TrustRadius Insights for CATIA are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, third party data sources.
Recommendations
Users commonly recommend the following:
Receive proper training: Users advise that in order to effectively use CATIA, it is important to receive proper training. They recommend taking classes or getting training from third-party CATIA trainers to learn useful tools and modeling methods. By receiving training, users can maximize the software's capabilities and avoid potential errors or inefficiencies.
Consider other software options: Some users suggest considering other software options such as Pro/E, NX, SolidWorks, or Autocad before selecting CATIA. They mention that these alternatives may provide a better user experience or have more suitable interfaces for certain needs. Users recommend evaluating different software options based on specific requirements before making a final decision.
Carefully choose the license version: Users emphasize the importance of choosing the right license version for CATIA based on individual needs. They mention that CATIA offers various workbenches and functionalities, and it is essential to carefully consider which license features are required for the specific design tasks at hand. Taking the time to select the appropriate license version can ensure optimal use of CATIA's capabilities and avoid unnecessary expenses.
Overall, users commonly recommend receiving proper training, considering alternative software options, and carefully choosing the license version when working with CATIA.
In our organization, we use CATIA for conception 3D, surfacique conception and simulation, we manage data with a plm. We're using CATIA V5. This software is used to adapt assembly and make concept , design new model and so one. This allows us to make change easily for customers also.
Pros
3d conception
surfacique conception
manage data instances
Cons
make more simples options
sometimes crash
improve the ux / ui interface
Likelihood to Recommend
manage big assembly is good but the interoperability with some plm is not good
We are using CATIA for creating models and 2D drawings for supplier and shop floor. Creating detailed drawings can be possible by CATIA . It is also helping us to show detailed assembly model for supplier.
Pros
3D modeling
2D drafting
Assembly
Cons
Sheet metal design module is hard to use
Opening of assembly models sometime take time to open
Likelihood to Recommend
CATIA is best suited for detailing of drawings and models.
Lots of Workbenches here for CATIA you Have to Design Everything. Mostly OEM Company Only Used This. I like That Very Much, Currently, i am designing HYUNDAI, KIA and GENESIS car Automotive parts. Also Drafting for Manufacturing purposes.
Pros
Surface Modeling Method
Easy Updating
Designing, Analysis and Drafting All we done any time
Cons
Some commands not updatable
Need to add more options in Plane and Point command
Surfaced Command need to add some extra Features
Likelihood to Recommend
Regarding absolute axis, wise Designing is a Good method.
VU
Verified User
Engineer in Research & Development (501-1000 employees)
We used CATIA for quick prototyping of the products. Since, the utility trucks are customized according to the customer need, modifications and changes to the basic or existing designs are significant. CATIA helps in the process for modification and generating body trucks easier. Being in the product design and development department required us to keep modifying the existing designs. With CATIA, there was no need to delete the modifying part. Multiple drag points of the original design provides a mesh like design, where not only simple geometry but complex geometries were equivalently easier to modify.
It becomes tedious when making modifications in a large scale assembly parts. However, CATIA made it easier to handle. Different applications of our products require constant modifications to the utility designs. I used to relocate interference of hydraulic hoses of boom assembly, boom bucket modifications, and body modifications of the truck.
One issue I faced is the learning curve of the software. Having many modules requires one to invest time initially. However, once learned it becomes really handy in the industry.
Pros
Surface modelling becomes easy.
Modifications to specific points without affecting adjacent parts
Simulation run with model is really great
Cons
Product modelling becomes difficult. Moreover, needs more steps than other CAD software
Need to sit and learn from a person else, really hard to learn on own
Likelihood to Recommend
When it comes to modelling a product using multiple parts, CATIA becomes tedious. One need someone to sit with and learn with the experience from a frequent user. If switching from any other software to CATIA, it can be intimidating as learning curve is lengthy. For example, when working with complex shape in a knuckle joint, more steps are needed in part modelling. This cause part modelling lengthier and consume time more time, in comparison to SOLIDWORKS.
However, CATIA is tremendously helpful in generating really complex features. Surface modelling is way easier when one know how to use it. It becomes really handy to make changes to the design later as well. The design history tree is also very well organized, which save time in later modifications.
CATIA is being used for our Product Development departments. As I'm working in the automotive industry as a component development engineer, we need to design components and systems that we are responsible for. To develop products in a virtual environment, we need software like CATIA, Solidworks, or AutoCAD. Especially for the surface modeling (which is required for all the exterior and interior of the vehicle) and complex component modeling, and we are using CATIA software. So far, I'm delighted to use it due to its efficiency to resolve the design issues we have.
Pros
Surface modeling module is extremely developed and successful.
2D drafting module is doing the job effectively (AutoCAD is no more required).
Cons
Not user friendly interface (a bit improved with v6)
Difficult mouse operations
Likelihood to Recommend
CATIA is probably the most preferred 3D modeling tool in the automotive and aerospace industries. This specific surface (it can be handled well by the experienced users) is well suited to use parametric design principles and hence result in great products. One of the issues we have in the automotive industry is to work with large surfaces for body exterior (main body, gate, hood.) or interior trim (door, headliner.) panels. CATIA enable us to design surface perfectly through the lines. Also, assembly features for intricate designs (gearbox, exhaust, engine, suspension.) are more than adequate. I did not find any inefficiency while designing products with CATIA. Only the interface and handling of the menu and mouse is not the best - or at least you need time to get used to it.
The whole organization uses it for 3D modeling of new and modified parts, and also modeling assemblies of partial or whole products. It is also used in other plants, but I'm not so sure if it's the standard software used for this type of activity.
Pros
Easy modeling with production steps in mind.
Surface modeling is pretty intuitive and makes possible to design complex geometries faster.
Model edit is practical, making possible to edit a geometry parameter and rerun the program to have the new parameters ready.
CATIA works very well for assemblies too, it makes possible to easily attach parts and bind specific parameters, also to hide parts that are not desirable for the analysis.
Cons
The software is pretty heavy, even with computers designed for heavy-duty loads, resulting in long wait times to load files and make changes, reducing productivity.
Likelihood to Recommend
CATIA works well for modeling complex designs and dealing with assemblies, and also helping with analysis for production line assembly and manufacturing through stamping, molding, injection, and others. CATIA also integrates very well with Teamcenter, the PLM software which we use in our company, making it easy to upload files and dealing with approval processes for new designs - although the time it takes for loading parts and saving could be reduced to improve productivity.
We are using CATIA in our whole company. The main purpose is to draw parts, draft them, do their assemblies, create illustrations, and run optimization studies on them. To create digital models.
Pros
3D design of parts
2D drafting of your part
Assembly creating
Weight, dimension calculations.
Cons
Updating an existing design can become really frustrating. You have to reassign all the radiuses, for example, even if they moved slightly.
CAE function is not that good.
Radiuses are slightly bad and can cause you lots of problems.
Likelihood to Recommend
You can draw any geometry with specific dimensions, with real ease. You can then assemble those geometries together, with a of couple clicks, to have a full finished product. For example, machine parts are very very easy, we have a full vehicle modeled through CATIA. But, CATIA lacks a bit of free-form drawing. It is hard to draw, for example, a face, since it needs lots of tiny touches.
In my organization we have several programs, one of which is CATIA. Depending on each designer and project, one program or another is used. In particular, CATIA is used to model certain types of products that, due to their complexity or precision, cannot be made in others, whether they are separate pieces for later making in an assembly, or a one-piece product.
Pros
Good functions for automotive design.
Easy to use.
It is very precise with measurements.
Creates good renders.
Cons
Better design of the interface.
Is more expensive than others.
Likelihood to Recommend
At first, it can be a little complex to use or learn how to handle it, but after you have practiced it becomes very easy and simple. You can generate different parts and then assemble without any mishap or problem. In the beginning, if you do not know any other program, it can be difficult to remember the different functions, operations or buttons.
I have used CATIA throughout my Aerospace engineering studies in college as well as while working as an Engineer. I have designed everything from complete drones, to tools, screws. So, a wide variety of pieces with different complexities. Mainly, CATIA has been beneficial when having to design complex assemblies, since I think its manipulation tools are some of its main assets.
Pros
There really is no 3D software that offers all the design modules, drafting and assembly options and manipulation tools that CATIA offers.
There are a specific module and tool for just about anything you need to do, so the design process with CATIA can be very optimized.
Great surface modeling capabilities.
Cons
It is NOT user-friendly. It definitely takes a long time to get used to.
Another big disadvantage is that it is EXTREMELY expensive. It is hard to be able to afford a license for private use at home.
Mouse function is not easy to get the hang of in it.
Likelihood to Recommend
I am using this software to design relatively small assemblies. In this context, even though the software is very powerful and offers many possibilities, it would be more convenient to use a less powerful and complex software since the power required for these assemblies is not that much. However, if designing large assemblies or very complex ones, especially in the aerospace industry, CATIA is the way to go.
