The Complete DGN to CATIA Conversion Guide.

August 01, 2025

General Information

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

Converting and Optimizing DGN Files to CATIA

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

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

What are DGN and CATIA files commonly used for?

The DGN file is a format mostly used for CAD and infrastructure design data.
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 DGN and CATIA

FeatureSupported by DGNSupported by CATIA
Morph TargetsNoPartial0
Rigid AnimationsPartial1Yes
Skinned AnimationsNoPartial2
AnimationsPartial3Yes
Free-Form SurfacesYesYes
Geometry CompressionNoPartial4
Quad MeshesYesYes
Basic 3D GeometryYesYes
PBR MaterialsPartial5Yes
Transparent MaterialsYesYes
Vertex ColorsYesYes
MaterialsYesYes
Scene CompositionYesYes
Hierarchical Scene GraphYesYes
Scene NodesYesYes
Standardized FormatPartial6Partial7
Embedded TexturesPartial8Yes
Multiple UV ChannelsPartial9Yes
Normal MappingPartial10Yes
Procedural TexturesNoPartial11
Texture CompressionNoPartial12
Texture TransformsYesYes
TexturingYesYes

0 - Basic morphing capabilities available through parametric modeling and feature-based design changes.
1 - Basic animation for construction sequencing
2 - Limited support for skinned animations, mainly through assembly motion simulation rather than character animation.
3 - Simple animation support for design sequences
4 - CATIA supports various compression techniques for geometry data, particularly in the 3DXML format, though not as extensively as dedicated compression formats.
5 - Limited PBR support in newer versions
6 - Open specification with some proprietary extensions
7 - While CATIA files are proprietary, the software supports many industry standards and has openly published the 3DXML format specification.
8 - Textures can be referenced or embedded
9 - Limited multi-texturing capabilities
10 - Basic normal mapping for visualization
11 - CATIA supports procedural materials and textures through its advanced material system, though primarily focused on engineering applications.
12 - Basic texture compression is supported, mainly for visualization and lightweight formats like 3DXML.

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Limitations of DGN Files to CATIA Conversion Workflow

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

DGN Feature (not supported by CATIA)Limitation Details

What's the best way to get DGN 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 DGN 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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