CATIA
CATIA is the industry-leading 3D design, engineering, and modelling software used by professionals in aerospace, automotive, industrial design, and architecture. Whether you’re a small business, enterprise, or independent designer, CATIA’s powerful suite of tools helps you collaborate, innovate, and bring complex ideas to life.
Shape the World We Live In
CATIA shifts traditional 3D CAD (computer‑aided design) expectations to cognitive augmented design, which fuses modelling and simulation. Leveraging knowledge, know‑how and proven technology to automate design and systems engineering, CATIA is helping to shape a connected world by offering all the features for design of connected objects and experiences powered by cyber‑systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question? See answers to common CATIA CAD & CAM inquiries below.
What's the difference between CATIA and SOLIDWORKS?
How does CATIA work with other CAD packages?
What's the difference between CATIA V5, V6, V5-6 and 3DEXPERIENCE?
CATIA V6 has evolved into 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA now. 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA is a major upgrade to CATIA V5 that includes an all new modern user interface and fully integrates on-cloud/on-premise PLM. We recommend 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA for new users since it is better adapted for modern CAD and data management, remote work, interdepartmental collaboration, and other business concerns of today.
What is the learning curve like for CATIA?
Can I import point cloud data into CATIA and perform edits with it?
Yes, the Digital Shape Editor (DSE) will allow you to import point cloud and manipulate.
What are the system requirements for CATIA?
The system requirements for CATIA are very similar to those of SOLIDWORKS. You can check Dassault Systèmes’s certified workstation list, which is intended for 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA but would apply for CATIA V5 as well.
In terms of general hardware advice, a user would want a Windows system with solid state storage for both the operating system and frequently accessed files. A workstation-grade graphics card (as opposed to a gaming card) will provide maximum system stability, and since CATIA does not significantly benefit from high core counts, a processor with fewer but faster cores will provide optimal performance per dollar.
We do not need to edit data, only view it. Is there a CATIA package for this?
Yes. Called ENOVIA DIGITAL MOCKUP, this CATIA package provides users the capability to open data, navigate around it, grab measurements, and run sections through geometries.