ZW3D What’s New V 2013

ZWCAD Software Co., Ltd.

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Copyright and Trademarks ©Copyright 2013 ZWCAD Software Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Floor 4, NO.886, Tianhe North Road, Guangzhou 510635 P.R.China (8620)38289780

ZW3D™ V2013 what’s New This documentation may be reproduced provided it complies with the terms presented on the LICENSE AGREEMENT supplied. ZWCAD Software Co., Ltd and the program authors have no liability to the purchaser or any other entity, with respect to any liability, loss, or damage caused, directly or indirectly by this software and training materials, including but not limited to, any interruptions of service, loss of business, anticipatory profits, or consequential damages resulting from the use of or operation of this software. Updates may be made to this documentation and incorporated into later editions. ZW3D™ is a registering trademark of ZWCAD Software Co., Ltd. The ZW3D™ logo is a registering trademark of ZWCAD Software Co., Ltd. ZWCAD™, ZWSOFT™, the ZWCAD™ logo, and the ZWSOFT™ logo are all trademarks of ZWCAD Software Co., Ltd. Printed in the P. R. China.

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Contents 1 Highlights of ZW3D 2013 ............................................................................................................................ 1

2 User Interface ................................................................................................................................................ 2

2.1 Menu, Ribbon & Toolbar ..................................................................................................................... 2

2.1.1 Menu ................................................................................................................................................ 2

2.1.2 Ribbon .............................................................................................................................................. 2

2.1.3 Toolbar ............................................................................................................................................. 2

2.2 Graphic Area ........................................................................................................................................ 2

2.3 Command Form ................................................................................................................................... 2

2.4 Status Bar ............................................................................................................................................. 3

2.5 Customization Manager ....................................................................................................................... 3

3 Basics ............................................................................................................................................................ 5

3.1 Display ................................................................................................................................................. 5

3.1.1 Upgraded display pipeline into OpenGL 3.0 .................................................................................... 5

3.1.2 Display Efficiency ............................................................................................................................ 5

3.1.3 Display Effect .................................................................................................................................. 5

3.1.4 Materials .......................................................................................................................................... 6

3.1.5 View Manager .................................................................................................................................. 7

3.2 Data Manager ....................................................................................................................................... 7

3.2.1 Object Manager ................................................................................................................................ 7

3.3 Layer Manager ..................................................................................................................................... 8

3.4 Datum ................................................................................................................................................... 9

3.5 Selection ............................................................................................................................................... 9

3.6 Inquire .................................................................................................................................................. 9

3.6.1 Thickness Analysis ........................................................................................................................... 9

3.6.2 Draft Checking ............................................................................................................................... 10

3.6.3 Inquire 3D Surface Area Properties ............................................................................................... 11

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3.6.4 Mass Properties .............................................................................................................................. 11

3.7 Print .................................................................................................................................................... 11

3.8 Plug-in ................................................................................................................................................ 11

3.8.1 Plugin Application Manager .......................................................................................................... 11

4 Import/Export.............................................................................................................................................. 12

5 CAD ............................................................................................................................................................ 13

5.1 Sketcher .............................................................................................................................................. 13

5.1.1 Sketcher Basics .............................................................................................................................. 13

5.1.2 Geometry........................................................................................................................................ 13

5.1.3 Constraint ....................................................................................................................................... 14

5.1.4 Inquire ............................................................................................................................................ 15

5.2 Modeling ............................................................................................................................................ 15

5.2.1 History Manager ............................................................................................................................ 15

5.2.2 Wireframe design ........................................................................................................................... 17

5.2.3 Part Design ..................................................................................................................................... 17

5.2.4 Assembly Design ........................................................................................................................... 26

5.3 ZWMold ............................................................................................................................................. 27

5.3.1 More Intelligent “Parting Face” and Dynamic Preview ................................................................. 28

5.3.2 Parametric Runner and Gate Design .............................................................................................. 28

5.3.3 Upgraded “Part Library” with a full customization functionality and a large number of standard

parts 29

5.3.4 The pocket automatic update after the component have changed ................................................. 30

5.3.5 New hide or show functionality to a certain type component. ....................................................... 31

5.3.6 New BOM function support to export to Excel file ....................................................................... 31

5.3.7 Automatically create drafting of electrode in batches. ................................................................... 32

5.3.8 Add two new types of MoldBase and ZWMold’s tutorial ............................................................. 33

5.4 Drafting .............................................................................................................................................. 33

5.4.1 Interface & Workflow .................................................................................................................... 33

5.4.2 Sheet Manager ............................................................................................................................... 34

5.4.3 Style Manager ................................................................................................................................ 34

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5.4.4 View ............................................................................................................................................... 35

5.4.5 Dimension ...................................................................................................................................... 37

5.4.6 Hatch .............................................................................................................................................. 41

5.4.7 Table ............................................................................................................................................... 41

6 CAM ........................................................................................................................................................... 42

6.1 CAM Basics ....................................................................................................................................... 42

6.2 CAM Setup ........................................................................................................................................ 42

6.2.1 CAM Manager ............................................................................................................................... 42

6.2.2 Geometry........................................................................................................................................ 44

6.2.3 Frames & Clearances ..................................................................................................................... 45

6.2.4 Tools & Machines .......................................................................................................................... 45

6.3 Generating Toolpaths ......................................................................................................................... 47

6.3.1 Operation Basics ............................................................................................................................ 47

6.3.2 2X Milling ...................................................................................................................................... 47

6.3.3 3X Quick Milling ........................................................................................................................... 47

6.4 Processing Toolpaths .......................................................................................................................... 52

6.4.1 Toolpath Analysis ........................................................................................................................... 52

6.4.2 Toolpath Verification ...................................................................................................................... 52

6.4.3 Toolpath Output ............................................................................................................................. 53

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1 Highlights of ZW3D 2013

ZW3D advances to boost its capacity in 2013 focusing on ease of use, high work efficiency, manufacturing

integrity and safety, and some other aspects, most in direct response of customer requests. Here are some top

enhancements:

User interface: Multi-document Window

Command Form

Customization Manager

Display: Display Efficiency

Materials

Basics： Object Manager

Thickness Inquire

Import & Export: Better Import Quality

Sketcher: Direct External Reference

Add Constraints

Constraint Adjustments

Modeling: History Manager Upgrade

Wrap to Faces

Wrap Pattern to Faces

Unfold to Plane

Assembly Manager Upgrade

ZWMold: Standard Part Customization

Drafting: Sheet Manager

Style Manager

Broken Section View

CAM： CAM Manager Upgrade

New Check Surface/Part

New “Angle Limiting Finishing Cut”

Big Step Size Support

New Contact Containment

Manual Lead In/Out Options

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2 User Interface

2.1 Menu, Ribbon & Toolbar

2.1.1 Menu

Customization to the right-click menu is supported.

2.1.2 Ribbon

Here are the improvements done for Ribbon:

• New “File”, “Data Exchange” and “Tool” Ribbon tab.

• Full screen display is supported in File Ribbon tab with newly-added “Recent Directories” list.

• Re-arranged each Ribbon tab layout.

• Auto truncation is supported to shorten long command names.

2.1.3 Toolbar

• Large icon and transparent display are supported in Document Aware toolbar.

• Layer manager is embedded into Document Aware toolbar.

• Toolbars are reduced.

Where to find

Right-click (on blank area of Ribbon) > ToolBars

2.2 Graphic Area

• Multi-document window display is supported.

• “Add new file” command is provided in Multi-

document window title bar.

• “Add new object” function and right-click menu

are provided in Multi-document window tab.

• Confirmation buttons like “OK” and “Cancel” are

provided within graphic area.

• Open file list is provided.

2.3 Command Form

Command forms are re-arranged. Parameters are re-ordered into different groups basing on logic and

workflow in order to better guide users through the command. Here are some top enhancements:

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• Groups can automatically collapse/ expand, and

the form can dynamically adjust its own length.

• The group status of forms can be remembered and

restored even after ZW3D restarts.

• Parameters are re-arranged into several groups

basing on operation workflow.

• Confirmation buttons like “OK” and “Cancel” are

placed on top of the form.

• New “Info” button is added to provide simple

illustration and some operation tips.

• The procedure to define an input of a parameter is

remembered and can be redefined through

provided icons.

• Better form refreshing.

How to use

How to perform a redefinition operation to a defined input of a parameter?

To define the input of Start S option of “Extrude” command, click the arrow beside the input field of Start

S to pull down the menu and pick “To Face” option, and then finish the “To Face” form. Now the value of

Start S can’t be edited except copying the number, and the icon of “To Face” option has replaced the arrow

icon. Clicking on the icon can bring back the “To Face” form to redefine, or click the small black arrow

next to the icon to pull down the menu and use other options to define Start S.

2.4 Status Bar

• Menu and Ribbon buttons are removed.

• Form of “Read out” command (Ctrl + K) is embedded.

2.5 Customization Manager

Here are the improvements done for Customization Manager：

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• Command names displayed in Ribbon and Menu

can be defined differently and respectively.

• The content of tooltips for each command can be

customized.

• Commands are displayed in a list form instead of

a tree.

• Search is supported.

• The extension of customization file is changed

into zcui.

• New System.zcui file in Action folder lists full

information of all commands, while System.txt

controls the layout of the commands.

• Comparison between old UI setting file and the

new one is provided, and options to replace,

export or merge the old file are given if

differences are found on the comparison.

How to use

Within Commands tab of Customize Manager, a specific command can be found through its Type (i.e.

the context it lies) and Group (i.e. the Ribbon tab it lies), or by searching. After a command is selected

from the list, its property is displayed on right side and can be edited. New command can be added

into the list by the “+” “-” buttons, and saved into the file of “user folder > Profiles > Default >

Action > User.zcui”.

To customize current UI layout, the command tree of Environment box from Transfer tab is ready to

receive the chosen command dragged from the Command List box by dropping to some node to the

tree. Or simply adjust the tree by copying / pasting or drag-dropping the command within itself.

Where to find

Right-click (on blank area of Ribbon) > Customize…

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3 Basics

3.1 Display

3.1.1 Upgraded display pipeline into OpenGL 3.0

Hardware display acceleration is supported, and higher display efficiency and better display

expansibility are given by this upgrade.

ZW3D 2013 needs to run on a graphic card which supports OpenGL 2.0 or higher.

3.1.2 Display Efficiency

Better entity display efficiency is gained by VBO implementation.

How to use

To experience one of efficiency gain, do some view operations like zooming, panning or rotation in

graphic area.

3.1.3 Display Effect

Here are the improvements done for display effect:

New “Wire” and “Full screen” options for Anti-Alias.

ZW3D 2013 （Wire Anti-Alias） ZW3D 2012（Anti-Alias）

Display open edges.

ZW3D 2013 ZW3D 2012

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Datum, coordinate and dimension can be seen through under Shade mode if they are shielded.

ZW3D 2013 ZW3D 2012

More texts like annotation text, dimension text and text in table are displayed by FTGL, and the

blurring of text during zooming is fixed.

Inactive components are displayed transparent and grey when a component is being edited.

Where to find

Configuration > Display > Option & Default > Anti-Alias

Visualize Manager > Edge > Open Edge

Visualize Manager > Datum > Show Hidden

Visualize Manager > Expression > Show Hidden

Visualize Manager > Triad > Show Hidden

Configuration > Display > Option & Default >

3.1.4 Materials

5 different kinds of surface treatment effects are provided for following materials:

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Metal, Aluminum, Bronze, Copper, Gold, Nickel, Platinum, Silver, Steel, and Titanium.

Normal Brushed Cast Matte Polished

Metal materials in ZW3D will look quite realistic for they may use new lighting models - Cook-

Torrance or Ward's Anisotropic. “Brushed” and “Cast” effects use normal mapping to increase

realism.

Where to find

Part/Assembly > Visualize Ribbon Tab > Texture

3.1.5 View Manager

Displayed in tree.

Commands are provided by right-click menu.

Support Ctrl/Shift selection。

3.2 Data Manager

Many managers embedded into Data manager are implemented lots of improvements. For example,

both History manager and Assembly manager use a tree to display their content, and Sheet manager is

newly added, etc. Here are the details about each manager:

History manger: 4.2.1 History Manger

Assembly Manager: 4.2.4.1 Assembly Manager

View Manager: 2.1.7 View Manager

3.2.1 Object Manager

Object manager is improved to help users to organize different types of objects more efficiently and

locate a specific type of object quickly. Here are the enhancements for Object manager:

• Support columns and provide following topics:

Name, Type, Modified, Last Modified, Create Time, Description, Number, Designer, Manager,

Supplier, Class

• Column topics can be customized.

• Sorting can be done by column.

• Search is supported.

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• New “Related Copy/Cut”.

• Right-click menu is provided.

• Object attribute can be edited through Object Attribute manager.

• Multiple selections can be done by Ctrl/Shift combination keys and window pick. And Delete key

is also supported.

• All listed information can be exported.

Where to find

ZW3D Root context (only multiple-object file is provided)

3.3 Layer Manager

Improvements and new functionalities done in 2013 for Layer manager are aimed to bring similar

operation behaviors common in 2D CAD into Drafting and provide a friendly user experience. Here are

some features about it:

• More columns are provided with following topics:

Part/Assembly: Active, Name, On, Frozen, Color, Description, Count.

Drafting: Color, Line style, Line width, besides the same topic with ones in Part/ Assembly.

• New operation behaviors in Layer manager:

Editing in place, Status toggle, Attribute selection, Sorting, Window picks, Ctrl/Shift multi-

selection, Shortcuts like Ctrl + A & Delete, Right-click menu, and Data export & import.

• Layer manager is embedded into Document Aware toolbar, and clicking on each icon of layers

from the pull-down list can toggle their statuses.

How to use

When an object is selected, its layer will be placed on top of the layer list on Document Aware toolbar.

And now if another layer is picked from the list, the selected object will be moved into that layer. While an

entity is being copied, “Assign to layer” option on “Copy” command form is available to specify which

layer the copied entity is about to place.

Where to find

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Part/Assembly > Document Aware toolbar

Drafting > Document Aware toolbar

3.4 Datum

New datum format: Z-Y-Z axis.

Only when the Pick Filter is set to “Datum plane” or “All”, the selected one or all of the 3 default

planes can be deleted. Deleting the 3 default planes from History manager is always doable.

3.5 Selection

Here are the improvements done for Selection:

Quadrants of Curvature are available to snap.

5 different behaviors of Window picks are provided: In/Cross, In, Out, Cross, and Out/Cross.

A pull-down list is used in Pick Filter.

Shift + MMB operation is supported to change filter setting without hovering on entities.

Only the selection result done by “Pick All” option is recorded, not the procedure.

The “Regenerate pick” option from “Pick faces” and “Pick curves” is disabled by default.

New “Highlight mode” setting provides “Texture” and “Color” options to choose.

How to use

Customize your favorite Window picks behavior from Edit > Window pick before you use it. Pick Filter

can be reset through Shift + MMB behavior when multiple objects are available to choose, no matter your

pointer is on the top of the entities or not.

Where to find

Edit menu > Window pick

Right-click (on blank area of graphic area when faces or curves are about to select) > Pick faces/curves

Configuration > Display > Highlight mode

3.6 Inquire

3.6.1 Thickness Analysis

Normal ray method is the way current Thickness Analysis applies. Here is some functionality it

provides:

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Analysis can be done on single face or all the faces

at one time.

“Minimum” and “Maximum” options can extract

specific range of results from all to inspect.

Dynamic inquiry on specific spot on screen is

provided.

“Accuracy” and “Efficiency” analysis modes are

provided.

How to use

Pick face to analyze, or middle-click to pick all faces to analyze. If a quick result is expected, “Priority”

option should be set to “Efficiency”, and “Resolution” option to “Coarse”. Otherwise, “Accuracy” and

“Very fine” are the choices you should pick. After the analysis computation is done, “Minimum” and

“Maximum” options are available for you to specify a range of thickness to inspect, and so does “Browse

T” option for you to pick a spot to check.

Where to find

Part/Assembly > Inquire Ribbon tab > Thickness Analysis

3.6.2 Draft Checking

Classification to the analysis result is provided with the following 5 types: Positive, Need Draft (P),

Vertical, Need Draft (N), and Negative. Dynamic inquiry is also available through “Browse Angle”

option.

How to use

Uncheck the “Use rainbow coloring” option is to enable the result classification. Activate “Browse Angle”

option and pick a point on face from graphic area to check its draft angle.

Where to find

Part/Assembly > Inquire Ribbon tab > Analyze Faces > Draft Checking

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3.6.3 Inquire 3D Surface Area Properties

3D Surface can be inquired directly with following outcomes: Area, Boundary Length and Max

Curvature. Only single surface is supported to inquire at one time currently.

Where to find

Part/Assembly > Inquire Ribbon tab > 3D Surface

CAM > Inquire Ribbon tab > 3D Surface

3.6.4 Mass Properties

Density unit is supported to customize.

3.7 Print

Simple support to 3D print are provided, including picking object to export, export tolerance setting and

exe path of the printer.

3.8 Plug-in

3.8.1 Plugin Application Manager

New Plugin application manager is used to load/unload the DLL of available plug-ins for ZW3D.

Where to find

Tools Ribbon tab > Plugin application manager

Applications menu > Plugin application manager

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4 Import/Export

Here are the improvements done for import/export:

New import pipeline to offer better import quality.

This is the most important point done in ZW3D 2013 for import/export. Benefits gained from this new

pipeline for supported formats may be listed as this sequence: Parasolid > STEP > IGES. Importing 3rd

formats from other 3D systems also gives a better result as importing Parasolid gets improved.

VRML 2.0is supported to import, even with textures.

Color information is included in STEP export.

IGES export gets tweaked to improve data exchange quality with other 3D systems.

Where to find

Configuration > Part > Import with new pipe

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5 CAD

5.1 Sketcher

5.1.1 Sketcher Basics

Entities of Wireframe and external sketches are greyed to distinguish from the ones of current sketch.

5.1.2 Geometry

5.1.2.1 Direct external referencing

External entities can be directly snapped during drawing and constraining by default. Constraints

will be added into the referenced external entities and the one of sketch. Here are some notes about

this function:

Valid external entities for direct external referencing are: geometry and datum objects from 3d

part, and geometry from components.

Most Commands of drawing and constraint supports this functionality.

Referenced external entities can be highlighted and pre-highlighted when their constraints is

picked and pre-selected.

Referenced external entities can be edited by “Regen Ext Ref” command.

How to use

Simply pick the external entities when you are drawing in a sketch.

Where to find

Configuration > 2D > Sketch > Enable external snap

5.1.2.2 Drag-Drop Edit

Selected entities are supported to drag-drop.

Valid critical points of an entity will show up directly for drag after it is picked.

Some drag-drop edit behaviors get tweaked:

Dragging critical point of entities is to change their size, while dragging non-critical point is

to move the whole entity, except for circle and arc, which is that dragging the center point is

to move and the other is to resize.

Balloon text is supported to drag and drop.

5.1.2.3 Move & Rotate

Constraints of moved or rotated geometries will not be erased. An extra “Delete” operation is needed

to perform if these constraints are unwanted.

5.1.2.4 Fillet/Chamfer

Entities will be trim to corner if the radius/setback of Fillet/Chamfer is set to 0.

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5.1.3 Constraint

5.1.3.1 Arc Length Dimension

Where to find

Sketcher > Constraint Ribbon tab > Arc Length

Sketcher > Insert > Dimension > Arc Length

5.1.3.2 Quick Dimension

4 dimension types - “Linear Offset Dimension”, “Horizontal Angular Dimension”, “Vertical Angular

Dimension” and “Arc Length Dimension” – are included in “Intelligent Dimension”

How to use

“Angular Dimension” and “Linear Offset Dimension” will be provided if 2 different lines are picked in

“Quick Dimension”.

“Horizontal Angular Dimension” and “Vertical Angular Dimension” will be up for choosing if same line is

picked twice.

“Arc Length Dimension” will be added into the mode list if an arc is picked.

5.1.3.3 Add Constraints

New “Add Constraints” command will offer valid constraint types for users to choose basing on its

inputs.

Where to find

Sketch > Constraint Ribbon tab > Add Constraints

Sketch > Right-click menu (on blank area with no entity picked) > Add Constraints

Sketch > Insert Menu > Constraint > Add Constraints

5.1.3.4 Improvements done for Constraints

1) Perpendicular constraint can be added into curve.

2) X/Y axis of sketch can be selected as input for commands related to constraint.

3) Constraints generated by “Middle”, “Intersection”, and “Center of Curvature” options from right-

click menu will be added into entities.

4) Adjustments done for “Auto constrain”:

o Horizontal/Vertical constraint will have higher priority than Parallel/Perpendicular constraint.

o X/Y alignment offered during Auto constrain will not be added into entities.

5) New “Configuration > 2D > Sketch > Add constraints when dependent” option is to control how

new constraint will be dealt with when over-constraint occurs.

6) Entities will be colored when over-constraint occurs until it’s solved.

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7) Sketch operation in History manger will be marked red if it is over-constrained.

How to use

Line will be moved to the selection point of the curve when perpendicular constraint is applied between

line and curve. Line can be move along its perpendicular-constrained curve.

An echo arrow will be displayed if X/Y axis is pre-selected. Right-click menu for X/Y axis is provided

too.

5.1.4 Inquire

“List unsolved constraints and dimensions”, “Toggle dimension” and “Erase selected entities” options

are added into “Show constraint status” form, and only available when there is a constraint conflict.

5.2 Modeling

5.2.1 History Manager

Big enhancements are implemented to History manager in 2013. One aspect of this enhancement is to

clean up some assembly-related information; another is to offer a more flexible operation behavior to

promote operation efficiency and experience. Here are the enhancements:

History operations are listed in a tree form.

History rollback is fastened by new technology.

Upgraded persistent entity labels to make regeneration after history edit more robust.

Following assembly-related operations will not be included in History manager:

o “Show/Hide Dimension” operation.

o Alignment-related operations of assembly.

o Assembly Move/Rotate operations.

o Alternate-related operations of components.

o Configuration-related operations of assembly.

o Interference operation.

Folder is supported in History manager and following folders are provided by default:

o Solid

All close shapes are listed here named in following form: their last feature + (ID generated by

system).

o Surface

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All open shapes are listed here named in same form as solid.

o Wireframe

All entities generated from Wireframe are listed here named in following form: entity type +

No. + (ID generated by system).

o Expression

All variables and equation sets are listed here.

“Feature Dependencies” form is independent from History manager.

A new “Confirm Delete” form to help users to deal with following affected operations after the

deleted operation.

A new “Regenerate Fail” form to provide options to deal with the failed operation after a

redefinition.

A new “MODEL STOP HERE” bar is to indicate the last active operation and can be dragged up

and down.

Re-ordering operations by drag-drop is supported.

Replay form can dynamically collapse /expand.

Right-click menu is provided.

Ctrl/Shift combination keys are supported, and so does window pick.

Shortcuts like Delete and F2 (=rename) are provided.

Where to find

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Configuration > Part > General > Auto-cache part states for faster history rollback

Configuration > Part > Folders display settings

Right-click menu (on an operation) > Dependencies

5.2.2 Wireframe design

Here are the main enhancements for Wireframe:

New “Polygon” command provides 4 following modes: Inscribed, Circumscribed,

InBoundary and CirBoundary.

New “Combined Projection” is to get the intersected curve of 2 curves from 2 directions.

New “Projection Silhouette Curves” command.

Fillet/Chamfer will trim to corner if their radius/setback is set to 0.

“Add parting line” and “Parting line” commands are added into Wireframe.

Where to find

Part/Assembly > Wireframe Ribbon tab > Drawing panel > Polygon

Part/Assembly > Insert menu > Wireframe > Polygon

Part/Assembly > Wireframe Ribbon tab > Curve panel > Combined Projection

Part/Assembly > Insert menu > Wireframe > Curve > Combined Projection

5.2.3 Part Design

5.2.3.1 Wrap to Faces

This new functionality “Wrap to Faces” morphs entities basing on the target face. Here are some notes

about what it offers:

Shape, curve, point, block and STL all can be its object and multiple objects can be dealt with at

one time.

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4 different morphing modes are provided as following:

o Wrap to Faces

Directly morph the object basing the form of faces it is going to place on. Options to orient

the object are provided. Scaling and rotating also can be done.

o Wrap to UV Face

The object is morphed to expand and fill up all the space of its destination face which it is

going to place on. Rotation option is provided.

o Wrap by refolding an “Unfold” feature

The object is placed onto a face basing on the relation it has with the entity generated from

unfolding the face, and will be morphed according to the form of the face during the

accommodation.

o Wrap to curve on face

The object is placed onto a destination face and oriented by the curve on the face, and

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morphed basing on the form of the face when being accomodated.

“Move shape rigidly” is provided.

How to use

Legend Procedure

Create a big cylinder and a small block, and start “Wrap to faces”

command.

Pick the block as the shape to wrap and the cylinder face as the

destination face which the block is going to place on.

A datum mark appears to show how the block is oriented.

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Pick a point from the cylinder face to locate the block.

Use “Match face normal” option to flip the block to face outside.

The Block can be scaled and rotated as what you want.

Check “Move shape rigidly” if the morph is unwanted.

If the result looks ok from the preview and click “OK” to finish the

command.

“Keep original” option is available to preserve the original shape.

Where to find

Part/Assembly > Shape Ribbon tab > Morph panel

Part/Assembly > Edit menu > Shape

5.2.3.2 Wrap Pattern to Faces

Pattern function is provided besides morphing by “Wrap Pattern to Faces” functionality. Here are

some details:

Shape, curve, point, block and STL all can be its object and multiple objects can be operated at

one time.

3 different modes to morph and pattern are provided as following:

o Wrap pattern to faces with minimal distortion

Number and spacing in 2 directions are provided to define how to pattern the object while it is

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being morphed basing on a destination faces which it is about to place on. “Origin” option is

available to define the start point of the pattern. Scaling, rotating and distortion control are

also provided to customize.

o Fill face with wrapped pattern

The objects, which are about to pattern in 2 directions, will be morphed to fill up the whole

space of a destination face. “X/Y fill” options are offered to customize how much space of the

destination face will be filled up. And “X/Y shift” options are to control the offset of pattern.

Scaling and rotation are also provided.

o Wrap pattern to curve on face

The objects are patterned along the curve on a destination face, and morphed basing on the

face when being accomodated.

“Move shape rigidly” is provided.

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How to use

Wrap pattern to curve on face:

Legend Procedure

Build a big cylinder and a small block, and draw a curve on the

cylinder face.

Start “Wrap pattern to face” and use the “Wrap pattern to curve on

face” mode.

Pick the block as the shape to wrap with its top face as input of

“Datum” option, and the cylinder face as the destination face which

the block is about to place on, and the curve on the face as input for

“Curve” option.

Define the “Number” and “Spacing”, and check “Match face

normal” if the block is placed inside the cylinder face.

If the result looks ok from the preview and click “OK” to finish the

command.

“Keep original” option is available to preserve the original shape.

Where to find

Part/Assembly > Shape Ribbon tab > Morph panel

Part/Assembly > Edit menu > Shape

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5.2.3.3 Swept Rod

2 new options are added to present a quick way to build a pipe:

• “Interior D” option is to cut out interior shape to form a pipe.

• “Fillet corner” option is to automatically fillet corner with given radius

if necessary.

5.2.3.4 Fillet

Here are the improvements done for Fillet:

Vertex Fillet

Support mid-chain stops when filleting 1 edge at a 2 edge corner where the edges meet

tangentially.

Speed up filleting efficiency on large model.

Improved filleting preview.

5.2.3.5 Draft

New “Face Draft” mode is added to “Draft” command, which uses “Direct Edit” technology to present

better fillet reconstruction and drafts that change topology and interact with non-local feature.

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5.2.3.6 Hole

Improvements done for Hole command:

o New “Align holes to face normal” option

This option aligns each hole to the face normal at the point where the hole is located on a base

face, regardless of how the hole location is selected. This allows hole locations to be

projected onto faces, using the “Direction” option, without requiring the hole axes to be

aligned to the projection direction. When this box is unchecked, holes defined by projected

points are aligned to the projection direction.

o Copy, Pattern, Mirror, Move and other operations are smarter about preserving data

associated with holes. Many problems have been eliminated that could cause drawings to

lose center lines, threads, hole callouts and hole table entries.

“Flag Thread” command can flag multiple external thread:

If the value of “Diameter” option is locked, all selected external surfaces are flagged as thread

with same diameter. If it is unlocked, all selected external surfaces are flagged as thread using

their own diameter as thread diameter respectively.

5.2.3.7 Unfold to Plane

Here are the enhancements done for “Unfold to Plane”:

2 modes: “Unfold with natural boundary” and “Unfold with fixed boundary”.

Original shape Unfold with natural boundary Unfold with fixed boundary

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Preview is supported

Better unfold result, especially for cases with a seam；

Original shape Unfolded in 2013 Unfolded in 2012

Half sphere with no seam

Half sphere with a seam

Distortion of unfolding for a single untrimmed face to unfold can be control by “Minimize”

option.

Where to find

Part/Assembly > Free Form Ribbon tab > Edit Face panel

Part/Assembly > Edit menu > Face

5.2.3.8 Defeature

“Defeature” function is to remove all feature parameters of a selected shape which is built by these

features, and save into a static shape as a “Sub-part” feature in history manager. When multiple shapes

26

are about to remove parameters together, “Keep shapes separately” option is available to choose for

saving the shapes into one “Sub-part”, or one “Sub-part” for each shape.

“Defeature” operation can’t be redefined, but can be undone.

Where to find

Right-click menu (on blank area of history manager with no object selected) > Defeature

5.2.4 Assembly Design

5.2.4.1 Assembly Manager

Assembly manager has been changed a lot in 2013. Better experience and higher operation

efficiency should be easily perceived. Here are some major enhancements:

New “Alignment” folder is to list all existing alignment in current assembly with following

functionalities:

o 2 different kinds of arraignment: “Alignment Preference” and “Component

Preference”.

o The alignment node named in following form: the icon of alignment type + name

of alignment + ID + (the names of 2 constrained component/object)

o Over-defined alignment will be marked red.

A component can be drag-dropped on the assembly tree up and down, within its parent

assembly, or cross different sub-assemblies. In other word, the assembly structure can be

changed by drag-drop.

Components and constraints can highlight/pre-highlight synchronously between assembly

tree and the graphic area.

Multiple selections can be done by Ctrl/Shift combination keys and window pick.

Double-click can activate a component to edit in-place which the name of the component

will be bolded and blued.

Right-click menu is provided.

Delete key is supported.

“Fixed” and “Over-defined” notes will marks on corresponding components.

New options are added into component’s right-click menu:

o Open Part – literally open the part object to edit while “Edit Part” function is

to activate the part to do an in-place edit under assembly context.

o Rename Part – rename original name of the inserted part while “Rename

Component” is to rename the instance name which is only used on assembly tree.

o Display Parent – open the parent assembly of the component.

New options are added into alignment’s right-click menu: Redefine, Flip, Disable, Inquire

and Delete.

5.2.4.2 Basic Editing of Assembly

1. Pattern

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Instances of patterned component can’t be moved or rotated.

2. Mirror

Mirror operation will not be logged into History manager.

3. Move/Drag/Rotate

Move/Drag/Rotate operation will not be logged into History manager.

5.2.4.3 Geometry to Part

History extraction is added into “Geometry to Part” command with following functionalities:

New “Extract history” option is to list and copy all history operations related to the selected

shape into the destination part.

New “Delete original entities” option.

Old “History” option is removed, and all extracted shape will be extracted into a “Sub-Part”

feature within the destination part.

Where to find

Part/Assembly > Assembly Ribbon tab > Component panel

Part/Assembly > Data Exchange Ribbon tab > Export panel

Part Assembly > Edit menu > Copy

5.2.4.4 Alignment

New “Distance” Alignment;

Delete option is provided in right-click menu of alignments listed in form of “Edit Alignment”.

5.2.4.5 Assembly Inquire

1. Interference

Preview is provided.

A brief report provides following information: Region number of interference, total

volume and total area.

“Keep the interference result” option to decide whether or not an interference operation

is logged into History manager.

5.2.4.6 Animation manager

Animation manager is split into 2 lists “Key frame list” and “Parameter list”.

All animation-related commands are provide through right-click menu.

5.3 ZWMold

ZWMold 3.0 has a big upgrade in parametric design. Each step of the whole mold design procedure that

starts from parting design to the end drafting is parameterized, giving users a big freedom to finish their

28

design in their way.

5.3.1 More Intelligent “Parting Face” and Dynamic Preview

“Parting Face” functionality is upgraded to give a more intelligent performance. Valid entities for the

input of “Outer” option can be detected and selected automatically, and gap that lies on these entities

also can be detected. New “Check all parting lines on surface” option can build the parting face with

one surface after analysis. Dynamic preview is newly added.

5.3.2 Parametric Runner and Gate Design

High work efficiency can be gained by this new parametric runner and gate design.

Since the profile of the runner is pre-defined and parametric, a new runner can be quickly

build after curves for runner path are picked.

A point and a direction are all you need to do to build a gate.

To redefine a runner or gate, simply change their parameters.

29

5.3.3 Upgraded “Part Library” with a full customization functionality and a large number of

standard parts

The new customization functionality gives full support for users to build up their own customized

standard parts library. Besides this, the standard parts library provides a large number of pre-defined

parts from different suppliers of different nations, for instance, MISUMI, FUTABA, HASCO, and

DME.

With the new given commands for common standard parts, ZWMold automatically pick the insert

face and calculate length intelligently.

30

The “Customize” tool is a tool for user easily to input data, when customize your own

component.

5.3.4 The pocket automatic update after the component have changed

The new powerful editing tools are mainly used in readjusting the component. You can do whatever

you wills by moved and copy between components. The pocket refresh in real time.

Modify - the tool will display the parameter of the target component, to make change with

apparent ease.

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Copy – create a new component or component assembly, based on the father component, you

don’t need to reset parameter again.

Move – if there is interference between components, we mean unexpected results eventuated from

your amendment, taking this tool to settle it.

Erase – remove components from the assembly, we will also remove the relevant pocket,

everything is back to normal.

5.3.5 New hide or show functionality to a certain type component.

To hide or display a certain standard components, the new tool is extremely efficient. You just check

the target type.

5.3.6 New BOM function support to export to Excel file

ZW3D will create the bill of materials by searching all over the current assembly. BOM is editable for

user can change the attribute of the part, and export to XLS Document or CSV file.

32

5.3.7 Automatically create drafting of electrode in batches.

ZWMold3.0 can automatically create drawing of electrodes in batches. In ZW3D environment, we not

only make electrodes quickly, but also, taking this tool can export the model to drawing one by one.

33

5.3.8 Add two new types of MoldBase and ZWMold’s tutorial

Add MoldBase for DME and HASCO types, and support BOM for plates of MoldBase.

Add tutorials for ZWMold.

5.4 Drafting

5.4.1 Interface & Workflow

5.4.1.1 Multiple-document Window

All existing sheets are listed under Sheet

tab.

Preview is supported.

Tab scrolling buttons are provided.

Right-click menu is supported.

5.4.1.2 Sheet background settings

Here are the available settings:

Whether to use background color.

34

Background color panel.

Reset background color.

Display sheet shadow.

Where to find

Drafting > Layout Ribbon tab > Sheet panel > Attributes

Drafting > Sheet manager > Right-click (on sheet node) > Attributes

5.4.1.3 Default View Settings

Which view creation command will be automatically launched when entering drafting for the first

time can be set through “Configuration > 2D > Drawing Sheet > Default auto-launch view creation

command” option. Projected view command can also be set to whether to repeatedly execute.

5.4.2 Sheet Manager

New sheet manager offers a new window for users to manage and edit all major drafting objects in one

place. All objects are listed under different nodes of a tree, and all functionalities of all objects can be

assessed through right-click menu. Here are the main functionalities this manager offers:

Sheet, view and table objects are listed.

Multiple sheets are supported.

Over 30 sheet templates for 5 standards are provided by default.

Sheet format customization is supported.

History and assembly trees are listed under the View node.

Folders can be added to enclose views.

Re-ordering sheet sequence by drag-drop is supported.

Objects can be synchronously highlighted or pre-highlighted

between tree node and the graphic area, including history features

and components.

All functionalities are provided through right-click menu.

Sheet export is provided.

5.4.3 Style Manager

Style manager is a new tool to create and edit drafting format standard for all dimensions and

annotations. Here are what functionalities Style manager provides:

35

Pre-defined style standards are ANSI, DIN, GB,

ISO, and JIS.

13 different kinds of dimensions and annotations

are provided to customize.

Common operations to style standard like Create,

Edit, Save, Delete are provided.

All information of a defined style is saved into

Z3 file.

Defined styles can be exported and imported.

Dynamic preview of dimensions and annotation

is supported.

Where to find

Drafting > Tools Ribbon tab > Attribute panel > Style manager

Drafting > Sheet Manager > Right-click (on root node or blank area of manager) > Style…

5.4.4 View

5.4.4.1 Broken Section View

The new broken section command creates a cut-away view of a part, clipping some or all of an

existing view to reveal a section view of the part's interior.

The broken section command supports the same circular, rectangular and polyline clipping

boundaries that are found in the detail view command.

Three methods are available for defining the section cutting planes: Point, which creates a

section plane through a pick point on an edge or center line in the same view or another view;

Section Plane, which defines cutting planes using the same techniques employed by the regular

Section command; and 3D Named, which uses a named section feature from the part to generate

cutting planes.

How to use

Legend Procedure

36

Open a drawing sheet and start a “Broken Section” on a base view.

Select the type of clipping boundary to use, and pick 2 or more points to

define it. For example, to define a circular boundary, pick one point for the

center of the circle and pick a second point to set the radius.

Choose one of the three “Depth” methods to define the section cutting plane:

o Point – Pick a point on an edge or center line in the base view or in

another view to set a 3D location through which the section plane

will cut. For example, in the base view above, picking a point on

this piston’s silhouette would set a section plane that cuts through

the middle of the part.

o Section Plane – Define a section in the same way in which you

would define a section in the Section command: select a view that is

perpendicular to the base view and pick a point to place the section

plane on that other view. Optional “Offset points” may also be

entered to create steps in the section. The image at the left shows

the Section Plane method in use.

o 3D Named -- If the part has named section features in its history,

named sections that are parallel to the plane of the base view will be

available in the “3D name” drop-down list. Select one of these

features from the list.

Click “OK” to finish the command.

Where to find

Drafting > View Ribbon tab > View panel > Broken Section

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Drafting > Sheet Manager > Right-click (on a view node) > 3D View > Broken Section

Drafting > Graphic area > Right-click (on a view) > 3D View > Broken Section

5.4.4.2 View Attribute

New “Show hidden lines” toggle button.

New “Scale type” option to offer 2 settings: Use custom scale and Use sheet scale.

More view attribute options are added into right-click menu.

5.4.4.3 Layout View

More location options are offered.

5.4.4.4 Split Center Lines

If a hole is interrupted by a gap, the center line is continued on the other side of the gap.

5.4.4.5 Break Line View

A new support is to create the breaks in section views and broken section views.

5.4.5 Dimension

Enhancements done for dimension are listed here:

No. Functionalities Detail Preview

1. Dimension Existing style standard is listed to select, and new

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Attribute style standard can be created by “Saving” button.

New attribute forms for each kind of dimensions.

New “By layer” attribute.

2. Line/Arrow

Attribute

New “Use same style” option.

New formats for Line: color, style and width.

2 new different kinds of lines: dimension line and

extension line.

3. Text Attribute

Bold and underline options for text.

Justification options for multiple lines of text: left,

center and right.

New options for aligning text and leader: center, top,

half and bottom.

5 different types of dimension text placement.

4. Tolerance

Attribute

Independent setting for tolerance precision.

New display styles for zero tolerance.

Zero suppression for tolerance.

5. Alternative

Units

New options for positioning of alternative unit.

Independent option for tolerance precision of

alternative unit.

New option to control unit display.

6. Offset

Attribute A more comprehensive form for all offset settings.

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7. Linear

Dimension

Baseline, continuous and ordinate modes are split

into independent dimensions.

8.

Linear

Chamfer

Dimension

New “Along the model line” for text placement.

4 different kinds of text formats. C1, 1x45°, 45°x1, 1x1

New option to control the display of C character.

5 different kinds of text placement.

9. Arc Length

Dimension Newly-added

10. Hole Callout

Text format is provided.

Tolerance and alternative units are provided to

customize only for D1 parameter of Hole.

5 different kinds of text placement.

Hole depth calculated with respect to the extent of

the hole faces.

11. Label

Dimension 5 different kinds of text placement.

12. Feature

Control

New “Combine symbols” option.

Second tolerance is provided.

Annotation text can be added into top and the

bottom of feature control.

Dynamic preview is provided.

13. Datum Feature 3 different kinds of symbol.

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More styles for triangle.

New format options for lines.

14. Datum Target

3 new modes: circle, rectangle and line.

A circular or rectangular region with hatch will be

generated for circle and rectangle modes.

Spacing and angle of hatch can be customized.

15. Center

Dimension

New “Over run B” option.

New “Gap C” option.

New “Center Line Dimension”

16. Surface Finish New symbol layout provides a more intuitive form to

use.

17. Dimension

Quick Edit New dimension edit tools.

18. Text

New added sheet variables:

Sheet_scale, Sheet_sequence, Sheet_amount,

Sheet_name, Sheet_projection, Sheet_filepath.

Variable is regenerated right after inserting, and

won’t be displayed if its value is zero.

19. Dim Tool New dimension toolbar to provide a quick edit for

prefix, suffix and tolerance.

Drafting > Right-click (on blank

41

area of Ribbon) > Toolbar

20.

Modify

Dimension

Points

Redefine the dimension point of existing drafting

dimension.

Drafting > Dimension Ribbon tab >

Edit Dimension

5.4.6 Hatch

Preview is dynamically generated. “By Layer” option is added into “Color” and “Width”.

5.4.7 Table

Here are the improvements done for Hole table:

An indicator is added into table origin.

Hole depth calculated with respect to the extent of the hole faces.

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6 CAM

6.1 CAM Basics

All objects in graphic area can be selected by default and can be filtered by the newly-added

options in Pick Filter. Right-click menu for each object in graphic area is also provided.

o 6 object types are added into Pick Filter: Geometry, Feature (CAD), Face, Curve, Sketch

(CAM) and Toolpath.

o “Disable” option in Pick Filter can be used to stop picking in graph area.

o Minibar menu is provided on the right-click menu of specific object in graphic area.

New options under Configuration > CAM:

o Enable Component Highlight.

o Enable Tool Path Highlight.

o NC extension name – define the extension name used in NC output.

o CAM tool assembly library

o Tool Path Display Colors

Tips of parameters support picture.

6.2 CAM Setup

6.2.1 CAM Manager

Lots of enhancements have done to CAM manager with efforts to provide more flexible and Windows

style behaviors. Here is the summary:

43

CAM tree can be customized.

“Reference Operation” sun-node is added under Frames

node and lists all operations which use the frame.

New “Tools” node is to list all operations which use the

tool.

“Minimum” and “Total Time” sub-nodes are added under

“Tool” node.

“NC Program” sub-node is provided in “Output” node to

record different output configuration.

Folder can be inserted under different nodes like

“Geometry”, “Frame” and “Output”, and can be nested.

New status indicators:

o Distinguish part and containment types with

yellow and green color.

o Icons of hidden objects are greyed.

o A hook will mark on “NC Program” node which

has been output.

New indicator for update.

Drag-drop edit:

o Re-order objects within different nodes.

o Assign value by drag-drop; for instance, dragging

a cam feature to an operation.

o Ctrl + drag = copy。

Single-click to edit is replaced by double-click and right-

click menu:

o Double-click on icon of a CAM Feature can toggle

its type between part and containment, and on its

name can open its form to edit.

o Double-click on icons of part and operation is to

show or hide them.

o Double-click on the part name is to open part to

edit.

o Double-click on the operation name or

“Parameter” node is to open the parameter form.

o Double-click on name of the “Output” node is to

create a new “NC Program” sub-node.

o Double-click on “NC Program” node is to open its

setting form.

Multiple selections can be done by Ctrl/Shift combination

44

keys.

Common shortcuts: Ctrl + C = copy, Ctrl + V = paste, F2 =

rename, Delete key.

Copying and pasting operations within a cam plan or

between different files is supported.

Highlight/pre-highlight between cam manager and graphic

area is provided.

How to use

To customize cam manager, right-click on the root node “Setup” to choose “Customize”, and then check

the node you want to show or hide.

6.2.2 Geometry

Here are the changes about geometry:

New “STL” mode in “Stock” command.

Name of holes listed in Hole cam feature form is named with its diameter, and these holes can be

split into different hole cam features through new “Create features for every hole in the list”

option.

Folder is supported.

New “Duplicate” function to copy CAM feature and folder.

New “Create operation” option is added into right-click menu of CAM feature.

Drag-drop objects to re-order or assign to operations.

Double-click on name to edit or on icons to toggle feature type or display status.

Combination display of components is supported.

A new feature selection form is to provide valid CAM features to choose or create a new feature

basing on the operation the feature is going to manufacture.

45

How to use

Double-click or right-click “Parameter” node under Operation to open the “Select Feature for Operation”

form, and then select a valid CAM feature from the list, or create a new one.

6.2.3 Frames & Clearances

“Reference Operation” sub-node is added under “Frames” node, and operations which use the

frame will be listed here.

New options for datum plane: “Assign to All”, “Toggle Datum Plane” and “Delete Datum”.

Folder is supported.

New “Duplicate” option to copy frame or folder.

Drag-drop objects to re-order or assign to operations.

Double-click on name to edit or on icon to toggle display status.

6.2.4 Tools & Machines

6.2.4.1 Tools

1. Tools in CAM Tree

New “Tools” node to list all operations which use the tool.

“Minimum” and “Total Time” sub-nodes are added under Tool node.

2. Tools Manager

New dynamic preview.

Multiple layers of holder can be customized, and will be considered for holder collision in 2X

milling and 3X rough milling.

New tool speed/feed table is provided to use:

46

o If the speed/feed table of an operation is set by default, the tool speed/feed table set in

tool manager will replace this default operation speed/feed table directly.

o If the speed/feed table of an operation has been customized by user, a message dialog box

will pop up to ask whether the tool speed/feed table should be used in this operation.

o If there is some change in the tool speed/feed table, the operation speed/feed which has

copied from the tool table won’t be updated to the change. In other word, there is no

connection between these 2 tables.

New “CAM tool assembly library” option in Configuration > CAM.

How to use

Holder with multiple layers ->

3 options are to define the shape of current layer:

Top: the revolving diameter of the top;

Bottom: the revolving diameter of the bottom;

Length: the height between top and bottom.

The picture on left of tool manager is selectable to activate one layer to edit. When a layer is selected, it is

activated and marked red and its parameters fill up the fields in the middle.

Where to find

CAM > Setup Ribbon tab > Tool

CAM > CAM Manager > Tool node

CAM > CAM Manager > Operation node > Tool

6.2.4.2 Machines

New “Cycle Output” option is newly added to define whether the machine supports helix Cycle.

47

6.3 Generating Toolpaths

6.3.1 Operation Basics

6.3.1.1 Operation Tree

Operations can be listed under the tool they use within “Tools” node.

“Minimum” and “Total Time” are added under “Tools” node.

Single-click to edit is replaced by double-click and right-click menu.

New options to inquire/edit/analyze/suppress toolpath are added into right-click menu.

Copying and pasting operations within a cam plan or between different files is supported.

Highlight/pre-highlight between cam manager and graphic area is provided.

6.3.1.2 Spreadsheet Interface

New “Speed”, “Feed” columns。

New “Item Config” option to customize sheet.

6.3.2 2X Milling

New “Manual” Lead mode:

o Following lead types are supported: None, Line, Ramp_Line, Ramp_Arc and

Along_Toolpath.

o Alternative lead setting will be used as following sequence: First Lead > Second Lead >

None. In other word, the first lead setting will be used by default if “Manual” mode is active,

and the second setting will be applied only when the first fails to implement, and “None” is

the last choice if the first and second all fail.

o Gouge check is provided.

6.3.3 3X Quick Milling

6.3.3.1 New Check Surface/Part

When a surface is assigned to operations as containment, the cutting will skirt around the

surface and make sure the surface is intact.

When a solid or surface from a part component is assigned to operations and “Check all of Part”

option is set to yes, all remaining surfaces of the part will be treated as Check Surface to avoid

cutting.

“Check Surface Thick” option is provided to apply a safe distance to Check Surface:

o It is applied normal to the Check Surfaces.

o The thick applied to the containing Check Surfaces in QM rough operation is the same as

the thick applied to the Part geometry.

ZW3D 2013（Check Surface） ZW3D 2012（No Check Surface）

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6.3.3.2 New “Angle Limiting Finishing Cut” Operation

The “Angle Limiting Finishing cut” operation is used when smooth and steep tool path are both

required in the vicinity of steep walls, milling in uncut or uncutable places or when milling the

entirely part as a whole. Here is some functionality it provides:

“Steep Angle” option is to distinguish the Flat

Regions and Steep Regions.

“CutByRegions” option is to decide whether only

Flat Region or Steep Region is about to mill or

both are set to mill.

3 different operation types can be specified by Flat

Pattern to mill the Flat Region:

Lace Cut, Offset 3D and HSM Lace.

Step size can be specified respectively for the Flat

Region and Steep Region.

“Overlap” option is provided to the overlap size

between the millings of the Flat Region and Steep

Region.

New features that are introduced in ZW3D 2013

are also supported, such as:

o New Check Surface/Part;

o New “Manual” lead mode;

o New Contact Containment;

Where to find

CAM > 3X Quick Ribbon Tab > Angle Limiting Finishing

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6.3.3.3 Big step size support

Better support to step size with a value over 50% of tool diameter in rough operations is to provide a

high cutting efficiency.

ZW3D 2013 ZW3D 2012

6.3.3.4 New “Manual” lead mode

Finish operations provide a new “Manual” lead mode which is similar with the one in 2X Milling.

6.3.3.5 Corner Control

More material around the corner gets cleaned with “Smooth” corner control of rough operation, and

new “D Loop” corner control is newly added.

Smooth D Loop

6.3.3.6 New Contact Containment

3 new contact containments are provided to limit the cutter tangent to the containment boundary:

Only following operations provide such functionality:

Finish Lace Cut Operation, Finish Offset 3D Cut Operation, Z Level Cut Operation, Engrave 2D

Cut Operation, HSM SmoothFlow Cut Operation, HSM Offset 2D Operation, and HSM Lace

Cut Operation.

The new 3 contact containments are: Tangent to Open Edges, Tangent to Silhouettes, and

50

Tangent to Face Curves.

Containment ZW3D 2013 ZW3D 2012

Tangent Contact

Open Edges

Tangent Contact

Silhouettes

Tangent Contact

Face Curves

How to use

A simple example to use “Tangent Contact Face Curves” containment:

Legend Procedure

51

Build a part similar with the one on the left: a surface

with a close curve on it.

Hint: the curve can be drawn by “Curve on face

through points” command or “Project to face”

command.

Use “Add Parting Line” command (Wireframe

Ribbon tab > Curve panel) to create a part line from

the curve.

Hint: the original curve can be erased or hidden after

the creation.

Right-click on blank area of graphic area and create

a new CAM plan.

Start “Profile” command from “Setup Ribbon tab >

Feature”, and set “Input Type” option to “Face

Curve” on the selection form, and then pick the

parting line as profile.

Set “Type” to “Contain” on Profile Feature form and

finish the profile containment creation.

Insert a Finish Lace Cut Operation and assign the

profile and the part as its features.

Define a tool and assign to the operation.

52

Double-click “Parameter” of the operation and set

“Limiting parameter > XY tab > Type Contain”

option to “Tangent Contact Face Curves”.

Calculate the operation to check the result.

6.3.3.7 Non-Uniform Step Size

Z Level Cut Operation supports to set different Z step size for layers, and the maximum Z step

size limitation is removed.

Form Uniform Step Size Non-Uniform Step Size

6.4 Processing Toolpaths

6.4.1 Toolpath Analysis

New independent Toolpath Analysis:

3 analysis types: Collision, Gouge, and Rest Material.

Analysis result of Collision and Gouge will color toolpath with display settings. And a new

STL part will be generated as the result of Rest Material analysis.

Toolpath Analysis can perform on several toolpaths, or some specific tool motion of a

toolpath.

Display options for Collision and Gouge analysis are provided.

6.4.2 Toolpath Verification

Solid Verification is upgraded to offer smoother view operation.

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6.4.3 Toolpath Output

6.4.3.1 Output Node

New “NC Program” node is provided under “Output” node to record different output behaviors.

“Output” options are provided in the right-click menu of operations.

NC, CL, XML\HTML, Tooling List and Operation List can all be output separately from

“Output” and “NC Program” node.

Independent output setting form is provided for each “Output” node and “NC Program” node.

New “Custom CL Cmd” option.

Machine can be defined in NC output form.

Folder is supported and can be nested.

Multiple selections can be done by Ctrl/Shift combination keys.

Re-order by drag-drop.

Common shortcuts: F2 (= rename), Delete key.

How to use

1. Right-click on “Output” node and choose “CL/NC Output Settings” to define output settings.

2. Double-click “Output” node to create a new “P0001” node.

To have different output settings for this “P0001” output, change the setting on the Output Setting

form which is activated from the “Setting” option of right-click menu on “P0001” node.

3. Pick all the operations that are about to output and drag it to the “P0001” node.

4. If no machine is defined, you can define it on the Output Setting form, or create one from “Machine”

node.

5. Right-click “P0001” node and output it.

6.4.3.2 Output Form

The original output form is split into different independent forms: Output form, Output Program

form, Output Setting form, CAM XML Layout Manager and Solid Verify Session form. Here are

some changes:

The extension of the output file can be customize through Configuration > CAM > NC

extension name.

Machine can be created on Output Setting form.

New “Relation Frame” option on Output Setting form.

New CustomCLCmd form.

New “Cycle Output” option is newly added to define whether the machine supports helix

Cycle.

Where to find

Output form: CAM Plan Tree > Right-click (on “Output” node) > Edit

Output form: CAM > Output Ribbon tab > Organize

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Output Program form: CAM Plan Tree > Right-click (on “Output” node) > CL/NC Output Setting

Output Setting form: CAM Plan Tree > Right-click (on “NC Program” node) > Setting

CustomCLCmd form: CAM Plan Tree > Right-click (on “NC Program” node) > Custom CL Cmd

Solid Verify Session form: CAM > Output Ribbon tab > Verify

Solid Verify Session form: CAM Plan Tree > Right-click (on “Operation” node) > Solid Verify