gCAD3D

gCAD3D is a freely distributed, open source and cross-platform piece of software that provides users with a 3D CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing) application for GNU/Linux and Microsoft Windows operating systems.

Features at a glance

Key features include an integrated 3D OpenGL viewer, integrated NC processor, a program interpreter for NC commands and geometry in three-dimensions, as well as a programming interface for remote control.

In addition, it comes with a programming interface for plugins, and supports importing and exporting to a wide range of file formats, including VRML-1, Step, SVG, DXF, and Iges.

It allows users to prepare, create, visualize and analyze data, easily interact with call models like HTML and HREF, call programs, change model parameter, change the viewport, display 3D models and images (bitmaps), as well as 2D draftings.

Furthermore, the application supports dynamic generation and modification of 3D models and drafts, analysis and creation of geometric objects, connect graphic objects with interactions, interactive dialog functions, and manually generated commands.

Under the hood and availability

This is a freeware application that requires the libc 2.4 or newer library, GTK+ 2 or GTK+ 3 toolkits, as well as the OpenGL/Mesa 3D libraries on GNU/Linux platforms. No dependencies are needed on the Microsoft Windows operating system.

On Linux is available for download only as DEB files for the Debian GNU/Linux and Ubuntu Linux distributions, supporting both 32-bit and 64-bit instruction set architectures. On the other hand, only the 32-bit hardware platform is supported by the Windows executable.

Bottom line

In conclusion, gCAD3D is a decent 3D CAD-CAM application that provides users with many attractive features and support for multiple operating systems. Unfortunately, it is not an open source software and it’s not included in the default software repositories of important Linux distributions.

What is new in this release:

• all curve-modifications (eg CUT) create now trimmed-curves
• all curves now have a polygonal representation (see www.gCAD3D.org/doc/watertight.htm)
• Format of message-files changed ({key} = {value}) for automatic translation

What is new in version 2.28:

• MS-Windows-version added in sourcepackage and on github.
• NEW: License changed to GPL-v3; see Releasenotes.
• modifications for git
• minor bugfixes.

What is new in version 2.26:

• Bug "translate concatenated-curve" fixed (sample_tra_ccv_1.gcad)
• Bug "modify GIS-point" fixed (sample_gis1.gcad)
• Bug "display html docu" (Linux only) fixed
• minor bugfixes
• modifications for git

What is new in version 2.24:

• NEW: License changed to GPL-v3; see Releasenotes.
• modifications for git
• minor bugfixes.

What is new in version 2.22:

• dxf-import: bug POLYLINES and rotation (code 50) with INSERT fixed
• dxf-export: export contours
• Step-import: new functions and bugfixes
• structure of contour (CCV) completely changed.
• CAD-Measure can select vertex-points
• CAD-Interaction checkbox, can modify all numeric values

What is new in version 2.20:

• CAD: sweep-surfaces new
• CAD: loft-surfaces (initially b-spline-surfaces)
• new: Step-export; not yet colors, bodies.
• Modify/Linetyp improved (see www.gCAD3D.org/doc/Attribs_en.htm)

What is new in version 2.14:

• new: dynamic modification of numeric values
• new: "find parent-objects" and "find child-objects"
• submodels: bug "load catalog-part" fixed
• Applications: new dialogoptions, bugfixes.

What is new in version 2.12:

• new: button "Viewport" saves / restores viewport (Ctrl-V, Ctrl-Cursor right)
• DXF: new version Dxf-2000; import and export of SPLINE and ELLIPSE.
• OBJ: can import and export colors (.mtl - file).
• Modify/Surface color: select color from existing face as new active color
• Modify/SurfaceStyle: RCIR (planar 3 or 4-point-face) can also be set to symbolic
• Search/Name: find childs / parents of object; bugfixes.
• CAD vector cartes: additional parameters rotation-angle, tilt-angle.

What is new in version 2.10:

• new NC-processor PRC_cut1, postprocessor G-Code.
• CAD/Lines: tangents between circles/ellipses/b-splines
• CAD/Curves Ellipse from major Axis and point on the ellipse
• CAD/Vectors/VEC objects: get parallel tangent from curve, point on curve.
• CAD/Trim/CUT VEC objects: trim curves from parameters.
• Application: bug "update selection-input" fixed
• Catalog: bug "preview position" fixed

What is new in version 2.01:

• CAD-Planes rewritten.
• Userapplication bug "cannot execute" fixed
• RemoteControl bugfixes

What is new in version 2.00:

• New RemoteControl
• Bugfixes

What is new in version 1.91:

• New Interface to Gtk3
• Step-import rewritten;
• CAD-Analysis-function now in toolbar "Measure"

What is new in version 1.56:

• Digital Terrain Modelling - application APP_GIS1:
• breaklines and void areas added see www.gCAD3D.org/doc/APP_GIS1_de.htm
• new CAD-function to define the orientation of submodels by rotationangle. See www.gCAD3D.org/doc/CAD_Model_de.htm#F0
• Bugfixes:
• ScaleAll - bug fixed.
• 64-bit: DispListAllocation-bug fixed.
• VRML2-export, VRML2-import bugfixes.

Requirements:

• libc 2.3.1
• gtk+
• OpenGL