What is the CATALOG file format?
.catalog files are proprietary binary component library files used by CATIA V5, the CAD/CAM/CAE platform from Dassault Systèmes. They organize reusable CAD components into a hierarchy of chapters, each containing families of standard or parametric parts such as fasteners, bearings, or custom engineering hardware.
Within a catalog, each chapter references external .catpart or .catproduct template files. Components can be driven by design tables, letting engineers select from predefined variants - different diameters, lengths, or configurations - directly from the CATIA V5 assembly workbench. This makes .catalog files central to standard parts libraries, whether from Dassault's own supplier content or a company's internal design standards.
The format is a closed proprietary binary container, sharing the same internal file family as .catpart and .catproduct. It does not use a ZIP-based wrapper and has no publicly documented magic bytes. CATIA V5 runs on Windows and Linux workstations; the format has evolved continuously from R1 (1999) through V5-6R2024 without an extension change.
General-purpose software cannot open .catalog files. Third-party CAD tools such as CAD Exchanger or Kineo 3DViewStation provide limited visualization of catalog content, but full parametric functionality requires CATIA V5. The format is distinct from the server-based catalog system used in CATIA V6 and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWBinary proprietary CAD file. Cannot execute code. Risk is limited to file corruption or supply-chain concerns (malicious geometry). Standard industrial CAD safety practices apply.
Format details
in a nutshell- Microsoft Security Catalog - Windows code-signing catalog (.cat extension - different extension, but 'catalog' files from Windows Update/WSUS use .catalog for package manifests; unrelated to CAD.
- Various software catalog/index files - Several applications use '.catalog' generically as a library or index file (e.g. Adobe Bridge cache catalogs, Lightroom catalog variants); context-dependent.
Programs that open CATALOG files
Windows3 apps
CATIA V5
Paid Use the Catalog Browser (Insert > Catalog Browser or dedicated workbench) to open and browse the .catalog file.
CAD Exchanger
Paid Import the .catalog file via File > Open; exports to neutral formats (STEP, IGES, etc.). CATIA V5 license not required.
Kineo 3DViewStation
Paid Open via File > Open - supports CATIA V5 files including catalogs for viewing. 
Linux1 app
CATIA V5 (Linux workstation)
Paid Same as Windows - Catalog Browser in CATIA V5 for supported Linux distributions. Technical details
deep spec| Format type | Proprietary binary CAD component library |
| Encoding | Binary |
| Byte order | Big-endian (CATIA V5 legacy; Unix/RISC workstation origins) |
| Container | Proprietary CATIA V5 binary container (same internal family as .catpart, .catproduct) |
| Content structure | Chapters → component families → CATPart/CATProduct references with keyword attributes |
| Parametric support | Design-table-driven part variant selection from within CATIA V5 assemblies |
| Typical file size | 100 KB - 50 MB (depends on chapter count and referenced 3D part complexity) |
| Platform | Windows; Linux (CATIA V5 workstation installations) |
| Format continuity | In use since CATIA V5 R1 (1999) through V5-6R2024; extension unchanged |
| Related formats | References .catpart and .catproduct files externally; distinct from CATIA V6/3DEXPERIENCE catalog |
| Third-party support | Limited (CAD Exchanger, Kineo 3DViewStation for visualization only) |
| Released | Late 1990s (CATIA V5 era, initial release 1999) |
| Latest version | CATIA V5-6R2024 (continuous versioning; no separate format version numbering) |
| Specification | www.3ds.com |
CATALOG conversions
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