Import, export and print
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Start-Open-Save
Start (New)
Open Model
Save Model
DXF
Iges
Step
VRML-1
VRML-2
SVGWaveFront-OBJ
TESS
BMP, JPG
STL
LWO
3DS
NC-ISO
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File / New
Model Space and all Sub-model spaces are deleted.
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File / Open Model
Load or import a model.
All models can be loaded/imported only from directories with a symbolic path defined.
Symbolic paths (default directories): see Standards/Directories.
DIR-SYM - Button
A select list, which is already known
(A symbolic path exists).
DIR-NEW - Button
A general directory.
After the directory selection a symbolic path name is queried, which is then registered with the default directories.
Files are automatically converted according to the file type; For mockup models and bitmaps, an import-command is generated.
Analytical formats:
Analytical description of curves, surfaces.
File types:
.stp Step
.gs Iges
.dxf DXF (AutoCAD)
.gcad gCAD3D-native
Mockup formats:
Mockup models are ready tessellated models, which very quickly imported.
Dateityp: File type:
.wrl VRML-1 (VRML-2 currently export only)
.obj OBJ (WaveFront)
.stl STL (ascii)
.3ds 3DS
.lwo LWO
.tess gCAD3D-native-tessellated
Bitmap formats:
This allows pictures (pixel images) to be loaded in the 3D space.
File type:
.bmp Microsoft-Bitmap
.jpg JPG
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File / Insert
Load additional models/pictures into the current model.
A corresponding load command is added.
Sub-models are not deleted.
Native models (.gcad) are currently being loaded as the main model.
Several native load models:
Insert, then sub-Models/move_main_--> _new-sub-Model, internal sub-Model position.
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File / Import Mockup native
Switch position ON:
All mockup models (currently OBJ only) will be imported --
This enables these models to be exported as ie WRL or TESS files.
Switch position OFF: (Default)
All mockup models are loaded directly (very fast) but can not be changed/exported.
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File / compress_native_models
Switch to compress the data when saving the model.
The file is uncompressed with .gcad;
The file is compressed with .gcaz.
The compression is done with "gzip-qc {uncompressed}>{compressed}"
The decompression is performed with "gzip-dcq {compressed}>{uncompressed}"
You can use the standard function gzip to compress/decompress models in Unix and MS-Windows without using the cad programme.
The compression rate is about 70%.
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File / Save Model (as)
This saves the main model, with all internal sub-models.
To save only selected objects: see Group -> File
Save Model
This saves the model (native only) with the current model name.
For native data use file extension .gcad
Native data are displayed in the edit window texts.
Save as Model
This saves the model with a new model name; The output format must be chosen.
Formats:
native .gcad Analyt.
DXF .dxf Analyt.
Iges .igs Analyt.
VRML-1 .wrl Mockup
VRML-2 (VRML-97) .wrl Mockup
STL .stl Mockup
OBJ .obj Mockup
TESS .Tess Mockup
NC-ISO .iso NC
DIR-SYM - Button
Displays a select list which is already known
(s symbolic path exists).
DIR-NEW - Button
A general directory.
After the directory selection a symbolic path name is queried, then the standard directories are entered.
Mockup models:
Mockup models are ready tessellated models, which are very quickly imported.
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Import Export
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Import / Export DXF
List of supported DXF-object types:
Type Export Import
POINT X X
VERTEX X X
LINE X X
CIRCLE X X
ARC X X
POLYLINE X X
3DLINE X X
TEXT X X
3DFACE X X
DIMENSION X X
HATCH - -
ELLIPSE X -
LWPOLYLINE X -
MTEXT X -
BLOCK/INSERT - -
Ellipses and B-spline curves are used as POLYLINE output.
Dimmed ( "DIM") and DRAW OFF hidden objects are not exported.
Export: it will be tessellated surfaces as 3DFACE's output.
(Number of triangles: Standards/Tolerances).
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Import / Export - Iges
List of supported Iges - Object Type:
Type Export Import
Item 116 X X
Line 110 X X
District 100 X X
Par.Spline 112 X X
B-Spl.Curve 126 X X
B-Spl Surface 128 X X
Polylines 106 Form 11.12 X X
Composite Curve 102 X X
Text 212 X X
Level 108 X X
Ellipse 104 Form 1 X4 X
Subfig.Def. 308 X X
Subfig.Ref. 408 X X
RuledSurface 118 X X
Rev.Surface 120 X X
Cylinder size 122 X 5)
CurveOnSurf 142 X X
TrimmedSurf. 144 X X
X4 currently not yet: hyperbola, parabola (Form 2, 3).
5) output as Rev.Surf or RuledSurf.
Tested with CATIA V4 and CATIA V5 (V5: subfigure to be resolved (copied)).
References to External Sub-Models are not yet exported.
Dimmed ( "DIM") and DRAW OFF hidden objects are not exported.
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Import Step
STEP ISO-10303-21- AP203- AP214- files can be imported.
The import functions are not based on the Express functions.
Tested with CATIA V4 and CATIA V5.
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Import / Export VRML-1
VRML-1 models are imported/exported as mockups (model cannot be changed).
EXPORT:
- Assemblies (sub-Models) can be exported
- Mockup sub-models (WRL/OBJ/TESS) cannot be re-exported
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Export VRML-2 (VRML-97)
- Assemblies (sub-Models) can be exported
- Mockup sub-models (WRL/OBJ/TESS) cannot be re-exported
- Textures cannot yet be exported
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Import / Export WaveFront-OBJ
Currently, only OBJ ASCII files can be imported/exported.
OBJ files can be loaded as models (changeable) or mockup models (not changeable).
Only the following types of objects can be imported/exported:
v Vertices
f Faces
EXPORT:
- Sub-models currently cannot be positioned on export
- Mockup sub-models (WRL/OBJ/TESS) cannot be re-exported
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Import / Export TESS
This is the binary data of the finished surfaces tessellated in a .tess file (only mockup model data).
A description of the data format is in file gCAD3D_prog_de.txt.
EXPORT:
- Currently can only export single a model (no subModels)
- Mockup sub-models (WRL/OBJ/TESS) cannot be re-exported
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Import Bitmap
Bitmaps are presented normal to the view surface (2D space),
and at the lower left corner in the 3D space.
Bitmaps are fixed or dynamically scaled.
Files in JPG or BMP format can be imported.
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Import Stereolithography format
Ascii format.
There is no check whether the models are closed.
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3DS Import
3D Studio File Format (Autodesk Ltd)
Currently, only the surfacees are transferred.
Binary format.
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Import LWO format
LightWave 3D Object layered file format
Currently, only the surfaces are transferred.
Binary format.
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File / Export NC ISO
Edit the NC machining codes in file /tmp/pp.iso.
Additional post-processors are available on request.
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Export format selection:
PS (Vector Format)
PCL5 (GL format)
HP-GL
Choice format (only for PCL5 output format):
A4 or A3
Selection function:
with the viewer (for PS output format,
the default is the postscript viewer gv)
output to file (default file name /tmp/print.dat)
directly print (the default command is "lpr-l-P{defaultprinter}")
Shaded areas are not printed
(For this try eg KSnapshot program).
How it works:
An intermediate file {base}/tmp/print.tmp is generated;
this will appear in the selected output format.
The output can be 90 degrees rotated, scaled, and (with offset)
moved.
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