The Complete CATIA to USD Conversion Guide

July 08, 2025

General Information

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

Converting and Optimizing CATIA Files to USD

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

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

What are CATIA and USD files commonly used for?

The CATIA file is a format mostly used for Advanced 3D design, engineering and manufacturing applications.
The USD file is a format mostly used for 3D modeling and rendering applications, and exchange of 3D authoring data.

a screenshot of the rapidpipeline UI

Best-in-Class 3D Processing. Try RapidPipeline, for Free.

No credit card needed.

Try for Free

Comparison of Features Supported by CATIA and USD

FeatureSupported by CATIA Supported by USD
Morph TargetsPartial0 Yes
Rigid AnimationsYes Yes
Skinned AnimationsPartial1 Yes
AnimationsYes Yes
Free-Form SurfacesYes Yes
Geometry CompressionPartial2 No
Quad MeshesYes Yes
Basic 3D GeometryYes Yes
PBR MaterialsYes3 Yes
Transparent MaterialsYes Yes
Vertex ColorsYes Yes
MaterialsYes Yes
Scene CompositionYes Yes
Hierarchical Scene GraphYes Yes
Scene NodesYes Yes
Standardized FormatPartial4 Yes
Embedded TexturesYes No
Multiple UV ChannelsYes Yes
Normal MappingYes Yes
Procedural TexturesPartial5 Yes
Texture CompressionPartial6 No
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 - While CATIA files are proprietary, the software supports many industry standards and has openly published the 3DXML format specification.
5 - CATIA supports procedural materials and textures through its advanced material system, though primarily focused on engineering applications.
6 - Basic texture compression is supported, mainly for visualization and lightweight formats like 3DXML.

Best-in-Class 3D Processing. Try RapidPipeline, for Free.

No credit card needed.

Try for Free

Limitations of CATIA Files to USD Conversion Workflow

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

CATIA Feature (not supported by USD)Limitation Details
Geometry CompressionGeometry Compression illustratedlack of support for Geometry Compression illustrated
Geometry Compression: supported in CATIA, but not in USD.

Geometry compression describes the process of compressing the representations of a 3D model's geometry, usually a triangle mesh. 3D geometry compression does not change the topology of a 3D model, but just changes the way that a 3D model and its 3D positions and related vertex data is stored. Geometry compression can be lossy (just like JPEG compression in image processing can be lossy, for example), in which case one might notice slight artifacts like variations in 3D vertex positions (compared to the uncompressed 3D model). However, such differences are often not noticeable. There are only very few standards for geometry compression, like glTF's support of Draco compression and similar extensions.
Texture CompressionTexture Compression illustratedlack of support for Texture Compression illustrated
Texture Compression: supported in CATIA, but not in USD.

Texture compression refers to a process of compressing 2D texture images for memory-efficient rendering (and sometimes for efficient transmission). The decompression of compressed texture data is therefore performed on-the-fly during rendering, so that it never has to be stored in unpacked form, but can be kept as-is in GPU memory. Formats supporting texture compression methods, such as the ones offered by glTF through KTX2 containers, therefore allow 3D models to use a smaller memory footprint on the client device during rendering. This can speed up rendering time, and also make it possible to store and use larger amounts of texture data than it would otherwise be possible.
Embedded TexturesEmbedded Textures illustratedlack of support for Embedded Textures illustrated
Embedded Textures: supported in CATIA, but not in USD.

Embedded textures allow the storage and exchange of an entire 3D model and its materials within a single file, by embedding the texture images directly into the 3D file (and not storing them as separate image files). Without support for this feature, textures have to be stored in separate image files, and referenced from the main 3D model file.

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

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 CATIA and USD 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.

Best-in-Class 3D Processing. Try RapidPipeline, for Free.

No credit card needed.

Try for Free

Meet the Author

author image

3D Knowledge Team

3D Technical Artists

RapidPipeline lets you convert, optimize and prepare your 3D models, easily.
Try it today, or meet our human 3D experts. The Best-in-Class Tools for Your 3D Processing Jobs