gCAD3D_basics_en.htm
Description: gCAD3D-Documentation

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    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