What are CATSetting & CATPreference files?
3DEXPERIENCE platform stores certain user interactions in files. These are used to ensure that user preference or selection is remembered for future operations.
These files have the Suffixes .CATSetting & .CATPreference, and are referred with their suffix, or commonly called CATSettings in general.
◼ CATSettings- modify the behavior of the application
CATSettings file stores the changes done by the user using Me > Preferences menu.
For example, application window customization, background colors, part and print settings, etc. They can be modified while working on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform as long as they are not locked by administrators.
These type of settings get generated on starting 3DEXPERIENCE in User mode.
◼ CATPreferences- contain user preferences set by the user when using certain applications, stored and recalled from one session to another
CATPreference is only a memory of user interaction, like a list of values entered in certain editable fields. They are stored as preferences, but are not settings.
For example, if a hole is created with 10mm diameter, this value will be stored and at next instance of hole creation this value will appear as default. This value can be changed again. This improves efficiency, speed and ease of working.
Preferences are automatically created by certain applications, and not using the Me > Preference command.
What affects CATSettings & CATPreferences files?
Everything a user does inside 3DEXPERIENCE affects CATSettings & CATPreferences (directly or indirectly) and vice versa.
These are affected by
- Me > Preferences parameters
- Action Bar attributes
- Windows settings
- Licenses used
Where are these Files Stored?
The default folder is: C:\\Users\\
◾ By Default, File-Based Mode is Active. Setting files are stored in folder referenced in the 3DEXPERIENCE platform runtime environment by the CATReferenceSettingPath and CATUserSettingPath environment variables.
◾ Database mode can be activated to store these files in the server Database. Settings will be stored in the Database and retrieved on local machine whenever the user starts Native app and logs in.
▶ For more information, you can also check This Article
▶ For details on how to switch between File-Based and Database Modes, please have a look at the Whitepaper attached at the end of this post.
What can I do with these CATSettings?
◼ Copying CATSettings files- Copy Customized Settings to a New Computer
When a user is working on more than one computer and needs to have the same preferences and settings on multiple computers, then the relevant settings files can be copied and pasted with Windows Copy-Paste commands from this location between different computers: C:\\Users\\
◼ Students/Team Leaders may find it useful to have a copy of their CATSettings that can be reused on other computers for self or other team members, so that all can use the same Me > Preferences.
◼ Reference Settings- Set Standard Settings for Users
Reference settings ensure that every user follows the norms, standards, or legacy practices set by an organization.
Admin can create these types of settings and also pre-set their value. Further, the admin has control to decide whether the user is allowed to change the value of the settings.
These type of settings are generated when starting 3DEXPERIENCE in the Administration mode.
Users cannot use the CATPreference files generated by admin, hence it cannot be administered.
◼ Team may find it useful to setup Reference Settings that every user will follow in the team. It is a slightly more complicated process to setup Reference Settings (than simply Copy-Pasting), for more details, please check the White Paper on this topic, attached at the end of this post..
◼ Resetting/Deleting CATSettings files- Clear User Customized Settings
In some cases when a specific function is not working properly, possibly due to improper customization by the user, it can be Reset by the user under Me> Preferences. This is possible from the UI itself, with the reset button.
For resetting the parameter, click the Reset option placed at the bottom left corner of the window. The Reset Options window will pop up as shown below:
The options are as follows:
◾ Reset Current Section: restores default settings for the options under Preference Pages that was last modified.
◾ Reset Pages At Present Node: restores default settings for the options under Preference Pages on the right side of the Preferences dialog box.
◾ Reset All: restores default settings for all options for all nodes belonging to a quadrant or a set of common preferences.
◼ Incase the User needs to start afresh, and if Reset using the UI is not feasible (if you are unable to Launch 3DEXPERIENCE platform due to the incorrect settings), to clear all the stored user customizations, the relevant CATSettings files can be deleted from this folder:
C:\\Users\\
◼ Students may find it useful to reset preferences/ delete relevant CATSettings files if you have incorrectly modified the Settings.
Note: Deletion of these files causes the loss of user customization or preferences.
◼ Locking Settings- Block User from Customizing Settings
The admin has control to decide whether the user is allowed to change the value of the settings. Admin can set up certain values for certain settings and disallow user from modifying them.
◼ Team Leaders may find it useful to lock Settings to block modifications by team members in certain cases.
▶ For more information, you can also check This Article
▶ For details on how to setup Reference Settings, please have a look at the Whitepaper attached at the end of this post.
For detailed information on CATSettings, please have a look at this White Paper:
DS_WhitePapers_3DEXPERIENCE_R2023x_CATSettings_Use_and_Recommendations.pdf
Edu 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA Community Knowledge
