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How to convert CATIA (.catpart,.catproduct) to DWG (AutoCAD, DXF)?

PolyTrans|CAD+DCC performs mathematically precise CAD, DCC/Animation, GIS and BIM 3D file conversions into all key downstream 3D packages and file formats. Okino software is used and trusted throughout the world by many tens of thousands of 3D professionals in mission & production critical environments, backed by respectable personal support directly from our core development team.

CATIA

CATIA, developed by Dassault Systèmes, is an integrated suite of CAD, CAE and CAM applications for digital product definition and simulation. CATIA is primarily used by the automotive and aerospace industries for automobile and aircraft product and tooling design.

The key file extensions used with CATIA v5 software are ".catpart" for the part and geometry files, and ".catproduct" for the assembly files.

Conversions from CATIA can best be done either via Okino's native CATIA v5 importer (which is based on the real and actual CATIA v5 runtime system licensed from Dassault Systèmes), or equally well via STEP AP214 files.

DWG

DXF and DWG are the native file formats of the Autodesk AutoCAD product since 1982. DWG is the binary file variation to the ASCII DXF file format. These files can be viewed by many programs including Autodesk's free DWG TrueView application. It is a closed file format but has been documented by the Open Design Alliance.

At Okino we consider DXF/DWG to be one of the worst 3D file formats when translating 3D model data between applications (depending on its contents). There is very little understanding about this in the 3D graphics world. As outlined in our "CAD Data Sourcing Suggestons and Rules" page you should ideally use the DWF-3D file format when sourcing from either AutoCAD, Navisworks, Revit and optionally Autodesk Inventor.

Due to deep history, Autodesk software can embed ACIS SAT "BREP solids" data in some of its DXF/DWG files. This is the ideal case as the "BREP solids" geometry definitions lead to cleaner and higher fidelity MCAD file conversions. But even so, it would generally be a safer bet to use a STEP AP214 or "IGES BREP solids" file in such cases.

CATIA import converter's overview

DWG export converter's overview