Fundamentals
Application
CAD Viewer supports the following standard file types that can be opened directly in the control:
File type | Extension | Format |
---|---|---|
STEP | *.stp and *.step |
|
IGES | *.igs and *.iges |
|
DXF | *.dxf |
|
STL | *.stl |
|
CAD Viewer runs as a separate application on the third desktop of the control.
Related topics
- Creating 2D sketches on the control
Description of function
Screen layout
- CAD file open in CAD Viewer
CAD Viewer consists of the following areas:
1 | Menu bar |
2 | Graphics area The CAD model is displayed in the graphics window. |
3 | Status bar The status bar contains the active settings. |
4 | Element information area |
5 | List View area The List View area displays information on the active function (e.g., available layers or the position of the workpiece preset). |
Menu bar icons
The menu bar contains the following icons:
Icon | Meaning |
---|---|
Show sidebar Show, enlarge, or hide the List View area | |
Preset Define the workpiece preset Workpiece preset has been defined Delete the defined workpiece preset | |
Contour Select contour (#42 / #1-03-1) Loading contours and positions to NC programs with CAD Import (#42 / #1-03-1) | |
Positions Select positions (#42 / #1-03-1) Loading contours and positions to NC programs with CAD Import (#42 / #1-03-1) | |
Show all Set the zoom to the largest possible view of the complete graphics | |
Inverted colors Change the background color (black or white) | |
Toggle between 2D and 3D modes | |
Set the unit of measure (mm or inches) CAD Viewer performs all internal calculations in mm. If you select the inch unit of measure, the CAD Viewer converts all values to inches. Loading contours and positions to NC programs with CAD Import (#42 / #1-03-1) | |
Number of decimal places Select decimal places: 3...7 for mm and 4...8 for inches The decimal places define the resolution and the number of segments during linearization. Default setting: 4 decimal places with mm, and 5 decimal places with inch as the unit of measure | |
Set perspective Switch between various views of the model (e.g., Top) | |
Axes Select the working plane:
If you take over a contour or position, the control outputs the NC program in the selected working plane. Loading contours and positions to NC programs with CAD Import (#42 / #1-03-1) | |
Toggle a 3D model between a solid model and a wire-frame model. | |
Rotate the CAD model | |
Select of contour elements (e.g., to obtain element information) | |
Add contour elements | |
Remove contour elements The icon shows the current mode. Clicking the icon activates the next mode. Loading contours and positions to NC programs with CAD Import (#42 / #1-03-1) | |
Undo | |
Delete entire list | |
Setting for whether comments are written to NC output files. Adding comments with workpiece information to the NC program (#42 / #1-03-1) The control displays the icon if you select the Contour or Positions mode. | |
Save entire list content to a file | |
Copy entire list contents to clipboard The control retains the content of the clipboard only as long as CAD Viewer is open. |
Element Information area
In the Element Information area, the following information is displayed for the selected element of the CAD file:
- Associated layer
- Element type
- Point type:
- Point coordinates
- Line type:
- Coordinates of the starting point
- Coordinates of the end point
- Circular arc or circle type:
- Coordinates of the starting point
- Coordinates of the end point
- Coordinates of the center point
- Radius
The control always shows the X, Y, and Z coordinates. In 2D mode, the Z coordinate is dimmed.
Layer
CAD files usually contain multiple layers. The designer uses these layers to create groups of various types of elements, such as the actual workpiece contour, dimensions, auxiliary and design lines, hatching, and texts.
The CAD file to be processed must contain at least one layer. The control automatically moves all elements not assigned to a layer to the "anonymous" layer.
If the name of the layer is not shown completely in the List View area, you can use the Show sidebar icon to enlarge this area.
Use the Display the layer icon to display all the layers of the file in the List View area. Use the check box in front of the name to show and hide individual layers.
When you open a CAD file in CAD Viewer, all available layers are shown.
If you hide unnecessary layers, the graphic becomes clearer.
Notes
- Before loading the file into the control, ensure that the name of the file contains only permitted characters.
- When you select a layer in the List View area, you can press the spacebar to show and hide the layer.
- CAD Viewer allows you to open CAD files consisting of any number of triangles.