The Complete Creo to CATIA Conversion Guide

July 16, 2025

General Information

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

Converting and Optimizing Creo Files to CATIA

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

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

What are Creo and CATIA files commonly used for?

The Creo file is a format mostly used for Advanced parametric 3D CAD/CAM/CAE software for mechanical engineering and product development.
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 Creo and CATIA

FeatureSupported by CreoSupported by CATIA
Morph TargetsNoPartial0
Rigid AnimationsYesYes
Skinned AnimationsNoPartial1
AnimationsYesYes
Free-Form SurfacesYesYes
Geometry CompressionNoPartial2
Quad MeshesYesYes
Basic 3D GeometryYesYes
PBR MaterialsPartial3Yes
Transparent MaterialsYesYes
Vertex ColorsPartial4Yes
MaterialsYesYes
Scene CompositionYesYes
Hierarchical Scene GraphYesYes
Scene NodesYesYes
Standardized FormatPartial5Partial6
Embedded TexturesPartial7Yes
Multiple UV ChannelsPartial8Yes
Normal MappingNoYes
Procedural TexturesNoPartial9
Texture CompressionNoPartial10
Texture TransformsPartial11Yes
TexturingPartial12Yes

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 - Basic PBR material support through appearance properties and rendering capabilities, but not as advanced as dedicated rendering software.
4 - Limited vertex color support, mainly through part coloring and display properties rather than per-vertex color data.
5 - Creo uses proprietary file formats but supports extensive import/export of industry-standard formats like STEP, IGES, and others for interoperability.
6 - While CATIA files are proprietary, the software supports many industry standards and has openly published the 3DXML format specification.
7 - Textures can be included with appearances but with limited embedding capabilities compared to graphics-focused formats.
8 - Limited multi-UV support, mainly through basic material and appearance assignments rather than complex UV mapping workflows.
9 - CATIA supports procedural materials and textures through its advanced material system, though primarily focused on engineering applications.
10 - Basic texture compression is supported, mainly for visualization and lightweight formats like 3DXML.
11 - Basic texture mapping capabilities through appearance properties, but not as advanced as dedicated 3D graphics applications.
12 - Limited texture support primarily through appearance and material properties for visualization purposes, not extensively used in typical engineering workflows.

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Limitations of Creo Files to CATIA Conversion Workflow

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

Creo Feature (not supported by CATIA)Limitation Details

What's the best way to get Creo 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 Creo 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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Meet the Author

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3D Knowledge Team

3D Technical Artists

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