The following settings are recommended up to CATIA V4.2.5 with COM/STEP 4.3.1.0 and I-DEAS 12 NX Series.

CATIA V4 (T-Systems) - System

• No elements should be placed in NOSHOW/NOPICK.
• Model should be cleaned of all unused information, because the translator exports the complete content of CATIA-parts.
  • Delete:
  • Unused DETAILS (in all workspaces) 
  • Unused elements from NOSHOW (in all workspaces)
  • Drawings
• Update SOLID-M into SOLID-E with CATSOE utility.
• Perform SOLIDE/UPDATE, also if message UPDATE ALREADY DONE appears. (Regeneration removes inconsistencies.)
• Generate Volumes from SOLID-E and delete SOLID-E in all workspaces. (Geometry is still exported as a solid in STEP.)
• Scaled and mirrored dittos (EXPLODE function) should not be used.
• Before export elements of special CATIA modules (e.g. PIPING, BUILDING DESIGN) need to be converted to STEP conform elements.
• Use CATCLN.
• Assembly structures in SETs should be transferred to DETAILS.
• Link all SETs if possible (SETS -> LINK).
• Solids/Volumes consisting of separate Bodies should be avoided.
• Objects used for Boolean operations should show good penetration.

CATIA V4 (T-Systems) - STEP Preprocessor

• The COM/STEP STEP Processor can be used in batch, interactive and Java mode. The following descriptions refer to the Java GUI.
• Menu STEP:
  • Select AP214 Version IS
  • Conformance Class: CC2 for geometry and CC20 for drawings
  • Select Product Structure S3: Item_Definition_Structure for assemblies
  • Geometry and topology: select G2, G3 and G5, do not select G4 and G7
• Menu Conversions 
  • Choose Solid as Target modeling system.
  • INDEX and DATA size should always be set to generous values (50000, 200000).
  • Exporting DETAIL/DITTO creates STEP assemblies with the top level product named after the CATIA model. 

STEP File

• STEP files using either version (CD or DIS) can be imported.
• The STEP filename including path should not exceed 41 Characters.
• The STEP filename should not contain: equal sign (=), colon (:), semicolon (;), asterisk (*), question mark (?), quotation marks (""), or comma(,);
• There must be no spaces in the STEP filename.
• The extension *.step of the STEP files must be renamed to *.stp.

I-DEAS NX - STEP Postprocessor

• Save reminder (Options/Preferences/Data Management/ Save reminder every) should be turned off since the translator stops for every alike message. 
• In Menu STEP Export Settings AP214 several options for the used units of functionality can be set.
• A change of the default options is only necessary in case of unsuccessful results.
• If the import was successful, you will get a confirmation message.
• Two log files are generated (filename.ipr and stepoi.ipr):
  • filename.ipr includes the import settings
  • stepoi.ipr includes an import log
• The log files are written in the same directory as the STEP file.

I-DEAS NX – System

• A part is automatically generated from the filename on import. 
• If the part name duplicates an existing part name, the part is renamed
• "Duplicate Part Name X", where X is a sequential number (X=0 for the first duplicate).
• On each import, a new part is created even if the parts are identical. Therefore, the part names must be different.
• On each import, a new part is created even if the parts are identical. Therefore, the part names must be different.
• Use the Automatic Stitch-mechanism for information about open gaps and remaining free edges. It is found in Master Surfacing Module in Menu Surface Operators.
• If free edges are found in solid models, the Automatic Stich-mechanism can be applied to merge free edges by changing default accuracy. For surface models, the edges that build the contour of the model remain free edges.