Convert CATPART to PDF

Recipients may need a readable document for review, printing, approval, or archiving when they do not have CATIA installed. Converting a CATPART view or its associated drawing to PDF provides a portable, read-only representation, but not an editable CAD model.

What the CATPART format is

.CATPart is Dassault Systèmes CATIA V5’s native part-document format. It can contain a part’s feature tree, sketches, bodies, parameters, constraints, and design geometry. CATIA V5 creates and edits CATPART files; CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE may also open or manage equivalent native data depending on the deployment and release.

CATPART files are used in mechanical design, tooling, aerospace, automotive, supplier exchange, and manufacturing workflows. The format is proprietary, so full access to its design history normally requires CATIA or a CAD translator with CATIA support.

What the PDF format is

PDF is a page-oriented document format that preserves page size, visible linework, text, annotations, and print layout across operating systems. It is suitable for distributing manufacturing drawings, review copies, approval records, and archival references without requiring CATIA.

A standard PDF contains a 2D page representation. It does not preserve the CATIA feature tree, sketches, constraints, formulas, parameters, or design intent. A PDF generated from a 3D viewport is therefore a visual reference, not a replacement for the original .CATPart.

How to convert a CATPART to PDF in CATIA

Export a controlled drawing

1. Open the .CATPart in CATIA V5 and open its existing .CATDrawing, if one is available.
2. If no drawing exists, create one through Start → Mechanical Design → Drafting.
3. Insert the required front, top, isometric, section, and detail views. Set the drawing standard, page size, scale, dimensions, tolerances, and annotations.
4. Run Tools → Update so generative views reflect the current part.
5. Use the CATIA PDF export command if it is available in the installed configuration. Otherwise choose File → Print, select a PDF printer such as Microsoft Print to PDF or an organization-managed PDF printer, set the paper size and orientation, and save the file.
6. Open the PDF and verify view visibility, line weights, dimensions, text, page orientation, and printed scale.

A CATDrawing-based PDF is the appropriate output for manufacturing documentation because it contains controlled views and engineering annotations rather than only the current 3D camera angle.

Print the 3D view

1. Open the CATPART and set the required camera orientation, display mode, background, section state, and object visibility.
2. Hide construction geometry, reference elements, and unwanted bodies in the specification tree.
3. Choose File → Print, select a PDF printer, set the paper size and orientation, and use fit-to-page only when the resulting text and dimensions remain legible.
4. Save the PDF and inspect it at 100% view size and, if relevant, on paper.

This produces a static page or image of the visible model. A normal PDF printer does not create an interactive 3D PDF.

Use a compatible CAD application or online service

When CATIA is unavailable, a CAD translator such as CAD Exchanger may be able to import CATPART data and generate a printable view or PDF. Support depends on the product edition, CATIA version, and requested PDF type, so confirm CATPART input and PDF output in the vendor’s current format list before purchase.

For non-confidential files, a reputable service such as CAD Exchanger Cloud may be an option when its current documentation explicitly lists CATPART import and PDF export. Check file-size limits, supported CATIA versions, processing location, retention period, and deletion controls before uploading. Use a desktop application for proprietary engineering data unless an approved cloud service is covered by your organization’s security policy.

FreeCAD and generic document converters should not be expected to preserve CATIA design history or generate a complete CATDrawing. Renaming .CATPart to .pdf changes only the filename extension and does not perform a conversion.

Quality and compatibility limitations

• PDF is not parametric: features, constraints, formulas, editable parameters, and design history are lost.
• 3D PDF is a different output: interactive model rotation requires software that explicitly supports 3D PDF generation; printing a CATIA viewport creates only a static page.
• CATIA settings affect drawings: fonts, drafting standards, dimension styles, line weights, and generative-view links can change between releases or workstations.
• Check scale: fit-to-page can invalidate the nominal drawing scale. Preserve the original page size and add a scale bar when measurement from the printout matters.
• Retain source files: keep the original .CATPart and, where applicable, .CATDrawing with the PDF for revision, validation, and traceability.