Introduction

CATIA Visual Scripting is a visual, no-code application for creating parametric designs on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Designers connect operations in a graph to define how geometry is generated and how it responds to changing inputs. The application is available through the Visual Script Designer role (GGR).

 

For example, imagine a panel’s surface changes, and the pattern across it needs to change too. The spacing, size, and placement of its features all depend on related decisions. Visual Scripting gives designers a way to express those relationships together, so they can explore variations through a defined set of inputs.

 

How does it work in a design workflow?

A Design Sequence contains the operations that produce a result. In the graph editor, each node represents an operation, while its connections define how inputs and results pass between operations. Parameters let the designer control selected values within that sequence.

 

The sequence can generate points, curves, surfaces, and volumes, as well as work with meshes and data. Its geometric outputs can support downstream activities such as detailed design and manufacturing preparation.

 

Imagine our previous panel example covered with repeated geometric features that gradually increase in size from one edge to the other.

 

In this illustrative example, a sequence could define:

  • A supporting surface for the pattern.
  • Positions distributed across that surface.
  • A rule that varies feature size according to position.
  • The resulting geometry, controlled by adjustable size and spacing values.

 

Increasing the spacing would produce a more open pattern. Adjusting the size rule would change how strongly the features grow across the surface. Both variations would follow the same underlying sequence, giving the designer a consistent basis for comparison.

 

The sequence becomes a reusable description of how the pattern is built. Its usefulness depends on choosing inputs and relationships that reflect the design intent.

 

Where does Visual Scripting add value?

Design exploration, complex geometry, and reusable algorithms are all central benefits.

 

A team can capture a design approach, adjust its parameters, and reuse that logic in later work. Specialized operators can extend the available capabilities, with some requiring additional roles or applications.

 

For a team exploring several versions of a concept, reusable logic provides a common starting point. The same sequence can express the relationships shared by the alternatives, while adjustable inputs let the designer investigate their differences.

 

If a task repeatedly combines similar operations with different inputs, it may be a good candidate for a reusable sequence.

 

Do you need to know how to code?

No, you don’t need to know how to code. You assemble operations graphically, which makes algorithmic modeling accessible without starting with a programming language.

 

But, there is room for expansion. R2024x introduced the ability to create custom operators with Python and reuse User Features as operators in the graph, giving teams a path from visual building blocks toward more specialized functionality when needed.

 

The first skill to develop is describing a task clearly: which inputs it needs, how the operations depend on one another, and what the output should contain. Writing code becomes relevant when a team chooses to extend the available functionality.

 

How is CATIA Visual Scripting different from xGenerative Design?

CATIA Visual Scripting runs within the installed 3DEXPERIENCE rich client. xGenerative Design is a web application that uses cloud computing. However, they do share the same algorithmic approach, graph editor interface, and core operator library. Plus, xGenerative Design models can be reused and modified in Visual Scripting. For more details and capabilities, check out the R2025x release.

 

How can a team start exploring Visual Scripting?

We suggest starting with a familiar task whose results you can judge easily. Choose a small set of inputs, define the relationships between them, and decide what a successful output should look like before building the sequence.

 

For the panel example, begin with a single size rule and adjustable spacing. Check how each parameter affects the result before adding further complexity. This keeps the first exercise focused enough to reveal whether the sequence captures the intended behavior.

 

Start with one recurring design problem and a few meaningful variables. As the sequence develops, your team gains a method it can inspect, refine, and reuse when the next variation is needed.

 

Conclusion

Visual Scripting gives designers a way to capture the relationships behind a model and carry them into the next iteration. When dimensions, patterns, or inputs change, a well-defined sequence provides a consistent method for exploring the resulting geometry. The designer remains responsible for choosing the rules and evaluating whether the results meet the project’s requirements.

 

For teams considering where to begin, a useful question is: which parts of our design process follow rules we could use again? A familiar task with recurring operations can provide a manageable starting point. As those relationships become explicit, the team gains a method it can inspect, refine, and reuse as the design evolves.

 

For even more information and the latest on UI changes, User Operator enhancements, and more, check out the R2026x update.

 

Frequently asked questions about CATIA Visual Scripting

What is the difference between CATIA Visual Scripting and Visual Script Designer?

CATIA Visual Scripting is the application used to build and edit visual design sequences. Visual Script Designer is the 3DEXPERIENCE role that provides access to the application. Some specialized capabilities require additional roles or applications.

 

Can geometry created with Visual Scripting be used in further design work?

Yes. Dassault Systèmes describes the geometric outputs as reusable for downstream activities, including detailed design, template instantiation, and manufacturing preparation. This allows a design sequence to contribute geometry to a broader CATIA workflow.

 

Can existing CATIA User Features be reused in a visual script?

Yes. Dassault Systèmes documents support for reusing User Features as operators in the graph editor in R2024x. This provides a way to incorporate existing parametric templates into an algorithmic design process.

 

Does CATIA Visual Scripting only work with geometry?

No. In addition to generating geometry, CATIA Visual Scripting can process data. For example, the R2025x FD02 update introduced dataset operators that group geometry and attributes, simplify complex lists, and support workflows involving tables.