CATIA CAA Automation & Customization for V5 &V6

CATIA CAA is the most advanced way to extend and automate CATIA V5, offering greater control, speed, and seamless integration than macros or scripts.

CATIA CAA Project Services

We specialize in developing powerful, custom applications and automation scripts for CATIA using its CAA (Common Application Architecture) API to streamline your design processes, eliminate repetitive tasks, and boost productivity with bespoke CATIA CAA solutions.

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LEARN CATIA CAA ONLINE

Our online training provides comprehensive, hands-on instruction in C++ programming, CATIA’s Common Application Architecture (CAA), and Rapid Application Development Environment (RADE).

Learn to develop custom applications, automate repetitive tasks, integrate CATIA with other systems, and significantly boost engineering productivity.

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Hire CATIA CAA Developers

Struggling to find the right talent for your CATIA CAA development needs? We provides experienced CATIA CAA developers and trained engineering resources, ready to integrate seamlessly with your team and tackle your most complex automation and customization challenges.

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Why Use CATIA CAA for Automation & Customization?

CATIA CAA is the most advanced way to extend and automate CATIA V5, offering greater control, speed, and seamless integration than macros or scripts.
Automate complex modeling tasks like part creation, assemblies, and design rules
Create custom features, dialogs, menus, and toolbars within CATIA’s native UI
Integrate CATIA with PLM, ERP, and external systems for seamless data exchange
Boost performance and reliability with compiled C++ applications
Standardize and scale design workflows across engineering teams

What is CATIA CAA?

CATIA CAA (Component Application Architecture) is the official development framework from Dassault Systèmes, designed to help developers build powerful, custom applications and automation tools within CATIA V5. Built using C++ and the CAA RADE (Rapid Application Development Environment), it gives direct access to CATIA’s internal APIs and architecture.

Unlike simple macros or scripting, CATIA CAA enables developers to:

  • Create custom features and UI components – such as new commands, toolbars, and dialog boxes

  • Automate complex geometry, assemblies, and design logic – for consistent and efficient design workflows

  • Integrate CATIA with PLM, ERP, or external databases – enabling seamless data exchange across systems

  • Develop high-performance tools – used by design, simulation, and manufacturing teams

Because CAA applications are built on the same core architecture as native CATIA modules, they ensure seamless integration and enterprise-grade performance, making CAA the most robust and scalable platform for CATIA V5 customization.

What You Can Do with CATIA CAA

  • Create Custom Features and Geometry
    Develop new part, assembly, and sketch features tailored to your needs

  • Build Custom UI Elements
    Add menus, toolbars, and dialogs fully integrated into the CATIA interface

  • Automate Complex Design Tasks
    Programmatically generate parts, assemblies, and constraints

  • Interact with CATIA’s Data Model
    Access and manipulate internal structures like parameters, constraints, and properties

  • Integrate with External Systems
    Connect CATIA to PLM, ERP, databases, and configuration tools

  • Develop High-Performance Applications
    Use C++ and CAA RADE for fast, secure, and enterprise-grade tools

  • Control Design Rules and Standards
    Enforce company-specific logic and automate design validation

  • Create Scalable Automation Frameworks
    Build robust solutions that can be deployed across engineering teams

How CATIA CAA is Structured

CATIA CAA is built on a modular, object-oriented architecture that follows the Component-Based Model (COM/DCOM), ensuring scalability and deep system integration.

It leverages the following core technologies:

  • C++ Programming Language – for high performance, memory management, and flexibility

  • CAA RADE (Rapid Application Development Environment) – includes headers, libraries, and Visual Studio templates tailored for CATIA development

  • Interface-Based Programming – to interact with CATIA documents, geometry, UI components, and system objects

Using these tools, developers can build DLLs (Dynamic Link Libraries) that plug directly into CATIA V5, enabling them to extend, customize, or override native functionality seamlessly.

Access & Licensing

CATIA CAA development requires a licensed copy of CATIA V5 along with the CAA RADE (Rapid Application Development Environment) toolkit, which is available as a separate Dassault Systèmes product. Licensing is typically managed through your Dassault reseller and may require additional modules depending on the scope of your development.

To get started, you’ll need:

  • A valid CATIA V5 license

  • The CAA RADE toolkit (purchased separately)

  • A supported C++ development environment (e.g., Microsoft Visual Studio)

  • Access to Dassault documentation and APIs (available through your license)

Organizations planning enterprise-level customization may also consider a partnership with Dassault Systèmes or authorized CAA development consultants for support and integration.

Key Features and Capabilities of CATIA CAA

  • Advanced Geometry Automation
    Programmatically create sketches, features, bodies, and assemblies

  • Custom UI Integration
    Add new toolbars, commands, dialogs, and menus directly in CATIA

  • Custom Feature Development
    Build reusable, company-specific features with custom logic and parameters

  • External System Integration
    Connect CATIA with PLM, ERP, databases, or Excel for seamless workflows

  • High Performance
    Compile C++ code into DLLs for faster, more reliable execution

  • Full API Access
    Leverage CATIA’s internal architecture and interfaces for deep customization

  • Modular & Scalable
    Develop large-scale, maintainable automation solutions for enterprise use

Benefits of Adopting CAA in Your Organization

Automate complex design workflows to save time and effort.
Reduce manual errors and enforce design standards across teams.
Ensure consistency and repeatability in modeling processes
Build secure, high-performance tools tailored to your engineering needs
Improve productivity and design quality through smart automation
Integrate seamlessly with PLM, ERP, and other enterprise systems
Streamline product development from concept to delivery
Gain a competitive edge with scalable and customizable CAD solutions

CATIA CAA Architecture and Development Workflow

CATIA CAA is built on a component-based architecture using C++ and COM interfaces, the same foundation used by Dassault Systèmes to develop CATIA itself. This gives developers full access to CATIA’s internal functionality with enterprise-grade performance.

🔄 Development Workflow:

 

  1. Set Up Environment
    Install CAA RADE, configure CATIA environments, and set up Visual Studio.

  2. Write Code in C++
    Use CAA interfaces to control geometry, assemblies, parameters, and UI elements.

  3. Compile to DLL
    Build the application as a Windows DLL using RADE libraries and tools.

  4. Deploy in CATIA
    Load the compiled DLL into CATIA using environment variables or startup configs.

  5. Run Your Tools in CATIA
    Access your custom commands via CATIA menus, toolbars, or command panels.

🌍 Real-World Use Cases Across Industries

CATIA CAA is widely used in industries where precision, automation, and scalability are critical. Here are some real-world examples:

Automotive

  • Automate generation of parts, holes, ribs, and fasteners based on design rules

  • Create feature libraries for standardized component design

  • Integrate CATIA with PLM systems for automated BOM and property updates

Aerospace & Defense

  • Build custom tools for airframe structures and sheet metal design

  • Develop plugins for compliance checks and design validation

  • Automate repetitive modeling tasks across large assemblies

Industrial Machinery

  • Create parameter-driven templates for components and assemblies

  • Auto-generate documentation, dimensions, and naming conventions

  • Develop toolkits for automated enclosure, frame, and chassis design

Tool & Die Design

  • Design jigs, fixtures, and tooling based on part geometry

  • Automate mold component creation with smart part recognition

Product Design & R&D

  • Rapidly test design variations with automated configurations

  • Streamline CAD-to-analysis workflows by integrating simulation prep tools

Who Should Use CATIA CAA?

CATIA CAA is ideal for engineers and developers who need advanced automation and customization in CATIA V5.
It’s best suited for CAD automation specialists, C++ developers, and teams working with large models, standardized workflows, or
PLM/ERP integration. For professional, scalable CATIA solutions, CAA is the go-to platform.

How CATIA CAA Fits into Enterprise Engineering Workflows

  • Enables full control over the CAD process across the organization

  • Supports development of custom tools that match internal design standards

  • Automates repetitive modeling tasks, improving efficiency

  • Ensures data consistency across teams and departments

  • Integrates seamlessly with PLM, ERP, and configuration systems

  • Facilitates smooth data exchange and end-to-end process automation

  • Speeds up design cycles and reduces time-to-market

  • Improves collaboration across design, engineering, and manufacturing teams

  • Enhances traceability and data management throughout the product lifecycle

  • Scales effectively for large engineering teams while maintaining flexibility

Why Companies Invest in CATIA CAA

Automate repetitive tasks and accelerate design workflows

Enforce modeling rules, templates, and best practices across teams

Build tools that ensure consistency, accuracy, and compliance

Develop features tailored to industry-specific workflows and requirements

Seamlessly connect CATIA to PLM, ERP, and other digital platforms

Compile and secure automation logic in professional-grade applications

Deploy tools that support collaboration and efficiency at scale

Enable innovation, reduce lead times, and improve time-to-market with smarter CAD solutions

Future-Proof Your CATIA Design Process with CAA

  • Supports long-term scalability as design and automation needs grow

  • Enables innovation through custom tool and feature development

  • Automates workflows to improve design speed and reduce manual effor

  • Integrates with enterprise systems like PLM and ERP for streamlined operations

  • Keeps your organization ahead of industry trends in CAD and engineering

  • Creates a flexible, future-ready CAD environment adaptable to evolving business needs

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