gCAD3D basics
Features
Principles of operation
What gCAD3D can and cannot do
Main modes VWR (viewer) / MAN
(manual text entry) / CAD (interactive graphic modelling)
Codes - Formats
Multi-model support
File formats
Interactions
Supplementary Programmes
Functions for documentation
Development History of gCAD3D
gCAD3D uninstall
RemoteControl
Basics
What gCAD3D can and cannot do
- It can
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Import and display data from Iges, Step, wire frame and solid
objects
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Create and modify wire frame elements
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Create surfaces
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Create simple solid bodies
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Assemble user-created ancillary programmes
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Export wire frame elements as Dxf and Iges
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Export surfaces as Vrml-1, Vrml-2, obj, tw Iges
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It cannot yet
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Create or modify complex solid bodies
File formats
- All objects are filed in analytical form with
all definition parameters saved
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All objects are filed as Ascii text
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The file format, .gcad, is the same as the internal format (Ascii
text, analytical form)
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The objects can also be instanced as mock-up elements, tesselated
for faster loading in assemblies, but without parametrics.
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Analytical export formats: .gcad, .iges
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Mock-up export formats: Vrml-1, Vrml-2, obj, tess
Main modes VWR /MAN / CAD
- There are three main modes:
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Vwr Viewer
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The objects are displayed and cannot be modified or deleted
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Man Manual
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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
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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
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Copies all objects of the active main model to a sub-model
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sub-models/create new sub-model
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Construct and activate a new sub-model
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sub-models/load sub-model from file
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Load a native model from data into a new sub-model
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Using internal sub-models in Cad mode:
- with the function 'M-int.Modell'
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Select sub-models from a list (using MM middle mouse button) or by
selecting a prepared sub-model; Define the model instance position.
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Using internal sub-models in Manual mode:
- by keying in as
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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.
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External models can only = mock-up models (ie Wrl), but cannot
include internal or external sub-models.
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External sub-models are internally cached.
Use of external sub-models in Cad mode:
- Use function 'M-ext.Modell'
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Selecting sub-models from a list (middle mouse button in the
graphics window) or by selecting existing sub-models;
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Define the instance position
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Use of external models in Man mode:
- By keying In as
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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)
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Programme calls (start a plugin)
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Change viewport
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Change the dynamic model parameters
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Description of Cad mode
Description of codes
Supplementary programmes
There are two type of ancillary programme in
gCAD3D:
- Load module, compiled (Language C or other).
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Plugins can use all internal functions.
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Plugins can be unloaded at run time, recompiled and then reloaded.
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Input window can be created with the Gtk toolbox.
- Directly executable programme files, (file type
.gcad;)
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All gCAD codes can be used.
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A dialogue window can be created directly in text code.
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At present, scripts can only be created manually using a text
editor.
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Functions for documentation
- Representation of 2D drawings, 3D models and
photos (bitmaps) in the same display space.
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All images can be generated dynamically
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All display objects can be combined with interactions
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Development History of gCAD3D
- 1995 The first version
named xcad only for Linux and AIX. Graphics and User Interface with
X11.
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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.
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In 1999 gcad was renamed gCAD3D (since approximately 1998 there also
a gcad by Inigo Serna Robledo)
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2003 CAD engine. Ported to MS-Windows.
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2005 Step-import.
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2006 textures.
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2007 Standard Parts (catalogue).
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2008 Script progamme gcap.
2010 64-bit-Version Linux.
Uninstalling gCAD3D
- Linux:
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The program ~ / gCAD3D/gCAD3D_unInstall removes gCAD3D completely.
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or manually:rm-rf ~ / gCAD3D
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All files are located in the directory ~ / gCAD3D /.
- MS-Windows:
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Use Control Panel / Add Remove
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or
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Use the program from the UnInstall gCAD3D - Main Menu
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or manually:
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Delete folder (installation directory) \ gCAD3D
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gCAD3D uses the Windows Registry does not
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all files are located in the (installation directory) \ gCAD3D.
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(Installation directory is usually in C: \ Program).
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Codes and Formats