Convert CATProduct to IFC in your application
3D InterOp is a CAD interoperability SDK that lets your software read CATProduct files and write IFC, writing the exact geometry into a format that can also hold facets, 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 CATProduct · Writes IFC
- Exact geometry → mixed-geometry format
- C++ / C# APIs
CATProduct to IFC at a glance
CATProduct stores exact geometry; IFC can hold exact solids and facets. What ends up in the IFC file depends on what the IFC writer writes, as detailed below.
| CATProduct (source) | IFC (target) | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | CATIA V5 Product (assembly) | Industry Foundation Classes |
| Standard / owner | Dassault Systèmes | buildingSMART, ISO 16739 |
| File extensions | .CATProduct | .ifc, .ifczip |
| Geometry | Exact B-Rep (in the referenced parts) | Exact B-Rep and tessellated geometry |
| Assemblies / structure | Yes | Yes: spatial and element hierarchy |
| PMI | Semantic and graphical | Not part of the IFC schema |
| 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 CATProduct to IFC.
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Preserved
Exact geometryExact B-Rep read from CATProduct is written to IFC as exact geometry.
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Preserved
Product structureThe CATProduct product structure is written to IFC.
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Not carried
PMIIFC has no PMI, so the PMI read from CATProduct isn’t written. Keep STEP AP242 as an output when PMI matters.
Why software vendors add CATProduct to IFC conversion
Open BIM deliverables
Many projects specify IFC deliverables. Writing it lets your users meet those requirements from your software.
Coordination and clash detection
Coordination tools gather models from every discipline in IFC. Your users can contribute without a round trip through another tool.
Facility and asset data
Owners and operators often receive building data as IFC for asset management after handover.
Things to check before you ship
- Written IFC versions: IFC2x3 to IFC4x3 ADD2 (.ifc).
- Exact B-Rep needs IFC4 or later; IFC2x3 files only get tessellation.
- CATProduct has no BIM semantics: check which IFC class your application assigns to each object.
- Supported CATProduct input: CATIA V5 R8 to V5-6 R2026.
- 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 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.
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Target format
What is an IFC (.ifc) file?
IFC is the open, vendor-neutral standard for exchanging building information models, maintained by buildingSMART and published as ISO 16739. It carries building elements with their geometry, properties and relationships.
Frequently asked questions
The exact B-Rep that 3D InterOp reads from CATProduct is written to IFC.
IFC has no PMI, so the PMI read from CATProduct isn’t written. When PMI matters, offer STEP AP242 as an output.
Yes. 3D InterOp reads the CATProduct product structure and writes it to IFC.
Write IFC4 or later to keep exact B-Rep: IFC2x3 files only get tessellation. 3D InterOp writes IFC2x3 to IFC4x3 ADD2.
CATProduct has no BIM semantics, so your application decides which IFC class each object is written as.
No. 3D InterOp reads CATProduct files directly, without CATIA or a CATIA license on the machine.
3D InterOp reads CATIA V5 R8 to V5-6 R2026.
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Building software that needs to convert CATProduct to IFC?
3D InterOp is an SDK that lets your application read CATProduct and write IFC alongside 30+ CAD and BIM formats.