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I began using CATIA^® V5 in February of 2000.  At first I was a bit  frustrated because V5 didn't look or behave like CATIA^® V4.  The design methodology is different, so that's taken some getting used to.  

Since then, I have really come to appreciate the software.  I now enjoy using it much more than CATIA^® V4.  

As of this writing, CATIA^® V5R17 is the latest release.  To find out more about this latest release, click here.

In recent months, many questions have arisen regarding CATIA^® V5.  As a long time CATIA^® user and instructor, I thought it might be helpful if I put together this FAQ page to help answer some of the more commonly asked questions regarding CATIA^® V5.  I hope you find it helpful.  Please check back, as I will be updating this page as new information becomes available.  

Test-drive CATIA^® V5 from your PC

What is CATIA^® V5? 

Here's what IBM has to say about CATIA^® V5, "CATIA Version 5 (V5) is a completely re-engineered, next-generation family of CAD/CAM/CAE software solutions for product lifecycle management from IBM.  It helps you, and companies of all sizes, leverage the benefits of e-business to increase your competitiveness and responsiveness to your customers, and to improve your time to market.

Through its exceptionally easy-to-use state of the art user interface, CATIA Version 5 delivers innovative technologies, for maximum productivity and creativity from product definition through to product in service."

Why the need for V5?

One answer is competition.  CAD systems like ProE, AutoCAD, and Unigraphics have all "leapfrogged" over CATIA^® V4 when it comes to the user interface.  CATIA^® V5 provides a very "slick", Windows-type interface.   This, however, is an oversimplification of a complex issue.  In reality, there are many reasons why the switch to V5 is necessary.  Ulrich Sendler, a leading  authority on 3D CAD, has written a white paper on "state-of-the-art of 3D CAD in an Internet / intranet-based world".  This is a must-read for anyone interested in CATIA^® V5, the evolution of 3D CAD, and where this technology is headed.  

Is CATIA^® V5 going to replace CATIA^® V4?

Absolutely.  Daimler-Chrysler is expected to begin a new car program in the very near future using CATIA^® V5, exclusively.  Ford will be making the transition to CATIA^® V5 over the next two years.  Toyota has abandoned its in-house CAD system, TOGO-CAD, and has switched to CATIA^® V5.

Are my V4 skills going to be obsolete?

Absolutely not.  When I first sat down at a V5 workstation, it seemed like a totally new CAD system to me.  V5 was at release two at the time.  Since then, CATIA^® V5 has matured considerably.  Much of the V4 functionality has been added to V5.  The user interface and design methodology are different, so it will take some getting used to.  If you've used the "Dynamic Sketcher" in V4, you have a head start on CATIA^® V5.  Unlike CATIA^® V4, V5 has excellent HTML-based help files.  So learning V5 is much easier than trying to learn V4.  However, most companies cannot afford the time necessary to allow employees to train themselves, so count on taking some CATIA^® V5 training (from me).

I'm using another CAD system, but I'd like to learn CATIA^®.  Should I take V4 or V5 training?  Or should I wait?

With the down-turn in the auto industry, many CATIA^® V4 designers have found themselves out of work.  That makes it particularly difficult for a "new" CATIA^® V4 user to find work.  Unless you have a CATIA^® V4 job waiting for you, forget CATIA^® V4 training.

If you've been around this business any time at all, you know this a largely an industry of procrastination.  As such, most suppliers (and V4 designers) are going to wait until the absolute last possible second before making the switch to CATIA^® V5.  When they do, the suppliers, head-hunters, etc. are going to be looking high and low for anyone who has CATIA^® V5 training or experience.  Those that have thought ahead and taken CATIA^® V5 training will be able to write their own ticket (at least for a while).  With Ford, Daimler-Chrysler, and Toyota (perhaps GM) switching to CATIA^® V5, a bidding war for the CATIA^® V5 talent will ensue unlike anything that has been seen since the glory days of manual drafting.

So you have two choices.  You can be proactive and learn CATIA^® V5 now and prepare yourself for the inevitable.  Or you can be reactive and wait until the last minute like the tens-of-thousands of other people who'll be lined up waiting to take CATIA^® V5 training.  

Be careful not to end up like many of the PDGS designers I've spoken to in the last couple of years.  They were promised SDRC training if only they would stick around and finish up what little PDGS work that needed doing.  The free training never came, and when the PDGS work was finished, so were they...tossed out along with their obsolete CAD system.  This left most of them in quite a quandary, no job, no marketable skills, and no money for training. My recommendation is to take CATIA^® V5 training as soon as possible.

Do you offer CATIA^® V5 training?

Yes, we've been providing CATIA V5 training since the fall of 2001. 100% of our training is now CATIA^® V5.  For more information regarding our CATIA^® V5 training, please click here.

Test-drive CATIA^® V5 from your PC

NOTE: CATIA^® is a registered trademark of Dassault Systemes and has no affiliation with Practical CAD Training.