How to find Catia file version and release information without using Catia?

Catia files are forward compatible i.e. you can save a Catia V5R18 file in Catia V5R19 or above easily without any issues and can prevent the specification tree history. However, it does not offer backward compatibility i.e. files modeled in later release cannot work with prior version perfectly and you will lose specification tree if you open it. Also, you should not save the file else you will also not be able to open it in the release it was modeled and it will be corrupted. 

In case you do not have Catia installed and just have a file, and want to find out the last version and release in which it was saved, without opening the file in Catia, you can do so using the following steps.

Finding version and release information using Notepad

1. Open notepad.

2. Use File > Open > Select the Catia file, to open Catia file in notepad.

3. Search for catiav in the file using Ctrl + F

4. You will be able to see the version and release information in which it was last saved. You can use this version to open the file.

CAUTION: Do not save the notepad file or make changes, else the file may get corrupted.