IO_en.htm

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    Input - Output

    Start              File / new
    Open Model         File / Open Model
    Save Model         File / save Model (as)

    Import Export

    DXF
    IGES
    STEP
    VRML-1
    VRML-2
    SVG
    WaveFront-OBJ
    TESS
    BMP,JPG
    STL
    LWO
    3DS
    NC-ISO

    Export / Print     PDF PS PCL5 HPGL SVG JPG BMP

    File / New

     Clear active model; start new model with modelname unknown.gcad.

    File / Open Model

    Load or import model.

    Select a filename to be loaded.

      If the directory is not yet registered,
        you have provide a symbolic name for that directory.
      Symbolic paths (default locations): see Standard / directories

    DIR-SYM - Button
      Choose a directory that is already known
        (use a symbolic path).

      Choose a general directory.
      After selecting the directory path is a symbolic name is queried,
      which is then entered in the default locations.

    Files are automatically converted to the corresponding file type,
    An import command is run for mock-up models and bitmaps.

    Analytical formats:
    Analytical description of curves, surfaces.

    Filetype:
    .stp        STEP
    .igs        IGES
    .dxf        DXF (AutoCAD)
    .svg        SVG/
    .gcad       gCAD3D-native

    Mockup Formats:
    Mockup-models are finished tessellated models, to allow fast import.

    Filetype:
    .wrl        VRML-1 (VRML-2 dzt nur export)
    .obj        OBJ (WaveFront)
    .stl        STL (Ascii)
    .3ds        3DS
    .lwo        LWO
    .tess       gCAD3D-native-tessellated

    Bitmap Formats:
    This allows images (pixel) images are loaded into the 3D space.

    File Type:
    .bmp        Microsoft Bitmap
    .jpg        JPEG

    File / Insert

    Additional models/pictures will be loaded to the current model,
      A corresponding load instruction is run.
      Submodels are not deleted.

    Native models (.gcad) are loaded as the main model.
      In the case of inserting several native models, then existing main Model
      becomes a new subModel with its position set.

    File / Import Mockup native

    Switch position ON:
      All mockup models (currently only OBJ) are imported sequentially.
      Therefore these models (for example TESS or WRL) can be exported again.

    Switch OFF position (default)
      All mock-models are directly loaded (very fast), but they cannot
      be exported or altered.

    File / compress_native_models

    Selects whether to compress the "Save model" the data.

    The uncompressed fileytpe is .gcad;
    The compressed filetype is .gcaz.
    The compression is done with "gzip -qc {uncompressedFile} > {compressedFile}"
    The decompression is done with "gzip -dqc {compressedFile.} > {uncompressedFile.}"
    This works for Unix and MS-Windows and you can compress and
    decompress the models at any time without a cad system.

    The compression rate is around percent 70%.

    File / save Model (as)

    This saves the main model with all the internal sub-models.

    (To save only a selection of objects: see Group -> File)

    Save Model
    Save (native only) with the current model name.
    For native data file extension should be.gcad .
    Native data is displayed in the Edit window texts).

    Save Model as
    Save with a new model name - the output format must be selected.

    Formats:
    native           .gcad      analyt.
    DXF              .dxf       analyt.
    Iges             .igs       analyt.
    STEP             .stp       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
       Choose a directory that is already known
        (There is a symbolic path).

    DIR-NEW - Button
      Choose a general directory.
      After selecting the directory path, the selected directory path
      is then entered in the default location.

    Mockup-Modelle:
    Mockup models are finished tessellated models, and allow fast import.

    Import Export

    Import / Export DXF

    List of supported DXF object types:

    Type               Import   Export

    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        X
    LWPOLYLINE         X        -
    MTEXT              X        -
    BLOCK/INSERT       -        -

    DXF-R12:
      export ellipse, clothoid, spline as POLYLINE;

    DXF-2000:
      export ellipse as ELLIPSE
      export splines as SPLINE.
      export clothoid as POLYLINE.

    Dimmed objects ("DIM") and hidden objects (with DRAW OFF) are not exported.
    Tesselated surfaces are output as 3DFACE's (3 corners : Standards/Tolerances).

    Import / Export - IGES

    List of supported IGES object types:

    Typ                              Import      Export

    Point          116                X           X
    Line           110                X           X
    Circle         100                X           X
    Param.Spline   112                X           X
    B-Spl.Curve    126                X           X
    B-Spl.Surface  128                X           X
    Polylines      106 Form 11,12     X           X
    CompositeCurve 102                X           X
    Text           212                X           X
    Plane          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
    Cylind.surface 122                X           5)
    CurveOnSurf    142                X           X
    TrimmedSurf.   144                X           X

    X4    Not yet supported: hyperbola, parabola (Form 2, 3). (Form 2, 3).
    5)    Outputs a Rev.Surf or RuledSurf.

    Tested with CATIA V4 and CATIA V5 (V5: subfigures be resolved (copied)).
    References to external submodels are not exported.
    Dimmed objects ("DIM") and hidden objects with DRAW OFF are not exported.

    Import / Export STEP

    STEP ISO-10303-21 - AP203 - AP214 files can be imported/exported.
    The import functions are not based on the Express functions.
    Tested with CATIA V4 and CATIA V5.

    Colors not yet supported.
    Export: bodies not yet supported.

    Import / Export VRML-1

    VRML-1 models are used as mock-ups can be imported/exported (model cannot be edited).

    EXPORT:
     - Can export assemblies (subModels)
     - Cannot re-export mockup subModels (WRL/OBJ/TESS)

    Export VRML-2  (VRML-97)

    - Can export assemblies (subModels)
    - Cannot re-export mockup submodels
    - Cannot yet export textures

    Import / Export WaveFront-OBJ

    It is currently possible only to import/export OBJ ASCII files.
    OBJ files can be loaded as models (can be edited) or
     as mock-up models (cannot be edited).

    Only the following objects are imported/exported:
    v     Vertices
    f     Faces

    EXPORT:
     - Cannot currently export subModel position.
     - Cannot re-export mockup subModels (WRL/OBJ/TESS).

    Import / Export TESS

    Binary output of tessellated surfaces will be saved to a file of
      file type .tess (ie. only mockup model data).
    Description of the file format is given in file gCAD3D_prog_de.txt.

    EXPORT:
     - Currently can only export single models (no subModels can be exported)
     - Cannot re-export Mockup-Submodels (WRL/OBJ/TESS)

    Import Bitmap

    Bitmaps are presented normal to the surface (2D space), and positioned
     in the lower left corner point in 3D space.

    Bitmaps are dynamically scaled or fixed.

    Files in JPEG or BMP format can be imported.

    Import Stereolithography Format

    Ascii-Format.
    The model is not checked to determine that it is closed.

    Import 3DS

    3D Studio file format (Autodesk Ltd)

    Currently, only the surface is imported.

    Binary format.

    Import LWO-Format

    LIGHTWAVE 3D layered object File Format

    Currently, only the surface is imported.

    Binary format.

    File / Export NC-ISO

      Output of the NC machining codes to file /tmp/pp.iso.
      Additional post-processors available on request.

    Export / Print

       - export to PDF PS PCL5 HPGL SVG JPG BMP
       - preview / print to file or printer

    Output format options:
          PS    (Vector format)
          PCL5  (GL-Format)
          HP-GL

    Size Selection (only output size for PCL5):
          A4 or A3

    Output function menu options:
          Preview ( only for PS output format, the default Postscript viewer is gv)
          Print to File (default filename is /tmp/print.dat)
          Print Direct (the default command is "lpr -l -P{Defaultdrucker}")

    Hidden areas will not be output
      (can be used by for example the program ksnapshot).

    How it works:

    An intermediate file is generated {base}/tmp/print.tmp .
      This is then converted into the chosen output format.
      The output can be rotated 90 degrees, scaled, and be offset.