gCAD3D basics



Features

Principles of operation

What gCAD3D can and cannot do

File formats

Main modes VWR (viewer) / MAN (manual text entry) / CAD (interactive graphic modelling)

Multi-model support

Interactions

Supplementary Programmes

Functions for documentation

Development History of gCAD3D

gCAD3D uninstall

Codes - Formats



Basics




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




File formats

All objects are filed in analytical form with all definition parameters saved
All objects are filed as Ascii text
The file format, .gcad, is the same as the internal format (Ascii text, analytical form)
The objects can also be instanced as mock-up elements, tesselated for faster loading in assemblies, but without parametrics.
Analytical export formats: .gcad, .iges
Mock-up export formats: Vrml-1, Vrml-2, obj, tess




Main modes VWR /MAN / CAD

There are three main modes:

Vwr Viewer
The objects are displayed and cannot be modified or deleted

Man Manual
The object codes are displayed in an editing window, and can be created, modified or deleted using a text editor. The changes are reflected in the graphic window

Cad Interactive creation and modification of objects using the graphic window




Multi-model support

A model can consist of multiple models (sub-models). A sub-model can be stored within a model (an internal sub-model) or be imported from external data (an external sub-model)

Internal models

The model name must not include a path (and no '/' or '\'). During the processing of sub-models the sub-model name is cached in /tmp/Mode_ . All internal sub-models are saved inside the model file

Creation of sub-models

sub-models/move main → new sub-model
Copies all objects of the active main model to a sub-model
sub-models/create new sub-model
Construct and activate a new sub-model
sub-models/load sub-model from file
Load a native model from data into a new sub-model


Using internal sub-models in Cad mode:

with the function 'M-int.Modell'
Select sub-models from a list (using MM middle mouse button) or by selecting a prepared sub-model; Define the model instance position.


Using internal sub-models in Manual mode:

by keying in as
M20=”subModell” P(0 0 0) DZ DIY

External sub-models

For these models an external model file must be given. The model name must be a symbolic path. The model file must be in a directory that can be referenced by a symbol; See symbolic file names.
External models can only = mock-up models (ie Wrl), but cannot include internal or external sub-models.
External sub-models are internally cached.

Use of external sub-models in Cad mode:

Use function 'M-ext.Modell'
Selecting sub-models from a list (middle mouse button in the graphics window) or by selecting existing sub-models;
Define the instance position


Use of external models in Man mode:

By keying In as
M28=”Data/Mod1.gcad” P (0 0 0) DZ DIY




Interactions

Any object can be linked to an interaction

On selecting a cad object (anchor object) the interaction is triggered.

Interaction options:

Model calls (ie Html HREF)
Programme calls (start a plugin)
Change viewport
Change the dynamic model parameters


Description of Cad mode

Description of codes




Supplementary programmes

There are two type of ancillary programme in gCAD3D:

Plug-ins

Load module, compiled (Language C or other).
Plugins can use all internal functions.
Plugins can be unloaded at run time, recompiled and then reloaded.
Input window can be created with the Gtk toolbox.

Script programmes

Directly executable programme files, (file type .gcad;)
All gCAD codes can be used.
A dialogue window can be created directly in text code.
At present, scripts can only be created manually using a text editor.





Functions for documentation

Representation of 2D drawings, 3D models and photos (bitmaps) in the same display space.
All images can be generated dynamically
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. License was GPL to CA 2000.

In 1999 gcad was renamed gCAD3D (since approximately 1998 there also a gcad by Inigo Serna Robledo)

2003 CAD engine. Ported to MS-Windows.

2005 Step-import.

2006 textures.

2007 Standard Parts (catalogue).

2008 Script progamme gcap.
2010 64-bit-Version Linux.





Uninstalling gCAD3D

Linux:
The program ~ / gCAD3D/gCAD3D_unInstall removes gCAD3D completely.

or manually:rm-rf ~ / gCAD3D
All files are located in the directory ~ / gCAD3D /.


MS-Windows:
Use Control Panel / Add Remove

or
Use the program from the UnInstall gCAD3D - Main Menu

or manually:
Delete folder (installation directory) \ gCAD3D
gCAD3D uses the Windows Registry does not
all files are located in the (installation directory) \ gCAD3D.

(Installation directory is usually in C: \ Program).







Codes and Formats