A. Reference Manual
Foreword
Introduction to VariCAD
VariCAD Installation
Installing Upgrades
Hardware and Software Requirements
32-bit and 64-bit Versions
Files and Directories Used by VariCAD
Running VariCAD the First Time
Default VariCAD Files
Converting 2D/3D Objects to and from Other Formats
How 3D Objects Are Converted to STEP or IGES
Creation of STL format
Directories
Getting Started
VariCAD User Interface
2D/3D Area
Status Bar
Toolbar Icons
Function Windows - Cancel and Back Buttons
Mouse Buttons
Invoking and Running VariCAD Functions
Finishing VariCAD Functions
Stepping Back within a Function
Additional Options within Functions
Creating, Opening and Saving VariCAD 2D/3D Files
Backing up Your Files
Working with Multiple Files
Copy and Paste
Switching between 2D and 3D
Undo and Redo
Dragging Objects
Listing System Information
2D Drawing vs. 3D Modeling
System Settings (Preferences)
Windows and Mouse Settings
Sound
Colors
Other Settings
2D Drawing
Displaying the 2D Drawing Area
Changing the View Using the Mouse and Keyboard
Display Functions
Rebuilding Functions
Zoom Functions
Saving Views
2D Display Settings
Screen Settings
Cursor Settings and Coordinate Listing
Types of 2D Objects
2D Drawing Attributes - Units, Formats, Scale
Units
Format and Sheet Border
2D Drawing Scale
Attributes of 2D Objects
Working with 2D Layers
2D Object Colors
Line Types
Visibility of 2D Objects
Work Sets
2D Coordinate System
2D Drawing Aids
Grid
Construction Lines
Creating Construction Lines
Deleting Construction Lines
Increment Cursor Mode
Ortho Mode
Selecting 2D Objects
Methods of Selecting
Using Selection Windows (Marquees)
Limited 2D Selections
Automatic Object Detection
Deselecting Objects
Finishing the Selection
Selecting 2D Locations
Defining Angles and Directions
Writing Special Characters
Mathematic Expressions
Checking Objects, Distance, Angle and Coordinates
Drawing 2D Objects
Drawing Lines
Arrows
Drawing Curves
Creating Points
Creating Circles and Arcs
Creating Text Objects
Editing and Deleting 2D Objects
Deleting Objects
Changing Objects Geometry
Creating Corners, Chamfers and Fillets
Breaking and Dividing 2D Objects
Editing Text
Transforming and Copying 2D Objects
Translating, Rotating and Scaling
Mirroring Objects
Offsetting Objects
Stretching Objects
Dimensioning
Single Dimensions - Horizontal, Vertical and Diagonal
Predefined Horizontal, Vertical and Diagonal Dimensions
Serial, Baseline and Datum Dimensions
Angular Dimensions
Diameter and Radius Dimensions, Thread Dimensions
Dimension Attributes
Finish Symbols
Weld and Tolerance Symbols
Creating Leaders
Editing Dimensions
Hatching
Solid Fill
Hatching 2D Objects
Hatching 3D Sections
Creating a Hatch Pattern
Symbols
2D Blocks
Creating and Inserting Blocks
Editing Blocks
Libraries of Mechanical Parts
Selecting Mechanical Parts
Inserting Mechanical Parts into 2D
Inserting Mechanical Parts into 3D
Working with Mechanical Parts in 3D
Smart Functions using 3D Mechanical Parts
Mechanical Part Calculations
Printing and Plotting
Print Settings
Selecting a Printer
Batch Print
Exporting Images as Bitmaps
VariCAD on the Internet
Trial Versions, Online Purchasing
3D Modeling
3D Display
Dynamic View Manipulation
Rotating View Using the Arrow Keys
3D View Tools
Saving Views
Shaded and Wireframe Display
3D Display Settings
Precise Displaying
Surface Shading
Setting 3D Display Performance
Setting Graphic Adapter
2D Drawing in 3D
Displaying Objects
2D Drawing
Working with 3D
Creating Solids
Creating 3D Solids from 2D Profiles
Defining a 2D Profile
Solid Insertion Point
Revolving, Extruding, and Lofting Profiles
Helical Surfaces and Coils
Basic Solids
Cylinders, Cones, Boxes, Pyramids, Pipes, Spheres
Editing Solids
Selecting Solids
Visibility of 3D Objects
Shading and Colors of Individual Solids
Boolean Operations - Adding and Cutting Solids
Boolean Operations
Common Boolean Operations
Holes, Grooves, Cutting by Planes
Resolving Solids
3D Filleting and Chamfering
Deleting Solids
Editing Shape of Solids
Edit Solid Element Shape
Transforming and Copying Solids
Solid Object Coordinate System
3D Space Coordinate System
Inserting and Transforming Solids
Defining Vectors and Rotation Axes
Transforming Objects Using their Axes
Translating by Distance
Dynamic Translation
Rotating by Angle
Dynamic Rotation
Setting the Direction of Solids Axes
Positioning by Plane
Changing Insertion Point, Displaying Axes
Inserting and Copying
Identical Copies of Solids
Defining 3D Locations
Selecting Planes
3D Locations Settings
Mirroring and Rescaling Solids
Groups of Solids
Exporting Views and Sections from 3D to 2D
Creating 2D from 3D
List of 3D View Exports, Updating Views
3D Sections
3D Comprehensive Shapes
Pipes and Wires
Offset Patches – Thick Shells
Threads in 3D
Checking Functions and Calculations
Units of Calculation Results
Volume, Mass, Surface and Moment of Inertia Calculations
Checking and Measuring Geometry
Interference between Solids
3D Assemblies
Creating Part Files, Assembly Files and Assembly Links
Saving and Loading the Assembly Files
Simultaneously Open Assembly and Part Files
Managing the Assembly Connections
Surface Development (Unbending)
Bill of Material, Object Attributes and Title Blocks
Object Attributes
Attribute Definition
Groups of Attributes
Output to Formatted Text (List of Parts)
Title Blocks
Export to Other Systems
Compatibility of Defined Attributes and Attribute Groups
Working with BOM
BOM Objects
Displaying, Filtering and Sorting BOM Objects
Creating Files from BOM
Copying Data from Assembly into Parts and Vice Versa
Supplementary Objects
Solid and Assembly Attributes
Solid Attributes
Assembly Attributes, Title Block Filling
Tips and Tricks
List of All VariCAD Functions
Hotkeys
Embedded Functions
B. Tutorial
Using Tutorial
Working with Flash Examples
Controlling Flash Examples
Examples of 2D Drawing
Using Construction Lines
2D Automatic Detection, Drawing Lines, Filleting, Offsets
Drawing in Cursor Increment Mode and Keyboard Location Input
2D Mirroring, Creating Corners
Examples of 3D Modeling
Creating Solids, Profile Extrusion
Inserting New Solids into 3D Space
Changing Solid Insertion Point
Selecting Solids
Working with Library Parts
Transforming Solids
Copying Solids
Boolean Operations - Cut
Editing Solids Created from 2D Profiles
Basic Solids
Boolean Operations - Add
Cutting Material with Box Tool
Editing Shape of Basic Solids
Transforming Parts of Solids
Removing Parts of Solids
Transforming parts of solids after changes of their dimensions
Filleting Edges
Editing Fillets
Creating Pipes
Creating 2D from 3D
3D Shells
Sheet Metal Unbending (Surface Development)
3D Assembly
Bill of Materials, Solid Attributes, Title Blocks
Solid Attributes, Title Blocks Definition
Working with BOM
Working with Supplementary Objects
Crash Tests (Interferences)
3D Threads, 3D Sections, 2D Drawing in 3D
Creating 3D Threads
2D Drawing in 3D
Creating 3D Sections
2D Drawing from 3D Containing Sections and Threads
Quick Demonstration