gCAD3D

Features
Principles of operation
What gCAD3D can and cannot do


VWR                viewer
MAN                manual text entry
CAD                interactive graphic modelling


Multi-model support
Interactions
Add-On Programs    RemoteControl Processes ScriptPrograms Plugins
Tutorial-videos
Functions for documentation


Codes - Formats
gcad file format


Installation
Build
Development-tools
Development-documentation


License Authors Support
Development History of gCAD3D






What gCAD3D can and cannot do

  
It can
  
  Import and display data from Iges, Step, wire frame and solid objects 
  Create and modify wire frame elements
  Create surfaces
  Create simple solid bodies
  Assemble user-created ancillary programmes
  Export wire frame elements as Dxf and Iges
  Export surfaces as Vrml-1, Vrml-2, obj, tw Iges
    
    
It cannot yet
  
  Create or modify complex solid bodies





Multi-model support
A model can consist of multiple models (sub-models) - 

Functions for creation / use of subModels:
internal subModel
external subModel
CatalogPart


Function to activate subModel:
 - only in VWR or CAD:
 - select modelname in browser-window with right mousebutton;
   - select "activate"


Function to rename subModel:
 - only in CAD:
 - only the active subModel can be renamed
 - select modelname in browser-window with right mousebutton;
   - select "rename"
  NOTE: all external models, where subModel will be renamed, become changed
     into internal subModels.


Function to remove subModel:
 - only in CAD:
 - only the active subModel can be removed
 - select modelname in browser-window with right mousebutton;
   - select "remove"
  NOTE: all external models, where subModel will be removed, become changed
     into internal subModels.





Functions for documentation

  - Display of 2D drawings, 3D models and images in the same display space.
  - drawings/ models can be generated by scripts / templates
  - all display objects can be combined with interactions



  






Development History of gCAD3D

1995  The first version named xcad only for Linux and AIX.
      Graphics and User Interface with X11. 
1998  First version with the name gcad.
      Graphics with OpenGL (Mesa), with GTK user interface.
      The name corresponds to the abbreviated version of GTK CAD.
1999  gcad was renamed gCAD3D (since approximately 1998 there also
      a gcad by Inigo Serna Robledo did exist) 
2003  New CAD engine. Ported to MS-Windows. 
2005  Step-import. 
2006  Textures. 
2007  Standard Parts (catalogue). 
2008  Script progams. 
2010  64-bit-Version Linux.
2011  neutral GUI-Interface, Gtk3-Interface
2012  Debian-packages
2013  RemoteControl, Processes.
2015  License changed to GPL-3.
2020  New module PRCV
2021  New module MDL MDLFN