Convert CATDRAWING to DWG

A supplier or fabrication system may require an editable DWG when the source drawing was created in CATIA. The exported file can be opened in AutoCAD-compatible software for markup, detailing, plotting, or manufacturing documentation.

CATDRAWING and DWG formats

.CATDrawing is the native 2D drawing format used primarily by CATIA V5 Drafting. It can contain sheets, generated views of .CATPart and .CATProduct models, dimensions, annotations, section and detail views, title blocks, standards, and drafting settings.

CATDRAWING files are common in aerospace, automotive, industrial equipment, and other CATIA-based supply chains. A drawing can retain links to external CATIA models; the saved drawing geometry can usually be exported without those models, but the models are required if generated views must be updated before export.

.DWG is Autodesk's native drawing format for AutoCAD. It is also supported by applications such as DraftSight, BricsCAD, ZWCAD, and progeCAD. A DWG can retain editable 2D geometry, layers, text, hatches, blocks, and some dimensions, making it more suitable than PDF for recipients who must modify the drawing.

Convert in CATIA

CATIA is the preferred translator because it can interpret its own drawing views, standards, symbols, and annotations. AutoCAD, DraftSight, BricsCAD, and Autodesk DWG TrueView do not natively open CATDRAWING files; DWG TrueView only converts existing DWG files between DWG versions.

1. Open the file in CATIA Drafting. Load the referenced .CATPart or .CATProduct files if the drawing must be updated to reflect the current model.
2. Check sheet count, view scale, hidden-line settings, dimensions, title blocks, and revision data. Update generated views before export when required.
3. Select File → Save As, then choose DWG from the file-type list.
4. Save to a new filename, such as assembly-layout.dwg; do not replace the CATIA source file.
5. If CATIA offers a DWG release setting, select the recipient's required AutoCAD version. Use an older version only when necessary.
6. Open the result in the recipient's CAD application and compare every sheet or layout with the CATIA drawing or a plotted PDF.

DWG availability can depend on the CATIA release, installed translators, licenses, and site configuration. If DWG is absent from File → Save As, have the CATIA administrator confirm that the Drafting DWG/DXF export capability is installed and enabled. Requesting a DWG export from the CATIA file owner is usually safer than using a model translator when CATIA is unavailable.

Exporting CATDRAWING to DXF first and then saving DXF as DWG in AutoCAD or DraftSight is a fallback, but it can introduce additional loss of layers, dimensions, symbols, and text formatting.

Desktop and online alternatives

Use a commercial CAD translation service only after testing the exact CATIA release and a representative drawing. Many tools that support CATIA 3D files support .CATPart or .CATProduct but do not necessarily read CATDRAWING drafting data.

For non-confidential files, CloudConvert or Convertio can be considered when their current format selectors explicitly list .CATDrawing as input and .DWG as output. Check the supported CATIA version, upload-retention policy, deletion controls, and output limitations before uploading. Do not upload controlled technical data, export-controlled drawings, or confidential product documentation to a public conversion service without approval.

Quality and compatibility checks

The result is a 2D drawing export, not an editable AutoCAD 3D model. CATIA associativity between drawing views and parts or assemblies does not survive in DWG.

Text and symbols require careful inspection. Missing CATIA fonts may be substituted with SHX or TrueType fonts, changing character widths, line wrapping, title-block alignment, and symbol appearance. Supply permitted font files or use agreed standard fonts where possible.

Depending on the CATIA version and entity type, dimensions, GD&T frames, weld symbols, surface-finish marks, center marks, and custom symbols may become native DWG entities, blocks, or exploded geometry. Complex views, raster images, OLE objects, hyperlinks, macros, and CATIA-specific annotations can be omitted or rasterized.

Before release, compare sheet count, scale, units, layer visibility, lineweights, plotted output, dimensions, tolerances, and revision information against the original. Run the receiving CAD application's drawing audit or recovery function if it reports errors.