Convert IFC to CATProduct in your application
3D InterOp is a CAD interoperability SDK that lets your software read IFC files and write CATProduct, carrying across the exact geometry the IFC 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 IFC · Writes CATProduct
- Mixed geometry → exact geometry
- C++ / C# APIs
IFC to CATProduct at a glance
IFC can mix exact solids and facets; CATProduct stores exact geometry. Exact elements are written as exact geometry, and elements stored only as facets stay faceted.
| IFC (source) | CATProduct (target) | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Industry Foundation Classes | CATIA V5 Product (assembly) |
| Standard / owner | buildingSMART, ISO 16739 | Dassault Systèmes |
| File extensions | .ifc, .ifczip | .CATProduct |
| Geometry | Exact B-Rep and tessellated geometry | Exact B-Rep (in the referenced parts) |
| Assemblies / structure | Yes: spatial and element hierarchy | Yes |
| PMI | Not part of the IFC schema | 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 IFC to CATProduct.
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Preserved
Exact geometryExact B-Rep read from IFC is written to CATProduct as exact geometry.
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Preserved
Product structureThe IFC product structure is written to CATProduct.
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Changes
Faceted partsParts the IFC file stores only as facets are written as facets.
Why software vendors add IFC 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 IFC input: IFC2x3 to IFC4x3 ADD2, from .ifc and .ifczip 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 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.
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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
The exact B-Rep that 3D InterOp reads from IFC is written to CATProduct; parts stored only as facets stay faceted.
Yes. 3D InterOp reads the IFC product structure and writes it to CATProduct.
No. A CATProduct written by 3D InterOp can’t reference files in other formats.
3D InterOp reads IFC2x3 to IFC4x3 ADD2, from .ifc and .ifczip files.
3D InterOp writes CATIA V5 R15 to V5-6 R2026.
Yes. 3D InterOp reads and writes both formats, so CATProduct to IFC is supported too.
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Building software that needs to convert IFC to CATProduct?
3D InterOp is an SDK that lets your application read IFC and write CATProduct alongside 30+ CAD and BIM formats.