When working in CATIA, we often repeat the same features, sketches, or design logic across different parts. Instead of rebuilding everything from scratch, CATIA gives us two very powerful tools: Power Copies and User Features. Both help us reuse design elements, but they work in different ways and serve different purposes.

If you have ever wondered “When should I use a Power Copy?” or “Why do companies prefer User Features?”, this guide will make everything clear, in simple and human-friendly language.

What Power Copies and User Features Have in Common

Before discussing their differences, let’s start with what they share.

Both tools allow you to:

• Reuse geometry or design logic

• Build templates that save time

• Duplicate elements like points, lines, sketches, pads, pockets, and more

• Include knowledge objects such as formulas, rules, and parameters

They also use the same basic structure:

1. Components Definition

These are the features you want to duplicate.
Example: sketches, pockets, planes, rules, etc.

2. Inputs

These are external references you need to reselect when you insert the template.
Example: picking a face or edge during instantiation.

3. Parameters

Values that control the template.
You can “publish” parameters so users can edit them when they insert the template.

So far, they look similar but what they do for you is very different.

Power Copy: The Smart Copy/Paste

A Power Copy is like an intelligent version of copy/paste.

When you instantiate a Power Copy:

• All the features appear normally in the specification tree

• You can edit every feature (sketches, constraints, the pocket, etc.)

• There is no permanent link to the original template

• You can modify anything after inserting it

This makes Power Copies great for situations where you want flexibility.

Imagine this:

You build a polygon pocket.
>You want to reuse the logic on many other solids.
>You still want to edit the sketches, parameters, and constraints later.

→ Use a Power Copy.

Important note

If the original reference changes while defining the Power Copy, CATIA may update inputs automatically. But once the Power Copy is created, each new instance is independent.

User Feature: Create Your Own Custom Feature

A User Feature is more advanced and more “protected.”

When you instantiate a User Feature:

• You only see one single feature in the tree

• All the internal construction features are hidden

• Only published parameters and inputs are visible

• It behaves like a custom CATIA feature

This is ideal when you want:

• Clean and simple trees

• Protected internal geometry

• Company-standard features

• Strong design control

• No risk of others editing internal construction

Imagine this:

You design a parametric polygon cut with several sketches, formulas, and constraints.
You want your team to use it, but you don’t want them to modify the internal logic.

→ Use a User Feature.

This is why User Features are commonly used in companies that work with templates and standards. They help maintain design consistency.

Catalog Use and Knowledge Integration

Both Power Copies and User Features can be saved into catalogs.
This is extremely useful when you want a full library of reusable templates:

• Standard holes

• Custom ribs

• Company profiles

• Reinforcement features

• Surface elements

• Knowledge-based templates

You can combine them with Knowledge Patterns, macros, and automated scripts.

Important to remember

When you export catalogs, make sure the templates are not inside aggregated representations like:

• A 3D Shape within another Part

• A representation grouped inside another representation

Otherwise, the export may fail.

Exemples

• How to Create a Power Copy (Simple Step-by-Step)

Here is a clean and easy walkthrough.

Step 1 — Open the reference product

Open the part that already contains the geometry you want to convert into a template.

Step 2 — Start the Power Copy command

Go to:
Tools → Power Copy

Step 3 — Fill in the basic information

• Give your Power Copy a name

  • Example: PowerCopy-Polygon

• Select the features you want to include

  • Example: select the Pocket feature

Step 4 — Understand each tab

Definition tab

• Shows all components

• You can right-click → Add all authorized inputs

Inputs tab

• Lists the inputs needed during instantiation

• You can rename them for clarity

• You can reorder them (Up / Down buttons)

Parameters tab

You can publish parameters that users will modify later, such as:

• Depth

• Polygon thickness

• Offset 1

• Offset 2

Properties tab

You can also:

• Change the icon

• Add a screenshot preview with “Grab Screen”

Step 5 — Validate

Click
OK.Save your file.

Your Power Copy is ready to be reused anywhere.

• How to Create a User Feature (Simple Step-by-Step)

Step 1 — Open the reference product

Same as before, open the part that contains your geometry.

Step 2 — Start the User Feature tool

Go to:
Tools → User Feature

Step 3 — Name your feature

Example: UserFeature-Polygon

Step 4 — Select components and inputs

Select the same components you used for the Power Copy example.

Step 5 — Publish parameters

Go to the
Parameters tab.Example:

• Select Pocket.1 \ FirstLimit \ Depth

• Click Published Name

• Rename it to Depth

Do this for the parameters you want users to edit.

Step 6 — Save your file

Save the User Feature inside your database.

Now it can be used like a custom CATIA feature.

How to Instantiate a User Feature

There are two ways to instantiate a User Feature:

1. Instantiating from a Representation (Stored in Database)

Use this when your User Feature is saved in a library.

Steps:

1. Open the new part

2. Go to Tools → Instantiate from Representation

3. Select the 3D Shape representation

4. Select your User Feature

5. Pick the inputs (e.g., a face + an edge)

6. Click Preview → OK

The polygon appears in your part as one clean feature.

2. Instantiating from a Selection (Loaded in Session)

Use this when the representation is already open in your CATIA session.

The process is similar, but faster:

• Simply select the User Feature in the tree

• Choose the inputs

• Validate

Power Copy vs User Feature — Simple Summary

Both Power Copies and User Features can drastically speed up your work in CATIA. However, the best choice depends on what you need:

If you want flexibility, then choose Power Copy.

On the other hand, if you want protection and a clean structure, you should choose User Feature.

By understanding the difference, you can create smarter templates, save time, and keep your models clean and consistent. This applies whether you are working alone or collaborating within a larger engineering team.

• Autor
• kürzliche Posts

Hanen Bdioui

Vertriebsentwicklungsvertreter bei ChampionXperience

Hanen Bdioui is the Editor-in-Chief at ChampionXperience, where she leads content on CAD, VR, and emerging engineering technologies. She works with Dassault Systèmes as a Content Creator and SOLIDWORKS Application Engineer, and contributes as a technical writer for Engineering.com and EngineeRules, covering topics in CAD, PLM, and simulation. Hanen also creates specialized content for 3DEXCITE, the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, and Onshape, supporting engineers and companies in adopting modern digital workflows.

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