Convert 3DXML to CATProduct in your application
3D InterOp is a CAD interoperability SDK that lets your software read 3DXML files and write CATProduct, writing the 3DXML facets as faceted geometry, since 3DXML stores triangles rather than solids.
Spatial does not offer an online converter or a desktop conversion app. 3D InterOp is a component that software vendors embed in their own products.
- Reads 3D XML · Writes CATProduct
- Triangle mesh → faceted B-Rep
- C++ / C# APIs
3DXML to CATProduct at a glance
3D XML stores triangles; CATProduct is an exact-geometry format. The mesh is written as faceted geometry: 3D InterOp doesn’t rebuild smooth surfaces from triangles.
| 3D XML (source) | CATProduct (target) | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | 3D XML | CATIA V5 Product (assembly) |
| Standard / owner | Dassault Systèmes | Dassault Systèmes |
| File extensions | .3dxml | .CATProduct |
| Geometry | Tessellated geometry | Exact B-Rep (in the referenced parts) |
| Assemblies / structure | Yes | Yes |
| PMI | Graphical PMI | Semantic and graphical |
| 3D InterOp support | Read and write | Read and write |
What's preserved, what changes
Here is what your application can expect to carry across from 3D XML to CATProduct.
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Preserved
Product structureThe 3DXML product structure is written to CATProduct.
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Changes
Faceted geometry3DXML stores triangles, so the CATProduct file holds faceted bodies, not solids. 3D InterOp doesn’t rebuild exact B-Rep from a mesh.
Why software vendors add 3DXML to CATProduct conversion
Deliver in your customer’s CAD format
Aerospace and automotive OEMs often require supplier data in CATProduct. Writing it lets your users meet that requirement directly from your application.
Exact geometry, ready to edit
CATProduct keeps exact B-Rep geometry, so the receiving engineer can measure, modify or machine the model in CATIA.
No neutral-format round trip
Writing CATProduct directly avoids an extra STEP or IGES step, and the loss each extra translation can add.
Things to check before you ship
- Written CATProduct versions: CATIA V5 R15 to V5-6 R2026.
- A CATProduct written by 3D InterOp can’t reference files in other formats.
- Supported 3DXML input: 3D XML 4.0 to 4.3 (tessellated data only).
- B-Rep stored in authoring-mode 3D XML files isn’t imported: only the tessellation is read.
- Validate a sample of translated files in the target system your users actually work with.
Working with Spatial was a real milestone for us: Thanks to the powerful 3DInterOp library, we were able to successfully bring our complex CAD-based solutions to the cloud while remaining flexible to meet individual customer requirements. For us, Spatial is not just a technology partner, but a true enabler of our product strategy.
Dr. Arno Michelis, Founder, Simus Systems
Read the Case StudyAbout the formats
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Source format
What is a 3D XML (.3dxml) file?
3D XML is Dassault Systèmes’ lightweight XML-based format for sharing 3D product data. 3D InterOp reads and writes its tessellated representation, with product structure and graphical PMI.
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Target format
What is a CATProduct (.CATProduct) file?
A CATProduct file is a CATIA V5 assembly. It defines the product structure and positions, and references the CATPart files that hold the geometry.
Frequently asked questions
No. 3DXML stores triangles, and 3D InterOp writes them to CATProduct as faceted geometry. It doesn’t rebuild exact B-Rep from a mesh.
Yes. 3D InterOp reads the 3DXML product structure and writes it to CATProduct.
No. A CATProduct written by 3D InterOp can’t reference files in other formats.
No. B-Rep stored in authoring-mode 3D XML files isn’t imported: 3D InterOp reads the tessellation only.
3D InterOp reads 3D XML 4.0 to 4.3 (tessellated data only), as visualization data.
3D InterOp writes CATIA V5 R15 to V5-6 R2026.
Yes. 3D InterOp reads and writes both formats, so CATProduct to 3DXML is supported too.
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Building software that needs to convert 3DXML to CATProduct?
3D InterOp is an SDK that lets your application read 3D XML and write CATProduct alongside 30+ CAD and BIM formats.