How to convert CATPART to STL
- Add your .CATPART file - drop it in the box above or click to browse.
- Convert it to .STL in a few seconds.
- Download your new .STL file.
What to expect
- Curved surfaces are approximated as triangles - use the finest tessellation setting your file size budget allows to reduce visible faceting.
- Parametric feature history and dimensions are permanently lost on export; keep the original
.CATPartif edits may be needed. - CATIA parts default to millimetres; confirm your slicer's import unit matches to avoid a 25× scale error.
Frequently asked questions
Can I convert a CATPart to STL without a CATIA license?
Yes. CAD Assistant by Open Cascade is free, reads CATIA V5 parts natively, and runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Autodesk Fusion 360 is also free for personal use.
What tessellation quality should I use for 3D printing?
In CATIA, a sag of 0.05 mm suits most FDM prints; in CAD Assistant or Fusion 360, use the Fine preset. Re-export with a finer setting if curved surfaces look faceted in the slicer preview.
Why does the model appear 25 times too large in my slicer?
A unit mismatch: the STL was exported in millimetres but the slicer interpreted it as inches. Set the slicer's import unit to mm to match the CATIA default.
Can I edit the STL after converting?
You can reshape the triangle mesh in Blender or Meshmixer, but parametric CATIA dimensions cannot be recovered - go back to the
.CATPart for any dimension changes.Programs that convert CATPART: CrossManager · PolyTrans|CAD+DCC · CATIA · 3ds Max (3D Studio Max) · Alibre Design Professional · TransMagic · Autodesk Inventor · EnSuite
