CATIA (Computer Aided Three-dimensional Interactive Application) (in

English usually pronounced /kti/) is a multiplatform CAD/CAM/CAE commercial software suite developed by the French
company Dassault Systmes directed by Bernard Charls. Written in the C+
+ programming language, CATIA is the cornerstone of the Dassault
Systmes software suite.
Contents
[hide]

1 History

2 Release history

3 Scope of application
o

3.1 Mechanical engineering

3.2 Design

3.3 Systems engineering

3.4 Electrical systems

3.5 Fluid systems

4 Industries
o

4.1 Aerospace

4.2 Automotive

4.3 Shipbuilding

4.4 Industrial equipment

4.5 High Tech

4.6 Energy, Process & Utilities

4.7 Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) & Retail

4.8 Architecture

5 CATIA on the Cloud Packaging 2014

6 File compatibility and CATIA V4 /V5 /V6 conversion

7 Competition

8 Gallery

9 See also

10 References

11 External links

History[edit]
CATIA (Computer Aided Three-Dimensional Interactive Application) started as an
in-house development in 1977 by French aircraft manufacturer Avions Marcel
Dassault, at that time customer of the CAD/CAM CAD software[1] to develop
Dassault's Mirage fighter jet. It was later adopted in the aerospace, automotive,
shipbuilding, and other industries.
Initially named CATI (Conception Assiste Tridimensionnelle Interactive French
for Interactive Aided Three-dimensional Design ), it was renamed CATIA in 1981
when Dassault created a subsidiary to develop and sell the software and signed
a non-exclusive distribution agreement with IBM.[2]
In 1984, the Boeing Company chose CATIA V3 as its main 3D CAD tool,
becoming its largest customer.
In 1988, CATIA V3 was ported from mainframe computers to UNIX.
In 1990, General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp chose CATIA as its main 3D CAD
tool to design the U.S. Navy's Virginia class submarine. Also, Boeing was selling
its CADAM CAD system worldwide through the channel of IBM since 1978.

In 1992, CADAM was purchased from IBM, and the next year CATIA CADAM V4
was published.
In 1996, it was ported from one to four Unix operating systems, including
IBM AIX, Silicon Graphics IRIX, Sun Microsystems SunOS, and HewlettPackard HP-UX.
In 1998, V5 was released and was an entirely rewritten version of CATIA with
support for UNIX, Windows NT and Windows XP (since 2001).
In the years prior to 2000, problems caused by incompatibility between versions
of CATIA (Version 4 and Version 5) led to $6.1B in additional costs due to years
of project delays in production of the Airbus A380.[3]
In 2008, Dassault Systmes released CATIA V6.[4][5] While the server can run
on Microsoft Windows, Linux or AIX, client support for any operating system
other than Microsoft Windows was dropped.[6]
In November 2010, Dassault Systmes launched CATIA V6R2011x, the latest
release of its PLM2.0 platform, while continuing to support and improve its CATIA
V5 software.
In June 2011, Dassault Systmes launched V6 R2012.
In 2012, Dassault Systmes launched V6 2013x.
In 2014, Dassault Systmes launched 3DEXPERIENCE Platform R2014x [7] and
CATIA on the Cloud, a cloud version of its software.[8][9]

Release history[edit]
Name/Version

Version History Value

Release Date

Catia v5

R__

_/_/1998

Catia v6

R__

_/_/2008

Catia v6

R__

_/_/2011

Catia v6

R20

_/_/2013

Catia v6

R__

_/_/2014

Scope of application[edit]
Commonly referred to as a 3D Product Lifecycle Management software suite,
CATIA supports multiple stages of product development (CAx), including
conceptualization, design (CAD), engineering (CAE) and manufacturing (CAM).
CATIA facilitates collaborative engineering across disciplines around its
3DEXPERIENCE platform, including surfacing & shape design, electrical fluid &
electronics systems design, mechanical engineering and systems engineering.
CATIA facilitates the design of electronic, electrical, and distributed systems such
as fluid and HVAC systems, all the way to the production of documentation for
manufacturing.

Mechanical engineering[edit]
CATIA enables the creation of 3D parts, from 3D
sketches, sheetmetal, composites, molded, forged or tooling parts up to the
definition of mechanical assemblies. The software provides advanced
technologies for mechanical surfacing & BIW. It provides tools to complete
product definition, including functional tolerances as well as kinematics definition.
CATIA provides a wide range of applications for tooling design, for both
generic tooling and mold & die.[10]

Design[edit]

CATIA offers a solution to shape design, styling, surfacing workflow and

visualization to create, modify, and validate complex innovative shapes from
industrial design to Class-A surfacing with the ICEM surfacing technologies.
CATIA supports multiple stages of product design whether started from scratch or
from 2D sketches. CATIA is able to read and produce STEP format files
for reverse engineering and surface reuse.[10]

Systems engineering[edit]
The CATIA Systems Engineering solution delivers a unique open and extensible
systems engineering development platform that fully integrates the crossdiscipline modeling, simulation, verification and business process support
needed for developing complex cyber-physical products. It enables
organizations to evaluate requests for changes or develop new products or
system variants utilizing a unified performance based systems engineering
approach. The solution addresses the Model Based Systems Engineering
(MBSE) needs of users developing todays smart products and systems and
comprises the following elements: Requirements Engineering, Systems
Architecture Modeling, Systems Behavior Modeling & Simulation, Configuration
Management & Lifecycle Traceability, Automotive Embedded Systems
Development (AUTOSAR Builder) and Industrial Automation Systems
Development (ControlBuild).
CATIA uses the open Modelica language in both CATIA Dynamic Behavior
Modeling and Dymola, to quickly and easily model and simulate the behavior of
complex systems that span multiple engineering disciplines. CATIA & Dymola are
further extended by through the availability of a number of industry and domain
specific Modelica libraries that enable user to model and simulate a wide range
of complex systems ranging from automotive vehicle dynamics through to
aircraft flight dynamics.[11]

Electrical systems[edit]

CATIA offers a solution to facilitate the design and manufacturing of electrical

systems spanning the complete process from conceptual design through to
manufacturing. Capabilities include requirements capture, electrical schematic
definition, interactive 3D routing of both wire harnesses and industrial cable
solutions through to the production of detailed manufacturing documents
including formboards.[12]

Fluid systems[edit]
CATIA offers a solution to facilitate the design and manufacturing of routed
systems including tubing, piping, Heating, Ventilating & Air Conditioning (HVAC).
Capabilities include requirements capture, 2D diagrams for defining hydraulic,
pneumatic and HVAC systems, as well as Piping and Instrumentation
Diagram (P&ID). Powerful capabilities are provided that enables these 2D
diagrams to be used to drive the interactive 3D routing and placing of system
components, in the context of the digital mockup of the complete product or
process plant, through to the delivery of manufacturing information including
reports and piping isometric drawings.[13]

Industries[edit]
CATIA can be applied to a wide variety of industries, from aerospace and
defense, automotive, and industrial equipment, to high tech, shipbuilding,
consumer goods, plant design, consumer packaged goods, life sciences,
architecture and construction, process power and petroleum, and services.
CATIA V4, CATIA V5, Pro/ENGINEER, NX (formerly Unigraphics),
and SolidWorks are the dominant systems[citation needed].

Aerospace[edit]
The Boeing Company used CATIA V3 to develop its 777 airliner and used CATIA
V5 for the 787 series aircraft. They have employed the full range of Dassault
Systmes' 3D PLM products CATIA, DELMIA, and ENOVIA LCA
supplemented by Boeing-developed applications.[14]
The development of the Indian Light Combat Aircraft has used CATIA V5.

Chinese Xian JH-7A was the first aircraft developed by CATIA V5 when the
design was completed on September 26, 2000.
European aerospace Airbus is also using CATIA.[15]
Canadian aircraft maker Bombardier Aerospace has done all of its aircraft design
on CATIA.[16]
BAE Systems uses CATIA.[17]
The Brazilian aircraft company EMBRAER uses CATIA V4 and V5 to build all
airplanes.
FNSS is using CATIA V5 and V6.[18]
Vought Aircraft Industries uses CATIA V4 and V5 to produce its parts.
The Anglo/Italian Helicopter company AgustaWestland uses CATIA V4 and V5 to
design their full range of aircraft.
All daughter companies of the French company Safran use CATIA for a full range
of aerospace, defence and security products.
The Eurofighter Typhoon has been designed using both CATIA V4 and V5.
The main supplier of helicopters to the U.S Military forces, Sikorsky Aircraft
Corp., uses CATIA as well.
P3 Voith is using CATIA V6 electrical.[19]
Bell Helicopter, the creator of the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, has used CATIA V4,
V5 and V6.[20]
Of course, Dassault Aviation is also using CATIA and they are currently working
on CATIA V6.[21]

Automotive[edit]
Many automotive companies use CATIA to varying degrees,
including BMW, Porsche, Daimler AG, McLaren Automotive,[22] Chrysler, Honda,
[23]

Audi,[24] Jaguar Land Rover, Volkswagen, SEAT, koda, Bentley Motors

Limited, Volvo, Fiat, Benteler International, PSA Peugeot Citron,[25] Renault,

[26]

Toyota,[27] Ford, Scania, Hyundai, koda Auto, Tesla Motors,[28] Rolls-Royce

Motors, Valmet Automotive, Proton, Elba, Tata motors[29] and Mahindra &
Mahindra Limited. Goodyear uses it in making tires for automotive and
aerospace and also uses a customized CATIA for its design and development.
Many automotive companies use CATIA for car structures door beams, IP
supports, bumper beams, roof rails, side rails, body components because of
CATIA's capabilities in Computer representation of surfaces. Bombardier
Transportation of Canada is using this software to design its entire fleet of Train
engines and coaches. Webasto uses CATIA to design its roof.[30]

Shipbuilding[edit]
Dassault Systmes has begun serving shipbuilders with CATIA V5 release 8,
which includes special features useful to shipbuilders. GD Electric Boat used
CATIA to design the latest fast attack submarine class for the United States
Navy, the Virginia class.[31] Newport News Shipbuilding also used CATIA to design
the Gerald R. Ford class of supercarriers for the US Navy.[32] In 2004, it has been
adopted by the Beneteau Group for development of new sailing and leisure
motor boats.[33]

Industrial equipment[edit]
CATIA has a strong presence in the Industrial Equipment industry. Industrial
Manufacturing machinery companies like Schuler and Metso use CATIA, as do
heavy mobile machinery and equipment companies like Claas, and also various
industrial equipment product companies like Alstom Power and ABB
Group. Michelin is also using CATIA for its production.[34]

High Tech[edit]
Some High Tech companies are using CATIA to design their products. You can
find for example: Nikon,[35] Nokia,[36] Pegatron.[37]

Energy, Process & Utilities[edit]

Suzlon uses CATIA to manufacture turbine blades.[38]

Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) & Retail[edit]

Procter & Gamble (P&G) is using CATIA to optimize its packagings.[39]

Example of modeling in CATIA

Architecture[edit]
Architect Frank Gehry has used the software through the C-Cubed Virtual
Architecture company, now Virtual Build Team, to design his awardwinning curvilinear buildings.[40] His technology arm, Gehry Technologies, has
been developing software based on CATIA V5 named Digital Project.[41] Digital
Project competes for market share with Graphisoft's
ARCHICAD, Revit, Microstation and other Building Information
Modelling applications. SHoP Architects company is using CATIA for its designs.
[42]

CATIA on the Cloud Packaging 2014[edit]

Styling[43]
Concept Creative Design
Creative Design
Showreel Experience
Reverse & Prototype Experience
Systems Engineering
Systems Architecture Engineering
Systems Dynamics & Performance Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
3DMaster Conceptual Design

Mechanical Design Engineering

Mechanical & Shape Design Engineering
Mechanical Detailed Design Engineering
Mechanism Design Engineering
3DMaster Engineering
Sheet Metal Design Engineering
Mechanical Engineering for
Industrial Equipment
Machine & Equipment Design Engineering
Multi-Discipline Engineering
Composites Design Engineering
Composites Manufacturing Preparation
Plastic Part Design Engineering
Mold Tooling Design Engineering
Virtual to Real Product Optimization
Mechanical Design & Tooling
Buildings Space Planning
Electrical
& Fluids
Engineeri
ng
Electrical & Fluid Systems Design
Electrical 3D Design Engineering
Cap
ture
&
Reu
se
Eng

inee
ring
Inte
nt
Design Rules and Templates Capture & Reuse
Know-how Capture and Reuse
Product Optimization

File
co
mp
atib
ility
and
CA
TIA
V4
/V5
/V6
con
vers
ion[
edit]

Dass
ault
Syst
mes
provi
des
utilitie
s to

conv
ert
CATI
A V4
data
files
so
they
are
acce
ssible
to
CATI
A V5
and
CATI
A V6.
Still,
case
s
show
that
there
can
be
issue
s in
the
data
conv

ersio
n
from
CATI
A V4
to V5
from
either
differ
ence
s in
the
geom
etric
kerne
l
betw
een
CATI
A V4
and
CATI
A V5
or by
the
mode
lling
meth
ods
empl

oyed
by
end
users
. The
perce
ntage
loss
can
be
mini
mize
d by
using
the
appro
priate
preconv
ersio
n
clean
-up,
choo
sing
the
appro
priate
conv
ersio

n
optio
ns,
and
clean
-up
activit
ies
after
conv
ersio
n.
Conv
ersio
n
from
CATI
A
Versi
on 4
to
Versi
on 5
creat
ed
const
ructio
n
probl
ems

for
the
Airbu
s
A380
which
caus
ed to
$6.1
B in
additi
onal
costs
due
to
years
of
proje
ct
delay
s
when
aircra
ft
wirin
g
was
too
short
to

make
conn
ectio
ns.[3]
Trans
ition
from
V5 to
V6 is
facilit
ated
beca
use
they
are
shari
ng
the
same
geom
etric
kerne
l.
Third
-party
file t