The Complete STL 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 STL to CATIA, if you'd like to know more about the formats, please check out the following links:

Converting and Optimizing STL Files to CATIA

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

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

What are STL and CATIA files commonly used for?

The STL file is a format mostly used for 3D printing.
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 STL and CATIA

FeatureSupported by STL Supported by CATIA
Morph TargetsNo Partial0
Rigid AnimationsNo Yes
Skinned AnimationsNo Partial1
AnimationsNo Yes
Free-Form SurfacesNo Yes
Geometry CompressionNo Partial2
Quad MeshesNo Yes
Basic 3D GeometryYes Yes
PBR MaterialsNo Yes3
Transparent MaterialsNo Yes
Vertex ColorsNo Yes
MaterialsNo Yes
Scene CompositionNo Yes
Hierarchical Scene GraphNo Yes
Scene NodesNo Yes
Standardized FormatYes Partial4
Embedded TexturesNo Yes
Multiple UV ChannelsNo Yes
Normal MappingNo Yes
Procedural TexturesNo Partial5
Texture CompressionNo Partial6
Texture TransformsNo Yes
TexturingNo 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.

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Limitations of STL Files to CATIA Conversion Workflow

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

STL Feature (not supported by CATIA)Limitation Details
Standardized FormatStandardized Format illustratedlack of support for Standardized Format illustrated
Standardized Format: supported in STL, but not in CATIA.

Standardization plays a huge role in 3D model formats. With a format being standardized, every application will have a clear way of how to load or store data using this format. This makes it easier to re-use the 3D model across different applications, but also to make sure it will still be accessible and usable after a couple of years.

What's the best way to get STL 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 STL 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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