Convert CATIA V4 to glTF in your application
3D InterOp is a CAD interoperability SDK that lets your software read CATIA V4 files and write glTF, generating the glTF mesh from the geometry it reads, with tessellation settings your application controls, without a CATIA license.
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 CATIA V4 · Writes glTF
- Exact geometry → triangle mesh
- C++ / C# APIs
CATIA V4 to glTF at a glance
CATIA V4 stores exact geometry; glTF stores triangles. The translation is a tessellation, and the settings you choose decide how close the mesh stays to the original.
| CATIA V4 (source) | glTF (target) | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | CATIA Version 4 | GL Transmission Format |
| Standard / owner | Dassault Systèmes | Khronos Group |
| File extensions | .model, .exp, .session | .gltf, .glb |
| Geometry | Exact B-Rep | Triangle mesh |
| Assemblies / structure | Yes (written as parts only) | Yes: scene hierarchy |
| 3D InterOp support | Read and write | Write only |
What's preserved, what changes
Here is what your application can expect to carry across from CATIA V4 to glTF.
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Preserved
Product structureThe CATIA V4 product structure is written to glTF.
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Improved
Compressed meshesThe glTF writer can compress meshes with Draco, available since 2026 1.0.1.
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Changes
Geometry is tessellatedThe exact CATIA V4 B-Rep is replaced by a triangle mesh, generated by 3D InterOp from the exact geometry it reads. Accuracy depends on the tessellation settings your application uses.
Why software vendors add CATIA V4 to glTF conversion
Lightweight review
glTF carries tessellated geometry that opens much faster than the full CAD model, so design reviews and digital mockups stay responsive.
Sharing outside engineering
Marketing, training and sales teams rarely have CAD software. A glTF file gives them the shape in a format their tools can open.
Easier handling of large assemblies
Without exact surfaces and feature data, glTF files are easier to transfer and display, even for large assemblies.
Things to check before you ship
- Written glTF versions: glTF 2.0 (.gltf or .glb).
- The glTF writer is available through the UConnect interface only.
- Supported CATIA V4 input: CATIA 4.1.9 to 4.2.4 (.model, .exp, .session).
- Test tessellation settings on your heaviest parts: finer meshes mean larger files.
- 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 CATIA V4 (.model) file?
CATIA V4 is the legacy generation of Dassault Systèmes’ CATIA, whose models are mostly stored in .model files. Many aerospace and automotive archives still hold CATIA V4 data.
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Target format
What is a glTF (.gltf, .glb) file?
glTF is the Khronos Group’s open format for delivering 3D content on the web and in real-time applications. It stores meshes, materials and the scene in a compact .gltf or binary .glb file.
Frequently asked questions
3D InterOp tessellates the geometry it reads from CATIA V4 when it writes glTF. Your application sets the tolerances, so it controls the trade-off between accuracy and file size.
Yes. 3D InterOp reads the CATIA V4 product structure and writes it to glTF.
Yes. Since 3D InterOp 2026 1.0.1, the glTF writer can compress meshes with Draco. It writes glTF 2.0 as .gltf or .glb.
The glTF writer is available through the 3D InterOp UConnect interface.
No. 3D InterOp reads CATIA V4 files directly, without CATIA or a CATIA license on the machine.
3D InterOp reads CATIA 4.1.9 to 4.2.4 (.model, .exp, .session).
3D InterOp writes glTF 2.0 (.gltf or .glb).
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Building software that needs to convert CATIA V4 to glTF?
3D InterOp is an SDK that lets your application read CATIA V4 and write glTF alongside 30+ CAD and BIM formats.