How to export CATIA V5 3DXML files for 3DVIA
3D models make our world possible - and fun too! Whether our 3D models are the internal bulkhead of the next major airliner or the latest clothing mod for our hot avatar, 3D makes it better. 3DVIA.com is a gathering place for all kinds of models and modelers. Check out the latest architectural ideas or explore historical steam engines for some perspective. Learn some cool new things and have some fun.
In order to keep the fun factor up and the frustration factor down, this post provides some useful tips to export your CATIA models so that they can be easily uploaded and shared on 3DVIA.com.
Dassault Systemes’ CATIA is a creative tool that is highly respected throughout the world for its wide-ranging capabilities. Fortunately; Fabrice Pinot, member of the CATIA Solutions team in Suresnes, France, has kindly offered some valuable information to help make it as easy as possible to export your CATIA V5 models in a way that allows them to look their best on 3DVIA.com.
So, in his own words:
There are 2 options that are very important for the 3DXML exports from CATIA V5 to 3DVIA.com.
First is the type of 3D mesh which is used for the geometry. At the present time, the supported mesh in 3DVIA.com is specified in the following option, it is a mesh in ASCII code.
The second option deals with 3D Accuracy:
For products; where all the parts have roughly the same size, such as consumer goods or hi-tech products, we recommend setting a fixed accuracy from 0.1 to 0.2.
Fixed 3D Accuracy sets a fixed sag value (from 0.01 to 10), which is used for calculating tessellation on all objects and does not vary with object size. The sag value defines the chordal deviation for curves and surfaces. The “curve chordal deviation” represents the maximum distance between a polyline (“chord”) whose end points lie on a curve and a point on the curve:
For detailed models of cars, boats or planes, we recommend setting a proportional tessellation of 0.1 to 0.2 as you may have small parts and huge ones. In this case tessellation is calculated according to object size: the larger the object, the coarser the tessellation. For the same 3D accuracy setting, the tessellation on small objects is always finer than on large objects. Please note that the toggle does not represent a distance, but a parameter, as the actual sag will depend on the object’s size.
Of course, in both cases, the finer the parameter, the larger the 3DXML file. Uploaded files are limited to 10MB on 3DVIA.com. If your file is bigger, then toggle this 3D accuracy parameter in order to be below this value.
Other tips:
Products originally created in CATIA V5 have the Z axis as the vertical axis, so there are no modifications to perform to have them appear in the proper orientation in 3DVIA.com. If this is not the case, it is always possible to insert this product into a newly created one and rotate the inserted model with the 3D Compass.
Textures created in CATIA V5 are supported, do not hesitate to use them. It gives a better aspect of your product at a minimum cost.
SPECIAL NOTE: These suggestions are valid for V5R18 and V5R19SP1. V6 compliance and tips are in the works. Stay tuned.
Thank you Fabrice, for making it easier for 3DVIA.com users to upload their CATIA models!
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Don – should we change your title to “professor” because your laying down the lessons! Also thank you Fabrice for the assistance.
je suis desollé mais meme en metant vos options sous CATIA V5R19 ça marche pas
damned
Help
BostonDave – Fabrice provided the meat – I just added a little sizzle! Yum…
i would like to chose it as my most usefull site
Bonjour je suis nouveau dans ce domaine
Bonjour! Welcome. My French is horrible, but we look forward to seeing your models here too.
sachin – That’s great! Tell your fellow modelers!
sadw
very good
@marcus – I’m glad it was helpful
I am still finding problems, uploading a CATIA 3Dxml file. it says “Media Error”
And this blog does not allow to upload / insert a picture of it along with this statement of blog
Can you do a screen capture of the part of the post that you want to use and then send it to Support?
I have the same problem. How you solved this?
There have not been any answers posted here on 3DVIA. CATIA questions are best answered by your VAR or user group.
Thanks for information..
Hello, I have downloaded one of your 3dxml files for Catia. When I open it; the file is loaded but I can see nothig but the tree. What can I do in order to visualise the product?
Thank you very much
I have contacted our CATIA conversion expert. He will probably want to know which model it is and which version of CATIA you are using, including the rev too please.
Great tips!
Hello, unfortunately I don’t have that 3Dxml tab in my opitons window in v5r19 neither in v6r2009.
Also in v6r2009 I can’t save an editable and native CATIA v6r2009 file, I just need to send one by email to another catia v6r2009 user. I know there’s no more catpart and catdraw files because of the vault files system.
I find no way to work in standard-windows-files (not vault) and consequently sharing editable CATIA files with others. I think this is a must have and very basic feature for such a powerful soft.
Anyway, I hope v6r2011 let me work in standard awindows file system as someone told me.
Please someone help me with some guide to export 3dxml format in v6r2009.
Thank you very much and sorry for my english.
Hello Juan,
I have passed on your questions to someone who will probably know the answer. As soon as I have a reply, I’ll let you know.
Your VAR or local user’s group may also be able to help.
Don
Hello Juan,
The folks at CATIA would like to know who you are affiliated with (company or university) because they find the questions very strange based on their experience.
Thanks,
Don