CATIA Data Exchange
CATIA Data Exchange
Overview
What's New?
User Tasks
STEP
STEP: Import
STEP: Export
STEP: Trouble Shooting
STEP: Best Practices
STEP: FAQ
STEP: VBScript macros
3D IGES
3D IGES: Import
3D IGES: Export
3D IGES: Trouble Shooting
3D IGES: Best Practices
3D IGES: FAQ
3D IGES: VBScript Macros
2D IGES
2D IGES: Import
2D IGES: Export
2D IGES: Report File
2D IGES: Trouble Shooting
2D IGES: Best Practices
2D IGES: FAQ
2D IGES: VBScript Macros
DXF/DWG
DXF/DWG: Import
DXF/DWG: Export
DXF/DWG: Report File
DXF/DWG: Trouble Shooting
DXF/DWG: Best Practices
DXF/DWG: FAQ
DXF/DWG: VBScript Macros
Administration Tasks
Administering Standards
Setting the Standard Parameters
Locking Settings
DXF-IGES-STEP Batch
CGM
CGM: Insertion
CGM: Export
STL
VRML
TDG
Customizing
DXF
IGES
IGES 2D
STEP
Glossary
Index
Overview
Welcome to the Data Exchange Interfaces User's Guide!
This guide is intended for users who need to become quickly familiar with the product.
For Importing and Exporting external files there are miscellaneous formats : STEP, IGES, DXF/DWG, CGM, STL,
VRML, and STRIM/STYLER.
These formats are used to transfer geometric data (surfaces and wireframe) between different CAD-CAM
systems in following situations :
● STEP AP203 / AP214 format (Standard for the Exchange of Product model data) : the V5 - STEP AP203
Interface and theV5 - STEP AP214 Interface : allow to interactively read and write data in STEP AP203 /
AP214 data formats. Its supports geometry and assembly structures and handles topology (shells, solids)
on export and import.
For instance, you can read a STEP file, edit its content in V5 workbenches, and save the results directly as a
STEP file.
● IGES format is supported by the V5 - IGES Interface (IG1) product. V5 - IGES Interface (IG1) helps users
working in a heterogeneous CAD/CAM environment to exchange data through a neutral format. The Initial
Graphic Exchange Specification (IGES) format, is the most used neutral format to transfer data between
heterogeneous CAD systems. Users can perform bi-directional data exchange between dissimilar systems
with direct and automated access to IGES files.
IGES files containing 3D geometry are imported into CATPart documents. Their type should be "igs".
IGES files containing 2D geometry and annotations are imported as CATDrawing documents. Their type
should be "ig2".
● DXF/DWG : DXF formats are supported by the V5 - Generative Drafting Products. After creating drawings,
the designers can export data in DXF/DWG formatted files and import the 2D geometric data contained in a
DXF/DWG file into a CATDrawing document.
● CGM format is supported by the V5 - Object Manager Products.
● STL format is supported by the V5 - Object Manager Products. STL concerns stereolithography document
(.stl).
● STRIM/STYLER : V5 - STRIM/STYLER To CATIA Interface 2 (STC) allows to process in CATIA V5 the
Geometry from Strim and Styler Applications. It provides a unique direct Interface from Strim and Styler to
CATIA, which operates on Strim and Styler Native Format Files in V5 Environment. The product features a
direct access to Styler or Strim data files to convert and store them into V5 format. The product enables to
retrieve an existing Styler or Strim design into V5, and proceed to further transformations in Mechanical
Solutions, Potentially NC Manufacturing Solutions and Shape Design & Styling solutions.
STRIM and STYLER files (with extension ".tdg") can be selected in File Open to Create and Display a part
document enclosing the geometry of the files in a V5 Format. Files can be selected in the CATIA - DIGITAL
MOCK-UP NAVIGATOR to be inserted as existing components in a Product.
The Data Exchange Interfaces User's Guide has been designed to show you how to Import and Export external
files in/from Version 5.
Customizing Settings
STEP Export
Visualization filters are now taken into account: by default, entities placed in non-visualized layers are no longer
exported.
STEP Export
The Application Protocol option for export has been enhanced with AP203 edition2.
User Tasks
Click on a format:
STEP
3D IGES
2D IGES
DXF/DWG
CGM
STL
TDG
STEP Interface
STEP: Import
STEP: Export
STEP: Trouble Shooting
STEP: Best Practices
STEP: FAQ
STEP: VBScript macros
Importing a STEP AP203 / AP214 File
This task shows you how to import to a CATPart or CATProduct document
the data contained in a STEP AP203 / AP214 file.
● Trouble Shooting,
● Best Practices,
● FAQ,
● VBScript Macros.
Statistics about each import operation can be found in the report file and the error file.
This displays all .stp or .step files contained in the selected directory :
3. Select the .stp or .step file of your choice (MoldedPart.stp, in our example) and click Open.
You can use the Cancel button to interrupt the transfer at any time.
What is then displayed depends on the contents of the STEP file.
● The reference to the STEP file is lost, so any update of the STEP file will have no effect
in the CATProduct.
● Groups (Selection Sets), to activate/de-activate the transfer of groups mapped with Selection Sets.
Report file
After the recovery of STEP files, the system generates:
● a report file (name_of_step_file.rpt) where you can find references about the quality of the transfer
These files are created in a location referenced by the CATReport variable. Its default value is
E:\Report\pm6-hc-214.err
============================================
*** = Processing new independent element
* = Intermediate processing
!! = Independent element K.O.
! = Intermediate error
--------------------------------------------
<I> = Information
<W> = Warning
<E> = Error
--------------------------------------------
[0000] = Message identifier : 0000
[T=xxx] = Entity Type Step : xxx
[#0000] = Entity identifier number : 0000
============================================
Actual display level : Customer
Report messages
Here are some of the messages that may appear:
● Too many cuts on face boundary.
Tip : Use topological reduction option (in IGES) or curve optimization (in IGES or STEP) - see User's Guide
These options are accessible via Tools/Options/Compatibility/STEP dialog boxes, in
the Continuity optimization of curves and surfaces section.
Select the Advanced optimization option and push the Parameters... button.
For more information, click on the link on STEP above.
When the Continuity optimization of curves and surfaces/Advanced optimization option in T
ools/Options/Compatibility/STEP is active, the following warning messages may appear in the report file:
● The BSpine Surface is not C1: Approximation of the surface is impossible!
This is just a warning, the surface is imported but is not approximated.
● The deformation found of the surface approximation (which is calculated by isoparameters) is : xx millimeters.
This indicates that the real deformation found is higher than the Deformation value
you have entered in the Parameters box and that the approximation could not be performed.
When this occurs for several entities, you will find the following information message at the end of the report file:
● For a better approximation of BSpline surfaces, you can use a "Curves and surfaces approximation"
Deformation value of at least : xx millimeters
You can enter this value in the Parameters box of the
Continuity optimization of curves and surfaces/Advanced optimization option in Tools/Options/Compatibility/STEP.
One of the current primary uses of the AP214 Standard is to exchange geometry.
The STEP Interface enables users to exchange the B-REP of exact solids.
The exchange process is based on AP214. This application protocol is very similar to AP203 as
it shares the same resources expressed in the PART 42.
Another use of the AP214, AP203 edition2 or AP203 with extensions Standards is to
exchange visual presentation information. The STEP interface enables users to exchange
visual presentation of exchanged geometric elements.
Please remember:
● Units:
As the unit system used in Version 5 is MKSA (radians, mm) data from all STEP files will
be converted into such units.
● Layers:
● A layer is created in your application for each layer present in the STEP file.
● All entities included in a layer in the STEP file are included in the corresponding layer.
● A layer over 999 is replaced by layer 0.
● Color:
❍ Color exchange is supported.
❍ STEP AP214: When an entity OVERRIDING_STYLE_ITEM exists in the STEP file for a given face,
this color overriding is taken into account: the color of the face is overridden.
● Lines:
❍ The line type is taken into account.
❍ If the requested line thickness is defined in your environment, this thickness is taken into account,
else the nearest predefined thickness is taken.
● Points:
❍ Point styles are mapped as follows:
plus
circle
square
asterisk
dot
Assemblies
● The physical structure of an imported assembly can be defined by one or several CATProducts
(one for each node) depending of the option selected
(See the Assemblies physical structure option about the import STEP files containing sub-assemblies).
STEP V5
NEXT_ASSEMBLY_USAGE_OCCURRENCE.ID Component/Instance name
NEXT_ASSEMBLY_USAGE_OCCURRENCE.DESCRIPTION Component/Description
Groups
● For each APPLIED_GROUP_ASSIGNMENT pointing to a group and a list of entities in the STEP file,
a Selection Set is created. This Selection Set is named with the name of the pointed GROUP entity
and includes all pointed entities.
● The transfer of groups can be activated/de-activated via the Groups (Selection Sets) option.
Implemented Not yet implemented N/A: Not applicable according to the standard
geometrically geometrically
edge-based shell-based manifold faceted advanced
Shape Representation bounded bounded
wireframe wireframe surface brep brep
wireframe surface
edge_based_ shell_based_ shell_based_ faceted_brep manifold_solid_brep
High Level Entities geometric_curve_set geometric_set
wireframe_model wireframe_model surface_model brep_with_voids brep_with_voids
Entity
Point cartesian_point
point_on_curve N/A N/A N/A N/A
point_on_surface N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
point_replica N/A N/A
degenerate_pcurve N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
● CATShape documents. However, if you re-import a STEP file made from a CATShape, you will create a CATPart.
● Best Practices,
● FAQ,
● VBScript Macros.
Statistics about each import operation can be found in the report file and the error file created.
The table entitled What about the elements you export ? provides information on the entities you can export.
1. Open the CATPart or CATProduct document to be saved in STEP AP203 / AP214 format.
2. When the document is open, select the File -> Save As... command.
You will remember that the extension used in V4 was .step. In Version 5, CATPart and CATProduct documents are exported to files with the extension
"stp".
You can use the Cancel button to interrupt the transfer at any time.
If you now open the .stp file you will see that the file header contains the following information:
● the file name
● the date of creation (with the year expressed in four digits meaning that your STEP data will be year 2000-compliant)
● the V5 version used for the conversion.
Choose the Application Protocol in Tools -> Options -> Compatibility, click the STEP tab. Select AP203, AP203+ext, AP203 ed2 or AP214, and
click on OK.
● Application Protocol (AP), to choose the AP203 or the AP214 Application Protocol,
Report File
After exporting data to STEP files, the system generates:
● a report file (name_of_step_file.rpt) where you can find references about the quality of the transfer
These files are created in a location referenced by the CATReport variable. Its default value is
You can find statistics about the quality of the transfer in those files.
============================================
*** = Processing new independent element
* = Intermediate processing
!! = Independent element K.O.
! = Intermediate error
--------------------------------------------
<I> = Information
<W> = Warning
<E> = Error
--------------------------------------------
[0000] = Message identifier : 0000
[T=xxx] = Entity Type Step : xxx
[#0000] = Entity identifier number : 0000
============================================
Actual display level : Customer
Exchanging 3D Geometry
One of the current primary uses of the AP214 Standard is to exchange geometry. The STEP Interface enables users to exchange the B-REP of exact
solids. The exchange process is based on AP214. This application protocol is very similar to AP203 as it shares the same resources expressed in the
PART 42.
Please remember:
● You can export the bodies (volumes, shells and faces) of CATPart or CATShape documents (resulting in STEP AP203 / AP214 files in compliance with
Part 42).
● The export of Shells occurs with no limitation and all the structure information can be recovered.
● When a CATProduct document is exported the geometry/topology of the CATPart or CATShape or .model documents is also stored in the .stp file.
Another use of the AP214, AP203 edition2 or AP203 with extensions Standards is to exchange visual presentation information. The STEP interface
enables users to exchange visual presentation of exchanged geometric elements.
Please remember:
● Layers:
❍ Layers on exported entities are supported.
❍ The visibility of layers is not taken into account: all layers are handled in the same way, event if filters are defined.
● Color:
❍ The colors of your model are exported.
❍ STEP AP214: When the color of a given face is different from the color of its solid, an entity OVER_RIDING_STYLE_ITEM is created in the STEP
file, and the face keeps the overriding color.
❍ STEP limitation with assemblies: since attributes can not be set on instances of components, the color of instances are not taken into account.
● Lines:
❍ V5 handles 7 types of line whereas STEP proposes 5 types only. The mapping is the following:
cross, triangle
plus
circle
square
asterisk
dot
Miscellaneous
Please remember:
● Units:
The units used are V5 units i.e. MKSA (radians, mm). The angles are exported in radians and lengths in mm or Inch.
● Wires:
If a feature contains several wires (result of a section), the wires will be exported as Composite Curves and will all have the same name (that of the
feature).
● Show/NoShow:
By default, hidden objects (i.e. that belong to the No Show space) are not exported. See option Show/NoShow.
● Selection set (AP 214 only!):
For each selection set,an entity APPLIED_GROUP_ASSIGNMENT is created. This entity points to a GROUP entity and to a list of exported geometric
entities. The attribute NAME of the entity GROUP is defined by the name of the selection set.
The transfer of groups can be activated/de-activated via the Groups (Selection Sets) option.
When a Body is contained in a Selection Set:
● a GROUP entity is created in the STEP file for that Selection Set,
● all the entities of the Body exported in STEP are put into that GROUP.
● a GROUP entity is created in the STEP file for that Selection Set,
● the entity is put into that GROUP.
Assemblies
Support of External References to STEP or CATIA files on Export: the External References functionality is available only with AP214 or AP203 ed2. For
more information about the Customizing export mode, refer to Customizing STEP Settings
● Multiple Instances of a Part in an Assembly is possible: a link with the same reference is established in order to limit the number of instances.
● STEP limitation with assemblies: since attributes can not be set on instances of components, the color of instances are not taken into account.
You can save the structure of an assembly with links to CATParts files via PRODUCT_DEFINITION_WITH_ASSOCIATED_DOCUMENT entities.
.model files referenced by a CATProduct are exported in STEP with the following settings:
Alternative representations that can be selected using Manage Representations are not taken into account during STEP exports. The main
representation is always exported.
V5 STEP
Part Number PRODUCT.ID
Definition PRODUCT.NAME
Description PRODUCT.DESCRIPTION
Revision PRODUCT_DEFINITION_FORMATION.ID
V5 STEP
Component/Instance name NEXT_ASSEMBLY_USAGE_OCCURRENCE.ID
Component/Description NEXT_ASSEMBLY_USAGE_OCCURRENCE.DESCRIPTION
STEP Part 42 Entities Exported from V5R6 and Higher
OpenShell
(GSM, Shape Not generated
Wire (GSM, Free Style, etc.) Not generated by V5 Geometrical set
Design, Free by V5
Style, etc.)
geometrically
Shape geometrically edge-based shell-based manifold
bounded faceted brep advanced brep
Representation bounded wireframe wireframe wireframe surface
surface
Entity
Point cartesian_point
polyline N/A
b_spline_curve
(+ rational)
thru edge_curve N/A
b_spline_curve_with_knots
quasi_uniform_curve
N/A
(+rational)
bezier_curve N/A
boundary_curve
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
outer_boundary_curve
b_spline_surface
N/A N/A N/A N/A
b_spline_surface_with_knots
thru
edge_curve N/A N/A N/A
oriented_edge
face_bound
N/A N/A N/A N/A
face_outer_bound
There are however some specificities for STEP data, they are detailed just below:
You are now ready to create the topology. For more information:
● please refer to the next chapter entitled STEP: Best Practices - How to create a topology
When a STEP file is syntactically invalid, there are error messages in the .err file describing those invalidities.
Syntax errors are responsible for partial loss of STEP file data: all invalid entities and all entities pointing
directly or not to invalid entities are ignored. In order to recover all the STEP entities, correct the STEP file
before reading it in V5.
Export
Exporting V4 data does not provide the expected result: data placed in the NoShow in V5, or changes of
colors or graphic attributes are not taken into account, e.g. if you have sent a V4 element to the NoShow, it
will be kept since it is its V4 status that is taken into account. To make those changes effective, you need to
make those changes in a V4 session, save the data in V4 and re-import them to V5.
STEP: Best Practices
Import
Large Assemblies
We recommend that you import large assemblies in batch mode:
● In this mode the CATPart documents are unloaded once transferred.
● A maximum of the available memory is spared for the translation.
Quality of conversion
Always check the report and error files after a conversion ! Some problems may have occurred without
been visually highlighted.
We recommend also that you use the Geometric Validation Properties when they exist. When an error
occurs in the comparison, you can locate the problem as follows :
● An error at solid or shell level means that the geometric translation failed.
● An error at product level means that a sub-assembly translation failed.
● An error at instance level means that a component is misplaced.
Note that the error at the lowest level gives the relevant information. It is the first error that appears in
the report file:
● If no problem, the geometry and the topology are imported and the result is a solid.
● If there is a geometric problem, one or several faces of the solid cannot be recreated and the solid
itself is degenerated. The resulting model contains:
● an empty PartBody,
● an Geometrical set with a surface corresponding to all faces OK,
● an Geometrical set for each face KO.
=> The repairing methodology is the same as faces KO in IGES.
● There may also be a topological problem, when all the geometry has been converted OK but the
topology could not be created. Then the resulting model contains:
● an empty PartBody,
● an Geometrical set with the surfaces that could not be joined properly.
=>The repairing methodology is the same as in IGES: Best Practices - How to create a topology.
Export
Large Assemblies
To export a large V5 Assembly in STEP, we recommend that you open it with the Work with the cache
system option active (Tools/Options/Infrastructure/Product Structure/Cache
Management/Work with the cache system): When this option is active, the referenced CATPart
documents are loaded only during their transfer.
External references
For the exchange of large assemblies, we recommend that you use external references, using several
small files instead of one large file (this will reduce memory problems).
● Question: You successfully opened the STEP file, but the parts are not correctly placed.
● Answer: Edit the STEP file with a text editor and look for MAPPED_ITEM entities.
Those are old entities not used anymore and not supported. Ask the provider of the STEP file to use CONTEXT_DEPENDENT_SHAPE_REPRESENTATION
entities instead.
● Question : You receive a 'Low memory state' warning message and your STEP file is not totally converted.
● Answer : There is not enough memory to convert the file completely and
all the remaining entities are skipped.
We recommend that you use Windows NT4SP06 (and above) for large STEP files
and with at least 1 GB of RAM and 2 GB of SWAP.
Export
● Question: The .rpt reported that there were one or many KO Faces.
● Answer: The problem might be due to two sources : a bad CATPart or a bug in the STEP code.
To verify the CATPart is OK, use the usual tools : Cleaner, NCGM Workbench and
make sure there is no major errors.
A internal check is done while exporting and a line is added to the .err to warn if the Body is invalid
● Question : I am losing some parts of my assembly while exporting my CATProduct to STEP, why ?
● Answer : Make sure that you do not have any foreign parts included in your CATProduct like STL files or Parasolid files...etc.
Those files do not contain any V5 information except the visualization information and
Import
1. Create a RunTime window (window in which all runtime variables a set)
Example:
VBScript macro for implementing a STEP AP203 file
Language="VBSCRIPT"
Sub CATMain()
CATIA.ActiveDocument.SaveAs "E:\tmp\Box"
CATIA.Quit
End Sub
Export
1. Create a RunTime window (window in which all runtime variables are set):
● The input files must be writable (not read only). Otherwise the system will display an information box
nd wait for an acknowledge.
● The output file must not exist in the output directory otherwise the system will ask for a confirmation
to overwrite the file and wait for an acknowledge.
Examples
VBScript macro for exporting a file to STEP AP203
Language="VBSCRIPT"
Sub CATMain()
Dim PartDocument0 As Document
' Reading a CATPart file
Set PartDocument0 = CATIA.Documents.Open( "E:\tmp\Box.CATPart" )
' Saving the part in a STEP file
PartDocument0.ExportData "E:\tmp\Box2", "stp"
CATIA.Quit
End Sub
Language="VBSCRIPT
Sub CATMain()
Dim ProductDocument0 As Document
Set ProductDocument0 = CATIA.Documents.Open( "E:\tmp\Product1.CATProduct" )
ProductDocument0.ExportData "E:\tmp\Product1", "stp"
CATIA.Quit
End Sub
3D IGES Interface
3D IGES: Import
3D IGES: Export
3D IGES: Trouble Shooting
3D IGES: Best Practices
3D IGES: FAQ
3D IGES: VBScript Macros
Importing a 3D IGES File into a CATPart
This task shows you how to import into a CATPart document the data contained in an IGES file.
Once imported, the data can be handled just as if it were created as a CATPart.
The main purpose of such an import is to be able to create shells from IGES faces but you may also find it
useful for re-using face contours in the Sketcher application, deforming NURBs in Generative Shape Design or
using faces in other V5 applications.
The table entitled What about the elements you import ? provides information on the entities you can import.
● Trouble Shooting,
● Best Practices,
● FAQ,
● VBScript Macros.
Statistics about each import operation can be found in the report file created.
The function "Insert / Existing Component" for IGES files is provided by the MULTICAx IGES plug-in
and requires a MultiCad license.
2. If the directory contains many different types of files you may wish to set the .igs extension in the Files of type field.
This displays all files with the extension "igs" contained in the selected directory.
In Version 5, both files with the extension "igs" and IGS can be imported to a CATPart document.
3. Select the .igs file of your choice and click Open.
A progress bar is displayed.
You can use the Cancel button to interrupt the transfer at any time.
This creates a new document similar to a CATPart document in all respects and containing all surfaces
and 3D wireframe geometry. The data is now available in your session.
● Some invalid geometries may be detected.
● The reference planes are hidden at import.
Report File
After the recovery of 3D IGES files, V5 generates:
● a report file (name_of_file.rpt) where you can find references about the quality of the transfer
Always check the report and error files after a conversion ! Some problems may have occurred without been visually highlighted.
For each invalidity detected, a specific label points to the face concerned. These labels are put in an Annotation Set.xx.
● Deleting an invalid element does not automatically delete the corresponding Annotation Set.
● Only one feature Annotation Set is created at the root of the specification tree, with all the invalidity descriptions.
● Annotation Sets are not exported to IGES, but they can be saved in the CATPart.
Processing of names:
● If an IGES entity has a pointer to a "Property Name Entity",
the value of this property will be assigned to the name of the V5 entity.
● If the IGES entity has no pointer to a "Property Name Entity" and
if its "Directory Entry" field #18 is not blank the V5 name will be computed
by appending field #18 and #19 of the "Directory Entry".
● If the entity has neither a "Property Pointer" nor a non-blank field #18 an automatic name will be generated.
● Product Identification for Receiver (Global Section, Field #12) will be used as
the Part Number in the Product Properties and as display and storage names in V5.
For example, if the file MyFile.igs has a product identification IGES_Sample,
the storage name will be IGES_Sample.CATPart (not MyFile.CATPart)
Processing of Group Associativity:
The Group Associativity, in the IGES Norm, is mapped with the type 402 (ASSOCIATIVITY INSTANCE ENTITY).
Form Meaning
For each Group Associativity pointing to a list of entities in the IGES file, a selection set is created.
This selection set is named with the name of the pointed GROUP entity and includes all pointed entities.
● This applies to known Group Associativity forms (Type 402 - forms 1, 7, 14 and 15) only.
● A Selection set pointing to another Selection set cannot be created.
● When a group is pointed by a second group, the entities of the first group will be pointed by a first
Selection set (mapping the first group) and by a second Selection set mapping the second group
(including others entities of the second group).
● Only logically dependant IGES entities (Status Number 3-4 = "02" in D.E. section) can be mapped in a Selection set.
● The Import Group option activates or de-activates the creation of Selection Sets.
To make sure the elements you need to handle in your session are those you expected,
here is a list presenting the IGES data supported when imported into a CATPart document:
trimmed (parametric)
144 surface
surface
plane surface entity 190 form 0-1 All the surfaces are faces support surfaces : they must
be used with entities of type 143, 144 and 510.
subfigure definition
308 see singular subfigure instance
(detail)
associativity instance
402 forms 1,7,14,15 selection set See the Group Associativity
(group)
singular subfigure
408 simple elements or CATParts See the processing of 308/408 IGES entities.
instance (ditto)
Exporting CATPart or CATProduct Data to a 3D IGES File
This task shows you how to save in IGES format the data contained in a CATPart, CATProduct or a CATShape document.
However, if you re-import an IGES file made from a CATShape, you will create a CATPart.
The table entitled What about the Elements You Export ? provides information on the entities you can export.
You can find further information in the Advanced Tasks:
● Trouble Shooting,
● Best Practices,
● FAQ,
● VBScript Macros.
Statistics about each export operation can be found in the report file created.
● The name of the author and of the organization can be exported to the Global Section of the IGES file.
5. Click the Save button to confirm the operation.
You can use the Cancel button to interrupt the transfer at any time.
● Several 3D IGES export options can be customized:
● Representation mode
● Export unit as
Report File
After the exporting data to 3D IGES files, V5 generates:
● a report file (name_of_file.rpt) where you can find references about the quality of the transfer
● the USERPROFILE variable on NT. Its default value is Profiles\user\Local Settings\Application Data\Dassault
Systemes\CATReport
● Alternative representations that can be selected using Manage Representations are not taken into
account during STEP exports. The main representation is always exported.
● You export the final construction object, i.e. the whole specification tree and its history up to the feature at
the bottom of the specification tree and not the current feature: for example, you wish to export
the specification tree up to Pocket.1 only
In this case, although Pocket.1 is the current feature, you will export all elements of
the specification tree including Copy of Pad.1.
If you want to limit your export to Pocket.1, you have to make sure that it is the feature at the
bottom of the specification tree, like this:
The list below shows the IGES element numbers corresponding to the element types in Part Design.
null 0
plane unbounded plane 108 form 0 However, in B-Spline mode (see options), all
planes and surfaces are exported to rational
plane bounded plane 108 form 1 B-Spline surfaces (128) and all curves, circles
and lines are exported to B-Spline curves
line line 110 form 0 (126)
trimmed (parametric)
surface 144
surface
Solid
Manifold Solid B-Rep Object
186 form 0
Entity
Plane Surface
Plane Surface Entity 190 form 0 To export those entities, the Representation
(support of Face)
mode: Solid - Shell option must be active. It
Solid (Closed) Shell requires IGES 5.3 or higher.
Closed Shell Entity 514 form 1
All those new IGES entities have not been
"tested" (IGES Norm 5.3) and the IGES/PDES
Independent Shell Organization recommends that special
Open Shell Entity 514, Form 2 consideration be given when implementing
certain untested entities. Therefore if you do
not know whether the receiver system will
recognize those entities, we recommend that
Face in a Shell
you do not use this option.
Face Entity 510 form 1
List of Start/End
Vertex Entity 502 form 1
Loop Edges Vertices
Once imported, the data can be handled just as if it were created as a CATPart. Sometimes, some entities are degenerated
during the transfer and it is characterized by a loss of geometry. In this case, the missing geometry must be re-created.
In this tutorial you are going to learn how to:
● Open an IGES file
● Repair KO Faces
The whole scenario is built up with IGES data but it can also be performed with a STEP file. And if you want to know more
about STEP characteristics, see STEP: Trouble Shooting
When you open this document, the conversion of the IGES file is progressive and you can visualize the process through this
panel:
Eventually, once the transfer is completed (see Show/NoShow Completion Dialog Box for more details), a message similar
to this one appears:
Click OK to continue.
All the faces reported as KO are put in the geometrical set GeometryFailure .
For each face KO, you will find a FaceKO.xx geometrical set under GeometryFailure. This geometrical set contains the
geometric elements of the face. By default it is sent to the NoShow.
Repair KO faces
1. Recall FaceKO#BND_SRF1 from the NoShow and expand it if necessary. It contains the support surface and
The reason of the failure is that the inner boundary is described before the outer boundary, in contradiction with the
IGES standard.
2. In Generative Shape Design (for example), select the Join icon .
Press OK. The surface is split by the outer boundary. Split.1 is created under FaceKO.1.
4. Repeat this step with Join.2 and Split.1
5. If necessary, you can move the result surface Split.2 to another geometrical set: Right click the result surface and
select Split.2 object-> Change geometrical set... to move the resulting surface to another geometrical set.
The following dialog box opens. Choose the destination geometrical set:
7. Delete the FaceKO#BND_SRF1 geometrical set. All these elements are however present within the No Show space.
You may also extract the surface boundary and untrim the surface to use Split.
You are now ready to create the topology. For more information:
● please refer to the next chapter entitled IGES: Best Practices - How to create a topology
● The single boundary is open (a curve is missing). Hide the surface and re-create the missing curve.
Then join all the curves and project them on the surface to split the surface.
How to Create a Topology
This task shows you how to generate the model topology if it is not contained in the CATPart corresponding to
the original IGES file you have imported.
You have seen how to recover a maximum of the face geometry and individual topology, when it failed during
the import of either IGES.
This scenario will show you how to create solids from IGES faces and also how to join the surfaces of an IGES
model into a Part.
It also shows you how to improve the quality of the geometry of the solid obtained thanks to the Healing operation
in Generative Shape Design. I
Therefore, this methodology allows you to improve IGES data interoperability and productivity (use of features).
It can also be applied to a STEP file, when the failure of the topology transfer occurs (in rare cases) and
to improve geometry quality.
Previously, you had 2 scenarios about the repairs of KO faces:
● Open an IGES file
● Repair faces KO
Now, with the following steps you will learn how to close the topology:
● Create a topology
● Healing
● Create a solid
Create a topology
You may open the file 01_FaceKOrepaired.CATPart.
1. Select all surfaces of GeometricalSet.1 in order to apply the Join operation upon all these elements.
The Join operation allows to repair geometry whereas topological healing allows to close topology.
The problem is not yet to check whether the surface is closed or even connex.
3. Click Preview.
An error message is displayed, saying that some surfaces cannot be integrated to the join.
4. The rejected surfaces are automatically selected in the list, in the Join Definition dialog
5. Click Apply.
6. Click OK. The resulting join surface includes all surfaces of GeometricalSet.1 except
10. Check the rejected surfaces. Usually rejected surfaces have a very sharp corner, for instance,
12. Create its complete boundary by selecting the Boundary icon in the Operations toolbar.
13. Disassemble the boundary in order to be able to see the curves by using the Disassemble
icon in the Join-Healing toolbar. As a result, details about the curves contained in Surface.321
are displayed in the Specification tree.
14. Untrim the surface to process (Surface.321) by clicking on this icon Click OK when this message appears :
19. Double click Join.1 (in GeometricalSet.1) to edit it and select the four corrected faces to add them
All the surfaces are now inserted into the join: the topology is complete. You can now delete SurfacesToAnalyze.
1. Activate the Surface boundary display option: select the Tools -> Options... command,
click General -> Display in the list of objects to the left of the Options dialog box. Select the Visualization tab.
The Analysis is based on the free sides of the surface. Free sides may indicate:
● gaps between elements
● missing elements (not converted or not available in original IGES file)
● overlaps (duplicated elements)
● invalid elements (with unexpected shapes)
2. Double click the join surface Join.1 in the GeometricalSet.1 to change its merging distance parameter.
Few free sides remain: three on the top surface and two on the sides (symmetric to each other).
Now you have to find the type of free side (gap, missing element, overlap, invalid shape).
4. Reframe on the side surface surrounded by a free side.
6. Use the Connect Checker in the Analysis toolbar to measure the distance between
the surface (Surface.707) and its neighbors. The maximum distance is 0. It means that the free side is not due to gap.
7. Select the surface and send it to the visible space. Check it you see a hole instead.
There is no hole, it means that this surface was duplicated. You have to delete one of the surfaces.
10. Reframe on the area shown below and display the No Show space to see the original surfaces
(Surface.526, Surface.534).
They are obviously incorrect, their shapes look strange. The shaded display is typical of a problem in
16. Check the boundary curves and create the missing ones
17. Recreate the correct surfaces by Split (in datum mode).
The surface has now no visible free side, but there might be very small holes impossible to detect visually.
To make sure that the surface is closed: Select Join.1 and click the Boundary icon.
Change the merging distance to 0.01mm and check for free sides: The surface is closed within 0.01mm.
Check with 0.005mm: The surface has visible free sides.
Check with 0.008mm: The surface is closed within 0.008mm.
This distance is a good evaluation of the model accuracy.
Healing
You may open the file 03_ClosedTopology.CATPart.
At that stage, you may decide that the evaluated accuracy is good enough but you may also create a solid
and use the Healing to reduce the gaps between surfaces by actually modifying (deforming) the surfaces.
2. Select Join.1.
3. Give the value of the tolerance found in the previous step (Merging distance is 0.008mm in this case).
4. Click OK.
Create a solid
You may open the file 04_HealedTopology.CATPart.
4. Click OK.
The solid is created and ready for use. The process is now completed.
Export
Large Assemblies
To export a large V5 Assembly in IGES, we recommend that you open it with the Work with the cache system
option active (Tools/Options/Infrastructure/Product Structure/Cache Management/Work with the cache system):
When this option is active, the referenced CATPart documents are loaded only during their transfer.
3D IGES: FAQ
Here is a non-exhaustive list of Frequently Asked Questions about the IGES export and import process. The most common problems are gathered here to help
trouble-shooting.
Import
● Question : the application cannot open the IGES file and returns an "invalid input file" error message, what can I do?
Answer : As the error message suggests , the IGES file is indeed a poor quality IGES file that cannot be opened. The best thing to do is to contact the
provider of the IGES file and ask for a more decent file.
● Question: the application crashes when I open the IGES file with a "Run Time Exception", why ?
● Answer : It is obviously a bug that was not fixed on the release you are using. If you do not use the latest release, you can consider upgrading or contact
your local support.
● Question : I get a 'Low memory state' warning message and my IGES file is not totally converted.
● Answer : there is not enough memory to convert the file completely and all the remaining entities are skipped. We recommend to use Windows NT4SP06
(and above) for big IGES files and use at least 1 GB of RAM and 2 GB of SWAP.
● Question : I opened my IGES file successfully but I have some KO faces that were moved to the NoShow section, what was wrong?
Answer : there could be many reasons why KO faces are returned but it is usually due to the fact that it was not possible to recreate the geometry
contained in the IGES file. To avoid those KO faces, you can try and import the IGES using a different import option for Representation for boundaries of
If you still have KO faces, you may consider repairing those faces using the methodology described in the chapter 3D IGES: Trouble Shooting
● Question : all the dimensions of my IGES file were multiplied by 25.4, why ?
● Answer : the most common cause for this problem is a problem in the header of the IGES file which is not correct. Therefore, the application can not
read correctly the dimension system used by the user and takes the 'inch' as the default system. That explains why all the dimensions are multiplied by
25.4. Then you can either modify manually the IGES file to repair it or you can ask the provider of the IGES file to provide a good quality file
● Question : I have a KO Face: in the KO-Body, I have only Surfaces (no curve); in the .err file, I can read There is no 3D curve....
Answer: The Surface must be a C2 B-Spline. The reason of the problem is that there is not the 3D-representation for the curves in the IGES File.
The Face type is 144. The Boundary type is 142. This Boundary should reference two Curves Representations :
Here, the B-Spline Surface is not C2. CATIA V5 must cut it in C2 Surfaces and cannot use the 2D Curves Representation.
With Continuity Optimization of Curves and Surfaces option, B-Spline Surfaces are approximated to be C2-continuous and 2D curves can be used (B-Spline
Surfaces are C2).
● Question : Even with correct IGES Options, I still have a KO Face : in the KO-Body, I have only one not-cut B-Spline Surface (no curve); in the .err file, I
can read There is no 3D curve....
For the 2D Curves, the Entity Use Flag, in the Status Number, should be "05" for "2D-Parametric". In the IGES File, this flag is "00", which means 3D Curves!
Replace the incorrect flag "00" by "05" for all 2D Curves in the IGES file.
Export
● Question : When examining my .rpt file, I see I have some KO faces , what should I do?
● Answer : KO faces when exporting may be caused by a corrupted CATPart. You can try and use the CATDUA utility to see if there is nothing to be done on
the CATPart itself. If, despite all, you still get KO faces when exporting to IGES, please contact your local support.
● Question : The IGES file created by my application is not correctly opened by my CAD package, what should I do?
● Answer : You can try to use the export with the two available options for Curve and surface type : Standard and BSpline
The BSpline option may give better results with some CAD systems and the Standard option give better results with others.
If the result is still bad with the receiving system, you may want to investigate if the CATPart is not corrupted and use the CATDUA program to upgrade the
CATPart. Finally, if the result is still not the expected one, it could be a problem with the CAD receiver system itself.
● Question : I am losing some parts of my assembly while exporting my CATProduct to IGES, why ?
● Answer : Make sure that you do not have any foreign parts included in your CATProduct like STL files or Parasolid files...etc. Those files do not contain any
V5 information except the visualization information and therefore it is impossible to export them as IGES file. If you have CATIA V4 .models in your
CATProduct, make sure to have them migrated to V5 before exporting to IGES.
3D IGES: VBScript macros
You can automate Data exchanges with IGES using VBScript macros, either at import or at export
Import
1. Create a RunTime window (window in which all runtime variables a set)
● The input files must be writable (not read only). Otherwise the system will display an information box and wait for an acknowledge.
● The output file must not exist in the output directory otherwise the system will ask for a confirmation to overwrite the file and wait for an
acknowledge.
You can transfer several files within the same VBScript macro, but it is recommended to do only one transfer per VBScript macro.
Example
VBScript macro for implementing a IGES file
Language="VBSCRIPT"
Sub CATMain()
CATIA.ActiveDocument.SaveAs "E:\tmp\Box"
CATIA.Quit
End Sub
Export
1. Create a RunTime window (window in which all runtime variables are set):
The output file must not exist in the output directory otherwise the system will ask for a confirmation to overwrite the file and wait for an
acknowledge.
You can transfer several files within the same VBScript macro, but it is recommended to do only one transfer per VBScript macro
Example
Language="VBSCRIPT"
Sub CATMain()
CATIA.Quit
End Sub
2D IGES Interface
2D IGES: Import
2D IGES: Export
2D IGES: Report File
2D IGES: Trouble Shooting
2D IGES: Best Practices
2D IGES: FAQ
2D IGES: VBScript Macros
Importing a 2D IGES File into a CATDrawing
This task shows you how to import into a CATDrawing document the data contained in a 2D IGES file.
Once imported, the data can be handled just as if it were created as a CATDrawing.
The table entitled What about the elements you import ? provides information on the entities you can
import.
● Trouble Shooting,
● Best Practices,
● FAQ,
● Macros
Statistics about each import operation can be found in the report file.
2. If the directory contains many different types of files you may wish to set the .ig2 extension in
the
Files of type field. This displays all files with the extension "ig2" contained in all the selected
directory.
This creates a new document similar to a CADrawing document in all respects and containing all 2D
geometry
and annotations. The data is now available in your session.
Several 2D IGES import options can be customized:
● Standards
● Destination view
● Create end points
● Convert dimensions as
Format
V5 determines systematically and automatically the most suitable format (A0 ISO, A1 ISO, etc.)
for each sheet (layout) i.e. V5 chooses the smallest format in which the drawing can be totally included:
● If the standard is ISO, V5 chooses the format among A0, A1, A2, etc.
● If the standard is ANSI, V5 chooses the format among A, B, C, etc.
● If no standard format fits the sheet, the format is set to the largest one i.e. A0 ISO and
made invisible with a message "No standard format can be applied to this sheet" in the report file.
● If you are not satisfied with this automatic result, use the Page Setup command to modify the
format.
Information on what has been determined automatically is written in the report file:
For more information on Formats, see the Defining a Sheet chapter in the Generative Drafting User's
Guide.
Code pages
DBCS (Double Byte Character Set) Supported Code Pages are:
● 932 (Japanese)
● 936 (Simplified Chinese)
● 950 (Traditional Chinese)
949 (Korean) is not supported.
Fonts
Fonts are mapped with those defined by default in the standard.
See the Generative Drafting User's Guide for more information.
Report File
After the recovery of 2D IGES files, the system generates:
● a report file (name_of_file.rpt) where you can find references about the quality of the transfer
Always check the report file after a conversion ! Some problems may have occurred without been
visually highlighted.
line 110
point 116
transformation matrix 124
leader 214
drawing 404
properties 406
view 410
Exporting CATDrawing Document to an IGES 2D file
This task show you how to save in an IGES 2D file the data contained in a CATDrawing document.
● Best Practices,
● FAQ,
● VBScript Macros
2. Select the File -> Save As... command. The Save As dialog box is displayed.
So select the required type of session unit to export your data in one system or the other.
or blank space,
the character will be replaced with _ (underscore).
Report File
After exporting the data to 2D IGES files, the system generates:
● a report file (name_of_file.rpt) where you can find references about the quality of the transfer.
If the sheet to export contains no geometry, or only non supported entities, no IG2 file is generated.
● The texts of those dimensions (linear only) are exported with the 2D IGES corresponding font.
● Circular, angular and curvilinear dimensions are still exported as graphic blocks.
The V5 elements placed in the No Show are not exported. The visible elements are exported.
● Layers:
● Filters:
● Texts:
● All texts are exported as texts
(even dimension texts in the case of dimensions exported as graphic blocks and annotations),
● All texts are exported and mapped automatically with the 2D IGES corresponding font.
● Kanji characters are exported with the 2D IGES 2001 font.
The table below sets the mapping between the CATDrawing file elements and the resulting IGES 2D elements.
V5 2D IGES
Note that raster views are not supported. Note that raster views are not supported.
Details are retrieved through their Dittos. A Detail not
referenced by a Ditto is thus lost, a Detail referenced by
Detail (Component)
several Dittos is duplicated in subfigures. The entities
included in a Detail are not structured into subfigures.
The graphical representation of each Ditto is exported to
Ditto (Instance)
a subfigure
Attributes
Unit The unit of the output file depends on the session current units
Flip Flip
Semantic mode:
Angular
Each graphical representation of the elements is
exported to a subfigure
Curvilinear
Axis line Line with the suitable line type
Center Line
Thread
Welding symbol
Datum Target
Each graphical representation of the elements is
Datum Feature exported to a subfigure. If the representation includes
filled areas, only the contour is exported.
GDT
Roughness symbol
Table
Leader
Arrow
Callout
Hatching
pattern The geometrical elements making the
hatches are gathered into a subfigure
Dotting pattern
Only the contour of the hatches is Only the contour of the hatches is exported into a
Coloring pattern
exported subfigure
Geometry
Curve Point POINT (116)
Line LINE (110)
Polyline 2D POLYLINE (106)
Circle CIRCLE (100)
Arc ARC (100)
Spline 2D POLYLINE (106)
NURBS 2D POLYLINE (106)
Ellipse 2D POLYLINE OR ELLIPSE (104)
Hyperbola 2D POLYLINE (106)
Parabola 2D POLYLINE (106)
Constraints Not supported
Miscellaneous
OLE link Not supported
and messages:
Always check the report file after a conversion ! Some problems may have occurred without been visually highlighted.
The first line indicates where the report file has been created.
Status messages
See the Trouble Shooting, the Best Practices and the FAQ chapters
on how to solve those problems.
and messages:
Always check the report file after a conversion ! Some problems may have occurred without been visually highlighted.
The first line indicates where the report file has been created.
Transcription time.
2D IGES: Trouble Shooting
Import:
None
Export:
None
2D IGES: Best Practices
Import
Quality of conversion
Always check the report file after a conversion ! Some problems may have occurred without been
highlighted.
Export
None
2D IGES: FAQ
Import
● Question: In export/import loops, the format of the model is modified at the re-import in V5.
● Answer: the format is modified because V5 computes the best possible format to adjust it to the
model.
Export
● Question: How are associative dimensions dealt with?
● Answer: They are not supported.
2D IGES: VBScript Macros
You can automate Data exchanges with IGES using VBScript macros, either at import or export,
Import
1. Create a RunTime window (window in which all runtime variables a set)
● The input files must be writable (not read only). Otherwise the system will display an information box
and wait for an acknowledge.
● The output file must not exist in the output directory otherwise the system will ask for a confirmation
to overwrite the file and wait for an acknowledge.
You can transfer several files within the same VBScript macro, but it is recommended to do only one
transfer per macro.
Example
VBScript Macro for implementing a IGES file
Language="VBSCRIPT"
Sub CATMain()
Dim Document0 As Document
' Reading an IGES file
Set Document0 = CATIA.Documents.Open ( "E:\tmp\Box.igs" )
' Saving the corresponding CATDrawing
CATIA.ActiveDocument.SaveAs "E:\tmp\Box"
CATIA.Quit
End Sub
Export
1. Create a RunTime window (window in which all runtime variables are set):
● The input files must be writable (not read only). Otherwise the system will display an information box
and wait for an acknowledge.
● The output file must not exist in the output directory otherwise the system will ask for a confirmation
to overwrite the file and wait for an acknowledge.
You can transfer several files within the same VBScript macro, but it is recommended to do only one
transfer per VBScript macro.
Example
Language="VBSCRIPT"
Sub CATMain()
CATIA.Quit
End Sub
DXF/DWG Interface
DXF/DWG: Import
DXF/DWG: Export
DXF/DWG: Report File
DXF/DWG: Trouble Shooting
DXF/DWG: Best Practices
DXF/DWG: FAQ
DXF/DWG: VBScript Macros
Importing a DXF/DWG file into a CATDrawing
This task lets you quickly see how to import or to insert the 2D geometric data
contained in a DXF file into a CATDrawing document.
Once imported, the data can be handled and edited just as if they had been created
in a Drafting session using 2D geometry creation commands.
The table entitled What about the elements you import ? provides information on the entities you can import.
● Trouble Shooting,
● Best Practices,
● FAQ,
● VBScript Macros
Statistics about each import operation can be found in the report file created.
Open your session (Open your CATDrawing document if you want to insert a DXF file.).
1. To import an existing DXF/DWG file, select the File-> Open 1. To insert a DXF/DWG file in an existing CATDrawing document,
The File Selection dialog box is displayed: The File Selection dialog box is displayed:
type.
4. Click Open.
In import mode, a CATDrawing file is created which contains all the In insertion mode, the geometry of the DXF/DWG file is created in a new view
geometry included in the DXF/DWG file. This .CATDrawing file of the current sheet.
becomes the current document.
Viewport with a not null twist angle (group code 51) are not correctly handled during import.
Format
V5 determines systematically and automatically the most suitable format (A0 ISO, A1 ISO, etc.)
for each sheet (layout) i.e. V5 chooses the smallest format in which the drawing can be totally included:
● If the standard is ISO, V5 chooses the format among A0, A1, A2, etc.
● If the standard is ANSI, V5 chooses the format among A, B, C, etc.
● If no standard format fits the sheet, the format is set to the largest one i.e. A0 ISO and
made invisible with a message "No standard format can be applied to this sheet" in the report file.
● If you are not satisfied with this automatic result, use the Page Setup command to modify the format.
Information on what has been determined automatically is written in the report file:
Code pages
DBCS (Double Byte Character Set) Supported Code Pages are:
● 932 (Japanese)
● 936 (Simplified Chinese)
● 950 (Traditional Chinese)
Customization
Import of a DXF/DWG file can be improved by customization:
● Standards. The lists of attributes are not the same in V5 and AutoCAD.
A DXF mapping standard file is used to come as close as possible to the AutoCAD attributes,
or to switch them to V5 attributes.
● Unit of the file
● Convert dimensions as
Report File
After the recovery of DXF/DWG files, the system generates:
● a report file (name_of_file.rpt) where you can find references about the quality of the transfer
Always check the report file after a conversion ! Some problems may have occurred without been visually highlighted.
To make sure the elements you need to handle in your session are those you expected,
here is a list presenting the DXF/DWG data supported when imported into a CATDrawing file.
● Drawing Interchange Format (DXF) files enable the interchange of drawings between
Generative Drafting Version 5 and Version 4 or with other programs.
● DXF files correspond to ASCII format and DWG to binary format.
● Version 5 provides a simple method to export the data contained in a CATDrawing document
either in a DXF file or in a DWG file.
● Version 5 supports DXF/DWG formats version 12, 13, 14 and Autocad2000.
● Best Practices,
● FAQ,
● VBScript Macros.
4. Press SAVE.
So select the required type of session unit to export your data in one system or the other.
● version
● export mode
Report file
After the exporting data to DXF/DWG files, the system generates:
● a report file (name_of_file.rpt) where you can find references about the quality of the transfer
If the sheet to export contains no geometry, or only non supported entities, no DXF/DWG file is generated.
The V5 elements placed in the No Show are not exported. The visible elements are exported.
● Layers:
● Filters:
To avoid missing geometries at export, we recommend that you activate either the filter All Visible or the filter None.
● Texts:
● All texts are exported as texts (even dimension texts and annotations) with a fit justification,
● All texts are exported with the STANDARD style and the isocp.shx font with the exception of geometric
tolerance symbols that are exported with the GDT specific style and amgdt.shx font, with the corresponding mapping.
● The symbols diameter Ø, degree °, plus/minus ± are inserted with the standard tags.
● Unicode characters are exported with the \U+ tag.
You have to redefine the STANDARD style in AutoCAD to reference an unicode font.
The table below sets the mapping between the CATDrawing file elements and the resulting DXF 2D elements.
V5 DXF/DWG
Element Sub-type Graphic export Structured and Semantic export
Structures
One DXF file per sheet (see option)
Sheet
The graphical representation of each file is transferred to the space of the AutoCAD model
Interactive view The structure is not exported.
The structure is not exported. All the geometric entities of the view are
The structure is not gathered into a single Insert/Block.
Views exported.
Generative view
The above applies to CGR, approximate, exact views.
Note that raster views are
not supported.
Note that raster views are not supported.
Details are retrieved through their Dittos. A Detail not referenced by a Ditto
Detail (Component) is thus lost, a Detail referenced by several Dittos is duplicated in BLOCKS.
The entities included in a Detail are not structured into sub-blocks.
Ditto (Instance) The graphical representation of each Ditto is exported to an INSERT/BLOCK
Attributes
Unit The unit of the output file depends on the session current unit
Show/NoShow Only visible elements are exported
Pick/NoPick NoPick ignored
Line Type Automatic mapping
Line Thickness Automatic mapping
Marker type Ignored
Color Automatic color
Default mapping with font isocp.shx (fixed)
Font
For Kanji or unicode characters see Trouble Shooting
Bold, italic Exported implicitly through Not supported
Underlined the graphic representation of Text + line
Space (x-scale) text. Space
Text attributes Height Height
Justification Only the contour of Justification
characters is exported.
Flip Flip
Linear
Each graphical representation of the elements is exported to an
INSERT/BLOCK
Circular
Semantic mode:
Angular
and messages:
Always check the report file after a conversion ! Some problems may have occurred without been visually highlighted.
The first line indicates where the report file has been created.
See the Trouble Shooting, the Best Practices and the FAQ chapters on how to
solve those problems.
Element Handle is the hexadecimal number referencing the DXF/DWG element processed.
List of the mappings used in that operation for the line types and the fonts.
In this example, 126 hatches have been transferred successfully, and 5 have
failed.
See the Trouble Shooting, the Best Practices and the FAQ chapters on how to
solve those problems.
Transcription time
and messages:
Always check the report file after a conversion ! Some problems may have occurred without been visually highlighted.
The first line indicates where the report file has been created.
2. Select the General category, then the Compatibility category, then click the DXF tab.
Export
When working with CATIA Version 4, if you open a DXF or DWG file created in Version 5,
you need to set the curve tolerance to 0.0001 (0.1 as default).
If some elements are missing, make sure that the All Visible or the None filter is activated and restart the
export.
Exported Kanji or unicode characters may be missing or displayed incorrectly after opening the DXF/DWG
file in the receiving system. In order to visualize them, edit the the textstyle STANDARD in this system and
associate the font associated to this style to an unicode font.
DXF/DWG: Best Practices
Import
Quality of conversion
Always check the report file after a conversion ! Some problems may have occurred without been visually
highlighted.
When importing a DXF/DWG file, the display of small entities may depend on zoom factor. To see the
complete Drawing regardless of their size:
2. Switch the value of Level of detail/static to zero. All geometries become visible.
Export
None
DXF/DWG: FAQ
Import
● Question: In export/import loops, the format of the model is modified at the re-import in V5.
● Answer: the format is modified because V5 computes the best possible format to adjust it to the model.
❍ Use the standards and settings to map AutoCAD and the fonts you use.
● True Type fonts on Windows provide the same fonts in your system and AutoCAD.
If the expected entities are not visible, activate the Visible Imported Layers filter,
or if too many entities are visible, activate the Invisible Imported Layers filter.
Export
● Question: How are associative dimensions dealt with?
● Answer: They are not supported.
DXF/DWG: VBScript macros
You can automate Data exchanges with DXF using VBScript macros either at import or export.
Import
1. Create a RunTime window (window in which all runtime variables a set)
● The input files must be writable (not read only). Otherwise the system will display an information box
and wait for an acknowledge.
● The output file must not exist in the output directory otherwise the system will ask for a confirmation
to overwrite the file and wait for an acknowledge.
You can transfer several files within the same VBScript macro, but it is recommended to do only one
transfer
per VBScript macro.
Example
VBScript macro for implementing a DXF file
Language="VBSCRIPT"
Sub CATMain()
CATIA.ActiveDocument.SaveAs "E:\tmp\Box"
CATIA.Quit
End Sub
Export
1. Create a RunTime window (window in which all runtime variables are set):
The input files must be writable (not read only). Otherwise the system will display an information box
and wait for an acknowledge.
The output file must not exist in the output directory otherwise the system will ask for a confirmation
to overwrite the file and wait for an acknowledge.
You can transfer several files within the same VBScript macro, but it is recommended to do only one
transfer per VBScript macro.
Example
VBScript macro for exporting a CATDrawing file to DXF
Language="VBSCRIPT"
sub CATMain()
CATIA.Quit
End Sub
Administration Tasks
Administration tasks deal with the administration of mapping standards for the import of DXF/DWG or IGES 2D
files.
For details about Drafting standards, please refer to the Interactive Drafting User's Guide.
Administering Standards
Setting the Standard Parameters
Locking Settings
Administering Standards
In R14, this process is improved by the introduction of standards in the DXF/DWG and IGES 2D interfaces.
Standards are defined by your administrator in XML (Extensible Markup Language) files and
let you set default values for element properties. In the case of the DXF/DWG and IGES 2D interfaces:
For more information, please refer to the Infrastructure User's Guide Customizing Standards.
CATDefaultCollectionStandard Indicates the name and path of the sub-directory (or sub-directories)
containing the default standards provided by V5. This variable is set by default to
installation_folder\resources\standard during the installation procedure
If you want to place all customized DXF mapping standards in a custom directory,
named mydirectory for example, you need to proceed as follows
(for Drafting standards, please refer to Setting Standard Parameters in the Interactive Drafting User's Guide):
3. Place the XML files containing your customized DXF mapping standards in mydirectory\dxf.
If you have not yet customized your XML standard files, then proceed as follows:
1. Create a directory named as you like (mydirectory, for example).
Management of Standards
Administrator-controlled Access and Modification
● default standards provided by V5. These standards can be customized using the interactive standard editor.
Their name can not be changed.
● user standards which are created and managed by the administrator.
In both cases, the administrator controls the access to the standard files and can, for instance, prevent users
to edit one or more of these files.
You can choose the standard you want to use via the settings available through
Tools/Options/General/Compatibility/DXF
and Tools/Options/General/Compatibility/IGES 2D
Setting the Standards Parameters
For more information, refer to the Managing Environments chapter in the Infrastructure Installation Guide.
that you will neither be able to modify nor save the XML files.
4. Choose the dxf category, and then open the DXF.xml file from the drop-down list.
5. Select the line type 1 on the left. On the right, its DXF name and CATIA type number are
displayed.
6. Click OK to save your modifications in the current file and exit the standards editor.
or Create a new mapping standard file using the File - > Save as New
command.
in one shot.
● Remote mode is not available for the export of CATProducts to STEP or IGES format.
● Define output parameters before adding the input files
(the type of the input files proposed depends on the choice of the output file type you have made).
● You can mix import and export, and STEP, 3D or 2D IGES or DXF in one process,
or send the output files in several output directories.
● In those cases, define the output parameters for the first batch of input files,
then add those input files, and repeat those steps as many times as necessary.
● Only existing output directories can be selected.
● If the output directory no longer exist when you run the batch process, a message will warn you.
● You can not change the output parameters for a file once you have added it to the list.
However, you can delete it from the list, define new output parameters and add the file again.
You need the corresponding DXF/DWG, 2D or 3D IGES and/or STEP interface licences
to process DXF/DWG, 2D or 3D IGES and/or STEP files with the Batch Monitor, even though you can access
the Batch Monitor and the Batch-DXF-IGES-STEP line, and save your batch parameters as a .xml file,
without those licences present.
If the required licences are not present when you run the process, a message will invite you to check the log file.
Files with corresponding licences present will be processed, the other will not.
1. Start the Batch Monitor (see Version 5 Infrastructure User's Guide).
3. Define the Output directory: Press the ... button and browse your computer to select the output directory. You can choose one output directory for one, several or all the
input files.
4. Select the type of the output file. It can be the same for all the input files or not.
5. Push the Add file(s) button and select one or several input files.
The file is added to the list of files to process.
To delete a file from the list, select it in the list. The Delete file(s) button becomes available. Push it to delete the file. You can also select several files using Windows selection tools.
Note that the list of file extensions proposed in the Files of type field depends of the Output file type selected, in order to avoid incoherencies in the process.
You may keep the same Output directory or the same Output file type for all files, or modify them before adding a new (or several) file.
6. Push the Options button. A dialog box is displayed with the options available for IGES, STEP, DXF and IGES 2D. Your changes will replace the current settings.
7. You can:
❍ Click the Licensing Setup... button and select a license authorizing the use of the batch you want to run.
If you run a batch without previously selecting a license, the system reads the License.CATSettings file and tries to run the batch with the licenses found in this file.
If you do not succeed in running the batch due to a licensing problem, click the Licensing Setup... button and select a license from the list. When you click on this button,
the system searches for both nodelock licenses installed on your computer and network licenses accessible from your computer and displays the list of licenses found. The
list displayed will contain the same licenses visible in the Tools->Options->Licensing tab. Then, select the appropriate license from the list.
The license is only acquired temporarily for the duration of the batch execution.
❍ push the Run button to process the files immediately. Check the required option Run Local or Run Remote (in that case enter the name of the remote machine) or
❍ push the Save button to save the process as a .xml file and run it later (see Version 5 Infrastructure User's Guide), or
❍ push the Cancel button to exit the process without saving or running it.
8. At the end of the batch process, you can check the result in the Processes tab of the batch monitor, in the column Information (Succeeded or Batch ERROR:...)
Double-click on the name of the batch process to display the corresponding log file. This file lists the name, path and type of the input file.
Then either the name and path of the file created (Transfer OK - Created file :...)
and the number of failures (Number of Error(s) occurred during the Batch processing :)
CGM: Insertion
CGM: Export
Inserting a CGM file into a CATDrawing
This task will show you how to insert a cgm file into a CATDrawing document.
2. Select the .cgm extension from the field called Files of type.
4. Click Open.
If you use the command File -> Open (you must select the .cgm extension from the field called Files
of type), you only browse the CGM files.
Exporting a CGM File
This task lets you quickly see how to export the data contained in a CATDrawing document into a CGM
file.
4. Press Save.
Exporting CATPart Data to an STL File
This task shows you how to save your part as an STL (stereolithography) document (.stl).
2. In the Save As dialog box, select the location of the document to be saved.
● import options
● export version
● export options
Import: Unit
Lets you select the desired unit for the VRML file to be imported: Meter, Millimeter or Centimeter.
Import: Options
Crease angle
Export: Version
You can choose between the VRML 1.0 and the VRML 97 format. To do so, simply check the corresponding
radio button.
Note: when saving sections in VRML 97 format, make sure that the "Save edges" export option is checked.
Export: Options
Save normals
Lets you save normals contained in your model when converting it into VRML format.
Lets you save edges contained in your model when converting it into VRML format.
Bear in mind that saving edges increases the file size significantly.
Save textures
If this option is selected, it means that you can save your textures:
Lets you select the background color to be used when visualizing the generated VRML file in a standard
VRML viewer (such as Cosmo Player, for instance).
The default color is "black" but you can select the desired color from the list or choose the More Colors...
option to access the color palette. This palette lets you define more colors or create your own colors.
Note that when reopening your VRML document in Version 5, this background color will not be taken into
account.
Opening a Document from STRIM or STYLER
This task shows you how to import into a CATPart document the contents of a document created in
STRIM or STYLER applications.
V5 provides a direct interface from STRIM or STYLER to V5, which operates on STRIM and STYLER
native format files.
With STRIM/STYLER to V5 Interface you can retrieve an existing STYLER or STRIM design in V5 and
proceed to further transformations in mechanical solutions, NC Manufacturing solutions and Shape
Design and Styling solutions,.
The suffix of the STRIM or STYLER models to process must be either .tdg or .TDG.
V5 accepts any STRIM or STYLER model generated on any platform supporting STRIM or STYLER (UNIX
or Windows).
V5 running on UNIX accepts models from any STRIM or STYLER version, whereas V5 running on
Windows accepts only models from STRIM version 4.2.1 and higher.
1. Select the File/Open... menu. Enter the path and the name of the TDG model in the file
2. The model is loaded in a new window as a document, with a CATPart format. The geometrical
4. The geometry can now be processed as any CATPart geometry: elements can be picked and
processed as any CATPart element, the document can be saved as a CATPart document.
Report file
After the recovery of TDG files, V5 generates:
● a report file (name_of_file.rpt) where you can find references about the quality of the transfer. It
❍ Elapsed time,
❍ Number of Euclid STYLER entities of each type transferred,
❍ Transfer Success indication.
● If some entities were too small with respect to the V5 tolerance set in the session, they are marked as
degenerated (this means they are not transferred).
● No approximation of the geometry representation is involved during the conversion of the models:
● V5 applications retrieve the exact original geometry,
● Geometrical entities of any degree are converted to V5 without approximation,
● Extremely "small" curves, small edges, "thin" patches and small faces may exist in some
STRIM/STYLER models. They are ignored according to the tolerance parameters used. However, this
does not affect the consistency of the model retrieved in V5. Such entities are accounted as
degenerated in the transfer log synthesis. Please note that in standard cases such curves are even
below the original STRIM/STYLER tolerances and are useless even for the geometrical consistency of
Euclid STYLER/STRIM models.
● Curves and surfaces with especially high degree are not split,
● Original topological structures are preserved with a one-to-one mapping.
● The tolerance used is the default tolerance defined in the Part Design session.
● Layers
● Color
● Hide/show
The quality and performances of your export or import data can be improved by choosing the most
suitable settings.
1. Select the Tools -> Options command. The Options dialog box displays.
● DXF
● IGES
● IGES 2D
● STEP
❍ Version,
❍ Export mode.
Import
Standards
Drafting:
The element you import will be placed in a Drawing, the root document of Drafting.
This Drawing uses styles defined in a pre-defined or a customized standard such as ISO, JIS, ANSI, ASME.
For more details about Drafting standards, please refer to Administration Tasks in the Interactive
Drafting User's Guide.
Drafting Standards replace the process of the previous releases where you had to open, (eventually modify)
and close a new Drawing to recover the standard you wanted to use for the data you were going to import.
The standard selected in the settings is taken into account at once.
DXF:
These mappings are defined in a DXF standard file. For more details about DXF standards,
please refer to DXF/DWG: Administration Tasks in this User's Guide.
By default, the option is set to Automatic and the unit of import is determined automatically
(either millimeter or inch) for the best possible resulting drawing.
However, in some cases the resulting drawing is not satisfactory and requires another unit.
Select this unit in the list. Then restart the import.
If you have selected Scale Factor, enter the value of the scale factor between the imported
file and what you want to get from the original Drawing in the fields on the right.
The Interactive Drafting workbench provides a simple method to manipulate a sheet. A sheet contains:
● a main view: a view which supports the geometry directly created in the sheet
● a background view: a view dedicated to frames and title blocks
● interactive or generated views.
Select this option to put the Paper Spaces in the Background view.
The viewports will be created in the working view.
By default, this option is not selected.
Select this option to keep the entire Model Space in its own sheet.
By default, this option is not selected.
Create end points
It is not easy to modify and stretch geometry of imported elements the way you can do it in a V5 native elements.
A solution is to create end points when needed, but to the detriment of performances.
Create end points offers you three options to fit your needs:
Convert dimensions as
● Dimensions:
● Geometry:
Select this option to keep the graphical aspect. Geometry is exploded into multiple lines, arcs, texts.
(this mode increases performance when loading a model).
This is the option by default
Export
Exported Sheets
Select the required option to export either all sheets or only the current sheet of a multi-sheet drawing.
● The option Only current exports the data to a file with the name entered in the Save as dialog box.
The name of each file is made of the name entered in the Save as dialog box and the name of the sheet
Version
Select the required export file format from the combo box.
Export mode
● Graphic:
This was the only available mode up to Release 9.
It is quick and reliable. It is useful if you want to export a CATDrawing to AutoCAD and print it without modifying it.
It is the default mode.
● Structured:
This mode was introduced in Release 10.
The exported file can be modified. For example, in the case of a dimension exported in Structured mode,
all the graphic entities representing the dimension are exported to an Insert/Block.
The more complex Drafting elements are exported the same way whereas the basic geometric elements
(lines, arcs, etc) are exported as isolated elements.
● Semantic:
This mode was introduced in Release 11 and is similar to the Structured mode, with the advantage that linear,
angular and circular dimensions are exported as true dimensions (with a default dimension style).
"Default dimension style" entails that most graphic attributes
(such as color, display format of the dimension value, type of arrow, space...) of the dimensions are lost.
For more information, see the What About the Elements You Export? section in the
Exporting a CATDrawing Document Data into a DXF or DWG File chapter of the Data Exchange Interfaces User's Guide.
IGES
This task shows you how to customize IGES settings, that are divided in four sections:
● General IGES options:
❍ Show/NoShow dialog box
❍ Join,
❍ Representation mode,
❍ Name of Author,
❍ Author's Organization,
General
Show/NoShow Completion Dialog Box
Select this option to display the completion dialog box at the end of the transfer.
Import
Import mode
By default, the Generate one CATPart option is selected. In this mode, the IGES file is translated into one CATPart.
For large files containing a large number of 308/408 IGES entities, you can select the option Map the 308/408 IGES entities onto a
Product Structure:
● if the IGES file contains 308/408 entities, a root CATProduct is created in V5,
● the 408 entities will be translated into CATParts or components under the root CATProduct as follows:
❍ If the 408 entity references an intermediate 308 entity (i.e. one that contains 408 entities), a new component is created. It will
contain components for each 408 of the 308 (see first case below).
❍ If the 408 entity references a leaf 308 entity (i.e. one that does not contain any 408 entity), a CATPart will be created. It will
contain the geometry contained in this 308 (see second case below).
Join
By default, this option is not selected.
● Select the option Join surfaces of the model if you want to join the surfaces of your IGES model into a shell.
If this option is active, the software will try to knit the surfaces from an importable file into a shell, even if the file contains Groups
(402).
● You can edit the Tolerance which is used to join the surfaces of the model: If you know the tolerance of the system which has
created the IGES file, you can use it. Otherwise, it is better to begin with a small tolerance.
● If you select the join option, while importing IGES files to V5, make sure that model is constituted of one part.
● The Join operation may fail in specific topological configurations.
● This option does not apply to Manifold Solid Brep (IGES type 186): the faces are always imported into a join.
● The previous option Join surfaces of each group is replaced by the Map the 308/408 IGES entities onto a Product Structure
above. This option enables you to create several CATParts from one IGES file.
● When the Map the 308/408 IGES entities onto a Product Structure option is active, the option Join surface of the model is
selectable but has no effect.
V5 requires its geometry to be C2-continuous. When non C2-continuous geometry must be imported from a IGES file, this geometry
(curves, surfaces) is broken down into a set of contiguous geometries, each of them being C2-continuous. This is what happens when the
No Optimization option is chosen.
However, this can produce an increase of the size of the resulting data, because more curves/surfaces are created. In order to limit this
drawback, two other modes are optionally offered.
In those modes, the IGES interface tries to limit the splitting of curves and surfaces by modifying their shape slightly, so that they
become C2-continuous while remaining very close to their original shape.
In order to guarantee that the deformation is not excessive, a maximum deviation (tolerance) parameter is used. When in Automatic
Optimization mode, the value read from the IGES file is corrected so that it remains lower than 0.001 mm. This guarantees an
optimization that remains compatible with the precision for the data that was set by the emitting system.
Last, if this strategy is not enough, you can choose the Advanced Optimization mode, in which an arbitrary deviation value can be
entered.
● No approximation , thus this option does not create a significant deformation and keeps the internal BSpline structure (equations and
knots).
● A continuity optimization is performed within the default value for deformation tolerance (0.001 mm) on:
● BSpline surfaces,
● all types of curves with the exception of canonical curves (3D and P-curves when available),
This option soften the effect C2 cutting of faces and boundaries (which is mandatory in V5) without any significant geometric deformation
With this option, you can enter a larger tolerance value which may enhance the optimization impact (resulting in less C2
cutting on faces).
Push the Parameters button to access advanced optimization options and tolerances.
User-defined Tolerances
● Deformation: maximum deformation (in millimeter) allowed in the optimization of curves and surfaces. Ranges between 0.0005 and
0.1 mm.
● Angle: angle (in degree) below which contiguous elements can be merged. Ranges between 0 and 10 degrees.
● Push the Default Values button to revert to the default values (respectively 0.001 and 2).
● This option usually results in a significant decrease in the number of faces cuttings.
● Topological Reduction of Boundaries alone:
You can find useful information in the report file. Please see the Report file section in the IGES Import chapter in this User's Guide.
You can choose to import IGES files with or without detecting discrepancies in geometry, by selecting the corresponding option.
Detection enables you to enter the Tolerance value above which a geometry is considered as invalid:
For more information, please see the IGES Best Practices chapter in this User's Guide.
There are two type of IGES faces: types 144 and 143. The boundaries of those faces (respectively type 142 and 141) have two
representations:
● 2D (parametric)
● 3D (spatial).
For each boundary, the IGES file contains a parameter defining the preferred representation:
● 3D,
● 2D,
● none,
● equal preference.
In the three last cases, V5 tries to import the 2D representation of the boundary. In case of failure, the 3D representation is imported.
If you do not wish to use the 2D representation (i.e. override the preference set in the IGES file), select the Force 3D representation
option. Only the 3D representation will be imported.
Import Groups
By default, this option is selected and import IGES groups (Entity Type 402, Forms 1-7-14-15: Associativity Instance) as Selection Sets.
You can de-select this option for a faster import. Note that Selection Sets will not be created.
Export
● When selected, the Save only shown entities option allows you to save only the Part's entities which are in the Show mode.
This is the default option. Click to clear it to export the whole model.
● The default Standard option and the BSpline option allow you to select which curve and surface types you want to be generated.
If you leave the default Standard option selected the curve and surface types created in the Part are kept as is.
If you select the BSpline option all curves and surfaces are converted into B-splines.
Representation mode
● If you select the default option Surface, solid decomposition will be identical in both the original model and the resulting file.
Only the surfacic decomposition of the original model is stored.
● Wireframe should be used if you want 3D visualization of solid edges to be identical in both the original model and the resulting file.
Only the wireframe decomposition of the original model is stored.
This may be useful in cases where curves are the only form of input accepted.
● Solid-Shell lets you save Solids, Shells and Faces as IGES New Entities as follows:
V5 IGES
Solid Manifold Solid B-Rep Object Entity (Type 186, Form 0)
Solid (Closed) Shell Closed Shell Entity (Type 514, Form 1)
Independent Shell Open Shell Entity (Type 514, Form 2)
Face in a Shell Face Entity (Type 510, Form 1)
Face Loop Loop Entity (Type 508, Form 1)
List of Loop Edges Edge Entity (type 504, Form 1)
List of Start/End Loop Edges Vertices Vertex Entity (Type 502, Form 1)
Plane Surface (support of Face) Plane Surface Entity (Type 190, Form 0)
This information will be transferred to the Global Section of the IGES file at export.
Export Units as
Let's you define the unit to be used for export. This unit can be different from the V5 file.
The default option is Keep User Unit, the IGES file unit will be :
● the unit defined in Tools -> Options -> General ->Parameters and Measure / Units tab, if the IGES Norm recognizes it,
Units like the one named Feet, Inch, Decimal are not recognized by IGES Norm. If such Units are selected in Parameters and
Measure / Units tab and if the option selected is Keep User Unit, the IGES file unit will be the Millimeter (mm).
IGES 2D
❍ Destination view,
❍ Export mode.
Import:
Standards
Drafting:
The element you import will be placed in a Drawing, the root document of Drafting.
This Drawing uses styles defined in a pre-defined or a customized standard such as ISO, JIS, ANSI, ASME.
For more details about Drafting standards, please refer to Administration Tasks in the Interactive Drafting User's Guide.
Drafting Standards replace the process of the previous releases where you had to open,
(eventually modify) and close a new Drawing to recover the standard you wanted to use
for the data you were going to import. The standard selected in the settings is taken into account at once.
However, in some cases the resulting drawing is not satisfactory and requires another unit.
Select this unit in the list. Then restart the import.
Destination view
It is not easy to modify and stretch geometry of imported elements the way you can do it in a V5 native elements.
A solution is to create end points when needed, but to the detriment of performances.
Create end points offers you three options to fit your needs:
If you select:
● Dimensions: linear, angular and circular dimensions will be preserved, others (ordinate types) will be transformed into
details.
This option keeps the semantic of the dimension. This means the position, the layout and the text are preserved.
The position, color, thickness can be edited. The text of the dimension is a text that has an associative link with the
dimension.
This dimension has a "fake value" that is blanked.
To display the true dimension value, delete the associated text and enter the data in the properties of the dimension.
Export
Exported Sheets
Select the required option to export either all sheets or only the current sheet of a multi-sheet drawing:
The name of each file is made of the name entered in the Save as dialog box and the name of the sheet
● The option Only current exports the data to a file with the name entered in the Save as dialog box.
Export mode
This option offers now the choice between three export modes:
● Graphic:
This was the only available mode up to Release 11.
It is quick and reliable. It is useful if you want to export a CATDrawing and print it without modifying it.
It is the default mode.
● Structured:
This mode is introduced in Release 11. The exported file can be modified.
For example, in the case of a dimension exported in Structured mode, all the graphic entities representing
the dimension are exported to an Insert/Block. The more complex Drafting elements are exported the same way
whereas the basic geometric elements (lines, arcs, etc) are exported as isolated elements.
● Semantic:
This mode is introduced in Release 11 and is similar to the Structured mode, with the advantage
that linear dimensions are exported as true dimensions (with a default dimension style).
"Default dimension style" entails that most graphic attributes
(such as color, display format of the dimension value, type of arrow, space...) of the dimensions are lost.
For more information, see the What About the Elements You Export? chapter.
STEP
❍ Units,
❍ Show/NoShow,
❍ Assemblies.
General
Detailed report
By default, the report file contains a Detailed Conversion chapter. Click to clear the Detailed Report option to remove this chapter from the report
file.
When the Geometric Validation Properties option is selected, the Tolerances button becomes available. It opens a dialog box where you can
● The first tolerance is the percentage of variation of volume or area allowed. Default value: 1%.
● The second tolerance is the maximum error for the center of gravity, expressed in mm. Default value: 1mm.
● You can retrieve the default values (1 and 1) with the Default Values button.
For import:
● Geometric validation properties are computed for each solid, shell, product or instance, and this information is written in the report file.
● For each solid, shell, product or instance, the report file gives the computed geometric validation properties:
● Centroid: coordinates of the center of gravity (applies to solid, shell, product or instance),
● Area: area of the entity (wetted area for solids) (applies to solid, shell or product),
● Volume: volume of the entity (for solids only) (applies to solid or product).
● If the imported STEP file contains geometric validation properties, these properties are read. This information is written in the report file.
● For each read geometric validation properties, the report file gives the status of comparison between read and computed properties, with the
following information:
● Centroid deviation error (distance measure) (applies to solid, shell, product or instance),
● Surface area difference value and error ratio (applies to solid, shell or product),
● Volume difference value and error ratio (applies to solid or product).
● A global status for the conversion is given, together with the maximum deviations found.
● ratios (Volume difference and Surface area difference) are lower than 1%.
● and the centroid deviation is lower than 1 mm.
For export:
● The exported STEP file includes geometric validation properties for each solid, shell, product or instance, according to STEP AP214 and the CAX-IF
recommended practices.
● For each solid, shell, product or instance, the report file gives the computed geometric validation properties:
● Centroid: coordinates of the center of gravity (applies to solid, shell, product or instance),
● Area: area of the entity (wetted area for solids) (applies to solid, shell or product),
● Volume: volume of the entity (for solids only) (applies to solid or product).
● The unit used for geometric validation properties is the STEP length user unit. See Unit option.
● If the option Assemblies/Structure only is selected, the Geometric Validation Properties are not available.
● This functionality involves a slight performance loss, due to the properties computation cost.
● at import, Groups found in the STEP file are translated into Selection Sets.
● at export, Selection Sets found in the CATIA file are exported as Groups in the STEP file. Refer to the STEP: Export chapter for more information
(Miscellaneous section).
However, importing or exporting Groups may be time consuming. Click to clear this option and de-activate the processing of Groups.
Import
Continuity optimization of curves and surfaces
This setting allows a better user control over the number of curves and surfaces that are created during the process of importing STEP data into V5:
V5 requires its geometry to be C2-continuous. When non C2-continuous geometry must be imported from a STEP file, this geometry (curves, surfaces)
is broken down into a set of contiguous geometries, each of them being C2-continuous. This is what happens when the No Optimization option is
chosen.
However, this can produce an increase of the size of the resulting data, because more curves/surfaces are created. In order to limit this drawback, two
other modes are optionally offered.
In those modes, the STEP interface tries to limit the splitting of curves and surfaces by modifying their shape slightly, so that they become C2-
continuous while remaining very close to their original shape.
In order to guarantee that the deformation is not excessive, a maximum deviation parameter is used. When in Automatic optimization mode, this
maximum deviation is read into the STEP file itself, in the STEP parameter that documents the precision of points in the file. In this mode, the value
read from the STEP file is then corrected so that it remains comprised between 10E-2 and 10E-3. This guarantees an optimization that remains
compatible with the precision for the data that was set by the emitting system.
Last, if this strategy is not enough, you can choose the Advanced optimization mode, in which an arbitrary deviation value can be entered.
You can find useful information in the report file. Please see the Report file section in the STEP Import chapter in this User's Guide.
The Automatic optimization proposes:
● No approximation, thus this option does not create a significant deformation and keeps the internal BSpline structure (equations and knots).
● A continuity optimization is performed within the deformation tolerance used for optimizing BSplines, comprised between 0.001mm and 0.01mm
(depending on the tolerance value defined within the imported STEP file) on:
● BSpline surfaces,
● BSpline boundary curves (3D and P-curves when available),
● BSpline independent 3D curves,
This option softens the effect C2 cutting of faces and boundaries (which is mandatory in V5) without any significant geometric deformation
● BSpline surfaces,
● BSpline boundary curves (3D and P-curves when available),
● BSpline independent 3D curves,
With this option, you can enter a larger tolerance value which may enhance the optimization impact (resulting in less C2 cutting on faces).
Push the Parameters button to access advanced optimization options and tolerances.
User-defined Tolerance
● Deformation: maximum deformation (in millimeter) allowed in the optimization of curves and surfaces. Ranges between 0.005 and 0.1 mm. The
default deformation is 0.003.
● Push the Default Value button to revert to the default value.
By default, it is not selected. A CATProduct file containing the whole assembly structure and a CATPart file for each part of the assembly are created.
If you select this option, a CATProduct file containing the sub-assembly structure is created for each node of the whole assembly while a CATPart file is
created for each part of the whole assembly.
STEP File One CATProduct for each product is not One CATProduct for each product is
selected selected
Assembly file containing the geometry of 1 CATProduct + N CATPart P CATProduct + N CATPart
components
Assembly file referencing native files 1 CATProduct + N native files P CATProduct + N native files
containing the geometry of components
Insert existing component
This option appears only if both the V5 - STEP AP203 Interface and the V5 - STEP AP214 Interface and the MULTICAx STEP Plug-in exist on the
machine. By default it is not selected. Select it to activate the MultiCAD mode.
Export
Application Protocol (AP)
The default value is AP203 iso. You can switch it to AP 203 + ext or AP214 iso or AP 203 ed2.
The data contained in a CATPart or CATProduct document will be saved in STEP AP203 or AP214 formats. For more information about STEP AP203,
AP203 with extensions, AP203 edition 2 and STEP AP214, refer to Exporting CATPart or CATProduct Data to a STEP AP203 / AP214 File.
Units
Select the required unit to export a CATPart or a CATProduct in STEP format and in Inch or millimeter independently of the V5 Session unit.
Show/NoShow
● hidden entities placed in layers that are not visualized (for more information, see Using Visualization Filters). Visualization filters are now taken into
account: by default, entities placed in non-visualized layers are no longer exported.
Select the Export also NoShow entities option to export all entities belonging to both the "Show" and the "NoShow" spaces.
Select the Export non-visualized layers option to export also all entities belonging to those layers.
Note that the entities placed in the NoShow or in non-visualized layers are exported as if they were visible entities. This means that reading back a
STEP file generated with the Export also NoShow entities or the Export also non-visualized layers option will make those previously hidden
entities visible.
Fill in the form displayed as required. You can revert to the Default Values of the header by pushing the Default Values push button.
Assemblies
● One STEP file: one STEP file only containing the structure and geometry of the components. This is the option by default.
● Structure only: a STEP file containing structure and entities PRODUCT_DEFINITION_WITH_ASSOCIATED_DOCUMENT which have a link with
CATPart files.
● STEP external references:
● CATIA external references: one STEP file containing the assembly structure with external links to CATPart, CATShape, model V4, .cgr, .wrl files,
according to AP214 and AP203 edition 2 external references mechanism.
The External References functionality is available only with AP214 and AP203 edition 2.
This summary table shows you all the possible combinations within the first two frames, Export : Application Protocol and Export : Assemblies.
Frame Export AP
---------
Frame Export 203 and 203+ext(1) 203 edition2 (2) 214 (2)
Assemblies
One STEP file (3) YES YES YES
STEP External References
(4)
NO (inactive button) YES YES
CATIA External References
(4)
NO (inactive button) YES YES
Dynamic Licensing:
If you release the STEP license and you access the STEP options panel, the export assemblies options may change.
In this case, when you recover the STEP license, you have to go back to the STEP options panel to restore the good values.
Glossary
D
DXF Autocad File Exchange format (ascii format ).
DWG Autocad File format (binary format ). Both DXF and DWG Files have the same content but under a
different format.
I
IGES The Initial Graphic Exchange Specification (IGES) format, is a neutral format to transfer
data between heterogeneous CAD systems.
S
STEP STEP AP203 / AP214 formats (Standard for the Exchange of Product model data)
Index
Numerics
2D Export
IGES
2D IGES
Convert dimensions as
Destination view
Export Mode
Export unit
Exported Sheets
Extension
Format
Import
Imported Elements
Multi-sheet export
Report File
Standards
VBScript Macros
2D IGES VBScript Macros
utility
3D IGES
Boundaries Representation
CATShape
Element Number
Export
Export Units as
Extension
General
Group Associativity
Groups
Import
Import Groups
Import mode
Imported Elements
Join
Name Processing
Parameters
Product indentification
Report File
Representation Mode
utility
A
Add files
Batch processing
Administration Tasks
Advanced Optimization
STEP
AP 214 IS
STEP
Application Protocol
STEP
Assemblies
STEP
Assemblies physical structure
STEP
Author name and organization
3D IGES
Autocad2000
B
Batch monitor
Batch processing
Batch processing
Add files
Batch monitor
Delete files
Licensing Setup...
Options
Output directory
Output file
Save
Batch-DXF-IGES-STEP
utility
Best Practices
IGES
STEP Topology
Boundaries Representation
3D IGES
C
CATCollectionStandard
Standards
CATDefaultCollectionStandard
Standards
CATIA external references
STEP
CATShape
3D IGES
CGM
Export
cgm
extension
CMG
insert
Continuity Optimization of Curves and Surfaces
3D IGES
Continuity optimization of curves and surfaces
STEP
Convert Dimensions as
DXF/DWG
Convert dimensions as
2D IGES
Create end points
2D IGES
DXF/DWG
Curve and Surface Type
3D IGES
Customizing
DXF/DWG
STEP
D
Delete files
Batch processing
Destination view
2D IGES
Detailed report
STEP
Detection of Invalidity in Input Geometry
3D IGES
DWG
Import
DXF/DWG
Convert Dimensions as
Customizing
Export
Export Mode
Export unit
Exported Sheets
Extension
Format
Import
Imported Elements
Multi-sheet export
Paper Spaces in Background
Report File
Standards
Trouble Shooting
Version
Trouble Shooting
DXF/DWG File Size
Trouble Shooting
DXF/DWG Kanji or unicode characters
Trouble Shooting
DXF/DWG Small Entities
Best Practices
DXF/DWG VBScript Macros
utility
E
Element Number
3D IGES
Elements imported
STRIM/STYLER
Export
3D IGES
CGM
DXF/DWG
STEP
STL
Export Mode
2D IGES
DXF/DWG
Export of Large Assemblies
Best Practices
Export unit
2D IGES
DXF/DWG
Export Units as
3D IGES
Export VBScript Macros
2D IGES
3D IGES
DXF/DWG
STEP
Exported elements
IGES
Exported Sheets
2D IGES
DXF/DWG
Extension
2D IGES
3D IGES
DXF/DWG
STEP
STL
extension
cgm
External References
STEP
F
FAQ
IGES
Format
2D IGES
DXF/DWG
G
General
3D IGES
Geometric Validation Properties
STEP
Group Associativity
3D IGES
Groups
3D IGES
STEP
Groups (Selection Sets)
STEP
H
Header of the STEP file
STEP
How to Create a Topology
IGES
STEP
I
IGES
2D Export
Best Practices
Exported elements
FAQ
Trouble Shooting
Import
2D IGES
3D IGES
DWG
DXF/DWG
STEP
STRIM/STYLER
Import Groups
3D IGES
Import mode
3D IGES
Import of Large Assemblies
Best Practices
Import of multiple viewports and layouts
DXF/DWG
Import VBScript Macros
2D IGES
3D IGES
DXF/DWG
STEP
Imported Elements
2D IGES
3D IGES
DXF/DWG
STEP
insert
CMG
Insert Existing Component
STEP
Insert existing component mode
STEP
J
Join
3D IGES
K
Keep Model Space
DXF/DWG
L
Licensing Setup...
Batch processing
Location of Standard Files
Standards
M
Management of Standards
Standard
Multi-sheet export
2D IGES
DXF/DWG
N
Name Processing
3D IGES
No optimization
STEP
O
One STEP file
STEP
Options
Batch processing
Output directory
Batch processing
Output file
Batch processing
P
Paper Spaces in Background
DXF/DWG
Parameters
3D IGES
STEP
Part 42 Entities
STEP
Product attributes
STEP
Product Identification for Receiver
3D IGES
Product indentification
3D IGES
R
Rational B-spline Surfaces
3D IGES
Report File
2D IGES
3D IGES
DXF/DWG
STEP
STRIM/STYLER
Representation Mode
3D IGES
S
Save
Batch processing
Save only shown entities
3D IGES
Show/NoShow
STEP
Show/NoShow Completion Dialog Box
3D IGES
Standard
Management of Standards
Standards
2D IGES
CATCollectionStandard
CATDefaultCollectionStandard
DXF/DWG
Advanced Optimization
AP 214 IS
Application Protocol
Assemblies
Best Practices
Customizing
Detailed report
Export
Extension
External References
Geometric Validation Properties
Groups
Import
Imported Elements
No optimization
Parameters
Part 42 Entities
Product attributes
Report File
Show/NoShow
Structure only
Trouble Shooting
Unit System
Units
User-defined Tolerance
VBScript Macros
STEP External References
Best Practices
STEP external references
STEP
STEP Quality of Conversion
Best Practices
STEP specificities
Trouble Shooting
STEP Topology
Best Practices
STEP VBScript Macros
utility
STL
Export
Extension
STRIM/STYLER
Elements imported
Import
Report File
Structure only
STEP
Syntax errors
Trouble Shooting
T
Tools Options - Compatibility
VRML
Tools Options - Data Exchange Interface
DXF
IGES
IGES 2D
STEP
Trouble Shooting
DXF/DWG
DXF/DWG CATIA V4
IGES
STEP
STEP specificities
Syntax errors
U
Unit of the File
DXF/DWG
Unit of the file
2D IGES
Unit System
STEP
Units
STEP
User-defined Advanced Option
STEP
User-defined Tolerance
STEP
utility
Batch-DXF-IGES-STEP
V
VBScript Macros
2D IGES
STEP
Version
DXF/DWG
W
What about the elements you export
DXF/DWG