complex projects; high core count and multithreading capabilities are beneficial for simulations.
  • RAM:
    • Small projects: 16-32 GB.
    • Medium projects: 32-64 GB (DDR5 preferred for higher bandwidth).
    • Complex projects: 64-128 GB or more.
  • Graphics Card: NVIDIA RTX series (e.g., RTX 5000 ADA) with high CUDA core count and at least 32 GB GDDR6 memory for demanding tasks.
  • Storage: SSDs are highly recommended, with at least 100 GB free space for medium deployments and up to 200 GB for large-scale enterprise setups.

Cloud vs. on-premise deployment:

• For cloud-based use, ensure your workstation is certified via Dassault Systèmes’ cloud eligibility tool.
• On-premise setups require validated hardware configurations listed in Dassault Systèmes’ certified hardware directories.

The ability to use a specific release of CATIA depends on the max release date associated with your license. This date determines the latest version of CATIA you can access.

The max release date is tied to the year of the CATIA release. For example, to use CATIA V5-6R2024, your license must have a max release date of 2024 or later. If your license’s max release date is earlier than the release year of the CATIA version you want to use, that version will not be accessible.

• How to check your license’s max release date:
  • Open the DS license server administration tool:
    • Go to start > all programs > DS license server > license server administration.
    • Connect to your license server:
    • Select your computer name and click connect.
  • View the max release date:
    • Navigate to the administration tab.
    • If the max release date column is not visible, click select columns, enable max release date, and apply. Example: If your license has a max release date of January 1, 2023, you can use CATIA V5-6R2023 but not CATIA V5-6R2024.
• Upgrading licenses
  • If you need access to a newer version of CATIA, contact your administrator or get in touch with one of our CATIA experts to update your license to extend its max release date.

A nodelock license is a standalone license tied to a specific computer. It allows users to run CATIA V5 on a single machine without requiring network access to a license server. This is ideal for individual users or laptops used offline. To enroll a nodelock license, follow these steps:

Prepare the license file:

• Copy the provided license file (e.g., .lic) to your computer.
• Avoid placing it in C:\ProgramData\DassaultSystemes\Licenses.

Create the licenses folder:

• Navigate to C:\ProgramData\DassaultSystemes.
• Create a folder named licenses if it doesn’t already exist.
• Delete any existing licenses in this folder to avoid conflicts.

Open the nodelock key management tool:

• Go to start > programs > CATIA > tools > nodelock key management V5-6R20XX (replace XX with your CATIA version).

Import the license:

• In the nodelock key manager, click on file > import.
• Browse to the location of the license file (e.g., on your desktop) and select it.
• Click open to import the license.

Verify the license:

• The enrolled license will appear in the list within the nodelock key manager.
• Check that the license is valid and displays the correct expiration date.

If you have a paper-based license or no .lic file:

• Open the nodelock key manager and select file > add.

Enter the required details from your paper license, including:

• Serial number
• Product code
• Click add to manually enroll the license.

Over time, unused licenses may accumulate in the nodelock file. To clear them:

• Open the nodelock key manager.
• Select file > clear.
• Confirm that obsolete licenses are removed from the file.

Once enrolled, a nodelock license allows you to use CATIA V5 without network access, making it ideal for laptops or standalone setups. By following these steps, you can successfully enroll and manage nodelock licenses for CATIA V5, ensuring uninterrupted access to your software on a single machine.

To determine the version of CATIA in which a file (e.g., CATPart, CATProduct) was last saved, you can use several methods. This is essential for ensuring compatibility, as newer versions of CATIA files cannot be opened in older releases without additional tools.

Method 1: Using Notepad

• Open the file in Notepad:
  • Right-click on the CATIA file (e.g., .CATPart, .CATProduct) and select open with > Notepad (or any text editor like WordPad).
  • Search for the version information:
  • Use the search function (Ctrl + F) and look for the string CATIAV5.
  • The line containing this string will also include details about the release version, such as V5R28 or V5-6R2018.
  • Interpret the version:
    • For example, if you find V5R28, it corresponds to CATIA V5-6R2018. This indicates that the file was last saved in this version and can only be opened in V5-6R2018 or newer.

Method 2: Using file properties in CATIA

• Open the file in CATIA:
  • Open the file in your installed version of CATIA.
  • Access document properties.
  • Navigate to file > properties.
  • In the properties dialog box, look for the “saved document version” field under the “summary” tab. This will display the release version.

Method 3: Using a batch script (for Windows users)

• Create a batch file:
• Open Notepad and paste the following code:
  • text
    @echo off
    find /i “<release>” %1
    echo.
    pause
  • Save it as What_CATIA_Ver.bat in your SendTo folder (C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo).
  • Use the script: Right-click on a CATIA file, go to send to > What_CATIA_Ver, and a command prompt window will display the version information.

Opening an STL file in CATIA V5 requires specific tools and licenses because STL files are tessellated mesh representations, not traditional CAD geometry. Here’s a step-by-step guide to importing and working with STL files in CATIA V5:

1. Ensure you have the required license
   • To import STL files, you need access to the reverse engineering (REE) package or the digitized shape editor (DSE) workbench. These licenses are part of specific configurations like PLM Express or other advanced packages.
   • Without these licenses, STL files cannot be directly imported.
2. Open the appropriate workbench
   • Go to start > infrastructure > digitized shape editor (DSE).
   • Alternatively, if you have the quick surface reconstruction (QSR) module, this can also handle STL files for converting them into usable CAD geometry.
3. Import the STL file
   • In the digitized shape editor workbench:
   • Navigate to insert > import.
   • Select your STL file from your directory and click open.
   • The imported file will appear as a tessellated mesh (triangular facets) in the workspace.
4. Work with the imported mesh
   • Once the STL file is imported, it will appear as a mesh in the specification tree.
   • You can perform operations such as:
     • Smoothing or decimating the mesh to improve its quality.
     • Segmenting the mesh into smaller regions for detailed editing.
5. Convert the mesh to usable geometry (optional)
   • If you need to create solid or surface geometry from the STL mesh:
     • Switch to the quick surface reconstruction (QSR) workbench.
     • Use tools like PowerFit or automatic surface creation to generate surfaces from the mesh.
     • Refine and join surfaces in workbenches like generative shape design or part design to create a solid model.
6. Save or export
   • After processing the STL file, you can save it as a CATPart or export it back to formats like STEP or IGES for further use.

To download a hotfix for CATIA V5:

1. Access the Dassault Systèmes support portal
   • Navigate to support > downloads > hot fixes on the Dassault Systèmes website.
   • Log in with your credentials to access available downloads.
2. Search for the required hotfix
   • Use your CATIA version, release, and service pack details to find the appropriate Hot Fix.
3. Download the file
   • Save the compressed file (e.g., .zip) to your local machine.

To install a hotfix for CATIA V5:

1. Prepare your system
   • Ensure you have administrative privileges on your computer.
   • Commit the current service pack via start > all programs > CATIA > tools > software management > service pack management.
2. Extract the files
   • Use a tool like 7-Zip to extract the downloaded hotfix package.
3. Run the installer
   • Locate and run the Hotfix.exe file from the extracted directory.
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
4. Verify installation
   • Open CATIA and check the installed version under help > about CATIA to confirm that the hotfix has been applied.

If needed, you can roll back a hotfix using the software management tool:

• Open start > all programs > CATIA > tools > software management.
• Select the “rollback” option under the service pack management tab.
• Follow the prompts to revert to the previous state.

Comparing model changes is essential for ensuring design accuracy, validating customer change requests, and avoiding costly rework. In industries with complex supply chains, such as automotive and aerospace, detecting even minor changes in CAD models can prevent errors, ensure compliance, and streamline collaboration. xCompare is a feature-based comparison software that integrates with CATIA V5.

It allows users to:

• Detect changes in geometry, dimensions, colors, tolerances, and annotations.
• Compare parts, products, drawings, or CGR files directly in CATIA or in batch mode.
• Generate detailed reports highlighting differences.

To compare model changes and validate change requests using xCompare:

1. Load models:
   • Open the two versions of the model (e.g., CATParts or CATProducts) to be compared.
2. Run the comparison:
   • Use xCompare to analyze every feature of the models
   • The tool highlights differences such as moved geometry, modified dimensions, or altered annotations.
3. Generate reports:
   • xCompare creates HTML-based reports with snapshots of changes.
   • A 3D report option allows sharing results with non-CAD users via a web browser.
4. xCompare supports comparisons between:
   • CATIA V5 models (CATParts, CATProducts, CATDrawings).
   • JT and SMG files for downstream processes or data

Yes, you can use tools like xCompare – or other specialized translators – to ensure that the integrity of your data is maintained during the conversion process. Here’s xCompare handles V5 to JT/SMG format conversion:

• xCompare verifies the accuracy of translations from CATIA V5 to JT format by comparing geometric data, B-Rep structures, PMIs (product manufacturing information), and LODs (levels of detail). It graphically highlights any discrepancies directly within CATIA V5, ensuring no changes are introduced during translation.
• For translations to SMG (used in 3DVIA Composer), xCompare checks geometry, annotations, and attributes without requiring prior data conversion.
• For legal or archival purposes, tools like xCompare ensure that translated models remain consistent with original CATIA V5 data. This is essential for industries like automotive and aerospace where compliance is critical.
• xCompare also helps with:
  • Direct comparison: Avoids additional conversions by directly accessing native CATIA V5, JT, or SMG data.
  • Error detection: Identifies geometric and structural inconsistencies, ensuring compliance with quality standards.
  • Integrating workflows: Full integration with CATIA V5 allows for interactive or batch-mode comparisons.

Yes, you can integrate CATIA V5 with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform without migrating existing data. The platform supports native CATIA V5 files, allowing users to leverage its collaborative and management features while maintaining their current workflows.

Managing CATIA V5 data on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform offers several advantages:

• All design data is stored in a centralized database, eliminating issues like overwriting, version conflicts, and scattered files.
• Teams can work simultaneously on the same data set, whether co-located or geographically dispersed.
• BOMs (bills of materials) can be automatically generated from CATIA V5 assemblies and enriched with non-design elements (e.g., fluids, adhesives).
• View and validate 3D models without needing CATIA installed, using tools for measuring, sectioning, and clash detection.

Additionally, ENOVIA integrates seamlessly with CATIA V5 to provide advanced PDM (product data management) and PLM (product lifecycle management) capabilities:

• Tracks design iterations and ensures access to the latest versions.
• Facilitates controlled updates and revisions.
• Manages designs from concept to release with approval workflows.
• Enables native access to ENOVIA functions directly within CATIA V5.

Yes, you can! Certain license types and/or roles enable FEA analysis within CATIA V5 and CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE. For more information about simulation and analysis using CATIA, please refer to our software datasheet. To perform FEA in CATIA:

1. Prepare the model
   • Ensure the geometry is clean and free of defects.
   • Assign materials to all components.
2. Access the analysis workbench
   • Navigate to start > analysis & simulation > generative structural analysis.
3. Define the mesh
   • Use the FMS license for surface meshing or FMD license for solid meshing.
   • Adjust mesh size to balance accuracy and computational cost.
4. Apply loads and constraints
   • Define boundary conditions, such as fixed supports or forces.
   • Apply external loads like pressure or gravity.
5. Run the simulation
   • Use CATIA’s default Elfini solver for linear analysis or the Abaqus solver for advanced accuracy (requires Abaqus for CATIA license).
6. Analyze results
   • View stress, displacement, and strain results using graphical outputs.
   • Optimize the design based on findings.

Yes, CFD (computational fluid dynamics) can be performed in CATIA using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, which offers tools for fluid validation. Users can create fluid simulations by accessing the Fluid Mechanics Validation application within the 3DEXPERIENCE compass. The platform simplifies the process of validating fluid behavior around designs, such as a car, to check for downforce generation.

Yes, you can automate electrical assembly in CATIA V5 to simplify the process of connecting electrical components, such as connectors and wires. This is done by applying predefined rules and reducing manual effort, which ensures accuracy, speeds up design workflows, and minimizes errors during the assembly process. To prepare components for automatic assembly:

1. Create datum features
   • Use the part design workbench to define datum features like planes or points for each component.
   • Ensure these features are consistent across all parts to align correctly during assembly.
2. Define key features
   • Identify critical dimensions (e.g., “dimension a”) and ensure they are uniform across components.
   • Orient output line features appropriately to match connection points.
3. Set connector connection points
   • In the equipment & systems workbench, define connection points on connectors and other components.
   • Use the connector connection point command to specify these locations.
   • To automate the connection process, open your model in the installation and equipment workbench.
   • Apply predefined rules for assembly by configuring engineering rules in the workbench.
   • Use the automatic connection command to connect components based on their defined connection points and rules.

The knowledgeware module in CATIA V5 allows users to embed engineering knowledge into their designs through parameters, formulas, rules, and checks. It enables automation, optimization, and standardization of design processes, helping engineers improve efficiency and ensure compliance with design standards. To optimize a design using the knowledgeware module:

1. Access the PEO (product engineering optimizer):
   • Navigate to start > knowledgeware > product engineering optimizer.
2. Define parameters:
   • Create parameters for key design variables (e.g., dimensions, material properties).
   • Use the formula editor to link parameters to model features or calculations.
3. Set objectives and constraints:
   • Define the optimization goal (e.g., minimize weight, maximize strength).
   • Specify constraints such as stress limits or dimensional tolerances.
4. Run optimization:
   • Use the optimization tool to iterate through parameter values and find the optimal solution.
   • Analyze results and refine constraints if needed.

After completing CATIA Fundamentals training, the next step depends on your career goals and the specific skills you want to develop. Here are some recommended advanced and specialized courses to enhance your expertise.

1. Advanced design skills
   • CATIA Advanced: Focuses on advanced features in the part design workbench, such as PowerCopy and component catalogues, along with tips to maximize efficiency.
2. Specialist training
   • GSD (CATIA surfacing) is ideal for mechanical designers needing a deep understanding of surfacing concepts, quality, and methodology.
   • CATIA sheet metal design: Covers the basics of the sheet metal design workbench, including creating sheet metal parts and advanced features.
3. Engineering standards
   • GD&T (geometric dimensioning and tolerancing) teaches standards-based engineering language to improve cost efficiency and quality. Suitable for designers, suppliers, inspection teams, and manufacturing staff.
4. Industry-specific applications
   • Explore industry-focused training like CATIA for injection molding, Class-A surfacing, or MBSE (model-based systems engineering) using SysML and Cameo tools.
5. Certification and career development
   • Consider module-based certifications in areas like assembly design, wireframe modeling, or simulation to validate your skills and advance your career.

For a tailored training roadmap based on your needs or team requirements, contact the TECHNIA training team or explore our engineering course catalog for continuous professional development opportunities.

Surfacing in CATIA V5 does not have to be difficult if you approach it with the right tools, training, and methodology. The GSD (generative shape design) workbench offers intuitive features for creating complex surfaces, making it accessible even for those new to advanced CAD modeling. Here are some tips to simplify the learning process:

• Begin by mastering fundamental surface creation tools like extrude, revolve, sweep, and fill. These form the foundation of most surfacing tasks.
• Learn how to ensure tangency (G1) and curvature (G2) continuity between surfaces. This is crucial for creating smooth transitions and high-quality designs.
• Use built-in tools like draft analysis and curved analysis to evaluate surface quality and identify areas for improvement.
• Enroll in specialized CATIA V5 surfacing courses, such as our generative shape design training, to gain hands-on experience and expert guidance.
• Apply your skills to practical design challenges, such as automotive body panels or consumer product casings, to build confidence and expertise.

The main difference between CATIA GS1 (basic surfacing) and GSD (generative shape design) lies in the level of functionality and tools available for geometry modeling.

GSD offers a larger and more sophisticated array of tools, which can help reduce design time and minimize the risk of errors in the model. On the other hand, GS1 provides more limited functionality, and certain tools, such as the SWEEP tool in the generative shape design workbench, are extremely limited or not available in GS1. So, GSD is more comprehensive and suitable for complex surfacing and shape design tasks, while GS1 is more basic and may not be sufficient for advanced surfacing requirements.

If you’re looking to improve overall surface modeling efficiency, then generative shape design provides several key advantages over basic surfacing:

• Allows for parametric design, meaning updates can propagate throughout the model, reducing repetitive work and ensuring consistency even as designs evolve. This flexibility is not typically available in basic surfacing tools.
• Includes comprehensive tools for creating complex surfaces, such as sweeps, blends, and multisection surfaces, which can handle non-similar geometries with ease. Basic surfacing often lacks these advanced features.
• Provides real-time analysis tools like reflection lines and curvature combs, allowing designers to detect and correct imperfections during the design process, which enhances efficiency by reducing the need for later revisions.
• Integrates well with other CATIA tools, enabling hybrid modeling that combines surface and solid modeling techniques. This integration streamlines workflows and improves collaboration across teams.
• Offers precise control over surface geometry, ensuring that surfaces meet exacting standards for manufacturing and performance, which is crucial in industries like automotive. Basic surfacing may not provide the same level of precision.

View upcoming Dassault Systèmes certified GSD training courses.