CATIA Import Options

Introduction

SimLab supports import of CATIA V5-6R2024 models (CATPart and CATProduct files). CATIA files can be imported into SimLab using two approaches - Direct and Through Step approach. Linux version of SimLab supports only Direct approach.
Note:
  • For CATIA to import in Linux, motif library (system component) needs to be installed. If using CentOS, then motif library can be installed using the following command: sudo yum install motif For other Linux distribution, use corresponding standard way to install motif shared library.
  • In previous versions of SimLab, prior to SimLab 2017.2.2, we had 3 methods to import CATIA files. Direct method which used CADNexus to import CATIA files is now removed and Direct (New) method which uses Spatial libraries is renamed as Direct method.

Direct

Direct approach uses Spatial to import the CATIA files into SimLab. This does not require any special license. Also user need not have access to CATIA installation (Unless the user wishes to read the Design Parameter and Regenerate the model). Various import options available in the Direct approach are explained below.

  • Body Name: Body name of the CATIA files can be read into SimLab by enabling the Body Name option.
    • Use part name for files with one body:

      For CATIA files with one body, turning on this toggle will set the Part name of CATIA file as body name in SimLab. Incase the CATIA file has more than one bodies, by default the body name of CATIA file will be set as body name in SimLab.

    Refer the following link to know more about CATIA Naming Conventions.

  • Design Parameters
    CATIA parameters will be read into SimLab as "Design Parameters", subsequently the model can be regenerated based on those parameters. To regenerate the part, right click on the model in the assembly tree and choose the regenerate option. The parameters will be listed out in the regenerate dialog box. This is supported only for Windows.
    Note: If unit system is enabled, unit for parameter of type “Length” and “Angle” will be read into SimLab. All other parameters will be imported as unitless parameter.
  • Sheet

    Sheet bodies can be imported using this option.

  • Color

    Color of faces which are assigned in CATIA part can be imported into SimLab by checking the option "Color". This color information can be used in color based mesh control. Also body color in CATIA will be assigned to SimLab bodies.

  • Publications

    Face and Edge Publications created in CATIA can be imported into SimLab as groups. Refer the following link to know more details about CATIA Publications.

  • Import as Facets

    CATIA files can be imported directly as faceted geometry.

  • Import Assembly Structure

    The assembly structure in the CATIA files can be imported by selecting the Import Assembly Structure toggle. By default, when importing assembly structure, body names in CATIA file will also be read. Refer the following link to know more about Assembly Structure.

  • Datum Points

    The points which are created in CATIA can be imported into SimLab as point bodies by selecting this option.

Through Step

Through Step approach launches the CATIA in background and converts the CATIA file to step file and imports the step file into SimLab. This is supported only in Windows. Various import options available in the Through Step approach are explained below.

  • Body Name

    Body name of the CATIA part can be read into SimLab by checking the option "Body Name".

    Part number of the CATIA part can be read into SimLab instead of the body name, by setting the env SIMLAB_READ_CATIA_PART_NUMBER=TRUE in vp_init.bat. When there are multiple parts in CATIA part file and if the part number is read, the bodies will have the "PartNumber_1", "PartNumber_2" and so on as the names.

  • Design Parameters

    CATIA parameters will be read into SimLab as "Design Parameters",subsequently the model can be regenerated based on those parameters. To regenerate the part, right click on the model in the assembly tree and choose the regenerate option. The parameters will be listed out in the regenerate dialog box. This is supported only for Windows.

  • Datum Points

    The points which are created in CATIA can be imported into SimLab as orphan nodes by selecting this option.

  • Sketch and Wireframe

    Enable the user to import the sketch and wireframe into SimLab as wire bodies.

  • Coordinates

    Selecting this option will import the right handed coordinates into SimLab.

  • Select Include Files

    Selecting this option will enable the user to point to the include files. The include files are the CATPart files which are the references for the master CATPart file. SimLab will read the design parameters from the include files. Subsequently the master file can be regenerated by changing the design parameters.

  • Import as Facets

    CATIA files can be imported directly as faceted geometry. When CATIA files are imported as faceted geometry, the Design Parameters cannot be read into SimLab.

  • Import Color / Publications

    Color or the publications can be imported into SimLab.

    • Color

      Color of faces which are assigned in CATIA part can be imported into SimLab by checking the option "Color". This color infromation can be used in color based mesh control.

    • Publications

      Selecting this option will import the publications into SimLab as groups.

Configure CATIA in Simlab

To successfully configure CATIA in SimLab, users need to provide the following details:

  1. CATIA Directory:

    This is the directory in which CATIA is installed in user machine. Here user needs to provide the path until the version number like shown below:

    C:\Program Files\Dassault Systemes\B32

  2. CATIA Env File:

    For CATIA to work, there will be an env file which generally holds information about the CATIA license server, other environmental settings needed by CATIA. This file has to be pointed out in this section like show below:

    C:\ProgramData\DassaultSystemes\CATEnv\CATIA_P3.V5-6R2022.B32.txt

Once the above 2 information is provided correctly in the installer, then SimLab will now be able to connect to CATIA without any issues.

Note:

In many cases, CATIA needs to be launched through an in-house application, which typically establishes the license and the Env’s for CATIA during the launch time. Hence, there is no CATIA Env file directly present on the user's machine. In such scenarios, it is necessary for the user to reach out to the IT team, requesting for the CATIA Env file. This file must be appropriately configured with the SimLab Installer.