CATIA can be opened in three different ways.
a) The first method is that you double click on the icon present on the desktop. This is perhaps the way you start all other programs too in Windows.
b) Second method which pertains to windows only is that you open the task manager by using the ctrl+alt+delete buttons simultaneously and start the process “cnext.exe”.
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| Using command to start Catia |
c) Third method is that you issue the "cnext.exe" command from the start menu using run. The third method also pertains to windows only. All three methods are essentially the same since each is starting the cnext.exe process in the background.
File types
The file types are nothing to be worried about, as these are created automatically by Catia. A thing to keep in mind is the version of Catia in which you are working since compatibility issues can arise if you try to open files created in one version of the software with another version.
Catia does not support backward compatibility i.e. a file saved/opened in V5R19 can be opened in R 19, R20 or higher version. However, you would not be able to open the file in any previous version like R18, R17 etc.
You can downgrade a file and open in previous Catia versions down to R6, however, specification tree would be lost and it would be solid without any history. Alternatively, you can save the file as STEP which would give the same result as downgrading. Saving the file as STEP is more straightforward than downgrading.
What is GUI (Graphical User Interface)?
GUI refers to the Graphical user interface of the software. The interface is essentially a collection of windows, tools and working area which helps the user interact with the software. User is able to select different tools, apply commands, manipulate the model with the help of GUI. It comprises of menu bar, work area, specification tree, prompt zone, toolbars etc.
Application window - The GUI of the software consists of the application window, which is essentially the window screen within which the software operates. So basically it is the overall envelope on the screen that is occupied by the software.
Menu bar - Menu bar is also known as the main menu which is present on the top. It has the options "File", "Edit", "View" etc. all options that you generally see in other windows applications.
Toolbars - Every workbench has appropriate tools, suited for the needs of that workbench, these are organised under different toolbars. You can double click on them to send them back inside or bring them out. You can also drag them inside / outside along with using mouse left click. In case a toolbar is missing, you can bring it back from the main menu or right click on any of the toolbar and see the list of visible toolbars at any moment.
GUI refers to the Graphical user interface of the software. The interface is essentially a collection of windows, tools and working area which helps the user interact with the software. User is able to select different tools, apply commands, manipulate the model with the help of GUI. It comprises of menu bar, work area, specification tree, prompt zone, toolbars etc.
Application window - The GUI of the software consists of the application window, which is essentially the window screen within which the software operates. So basically it is the overall envelope on the screen that is occupied by the software.
Menu bar - Menu bar is also known as the main menu which is present on the top. It has the options "File", "Edit", "View" etc. all options that you generally see in other windows applications.
Toolbars - Every workbench has appropriate tools, suited for the needs of that workbench, these are organised under different toolbars. You can double click on them to send them back inside or bring them out. You can also drag them inside / outside along with using mouse left click. In case a toolbar is missing, you can bring it back from the main menu or right click on any of the toolbar and see the list of visible toolbars at any moment.
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| Graphical user interface |
Work area - Work area comprises of specification tree on the left, planes xy, yz and zx at the centre, compass at the top right and whatever geometric model or assembly that you create.
Specification tree - Present on the top left, you would find XY, YZ and ZX plane along with it, it documents all the features, sketches, planes, surfaces and geometries that you create in a part document, it will also let you know the relationship between the features. We will discuss this in more detail in future videos.
3D Compass - The 3D compass can be seen on the top right corner can it can be used to rotate as well as move parts. You simply need to use the left click to do this. This is an alternative way to move part if you are not comfortable using the mouse for navigation. The red dot on the top can be used to freely rotate the part with respect to mouse movements. All you need to do is left click and move the mouse. The 3d compass has some other advanced features too that we will discuss in future videos.
Prompt zone - The prompt zone is present on the bottom left area and this displays appropriate prompt pertaining to the command that you select. For example, if you press the Sketch button from the Sketcher toolbar, it would display the next logical thing to do i.e. to select a plane or planar surface on which you wish to make a sketch. This is handy and provides useful clues for people who are just starting to learn Catia.
Power input mode - Power input mode can be used to invoke commands that you may normally do using toolbars, for example I can enter c:pad command to open pad dialog box likewise c:sketch may be used to draw a sketch. I have seldom used it, but there are oddballs you know, so, I have mentioned it for their sake.
File types
There are many proprietary file types of Catia. These are:
.CATPart,
.CATProduct,
.CATProcess,
.CATMaterial,
.CATAnalysis
.CATDrawing etc.
A file type is associated with the workbench in which it is created. For example, whenever you create a file in any of the workbenches such as Sketcher, Part workbench, Generative Sheet-metal design, Wire-frame and Surface design, Generative surface design etc., it will have the .CATPart extension. Also, with the .CATPart file that you create, you are free to navigate in all the workbenches that are mentioned above and can use any tool present in these workbenches to work on your model. However, suppose, if you need to assemble parts to make a product or sub-assembly, you would need to work with an assembly workbench, and it would require a .CATProduct file. Which is the extension of all file generated in Assembly Design workbench. Likewise files created in drafting workbench of Catia have a .CATDrawing extension.
Likewise .CATAnalysis is the file extension of analysis done on parts to find stress and other value. .CATMaterial is the extension of various materials such as Iron, copper etc. or any material that you create yourself by specifying Young's modulus etc.
Compatibility
.CATProduct,
.CATProcess,
.CATMaterial,
.CATAnalysis
.CATDrawing etc.
A file type is associated with the workbench in which it is created. For example, whenever you create a file in any of the workbenches such as Sketcher, Part workbench, Generative Sheet-metal design, Wire-frame and Surface design, Generative surface design etc., it will have the .CATPart extension. Also, with the .CATPart file that you create, you are free to navigate in all the workbenches that are mentioned above and can use any tool present in these workbenches to work on your model. However, suppose, if you need to assemble parts to make a product or sub-assembly, you would need to work with an assembly workbench, and it would require a .CATProduct file. Which is the extension of all file generated in Assembly Design workbench. Likewise files created in drafting workbench of Catia have a .CATDrawing extension.
Likewise .CATAnalysis is the file extension of analysis done on parts to find stress and other value. .CATMaterial is the extension of various materials such as Iron, copper etc. or any material that you create yourself by specifying Young's modulus etc.
Compatibility
The file types are nothing to be worried about, as these are created automatically by Catia. A thing to keep in mind is the version of Catia in which you are working since compatibility issues can arise if you try to open files created in one version of the software with another version.
Catia does not support backward compatibility i.e. a file saved/opened in V5R19 can be opened in R 19, R20 or higher version. However, you would not be able to open the file in any previous version like R18, R17 etc.
You can downgrade a file and open in previous Catia versions down to R6, however, specification tree would be lost and it would be solid without any history. Alternatively, you can save the file as STEP which would give the same result as downgrading. Saving the file as STEP is more straightforward than downgrading.
Catia Workbench navigation
Catia offers different workbenches, which are essentially environments where tools required for a specific task are present. And we can navigate through them using the "Start" button, present on the top left. Each workbench serves a specific purpose and has tools suited for that kind of work. For example, Drafting workbench will offer tools related to drafting, assembly design will let you assemble parts, Sketcher workbench will let you sketch, which can subsequently be used to create a part in part design workbench, so on and so forth.