There are three versions of CATIA which are supported by DS (Dassault Systems), CATIA V5, CATIA V6 and 3DExperience platform
here we will see, difference between various CATIA versions i.e. CATIA V5 vs CATIA V6 vs 3DExperiece Platform. All the CAD software listed in this blog are owned by a French company ‘Dassault Systemes’.
1. CATIA V5
CATIA V5 , that it is CAD software used for 3D parametric modeling. It offers various solutions as listed below,
- Mechanical Design : Part Design, Assembly Design, Drafting etc.
- Shape Design & Styling : Surface design related workbenches.
- Analysis : CAE i.e. Analysis related workbenches.
- Infrastructure : Product structure design, infrastructure etc.
- Machining : NC Machining, Lathe machining, prismatic machining etc
- Knowledgeware : Knowledge based engg, Knowledge expert, knowledge advisor etc.
All other solutions are shown in following image.
2. CATIA V6
CATIA V6 is same tool as CATIA V5. The main difference between V5 and V6 is not with design tools or procedure but the interface and few new workbenches and enhancements. The main difference is ‘Data management’ system used in V6. In Case of CATIA V5, data is stored locally whereas in V6 data is stored in database server i.e. added PDM (Product Data Management) software is used.
CATIA V6 requires additional PDM software which is ENOVIA V6 however ENOVIA V6 is not only PDM but it has various advanced PLM features hence it is known as PLM software rather than PDM software.
This system seems to be difficult but it solves huge problems like data linking, duplication of data, can be accessed from anywhere etc.
There are various releases available for V6 which are between V6R2010 to V6R2013x, and it looks like DS (Dassault systems) stopped developing V6 release due to the new tool 3DExperience Platform.
3. 3DExperience Platform (3DX)
It is advanced version of CATIA V6. It collaborate the DS brands like ENOVIA, CATIA, DELMIA, SIMULIA etc together. It is developed as a single platform to provide all the industry solutions. There are various huge differences between V5 and 3DXP like license management, selling of licenses etc. In V5, it is based on availability of workbenches and here, it is based on industry solution package. Apart from this, modelling point of view, many things are same as V5/V6 but there are huge UI changes.
As of now, there are three releases available for 3DXP, 3DXP 2014x, 3DXP 2015x & 3DXP 2017x and looks like further development for next releases is in process.
