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

  • AP 203
  • AP 214

IGES

*.igs and *.iges

  • Version 5.3

DXF

*.dxf

  • R10 to 2015
  • ASCII

STL

*.stl

  • Binary
  • ASCII

CAD Viewer runs as a separate application on the third desktop of the control.

Description of function

Screen layout

CAD file open in CAD Viewer

CAD Viewer consists of the following areas:

1

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

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

Display the layer

Display the layer(s) in the List View area

Layer

Preset

Define the workpiece preset

Workpiece preset has been defined

Delete the defined workpiece preset

Workpiece preset in the CAD file

Datum

Set the datum

Datum has been set

Workpiece datum in the CAD file

3D mesh

Create a 3D mesh (#152 / #1-04-1)

Generating STL files with 3D mesh (#152 / #1-04-1)

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.

Applying contours

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:

  • XY
  • YZ
  • ZX
  • ZXØ

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)

Element Information area

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.

Selecting and saving a contour

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.
  • 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.