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For software developers · 3D InterOp SDK

Convert FBX to CATProduct in your application

3D InterOp is a CAD interoperability SDK that lets your software read FBX files and write CATProduct, writing the FBX facets as faceted geometry, since FBX 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 FBX · Writes CATProduct
  • Triangle mesh → faceted B-Rep
  • C++ / C# APIs
scene.fbxFBX · mesh scene
Your application
3D InterOp SDK
FBX readerHealingCATIA V5 writer
assembly.CATProductCATIA V5 assembly · product structure

FBX to CATProduct at a glance

FBX stores triangles; CATProduct is an exact-geometry format. The mesh is written as faceted geometry: 3D InterOp doesn’t rebuild smooth surfaces from triangles.

FBX (source)CATProduct (target)
Full nameFilmboxCATIA V5 Product (assembly)
Standard / ownerAutodeskDassault Systèmes
File extensions.fbx.CATProduct
GeometryTriangle meshExact B-Rep (in the referenced parts)
Assemblies / structureYes: scene hierarchyYes
PMINoneSemantic and graphical
3D InterOp supportRead and writeRead and write

What's preserved, what changes

Here is what your application can expect to carry across from FBX to CATProduct.

  • Preserved
    Product structure
    The FBX product structure is written to CATProduct.
  • Changes
    Faceted geometry
    FBX 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 FBX 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 FBX input: FBX 2.0 to 7.7 (mesh nodes).
  • 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 Study

About the formats

  • Source format

    What is an FBX (.fbx) file?

    FBX is Autodesk’s format for exchanging 3D scenes between content-creation, game and real-time tools. It stores meshes, materials and the scene hierarchy.

  • 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. FBX 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 FBX product structure and writes it to CATProduct.

No. A CATProduct written by 3D InterOp can’t reference files in other formats.

Yes, when the folder of the FBX file is writable. 3D InterOp also reads the visual material properties.

3D InterOp reads FBX 2.0 to 7.7 (mesh nodes), as visualization data.

3D InterOp writes CATIA V5 R15 to V5-6 R2026.

Yes. 3D InterOp reads and writes both formats, so CATProduct to FBX is supported too.

  • Building software that needs to convert FBX to CATProduct?

    3D InterOp is an SDK that lets your application read FBX and write CATProduct alongside 30+ CAD and BIM formats.