Convert DXF to CATIA V4 in your application
3D InterOp is a CAD interoperability SDK that lets your software read DXF files and write CATIA V4, carrying across the exact geometry the DXF file contains.
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 DXF · Writes CATIA V4
- Mixed geometry → exact geometry
- C++ / C# APIs
DXF to CATIA V4 at a glance
DXF can mix exact solids and facets; CATIA V4 stores exact geometry. Exact elements are written as exact geometry, and elements stored only as facets stay faceted.
| DXF (source) | CATIA V4 (target) | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Drawing Exchange Format | CATIA Version 4 |
| Standard / owner | Autodesk | Dassault Systèmes |
| File extensions | .dxf | .model, .exp, .session |
| Geometry | 2D drawings and 3D data | Exact B-Rep |
| Assemblies / structure | Blocks and layers | Yes (written as parts only) |
| 3D InterOp support | Read; write drawings only | Read and write |
What's preserved, what changes
Here is what your application can expect to carry across from DXF to CATIA V4.
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Preserved
Exact geometryExact B-Rep read from DXF is written to CATIA V4 as exact geometry.
Why software vendors add DXF to CATIA V4 conversion
Deliver in your customer’s CAD format
Aerospace and automotive OEMs often require supplier data in CATIA V4. Writing it lets your users meet that requirement directly from your application.
Exact geometry, ready to edit
CATIA V4 keeps exact B-Rep geometry, so the receiving engineer can measure, modify or machine the model in CATIA.
No neutral-format round trip
Writing CATIA V4 directly avoids an extra STEP or IGES step, and the loss each extra translation can add.
Things to check before you ship
- Written CATIA V4 versions: CATIA 4.1.9 to 4.2.4 (.model).
- The CATIA V4 writer isn’t available in 3D InterOp CGM.
- Supported DXF input: DXF/DWG 2.5 to 2027.
- A DXF file that only contains 2D drawings has no 3D geometry to write.
- 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 DXF (.dxf) file?
DXF is Autodesk’s documented exchange format for AutoCAD drawings, mostly stored as text. Many CAD, CAM and cutting tools import it to exchange 2D geometry.
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Target 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.
Frequently asked questions
The exact B-Rep that 3D InterOp reads from DXF is written to CATIA V4; parts stored only as facets stay faceted.
No. The CATIA V4 writer isn’t available in 3D InterOp CGM.
Then there is no 3D geometry to write to CATIA V4: 3D InterOp needs 3D content in the DXF file for this conversion.
Both the 2D content (drawing sheets) and the 3D data stored in the file.
No. 3D InterOp writes drawing sheets to DXF and DWG, but 3D export to these formats isn’t supported. To send 3D data back, write a neutral 3D format such as STEP.
3D InterOp reads DXF/DWG 2.5 to 2027.
3D InterOp writes CATIA 4.1.9 to 4.2.4 (.model).
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Building software that needs to convert DXF to CATIA V4?
3D InterOp is an SDK that lets your application read DXF and write CATIA V4 alongside 30+ CAD and BIM formats.