# 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

Interactions

Supplementary Programmes

Functions for documentation

Development History of gCAD3D

gCAD3D uninstall

RemoteControl

tutorial-videos

###

### 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

####

### 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

####

### 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.
    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.

    Uninstalling gCAD3D

    Linux:

      if gCAD3D was installed with a packetmanager (eg a debian-package)
      you should use this packetmanager for removing the program.

      Manually:
      rm -rf ~/gCAD3D
      All files are located in the directory ~/gCAD3D/

      See also InstNonDeb_en.htm

    MS-Windows:

      Use ControlPanel / Software /  Remove

      or
        Use the program UnInstall from the gCAD3D - Main Menu

      or manually:
        Delete folder (installation-directory)\gCAD3D
        gCAD3D does not use the Windows Registry
        all files are located in path (installation-directory)\gCAD3D.
          (Installation-directory is usually C:\Program).