liminfoCATIA Reference
Free reference guide: CATIA Reference
About CATIA Reference
The CATIA V5 Reference is a searchable quick-reference guide that covers the most frequently used commands across Part Design, Assembly Design, Generative Shape Design (GSD), and Drafting workbenches. Each entry includes the command name, a concise description, and a detailed example with dialog options, parameter explanations, and practical tips drawn directly from real CATIA workflows.
Beyond the core workbenches, this reference also documents essential keyboard shortcuts, mouse navigation techniques for the 3D compass, and complete VBA macro examples including object model basics, parameter read/write, and automated geometry creation. Whether you need to recall the difference between Pad types, set up an assembly constraint correctly, or write a CATMain subroutine, the information is just one search away.
All content is organized into seven categories — Part Design, Assembly, GSD (Surfaces), Drafting, Shortcuts, VBA Macros, and Best Practices — making it easy to browse by topic. The tool runs entirely in your browser with no installation, no login, and full dark mode support on any device.
Key Features
- Part Design commands with full dialog options: Pad, Pocket, Shaft, Rib, Fillet, Shell, and Draft including industry-standard draft angles for injection molding and die casting
- Assembly Design constraints explained with orientation settings: Fix, Coincidence, Offset, Angle, and Update with color-coded constraint status guide (green/orange/red)
- GSD surface modeling entries covering Fill, Sweep (Explicit/Line/Circle/Conic subtypes), Multi-sections Surface coupling modes, Offset Surface, and Split/Trim operations
- Drafting workbench reference for Front View, Section View (Full/Half/Offset/Aligned), Dimension with tolerance notation, and GD&T symbols with datum reference conventions
- Complete keyboard shortcut table including Ctrl+S, F3, F5, Space, and mouse navigation for 3D compass rotation, panning, and zooming
- Three ready-to-use VBA macro examples: basic object model structure, parameter read/write with path syntax, and automated Pad creation from 2D rectangle sketch
- Best practices for feature tree organization with Body separation strategy, naming conventions, Geometrical Set usage, and Power Copy / UDF templating
- Parametric design guidelines covering user parameters, formula linking, Design Table Excel integration, and Knowledge Advisor rules
Frequently Asked Questions
What CATIA workbenches does this reference cover?
This reference covers Part Design (Pad, Pocket, Shaft, Rib, Fillet, Shell, Draft), Assembly Design (Fix, Coincidence, Offset, Angle, Update), Generative Shape Design / GSD (Fill, Sweep, Multi-sections Surface, Offset Surface, Split/Trim), and Drafting (Front View, Section View, Dimensions, GD&T). It also includes keyboard shortcuts, VBA macros, and best practices.
Does the reference include actual CATIA dialog parameters?
Yes. Each command entry lists the specific dialog box parameters you will encounter. For example, the Pad entry covers Type options (Dimension, Up to Next, Up to Last, Up to Plane), Length input, Mirrored extent for bidirectional extrusion, and the Thick option for shell-like shapes.
Can I find VBA macro code examples here?
Absolutely. The reference includes three complete VBA macro examples: a basic CATMain structure showing how to access the ActiveDocument, Part, and MainBody objects; a parameter read/write macro using the Parameters.Item path syntax; and a geometry creation macro that programmatically creates a sketch, draws a rectangle, and generates a Pad.
How are assembly constraint statuses explained?
The Assembly section explains that constraint status is color-coded in CATIA: green means fully constrained, orange means under-constrained with remaining degrees of freedom, and red means over-constrained. Each constraint type (Fix, Coincidence, Offset, Angle) is documented with its usable element combinations and orientation settings.
What GSD surface operations are documented?
The GSD section covers Fill Surface with continuity options (Point, Tangent, Curvature), Sweep with four subtypes (Explicit, Line, Circle, Conic), Multi-sections Surface with coupling modes (Ratio, Tangent then Curvature, Vertices), Offset Surface with self-intersection warnings, and Split/Trim operations explaining the difference between cutting and mutual trimming.
Does it cover drafting and GD&T?
Yes. The Drafting section explains Front View creation with scale, hidden lines, and ISO vs ANSI projection settings. Section View covers Full, Half, Offset, and Aligned types with hatching patterns. The Dimension entry includes tolerance notation (IT7, h6) and Ctrl+D auto-generation. GD&T covers all major symbols including straightness, flatness, circularity, cylindricity, position, concentricity, perpendicularity, and parallelism with datum references.
What best practices are included for CATIA modeling?
The reference includes feature tree organization strategies (Body separation, naming conventions like "Base_Plate" or "Bolt_Hole_M8", Geometrical Set usage), and parametric design techniques (user parameters, formula linking such as Pad.1\Length = Height, Design Table Excel integration, and Knowledge Advisor Check and Rule features).
Is this reference suitable for CATIA beginners?
Yes. Each entry provides step-by-step descriptions with numbered workflows, specific dialog options, and practical tips. Beginners can learn the standard workflow for creating a Pad or setting up assembly constraints, while experienced users can quickly look up specific parameters, keyboard shortcuts, or VBA object paths.