ZwCAD 2008 is a CAD Software product from zwcad.org, get 5 Stars SoftSea Rating, ZwCAD is an AutoCAD alternative for all CAD users. As a strong DWG-based CAD software, ZwCAD provides you a high degree of compatibility with AutoCAD (2.5-2006). You also can use AutoCAD commands and all AutoCAD's ADS, AutoLIPS, VBA programs and MNU, DCL, SHX, and SCR scripts in ZwCAD, but without any further training.
ZwCAD offers smooth Microsoft Windows integration plus many unique productivity features, including the capability to open multiple drawings at once; an IntelliCAD Explorer that lets you review and exchange drawing content with drag-and-drop ease. You can graphically customize menus and toolbars and manage your drawing using visual tools that enhance your productivity.
ZwCAD Basic Features:
1 Compatibility
DWG Support
ZWCAD's native file format is DWG, so it can open, edit, and save any existing DWG file generated by DWG Versions from 2.5 to 2007, without conversions or data loss. Therefore, ZWCAD is compatible with a wide range AutoCAD-generated content.
Command and Alias
The command and alias procedures of ZWCAD are also compatible to AutoCAD.
Friendly User Interface
The arrangement of menu, toolbars, drawing area, command line and properties palette, and the arrangement of dialog boxes, is similar to AutoCAD, letting AutoCAD -trained users able to work immediately with ZWCAD.
Resource Files
All the resource files from mainstream CAD platforms can be used in ZWCAD, such as Windows TTF or SHX fonts, linetypes (.lin), hatch patterns (.pat), slides (.sld) and unit files (.unt).
Creating and Modifying 3D Models
Use ZWCAD to create simple 3D models of your designs. You modify 3D shapes through commands such as Union, Subtract, Intersect and so on.
Programming with ZWCAD
LISP, VBA, SDS and DRX provide interfaces for customizing and extending ZWCAD. LISP is a programming language designed for extending and customizing ZWCAD functionality. Microsoft VBA is an object-oriented programming environment designed to provide rich development abilities similar to those of Visual Basic 6 (VB). The main difference between VBA and VB is that VBA runs in the same process space as ZWCAD, providing a faster programming environment. SDS is an acronym for Solutions Development System, a C/C++ language interface compatible with ADS? (AutoCAD Development System) and interfaces found in other CAD systems.
2 Features
* Export
You can export your current drawing to bmp, wmf, emf, svg, dwf, eps, pdf and sat formats with the Export command.
* Audit and Recover
By using Recover or Audit, you can recover some or all of the data in a damaged drawing file. When a drawing was saved improperly, such as during a software crash, you can use Recover to protect your work.
* Layer Properties Manager
Layer management is used to freeze or thaw, lock or unlock, and modify various properties of layers. Any current layer state can be archived in States Manager for reuse in other projects.
* Linetype Manager
Linetype Manager allows you to add a new linetype from existing linetype file (.lin). You can also change the name and description of a linetype and specify Global scale factor or Current object scale factor to achieve the proper size. It is easy to separate different linetypes by Linetype Filters, which contains a comprehensive list of linetypes.
* Lineweight Settings
ZWCAD supports different lineweights, allowing you to display them by different scale factors. You can also set a default lineweight for every new drawing.
* Text
There are multi-line text and single-line text abilities in ZWCAD for annotation of drawings, with options for text style, font and metrics. You can create as many text objects as you need with these text styles. ZWCAD is also able to create texts fit to any arc with the "Arctext" command.
* Drawing
The majority of drawing commands in ZWCAD are compatible to those in AutoCAD. Those already familiar with AutoCAD commands and features can draw in ZWCAD without much re-learning.
* Editing
ZWCAD contains a full set of editing tools to modify both ZWCAD- and AutoCAD-generated documents. Standard functions include: copy, move, array, mirror, offset, trim, and so on.
* Dimensioning
While editing objects in ZWCAD, you may make a dimension-by-dimension command series. With ZWCAD, you can easily manage different dimension styles within your project.
* Xref Manager
Attach external references to your current drawing with Xref Manager. Link the referenced drawing to the current drawing; if you make any changes to referenced drawings, the current drawing will be updated automatically when re-loaded.
* Block and Attribute
Create blocks and save them into your current drawing or as an external file. You can also create blocks with attributes which can be extracted to an external file if necessary.
* Raster Image Manager
ZWCAD lists all the image files associated with a drawing, along with details such as pixel width, color depth, resolution, and the file path. Raster Image Manager allows you to attach new image files and detach, locate, reload, and unload attached images within your drawing.
* View Ports
View ports are areas that display different views of your model. As you work in the Model tab, you can split the drawing area into one or more adjacent rectangular views known as View Ports. ZWCAD is able to save your view ports configuration for use in future drawings.
* Real-Time Zoom and Pan
Instantly switch to different detailed views of a drawing.
* Unlimited Undo/Redo
ZWCAD history allows you to "Undo" and "Redo" actions unlimitedly. When there are frequently changes, it is often more handy to backstep instead of deleting and redrawing.
* Plotting
You can print your drawings easily by selecting your settings in the plot dialog box. ZWCAD supports CBT plot style and page setup, allowing you to set your default plotter type, paper size, plot area, plot scale and so on. The license of this design software is Freeware, you can free download and free use this Design software.