The Complete 3dsMax to CATIA Conversion Guide

July 08, 2025

General Information

This guide is part of the RapidPipeline 3D Formats Knowledge Database. It shows how to convert 3dsMax to CATIA, if you'd like to know more about the formats, please check out the following links:

Converting and Optimizing 3dsMax Files to CATIA

There are various ways to convert between 3dsMax and CATIA. With RapidPipeline, you can easily convert and and optimize 3dsMax files, at scale. It supports CATIA, as well as many other file formats (examples: FBX, glTF, OBJ, PLY, STEP, STL, USD, USDZ, VRM), at high quality.

Below you can find a video explaining how to convert your files:

What are 3dsMax and CATIA files commonly used for?

The 3dsMax file is a format mostly used for 3D modeling & rendering applications.
The CATIA file is a format mostly used for Advanced 3D design, engineering and manufacturing applications.

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Comparison of Features Supported by 3dsMax and CATIA

FeatureSupported by 3dsMax Supported by CATIA
Morph TargetsYes Partial0
Rigid AnimationsYes Yes
Skinned AnimationsYes Partial1
AnimationsYes Yes
Free-Form SurfacesNo Yes
Geometry CompressionNo Partial2
Quad MeshesYes Yes
Basic 3D GeometryYes Yes
PBR MaterialsYes Yes3
Transparent MaterialsYes Yes
Vertex ColorsYes Yes
MaterialsYes Yes
Scene CompositionNo Yes
Hierarchical Scene GraphYes Yes
Scene NodesYes Yes
Standardized FormatNo4 Partial5
Embedded TexturesYes Yes
Multiple UV ChannelsYes Yes
Normal MappingYes Yes
Procedural TexturesPartial Partial6
Texture CompressionNo Partial7
Texture TransformsYes Yes
TexturingYes Yes

0 - Basic morphing capabilities available through parametric modeling and feature-based design changes.
1 - Limited support for skinned animations, mainly through assembly motion simulation rather than character animation.
2 - CATIA supports various compression techniques for geometry data, particularly in the 3DXML format, though not as extensively as dedicated compression formats.
3 - CATIA supports physically-based rendering materials, especially in newer versions with advanced visualization capabilities.
4 - This format is not an open standard, but the proprietary file format belonging to the 3d Studio Max application.
5 - While CATIA files are proprietary, the software supports many industry standards and has openly published the 3DXML format specification.
6 - CATIA supports procedural materials and textures through its advanced material system, though primarily focused on engineering applications.
7 - Basic texture compression is supported, mainly for visualization and lightweight formats like 3DXML.

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Limitations of 3dsMax Files to CATIA Conversion Workflow

The following limitations should be taken into account when converting 3dsMax files to CATIA format:

3dsMax Feature (not supported by CATIA)Limitation Details
Skinned AnimationsSkinned Animations illustratedlack of support for Skinned Animations illustrated
Skinned Animations: supported in 3dsMax, but not in CATIA.

Skinned animations are commonly used for 3D character models in interactive applications, such as games or virtual worlds. They make it possible to easily animate the 3D model using a helper structure based on virtual bones, composing a virtual skeleton for animation control. In this example, a skinned animation is used to pose a 3D character. Without support for skinned animations, the 3D model will remain in its default pose, such as the default T-pose.
Morph TargetsMorph Targets illustratedlack of support for Morph Targets illustrated
Morph Targets: supported in 3dsMax, but not in CATIA.

Morph Targets, or "Blend Shapes", are commonly used to animate facial expressions and soft surfaces, for example cloth under a cloth simulation. They model various states of the animations with different vertex positions. In contrast to skinned animations, morph targets do not use any virtual bones, but work solely on the vertex data. In this example, a facial animation is achieved through morph targets. Without suport for this feature, in this example, the face will not show the animation.

What's the best way to get 3dsMax files into my 3D applications, and are there alternatives to using CATIA?

Doing 3D conversion right, especially at scale, can be tricky, as 3D data is in general a rather complex (yet very powerful!) medium. This also applies to 3dsMax and CATIA files - the conversion guide above provides a rough first idea about that. Once you know what you would like to do, tools like RapidPipeline can help you perform the necessary steps, and to even automate the process for thousands or even millions of files.

Especially when introducing pipelines and workflows at scale in an enterprise context, it is usually good to rely on dedicated tools and expertise, making sure you do not introduce any steps into your 3D workflow that are detrimental to the final output's quality, or that take your team too much time (and money).

If you're interested to hire dedicated expertise from the best in the field to help your company reach your goals fast and reliably, please do not hestitate to contact DGG. Being the creators of RapidPipeline, and ambassadors for open 3D standards for more than a decade, we have been building some of the world's most advanced 3D pipelines, having processed many millions of 3D assets.

Therefore, our expertise will help you to reach your goals faster, at scale, and with the least possible friction, since we are focused on maximum interoperability.

To get started with 3D data conversion and optimization today, sign up for a free account!

If you have any questions, feel free to chat with our human team.

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3D Knowledge Team

3D Technical Artists

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