The following settings are recommended up to CATIA V4.2.4 (Dassault) and Unigraphics NX 1.0.1.2.

CATIA - System

• 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 inconsistancies.)
• 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 seperate Bodies should be avoided.
• Objects used for boolean operations should show good penetration.

• Option ?Use Short Names? should be deselected (unless appropriate libraries are available).
• Recommended settings in Declaration File:

• CATST1.STEP.USE_SHORT_ALIAS=FALSE
• CATST1.STEP.EXPORT_NO_SHOW=FALSE
• CATST1.STEP.EXPORT_UNUSED_DETAILS=FALSE

• In the filename synthax special characters must be avoided.

• Select Product Data and one or more of the options Solid, Surface, Wireframe (depending on model) in menu Translation Control -> Modules.
• Use default settings in menu Translation Control (Tolerant Modelling).

• Shaded view is helpful for a first impression of model quality.
• By choosing menu option Information -> Object -> Type -> Solid Body -> Select all correctly transferred solids are identified with red colour. (same way with other model types)