Catari streamlines scaffolding design with Octave BricsCAD

Catari is a leading company in the metal‑mechanical sector, specializing in the development, production, and commercialization of scaffolding systems and collective protection equipment. Their engineering team prepares detailed scaffolding studies and technical projects that prioritize precision, safety, and alignment with client needs.

Today, the Catari Group aims to be a global reference in scaffolding, engineering, and associated services, ensuring their solutions are available worldwide. Their notable projects include renovations at Madrid Atocha railway station, restorations of Zagreb’s iconic Brutalist skyscrapers and Lisbon’s Belém Tower, and upgrades to a Nestlé factory in Mexico.

The Challenge

Catari’s workflow for designing scaffolding structures involves creating or importing 3D building models and requires handling a wide range of design inputs. Efficiently managing these formats on a single platform was essential to avoid delays, reduce software costs, and maintain accuracy throughout a project lifecycle.

Their projects often evolve as client needs or site conditions change, making fast, accurate updates critical. Catari also needed a CAD platform fully compatible with PON CAD, a scaffolding design add‑on currently supported by only two CAD platforms.

The Solution

Since Catari adopted Octave BricsCAD, it has become an essential part of their engineering workflow. As Marcelo Magalhães, Project Manager at Catari, explained:

“We have been using BricsCAD for over a decade now. Overall, it's been a really good experience. BricsCAD has helped us deliver projects faster, work more consistently, and present our solution more professionally.”

“When we looked for a CAD solution, we wanted something that was easy to use, high-performance, and cost-effective. And BricsCAD offers all of that.”

Their CAD workflow starts with creating or importing 3D building models, analyzing them, designing scaffolding structures adapted to architectural constraints, preparing drawings for budgeting and client approval, and finally producing detailed assembly documentation.

Interoperability and BIM Integration
Octave BricsCAD BIM allows Catari to import DWG, RVT*, IFC, PDF, and ACIS SAT files without additional conversion tools.

“The fact that BricsCAD can import many different file formats represents a great asset for Catari, especially for the design department. This import capability not only facilitates the process but also contributes to significant time savings and cost reduction, as it eliminates the need to purchase other software for converting and integrating these formats,” noted Magalhães.

To prepare each project, Catari begins by creating a precise 3D model of the structure using client‑provided plans or integrated BIM models. This ensures the scaffolding design aligns perfectly with the building’s geometry and the client’s requirements. The team then conducts a detailed study of how the scaffolding will be implemented on site, verifying compatibility with architectural features and ground conditions. This careful analysis ensures that every solution is safe, functional, and fully adapted to the project's specific constraints.

“Currently, what motivated us to continue investing in BricsCAD was its BIM component, where interoperability between different software and BricsCAD proved to be a significant added value.”

“As we work with several companies, it was not always easy to open or view the information needed to develop projects, and BricsCAD's ability to handle this integration made the process more efficient,” said Magalhães.

Catari also exports FBX and DWG files for 3D models for marketing and client presentations, as well as IFC files for on‑site assembly teams.

Greater Speed and Less Rework
BricsCAD’s AI-driven tools help Catari automate repetitive tasks and maintain accuracy, such as Optimize, Simplify, Copy Guided, and Move Guided.

“Modeling is faster and more precise, which reduces errors and rework. The assembly plans we produce are clear and detailed, improving on-site safety and efficiency. It's also much easier to update projects when changes come in, allowing us to respond to a client quickly.”

Integration with Add-ons
BricsCAD works seamlessly with PON CAD, enabling fast, precise scaffolding design and quantity calculations critical to Catari’s engineering workflow. One of many add-ons supported by BricsCAD, integration with PON CAD gives Catari a simpler, more efficient approach to structure design and maximum accuracy for technical details.

Flexible Licensing and Cost Efficiency
Catari has found BricsCAD’s perpetual and network licensing options offer long‑term value compared to subscription‑only models.

“In addition to simple and intuitive functions, as well as a user-friendly layout and fluid performance, BricsCAD is relatively more affordable compared to most other CAD programs. Another significant advantage is the flexibility in licensing options. BricsCAD offers network licenses and perpetual licenses, offering greater adaptability to the team's needs,” said Magalhães.

The Results

BricsCAD has enabled Catari to deliver projects faster by accelerating 3D modeling, simplifying BIM integration, and allowing quick updates when client requirements or site conditions change. Collaboration has improved significantly, as the team can easily share FBX files with marketing for animations, DWG files for internal coordination, and IFC files for on‑site assembly teams who rely on accurate, detailed information.

The quality and efficiency of Catari’s work have also increased, thanks to clearer assembly drawings, more accurate material calculations, and better visualization for both clients and technicians. These improvements contribute to a more professional presentation of Catari’s solutions, from sales materials to technical documentation.

After more than ten years, Catari continues to rely on BricsCAD as a trusted, high‑performance platform supported by a growing user community and continuous product enhancements.

“BricsCAD support is very good. The updates and the new features in every release give us more tools to improve our workflows. Also, the BricsCAD community has been growing over the years, which is great for sharing ideas and learning from other users.”

“I highly recommend BricsCAD. It's powerful, easy to learn, and a great alternative to other CAD tools.”

To see why BricsCAD is the true CAD alternative and how it can support your company’s success, download a free trial today.

*RVT file is a proprietary file format used by Autodesk Revit^®