01 / FORMAT
What is a catman BIN file?
A catman BIN file is a binary measurement-data file produced by HBK catman.
It can hold sampled channels together with names, units, timing information,
acquisition context, and other headers. The .bin extension alone is
not a universal format identifier, so a generic binary viewer cannot interpret
the measurement structure.
Before choosing a tool, identify the catman version that generated the file, whether you need all metadata, and whether the file contains multiple sample rates or time domains. Keep an untouched source copy before exporting.
02 / OPTIONS
Available ways to open the file
1. HBK catman
Opening the file in catman itself is the most direct choice when a compatible licensed installation is available. It is suited to inspecting channels, plotting measurements, checking acquisition context, and exporting into a supported downstream format. HBK currently lists catman 5.6.5, dated December 2025, but that listing should not be treated as a guarantee for every historical BIN variant.
2. HBK nCode Viewer
HBK describes nCode Viewer as a free option for visualizing and analyzing data in catman projects. It can be useful when colleagues need review access without a full catman workflow. Confirm current download availability, supported file variants, and platform requirements with HBK/nCode before standardizing on it.
3. DIAdem with the catman plugin
HBK currently lists a DIAdem/catman plugin that opens catman .bin
files directly in DIAdem. The listing is version 1.9.0 and dated July 2013, so
compatibility with a current DIAdem installation should be tested rather than
assumed. NI's DataPlugin documentation explains how DIAdem registers and manages
file-format plugins; a 2021 NI Community thread also points users back to HBK's
download page for this plugin.
4. Origin with Catman Connector
OriginLab's Catman Connector imports selected channels from an HBM catman binary file into an Origin worksheet. The official listing shows version 1.01, a minimum Origin version of 2020, and a last update of April 2020. It is a practical fit for engineers already doing interactive analysis and graphing in Origin, but should be validated against representative files before wider use.
5. Python with APReader / apread
The community-maintained apread package reads catmanAP binary files
into Python and exposes channels and groups. It suits repeatable inspection,
custom checks, and integration with an existing Python analysis stack. It is not
an HBK product, requires a Python environment, and still needs compatibility tests
against the catman versions and file structures you actually receive.
03 / ENVIRONMENT
Windows, macOS, and Python considerations
- Windows: HBK lists Windows for catman, and DIAdem and Origin are normally Windows-centered engineering workflows.
- macOS or Linux: a Python approach may be more practical, provided the files are supported and results are validated against a trusted reference export.
- Managed engineering workstations: official desktop tools may simplify support, licensing, and traceability.
- Automated pipelines: Python offers control, but the team owns dependencies, testing, export logic, and error handling.
04 / COMPARISON
Quick comparison
| Option | Best suited to | Environment | Main check |
|---|---|---|---|
| catman | Native review and official export | Windows, licensed software | Version and license availability |
| nCode Viewer | Sharing and visual review | Desktop viewer | Current BIN/version support |
| DIAdem plugin | DIAdem-centered analysis | Windows + DIAdem | 2013 plugin compatibility |
| Origin Connector | Worksheet analysis and plotting | Origin 2020 or later per listing | Representative-file import |
| APReader | Scripts and custom validation | Python 3.9+ per package metadata | Format coverage and output checks |
05 / DECISION
Which method should you choose?
Use catman when you need the native environment and an official export path. Use an established analysis tool when your team already works in DIAdem or Origin. Use Python when automation and custom validation justify owning code and tests. For an unknown file, begin with one representative file and compare channel counts, sample counts, units, and timestamps with a trusted catman view or export.
Compatibility note
File extension alone is not proof of compatibility. Test the generating catman version, data types, time domains, and metadata you depend on.
EARLY-ACCESS RESEARCH
Need to process many BIN files?
BIN Bridge is a planned concept for local batch processing, metadata preservation, and integrity checks. No product functionality is available yet.
Join Early AccessSOURCES