3DEXPERIENCE CATIA – A Leap Forward in Modern Mechanical Design

When a design drawing can determine the success of an entire production line, the design tool you use must not only meet current requirements but also anticipate future needs.

For many businesses, CATIA V5 was once the core tool for engineering design. However, in the context of intense market competition, increasing customer demands, and faster product launch cycles, the limitations of CATIA V5 have gradually become apparent:

• Outdated interface and slow operations
• Lack of support for complex modeling
• Difficult team collaboration and suboptimal design data management

This is the moment for businesses to make a breakthrough—not just by upgrading software, but by restructuring design thinking with a more powerful platform: 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA.

A Leap from Software to Platform

The biggest difference of 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA lies not in the interface, but in its platform nature.

No longer a standalone software, the new CATIA is integrated into the 3DEXPERIENCE ecosystem, enabling:

• All design data to be stored, shared, and updated in real time.
• Other departments (manufacturing, marketing, management, etc.) to access and collaborate seamlessly.
• Design, simulation, and testing—all performed on a single platform.
• File versions, user permissions, and approval workflows strictly controlled.

👉 This is not just a change in tools; it represents an evolution in how businesses develop products.

Design Experience: Faster – Smoother – More Accurate

Design engineers often perform repetitive tasks, handle multiple objects within a drawing, or check relationships between parts. On older platforms, these tasks are usually time-consuming and prone to errors.

With 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA, every operation has been enhanced:

• Visual and interactive modeling: Rotate, zoom, and interact with models smoothly.
• Contextual menus: Quickly select commands exactly where you need them.
• Command Search & Design Helper: Helps newcomers get up to speed quickly.
• Cross-device access: Work directly from a browser or tablet.
• Advanced modeling tools: Handle complex shapes easily with Resilient Modeling and Natural Shape features.

This makes the design process not only faster and smoother but also significantly more precise.

Extensive Application Library: Design Without Limits

One of the key features that makes 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA stand out is the number and depth of its design applications (apps).

While CATIA V5 – MD2 only provides around 6 apps, the MDG version on the new platform integrates up to 38 applications, supporting everything from:

• Detailed part design and assembly
• Surface modeling
• Manufacturing design
• Engineering simulation

This expanded application library allows designers to work more efficiently and creatively without being constrained by the limitations of traditional tools.

Maximize Design Potential with the Advanced MES Role (HD2)

For enterprises developing complex engineering products—such as industrial equipment, machinery, or multi-component integrated systems—the MES role (Mechanical & Shape Designer – HD2) in 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA is a strategic choice.

This role adds 41 advanced applications, enabling engineers to go beyond geometric design and also:

• Inspect, evaluate, and refine models before production
• Prepare models for 3D printing, simulation, and real-world manufacturing
• Manage the entire product lifecycle, from concept to validation
• Define materials, quality standards, and design classification

👉 All of this is integrated within a single unified platform—no software switching, no external solutions, and no fragmented data.

Not Just More – But Smarter

3DEXPERIENCE CATIA focuses not only on quantity but on connecting and automating engineering knowledge:

• Old designs can be reused and flexibly customized
• Design resources (templates, libraries, etc.) are reused to save time
• Check-points for error detection can be automated
• Expertise in handling complex designs is stored and shared internally

Who Benefits Most from the Transition?

You will see the value clearly if:

• Your engineering team is using CATIA V5 but struggles to scale designs
• The enterprise has multiple product versions that require strict control
• Products demand complex modeling, team collaboration, or simulation
• You are building a digital transformation strategy to standardize design and production

👉 Especially, if you want to lay the foundation for smart manufacturing, 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA is an indispensable piece.

Conclusion

Let your design tool become a lever for acceleration, not a “bottleneck” in your product development journey.

3DEXPERIENCE CATIA doesn’t just offer a new interface or more features—it opens up a completely new mindset for design.