This Laboratory Manual is part of the series of textbooks that present in an applicative way some basic features and working possibilities of modern computer-aided design programs, responding to the requirement of learning and deepening the CATIA V5 program.
The authors address, mainly, students from faculties with an industrial engineering profile, but also design engineers from companies active in the automotive field, who currently work in this program. Whether they are beginners or have good experience in its use, going through the manual will help them understand and then apply safe, verified working methods, to come into contact with many new notions and options, to try going through the applications explained and those proposed.
Based on teaching experience, the authors designed, structured and wrote this guide for various modeling and simulation applications, presenting numerous options and ways of working with surfaces, parametric modeling, kinematic simulation and with the help of finite elements, assemblies and execution drawing
The explanations and examples considered, in their diversity, are clear, some being supported and completed by video tutorials accessible online. Although many theoretical aspects are mentioned for the purpose of easy browsing of the applications, the guide does not explain all the options of the working tools. Therefore, the user is encouraged to additionally document himself regarding the options encountered in the dialog windows and then to look for new solutions for modeling and solving the applications.
In their drafting, numerous graphic representations, screenshots of the work stages, dialog windows, etc. were also used, to which, where necessary, explanations and annotations were added. These support the user in understanding the explanations and highlight some important selections (geometric elements or options).
To verify knowledge, the last chapter of the book contains numerous proposed applications, presented in the form of execution drawings for modeling parts using surfaces and some assemblies. The user, through individual study, is invited to model them in 3D, possibly also using the solutions offered as video tutorials. The proposed models are didactic in nature, with different degrees of difficulty and particularities of form and functional role. Depending on the level of knowledge acquired, these 3D models can be made by several methods, similar or completely different from the proposed video solutions. The appendix at the end of the guide contains a list of video tutorials that is constantly evolving, being recommended for users who want to improve their advanced use of the CATIA V5 program.
Users are advised to open and follow the pages of this guide with concern and perseverance, to patiently go through the stages of the applications presented, to explore other options or ways of working, and then to successfully apply the knowledge acquired in their own professional activity.
The authors have made a consistent effort and passion for the creation of all the written and video materials contained in the guide. This is more than a teaching manual that presents some modeling and simulation methods, being designed as a generator of ideas and knowledge, so necessary for the preparation of students.
The authors hope that the guide, through its content, will rise to the level of exigency that they have proposed and to be truly useful and a source of inspiration for all those who will have the curiosity and need to open it and learn from the knowledge presented.
Users are also encouraged to explore and submit other application troubleshooting solutions, links to their own video tutorials, and to contribute suggestions to improve the content of future editions.
Authors
Bucharest, January 2026