Find and compare CAD & BIM software. Access objective reviews, comparisons, and 400+ free engineering utilities.
CGCADGuide.tools

CATIA is the flagship PLM suite from Dassault Systèmes, capable of managing entire aircraft assemblies.

#High-end Surfacing#Aero & Auto Design#Systems Engineering#Digital Twin#Cloud PLM
Geometry Kernel
CGM (Convergence Geometric Modeler)
Industry Standards
CATPart, STEP
Market Seg.
Enterprise
Pricing Model
Subscription / Perpetual

Full Pricing Breakdown

Regional & Multi-Currency Pricing Notice

Official software licensing terms, volume discounts, educational exemptions, and renewal fees vary significantly across countries, exchange rates, and regional authorized resellers. Click below to verify real-time terms directly on the vendor portal.

Recommended
3DEXPERIENCE Cloud
Annual PlanVerify Live Regional Pricing on Vendor Portal
  • Social Collaboration
  • 3D Dashboard
  • Base Part/Assembly Design
  • Version Control
View 3DEXPERIENCE Cloud Pricing
Mechanical Engineer
Annual PlanVerify Live Regional Pricing on Vendor Portal
  • Advanced Surfacing
  • Sheet Metal Design
  • Mechanism Simulation
  • Standard Catalogs
View Mechanical Engineer Pricing
Systems Engineer
Custom QuoteVerify Live Regional Pricing on Vendor Portal
  • Model-based Systems (MBSE)
  • Electric/Electronic Systems
  • Lifecycle Analysis
View Systems Engineer Pricing

Key Capabilities

High-end Engineering

Generative Shape Design (GSD)
Complex Assembly Management
Composite Part Design
Additive Manufacturing optimization

Industry Verticals

Aerospace Structures design
Automotive Class-A Surfacing
Systems Engineering (SysML)
Digital Mock-up (DMU)

Environment Support

Certified OSWindows
Multi-threadingLimited
GPU OptimizationHigh

Industry Standards

CATPartSTEPIGESVDA-FS

Compatibility & Interoperability

File Format Support

Import
CATPartCATProductCATDrawingSTEPIGES3DXMLSTLNXJTSLDPRTDWGDXF
Export
CATPartCATProductSTEPIGES3DXMLSTLJTPDFDWGDXFCGR

Native Integrations

3DEXPERIENCEENOVIADELMIASIMULIANETVIBESEXALEADMicrosoft 365

Deployment Options

DesktopCloudOn-Premise

Interface Languages

EnglishFrenchGermanItalianJapaneseKoreanSimplified ChineseRussianSpanishBrazilian Portuguese

API & Developer Access

API
CAA / 3DEXPERIENCE API
SDK Languages
C++C#JavaVBScript
View API Documentation

Trust & Support

Support Channels

PhoneEmailCommunityDocumentationTrainingReseller Network

Security & Compliance

SOC 2 Type IIISO 27001GDPRITAR

License Types

SubscriptionPerpetualNetwork

The Pros

  • Complex assembly handling
  • Superior surfacing
  • Deep PLM integration

The Cons

  • Prohibitively expensive
  • Steep learning curve
  • Extreme hardware reqs

CADGuide Verdict

Final Professional Conclusion

"CATIA isn't just software; it's an industrial ecosystem."

C
CATIA CAD software logo
Editor Score
4.7 / 5.0
Highly Recommended

Expert Q&A

?What is CATIA used for?

The high-end PLM standard for Aerospace and Automotive engineering. CATIA is a 3D modeling solution widely adopted in Aerospace, Automotive, Shipbuilding.

?How much does CATIA cost?

CATIA is licensed on a Subscription model. Available editions include 3DEXPERIENCE Cloud, Mechanical Engineer, Systems Engineer. Because official seat rates, multi-currency pricing, educational exemptions, and authorized reseller quotes vary by region, click the Official Live Pricing link on this page to verify real-time pricing directly on the vendor portal.

?Does CATIA offer a free trial?

CATIA does not currently advertise a public time-boxed trial. The vendor typically arranges evaluation access on request through reseller partners.

?What operating systems does CATIA support?

CATIA runs on Windows. Deployment options include desktop, cloud, on-premise.

?Which file formats does CATIA support?

CATIA imports CATPart, CATProduct, CATDrawing, STEP, IGES, 3DXML and more. Export covers CATPart, CATProduct, STEP, IGES, 3DXML, STL and more.

?Does CATIA have an API for automation and customization?

Yes. CATIA exposes CAA / 3DEXPERIENCE API with SDK bindings for C++, C#, Java, VBScript. Common automation use cases include parametric scripting, custom toolbars, and integration with PLM/PDM pipelines; full reference docs are published by the vendor.

Compare Alternatives

Compare All 4 Tools
SN
Siemens NX CAD software logo
Siemens NX
★ 4.8 / 5.0
Read Analysis
PC
PTC Creo CAD software logo
PTC Creo
★ 4.8 / 5.0
Read Analysis
S
SolidWorks CAD software logo
SolidWorks
★ 4.9 / 5.0
Read Analysis