The following settings are recommended up to CATIA V4.2.5 with COM/STEP 4.3.1.0 and CATIA V5R24 (Dassault).

• 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

• No adjustment is necessary.

CATIA V5 (Dassault) - STEP Postprocessor

• To import a STEP File please choose File -> Open... and select STEP file.
• Recommended settings in the STEP import options (Tools -> Options... -> Compatibility) :
  • It is recommended to set the Continuity Optimization for Curves and Surfaces for the C2 continuity on Automatic Optimization.
• STEP Assemblies created with the MAPPED_ITEM approach are not supported yet by the CATIA V5 translator.
• The import logfiles "filename.rpt" and "filename.err" gives further information.
• Validation properties are supported.

CATIA V5 (Dassault) – System

• Shaded view is helpful and gives a first impression of the model quality.
• Open.bodies are an indication of faces failures after the import of solids.
• The filename of the imported model must not have special characters.