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Are you looking for a free CATIA to SolidWorks translator?

Question asked by Debankan Chattopadhyay on Aug 29, 2013
Latest reply on Apr 4, 2014 by James Pare

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If you're looking for a free CATIA to SolidWorks translator, consider CAT5Works-Lite http://www.cadcam-e.com/FreeCADTranslators.aspx

While you're at it, you might also want to review some of the other cool (and yes, free!!) software we offer on CCE Labs http://www.cadcam-e.com/CCELabs.aspx

We have multi-CAD viewers, translators, geometry simplification software among other things. Bookmark our Labs URL and keep coming back for more free software!

And yes, when you've had a chance to download and use it, do let us know what you think.

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Deepak Gupta Aug 29, 2013 8:56 AM
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Debankan thanks for sharing these free tool and I believe it would be helpful for many of us. But just to add the download process is very cumbersome with the site asking to login with social network ids which are even ban at many companies. So it would be better if you provide a direct link. I know it is a free goodie but but result in more download and utilization if a direct link is available. Thanks.
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- Debankan Chattopadhyay @ Deepak Gupta on Aug 29, 2013 9:14 AM
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  Thanks Deepak. Your point is well taken. Although there is truth to the fact that social logins might not be acceptable at most companies, you will be surprised what people are willing to do to get free software (we monitor download stats closely, and people do use their social logins freely). But thanks for your feedback anyway. Def something for us to consider going forward.
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  - Deepak Gupta @ Debankan Chattopadhyay on Aug 29, 2013 9:34 AM
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    I know that most of us do that but then the use would be limited to personal use only. There is a less chance that tool will be used on the actual data.
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    - Debankan Chattopadhyay @ Deepak Gupta on Aug 29, 2013 9:35 AM
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      Agreed Deepak. Liked I said, your feedback has merit and something we will keep in mind as the site evolves. Thanks again for your insight.
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James Pare Aug 29, 2013 9:08 AM
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It only works with SWX 2008, Not really worth your time!
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- Glenn Schroeder @ James Pare on Aug 29, 2013 9:15 AM
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  If that's the case, maybe they have typewriter ribbons also.
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- Debankan Chattopadhyay @ James Pare on Aug 29, 2013 9:34 AM
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  Agreed, our free software doesn't support the latest SW versions (BTW, we have a paid product called CAT5Works at http://www.cadcam-e.com/solutions.aspx?flag=download which does that). CAT5Works-Lite (the free product) works with SW 2009 and 2010. If you have earlier versions of SolidWorks software (as most of the customers seem to do), you should install it and use it exclusively to host CAT5Works-Lite just for free translations. The SolidWorks data produced by the translator is still usable in your current release of SolidWorks. So now you have a free translator! I have been told by users who use our free software that if you don’t have access to earlier versions of SolidWorks software, you should contact your SolidWorks reseller to get it. It’s free.
  
  You might want to check this out - CADInsider does make a good point about our software:
  http://cadinsider.typepad.com/my_weblog/2013/06/cce-solidworks-catia-translator-is-free.html
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Guillaume Millet Apr 4, 2014 7:42 AM
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If one has CATIA, then CAT5Works-Lite seems completely useless since it just imports parts as imported solids, there is no functions nor dimensions. What is the difference with using STEP as intermediate file type?
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- Felix T. @ Guillaume Millet on Apr 4, 2014 8:38 AM
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  Hello Guillaume,
  
  Because this software is free, you can't expect to have a great quality product.
  If you want a CATIA importer which can keep functions and dimensions, you can buy CrossCad/Plg, which is certified SolidWorks Gold Product, supports new SolidWorks versions and is regulary updated.
  http://www.datakit.com/cad-convertors/catia-v5-3d-to-solidworks-3d/3-catia-v5-3d-to-solidworks.html
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- Debankan Chattopadhyay @ Guillaume Millet on Apr 4, 2014 9:46 AM
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  >> "If one has CATIA, then CAT5Works-Lite seems completely useless..."
  
  Hello Guillaume,
  
  We have never positioned our software for folks who already have CATIA. Our software (both the free CAT5Works-Lite and the commercial CAT5Works software) is available as SolidWorks add-in and meant for people who want to work with CATIA data in SolidWorks, but do NOT have access to CATIA software.
  
  Agreed that this software does not have all of the functionality available in the paid product, but isn't that acceptable for free software? Of course, our free version does not have all the bells & whistles of the paid product, but it still is very useful for a lot of people who download and use it every single day. And it being free, has nothing to do with quality - it has to do with functionality. There is a difference.
  
  At the end of the day, people have choices - especially for CATIA translations in SolidWorks. We have a product to do that, and so does some of my competitors. Heck, even Dassault has one today. So, it really is for the customer to test the product and make a decision based on what will work for them. Clearly, the pie is big enough for all of us to co-exist, isn't it?
  
  Thanks,
  -Debankan
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Alin Vargatu Apr 4, 2014 9:06 AM
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Don't forget that SOLIDWORKS also sells an official CATIA importer.
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- James Pare @ Alin Vargatu on Apr 4, 2014 11:36 AM
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  Just my thoughts
  The catia translator software should be included in SWX Premium
  Both softwares are owned by the same company, it's not like they would need to pay for the use of the translator
  
  Some other softwares come with a Catia translator included
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