ZW3D WHAT’S NEW V 2017

ZW3D Software Co., Ltd

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Copyright and Trademarks © Copyright 2017 ZWCAD Software Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Floor 4, NO.886, Tianhe North Road, Guangzhou 510635 P.R.China (8620)38289780

ZW3D™ V2017 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

Highlights of ZW3D 2017 ................................................................................... 1

1 Basic ..................................................................................................... 1

1.1 ★Smaller Z3 File ............................................................................ 1

1.2 ★New “Physical Attributes” ............................................................... 2

1.3 ★Upgraded “Equation Manager”.......................................................... 4

1.4 ★Updated Link Manager ................................................................... 9

1.5 ★Upgraded Dynamic Section View ...................................................... 10

1.6 Tweaked Material .......................................................................... 15

1.7 Batch Edit for “Find/Replace Name” ................................................... 15

1.8 Tweaked UI ................................................................................. 16

1.9 PMI “Coordinate” Annotation Supports Local Frame ................................. 17

1.10 Tweaked Texture .......................................................................... 18

2 Translator ............................................................................................. 19

2.1 Import ....................................................................................... 19

2.1.1 Improvements done for Import .......................................................... 19

2.1.2 Update for Supported Import Formats .................................................. 20

2.2 Export ........................................................................................ 21

2.2.1 Improvements done for Export ........................................................... 21

2.2.2 Update for Supported Export Formats .................................................. 22

3 CAD ..................................................................................................... 24

3.1 Sketch Design ............................................................................... 24

3.1.1 ★New “Sketch Block” ..................................................................... 24

3.1.2 Custom Ready Sketch ...................................................................... 30

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3.1.3 ★Data Manager Visible inside Sketch Context ......................................... 30

3.1.4 New “Move entities along a direction” ................................................. 33

3.2 Wireframe Design .......................................................................... 33

3.2.1 ★New “Extract Centerline” .............................................................. 33

3.2.2 Upgraded “Project Silhouette to a Plane” into “Silhouette Curves” ............... 35

3.3 Part Design .................................................................................. 36

3.3.1 ★Improved Boolean........................................................................ 36

3.3.2 ★Enhanced Face Extension ............................................................... 36

3.3.3 ★Improved “Direct Edit” ................................................................. 37

3.3.4 Improved Fillet to Work Faster and Cover More Cases ............................... 38

3.3.5 Tweaked Part Configuration to Support Export and Import ......................... 39

3.3.6 Misc. ......................................................................................... 39

3.4 ★Sheet Metal Design ...................................................................... 41

3.4.1 Upgraded “Full Flange” ................................................................... 41

3.4.2 Upgraded “Partial Flange” ............................................................... 44

3.4.3 Upgraded “Swept Flange” ................................................................ 45

3.4.4 Updated “Close Corner” .................................................................. 47

3.4.5 Upgraded “Fold by Line” .................................................................. 48

3.4.6 New “Hem” ................................................................................. 50

3.4.7 New “Jog”................................................................................... 51

3.4.8 New “Extend Flange” ...................................................................... 53

3.4.9 New “Bend Taper” ......................................................................... 56

3.4.10 New “Normal Cut” ......................................................................... 58

3.4.11 Misc. ......................................................................................... 61

3.5 Assembly Design ............................................................................ 61

III

3.5.1 ★Assembly Fillet ........................................................................... 61

3.5.2 ★New “Assembly Chamfer” .............................................................. 62

3.5.3 Improved Component Regeneration with Assembly Replay .......................... 62

3.5.4 Tweaked “Insert a Component” ......................................................... 63

3.5.5 Misc. ......................................................................................... 65

3.6 Mold Design ................................................................................. 67

3.6.1 ★New Mold Standard Part Lib Directory Customization Support .................... 67

3.6.2 See-through Support in “Region” ........................................................ 68

3.6.3 Inch Mold Bases and General Standard Parts........................................... 68

3.7 Drawing Sheet Design ..................................................................... 69

3.7.1 ★New project line setting on Each Projected Components ......................... 69

3.7.2 New “Depth” option on Section View to Define What is projected ................ 70

3.7.3 New Hatch Visibility Setting on Each Projected Components ....................... 70

3.7.4 New “Dynamic hatch scaling and angle” in “Aligned Section” ...................... 71

3.7.5 New Associative Model Setup for Each Drawing Sheet ................................ 72

3.7.6 New Equation Manager .................................................................... 72

3.7.7 ★New Format for Referencing Variable ................................................ 74

3.7.8 ★Improved BOM ............................................................................ 76

4 CAM ..................................................................................................... 79

4.1 Summary of CAM new features ........................................................... 79

4.2 ★New Flat Finishing Operation .......................................................... 80

4.3 ★Profile and Surface Engraving support user-defined tool .......................... 83

4.3.1 User-Defined Tool .......................................................................... 83

4.3.2 Tool Path Calculation in Profile and Surface Engraving Operation ................. 86

4.3.3 Solid Verify with User-Defined Tool ..................................................... 86

IV

4.4 ★Mill-Turn Simulation ..................................................................... 87

4.5 New Ramp Pitch for Ramp Operation ................................................... 87

4.6 Misc. ......................................................................................... 89

4.6.1 Forced Plane Engagement in Z Level Operation ....................................... 89

4.6.2 Batch Calculate Support One-Click Import ............................................. 90

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Highlights of ZW3D 2017

Basics： Smaller Z3 File

Upgraded Equation Manager

Upgraded Dynamic Section View

Translator： Supported Versions Update

CAD： New “Sketch Block”

Data Manager Visible under Sketch Context

New “Extract Centerline”

Upgraded Sheet Metal to Expend its Capability

New “Assembly Fillet” and “Assembly Chamfer”

New Project Lines Setting on Each Projected Components

New Format for Referencing Variable

Improved BOM

New Mold Standard Part Lib Directory Customization

CAM： New Flat Finishing Operation

Profile and Surface Engraving Supports User-Defined Tool

Mill-Turn Simulation

New Ramp Pitch for Ramp Operation

Note: Important enhancements in this article are marked with

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1 Basic

1.1 ★Smaller Z3 File

Smaller Z3 file can be easily archived, transmitted and shared. Here are a few ways 2017 has

offered to downsize the Z3 file dramatically, equivalent to Parasolid.

1. New options to control whether display and edge data need to be saved

3 options have been provided on “Configuration > General > General” as following.

Save file without display & edge data

Save file without display data

Save file with all data

“Save file without display” option is on by default and can generate the smallest Z3 file.

Z3 file saved without display data needs to re-generate the display data during file

opening process, which will cost a little more time comparing with the previous version,

but not noticeable.

--->

2. Update “Automatic NURBS data reduction”

“Automatic NURBS data reduction” option on “Configuration > Part > General” has been

updated to make it limited to work on non-analytic surfaces which has no less than 64

control points.

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1.2 ★New “Physical Attributes”

“Part Attributes” form has added the “Physical” tab to calculate common part attributes,

like Mass, Volume, Area, Size, Centroid, for user to look up directly.

1. different calculation scopes set by “Source” option

All in current

The calculation includes all shapes from active part/assembly, parts inserted as

components, sub-assemblies and their own components within. All calculated objects

will use their current status.

All from origin

The calculation includes the same objects as “All in current”, except it will open

those objects and find out their origin data, and use that data to get the result.

Only part in current

The calculation only takes in the part objects from its all components, and use their

current status of those parts to generate the result. The objects marked as Assembly

will not be considered for calculation.

Only part from origin

Similar with “Only part in current”, the calculation limits its objects on Part type,

but will open those parts and dig out their origin data, then do the counting.

->How it works

Involved objects when calculating the physical attributes of the Assembly 1

The structure of Assembly 1 “All” “Only Part”

Assembly 1

┣Shapes of the Assembly 1

┣Sub-assembly1

┣Shapes of the sub-assembly1

┣Part 1

┣Part 2

┣Part 1

√

√

√

√

√

√

×

×

×

√

√

√

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┣Part 2 √ √

2. New “Size” attribute

Part_Length, Part_Width and Part_Height are newly added numeric part attributes,

which consist of another new part attribute Part_Size as Length * Width * Height.

Part_Size is a character attribute, and it uses the decimal setting to read out those 3

attributes.

3. Unit support for basic attributes

Unit from the Density is used by other part attributes on the form to display their values.

Only length numeric attributes like Length, Width, Height will be saved its value and unit

together, such as Length = 10cm. Other part attributes like Mass, Volume, Area only save

its value using default system unit, for example Mass = 10kg.

4. Customization support for basic attributes

Mass, Volume, Area and Size attributes can be input customized values to override the

calculated number if you like.

Meanwhile, you can use “Mass Attributes” to calculate specific objects to get customized

values to override those 4 attributes.

5. Auto update during saving

“Update on save” option is to auto calculate the object and update related physical

attributes during file saving. Since this calculation occurs during saving, the file save

process will take on more time than common situation.

6. Name field on “Part attribute > Standard” from Z3PRT can’t be changed

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Object name is synchronized with the file name if suffix of the file is Z3PRT, and the file

name can’t be changed while the file is open. So the Name field of the part with suffix

Z3PRT can’t be edit.

1.3 ★Upgraded “Equation Manager”

This upgraded equation manager gathers all variables and equation sets into one form, and

develops its capabilities as following.

1. New form with composite tree and list widget to manage variables and equations all

together

User-defined variables and equation sets are listed on the tree following their

creation order.

Enlisted feature dimensions are listed after the ones mentioned above.

Variables and dimensions of sketches are listed at the third place.

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Variables and dimensions of sketch blocks referenced by current object will be listed

at fourth place.

Detail info, such as expression, value, unit and so on, of each node are output

through each cell of the row. And columns can be customized through the right-click

menu.

The right-click menu on each node is provided.

2. More new variable types

A. String variable

You can define the string variable with quotation marks, like String1 = “ZW3D”.

Only addition operation is supported for string variable. For example,

String1 = “ZW3D”, String2 = “2017”, then String3 = String1+String2 = “ZW3D 2017”.

If you want to use a numeric variable to define a string variable, you need to use

num2str() function to read out the number as characters.

B. Point variable

Point(X,Y,Z) is the way you define a point variable, like Point1 = Point(1,2,3).

Assignment is the only operation supported by Point variable, but you can use other

numeric variables to define the value of its coordinates.

C. Vector variable

Similar with point variable, Vector(X,Y,Z) is the form you define a vector variable, like

Vector1 = Vector(1,2,3).

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You can do addition, subtraction and Scalar multiplication operation on vector

variables. For example,

Vector1(1,1,1), Vector2(0,1,1)，then

Vector3 = Vector1 + Vector2 = Vector(1,2,2)

Vector4 = Vector1 – Vector2 = Vector(1,0,0)

Vector5 = 5*Vector1 = Vector(5,5,5)

3. New unit support

Numeric variables can set up their units. And constant explicitly defined with a unit is

still supported. For example, the expression result of the length variable A in cm unit is:

A = 1.mm+1.in+1=1+25.4+1=27.4

4. New Description to attach note onto variables

Description is to add more info to the variable for others to learn about.

5. New “Enlist Dimension” to enroll the feature parameters into the equation manager

Feature parameters can reference variables, and would be very helpful to stay together

in a same form to edit.

If a feature parameter references a variable, it will be enlisted into equation

manager by default.

“Enlist Dimension” can be to add feature parameters into equation manager by

picking on graphic area.

“Listed in Variable” option on the edit form of each parameter also can enlist itself.

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If you want the parameter enlisted from the equation manager, just use the

“Unenlist” option from its right-click menu.

6. Quick name tag creation and modification

On the “Input Dimension Value” form of a feature parameter, the parameter name is

shown up for you to change to new custom one if you want for better understanding. The

new name should not be duplicate with other names of parameters and variables.

7. Z3 file info is recorded when variable reference is crossing files

When a variable reference another variable of another Z3 file, its expression consists of:

File name + Object name + Variable name

For example, the variable A of Part001 from File001 is referencing variable B of Part002

from File002, so the expression of A will be: [File002:Part002:B].

8. Excel export and import support

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You can export all the variables and enlisted dimensions inside the equation manger to a

csv file, then edit it in Excel. After the modification, you can import the csv file back to

the equation manager to update all variables.

If you want to update the existing variables dimensions, you need to choose the Override

button during the duplicate name check when importing the csv file.

9. New function list to provide more functions and

constant

ceiling(x) - smallest integer greater than x

date() - read out current date

time() - read out current time

dec(x, y) - truncate x to keep y decimal places

round(x) - round off x

deg(x) - convert radian x to degree

rad(x) - convert degree x to radian

max(x,y) - get the bigger one between x and y

min(x,y) - get the smaller one between x and y

mod2(x,y)- get the remainder of x/y

num2str(x) - convert the figures of x to string

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pi - circumference ratio

10. (SP)New lock or blank variables inside Equation manager

Locked variables can’t be edited to avoid unintentional change. You can unlock them and

then edit if you do want to change them.

If the variable list goes long, you can blank some of them to simplify. Hidden variables

can be un-blank from the User Blanked list of the Filter.

11. (SP)Re-ordering variable sequence

Independent variables or variables inside of any equation set can be dragged into any

position you like to re-order their sequence.

Equation set also can be dragged to re-arrange its position.

->Where it is

Part context > Tools ribbon > Equation Manager

Part context > History tree > Right-click on Expression node > Equation Manager

1.4 ★Updated Link Manager

1. Standalone sketch is included inside Link manager if it’s referenced.

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Standalone sketch can be referenced by other part objects through “External Sketch”,

so that the part will follow the change of the standalone sketch.

The association between the standalone sketch and its reference instances can be

found within the link manager.

Elements of a standalone sketch, such as variables and sketch blocks, also can be

referenced by other external object. And you can found out the association among

these references inside the link manager.

2. Adjusted the update info between the sketch feature and its reference instance of

other part objects

A sketch feature of a part can be referenced by other parts. If the part is changed but

sketch feature hasn’t, the other parts, which reference the sketch feature, won’t be

marked outdated.

3. Update the variable instance name of other variables’ expressions of other objects

when the variable name is changed

Variable can be referenced over objects or files, like over parts, sketch, or sketch blocks.

When the name of a variable is changed, all its reference instances from other open

objects will be updated at the same time to maintain their associations.

1.5 ★Upgraded Dynamic Section View

Dynamic section view is to clip off the part imaginary to see the inside and learn about the

section. Here are some features for this upgrade.

1. New view archive and redefinition support

Section views are saved into the View manger and listed under Section views node.

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All saved views can be redefined, renamed and deleted through their right-click

menu.

You can use “Section” command to create first section view, or edit last active view.

You can turn the section effect by “Section on/off”.

2. Section effect can work on all display modes

All display modes now can have this dynamic section as following pictures show. You can

turn on/off the section as you desire.

Wireframe Shade Hidden Analyze Combination

3. New drag handle support to directly transform the section plane

The handle is available as soon as you edit a section view. You can translate the section

plane by dragging the handle along one of the axes, or rotate it by pivoting the handle.

The section plane is moved along with the handle by default. If you only want to adjust

the handle, just check on the “Move handle only” option.

You can simply click on each of the axes to activate their re-orientation, then click one

line or edge as the new direction. Or you can right-click on the axes to use the popped-up

menu to redefine the direction.

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To re-place the position of the handle, just click on its origin, then pick on the desired

spot to relocate.

4. Clickable section plane to switch active plane directly

Shown section planes can be clicked directly to activate, then you can drag it.

5. New “Reverse Direction” button to directly switch side to remove

6. New “Orient view to plane” to align the view to the section plane

During defining the section view, you can use this button to align the view to active plane

to better observe the section and measure.

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7. New “Display section curves” option to show up the boundaries of the section areas

You can measure those displayed section curves as long as you see them, even when you

are defining the view.

8. Direct measurement support during sectioning

Since you can measure the section view any time you like, you can obtain the measure

result on different locations by dragging the section plane and compare them right away.

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9. Direct pick on visible entities after section

After removing and splitting the blocking entities, you can pick any visible entities

directly to what you like to do. For example, you can pick the interior visible entities of

components to measure.

10. Saved section view can be used directly by “ISO Metric Section View”

You can generate a ISO metric section view directly using the saved section view from

the 3D model, which would save lots of work time.

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1.6 Tweaked Material

1. New material assignment type

A part has its material while its shapes also can have their own one. There are 2

assignment types for you to do whatever you like.

Part Material

This is to set up the part material, and you can use the “Override shape material”

option to get rid of any defined materials of shapes within.

Shape Material

Pick the shapes you like to set up their own materials.

2. New Import/Export support

You can use the export button to output all material into a text file, then re-import it

after modification.

1.7 Batch Edit for “Find/Replace Name”

“Find/Replace Name” has provided a new option “Import Excel to make multiple

replacements” to help you to do a batch name update. Here is the format you should follow

inside the Excel.

Data should start on first row and column.

Name order on each row is: old file name, new file name, old object name, new

object name.

One row represents one find/replace.

Empty cell means on find/replace.

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1.8 Tweaked UI

1. Role selection on the first startup to set up your favorite UI

Basing on your actual practice, you can set up your favorite UI by selecting different user

roles on ZW3D first startup.

2. Reset the UI basing the activated license when the license is activated for the first

time

By doing this, you can have all your purchased modules displayed by default after you

activate your ZW3D.

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Since the UI is going to be reset, you need to save the current UI as your own role to

bring back the UI after activation if you want to keep the way it is.

3. New “Display mode” option to set up how to display a new file or opened file

You can have this “Display mode” option under Configuration > Display > Option &

Default is to choose which display mode is applied when opening a file or creating a new

file. For example, you can choose “Wireframe” as the default display mode to speed up

opening a big mode.

4. (SP)Open all commands to hotkey customization

1.9 PMI “Coordinate” Annotation Supports Local Frame

PMI “Coordinate” annotation provides a new Frame field to allow you to select any datum

plane as a local frame to read out its relative coordinates. It uses the active frame as default

if no frame is specified.

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1.10 Tweaked Texture

“Texture Map” will automatically align the inserted picture to the origin if you pick the datum

created on 2017, unless you pick another point for the Origin field. After assigned a picture to

a datum created on 2017, moving the datum will move the picture along. “Edit Texture” can

redefine the origin of the inserted picture.

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2 Translator

2.1 Import

2.1.1 Improvements done for Import

1. Speedup STEP import on complex parts with lots of faces

On some cases up to 50% speedup can be gained for STEP import.

2. New “Hidden entity” option to control whether the blanked objects are imported or

not

The option is available for following formats:

ACIS, CATIA V5/V6，NX, Creo, Solidworks

3. New “PMI” option to control whether it can be imported or not

The option is available for following formats:

CATIA V5/V6，NX, Creo, Solidworks

PMI objects are all kinds of information attaching to the 3D entities of a part or an

assembly, which can be used as a replacement for drawing sheet. Through the imported

PMIs, you can learn about all the info documented inside the original file before import,

and move, show/unblank or delete each PMI object if you like.

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4. Name info import support for Entities

Entities can carry their own name inside a model on some 3D system. After import, these

names can be inherited by the corresponding entities inside ZW3D for users to work on

same info.

Since name inside history manager only support 32 characters, the long imported name

will be truncated automatically to accommodate.

5. (SP)Enhancements for STEP import

1) New support to import curves with their color from STEP file

2) Tweaked the naming rule of same name components during STEP assembly import to

keep most of original name info and distinguish each other

6. (SP)Layouts in DWG are imported as multiple sheets

2.1.2 (SP)Update for Supported Import Formats

The update is marked by Red.

Format Extension Version

Catia V4 .model, .exp, .session 4.1.9 – 4.2.4

Catia V5/V6 .CATPart, .CATProduct, .CGR, .3DXML V5R8---V5/V6R2016

NX(UG) .prt 11– NX 11

Creo(Pro/E) .prt, .prt*, .asm, .asm.* 16 – Creo 3.0

SolidWorks .sldprt, .sldasm 98– 2017(Only 64)

SolidEdge .par, .asm, .psm V18 – ST9

Inventor .ipt, .iam Up to V2017

ACIS .sat, .sab, .asat, .asab R1 – R26(2016)

DWG .dwg R11 - 2013

DXF .dxf R11 - 2013

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IGES .ige, .iges

STEP .stp, .step 203, 214

Parasolid .x_t, .x_b, .xmt_txt, .xmt_bin Up to 29.0

VDA .vda

Image File *.bmp, *.gif, *.jpg, *.jpeg, *.tif, *.tiff

Neutral File *.z3n, *.v3n

PartSolutions *.ps2, *.ps3

STL *.stl

3DXML .3dxml V4.3

XCGM .x cgm R2012-2016 1.1

JT .jt JT 8.x/9.x

Supported formats on XP version are not listed here.

2.2 Export

2.2.1 (SP)Improvements done for Export

1. Added support to export multiple objects into one same format

2. New support to export cgr, xcgm, 3dxml formats

All these 3 formats only support to export as part, so assembly info like the assembly

structure will be lost.

3D XML

3DXML is a proprietary 3D file format developed by Dassault Systemes and it uses an XML

container whose specifications were published.

Graphical Writer

Solid Surface Wire Point

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√ √ √

XCGM

XCGM is an extension to the 3D XML format that includes B-rep data for a model along

with its graphical representation.

Graphical Writer

Solid Surface Wire Point

√ √ √

3. Added sketch export into Parasolid

4. Enhancements done for DWG export

1) New “Scale output” in DWG export to export the drawing sheet in custom 1:1

2) Centerline is exported as curve into dwg, instead as block

2.2.2 Update for Supported Export Formats

The update is marked in Red.

Formats Extention Version

Catia V4 .model, 4.1.9 – 4.2.4

Catia V5 .CATPart, .CATProduct, .CGR V5R15 – V5–6R2016

ACIS .sat, .sab, .asat, .asab R1 – R26(2016)

DWG .dwg R11 - 2013

DXF .dxf R11 - 2013

IGES .ige, .iges

STEP .stp, .step 203, 214

Parasolid .x_t, .x_b, .xmt_txt, .xmt_bin 7.0 ~ 28.0

VDA .vda

Image File *.bmp, *.gif, *.jpg, *.jpeg, *.tif, *.tiff

Neutral File *.z3n, *.v3n

PDF *.pdf

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STL *.stl

WRML File *.wrl

HTML File *.html, *.htm

3D XMl *.3dxml V4.3

XCGM *.xcgm R2012-2017 1.1

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3 CAD

3.1 Sketch Design

3.1.1 ★New “Sketch Block”

Sketch block collects a group of sketch entities and make them work as a single object under

sketch context.

1. Block types

Rigid block

when a rigid block is inserted into a sketch, geometries of the block work as a

whole to move and constraint, but can’t be changed.

The constraints and dimensions inside the block belong to the block only and

can’t be seen outside the block, and won’t be involved in the sketch solving.

After inserted into a sketch, any entities of the rigid block can be picked to

constrain with other geometries of the sketch, but beware of over-constraint of

the block.

Inside a sketch, you can insert multiple instances of one rigid block.

Rigid block can be nested.

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Flexible block

After created inside a sketch, entities of the flexible block can be changed their

profile and position by simply dragging or constraints and dimensions of the

sketch that are imposed on them, i.e. the sketch can change how the flexible

block looks like.

After created inside a sketch, constraints and dimensions inside the flexible

block are blanked by default, which can be shown through the “Show inner

constraints” command form its right-click menu. And these constraints and

dimensions are included during sketch constraint solving.

A flexible block can only be referenced one time by its parent sketch, but can be

referenced as a rigid block by other Z3 file.

A flexible block can be referenced by another rigid block, but can’t be inserted

into another flexible block, i.e. flexible block can’t be nested among each other.

The flexible block use italic name to identify itself inside the block manager.

2. Create a block

Independent entities can be picked to consist of the block

Inside a sketch, you can pick regular entities, like lines, curves, constructive entities

and text, to make a block, but the dependent entities like reference entities, and

pictures are invalid to pick.

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Constraints and dimensions attached onto the picked entities will be move along with

the entities into the block, except the one attached between picked entities and the

unpicked, which will remain as they were.

Blocks can be picked to make a block.

Name and rename the block

You need to give a unique name to a block. And you can rename the block inside the

block manager by just right-clicking on the block name and picking the rename

command.

Insertion point of the block

Insertion point is to locate the block when inserting into a sketch. If no point is

picked for this, the centroid point is used by default as the insertion point. Flexible

block doesn’t need this.

Description is supported

Other users can learn more info about from this info if they want to reference this

block.

“Flexible” option to define what kind the block will be

You can decide what kind of block you are making. The flexible can convert into rigid,

but you can’t convert a rigid into flexible. If a flexible block is included in your

picked entities to make a new block, this option is not available.

3. Edit a block

Block only can be edited inside its own file. After the block is referenced into

another file, the instances can’t be edited. Flexible block can only be edited under

its parent sketch or block where it resides.

You can double-click on a block inside a sketch to activate the block to edit, or use

the “Edit Block” command from its right-click menu.

You can add new entities from current sketch to an existing block through the “Add

Entity to Block” command.

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You can explode the block to dissolve it. For nested blocks, only the top block is

dissolved.

You can delete any instances of a block, and all instances will be deleted if you

delete the block itself on block manger or using “Erase Block and References”. When

a block contains a flexible block, deleting the block will erase the flexible block at

the same time.

You can directly pick any entities of blocks to dimension and constrain.

Dragging any entities of a rigid block can move or rotate the block according its

constraint status. And dragging entities of a flexible block just change its profile.

4. Reference a block

A rigid block can include any rigid and flexible blocks, but a flexible block only can

involve rigid blocks as its elements.

You can use the “Insert Block” command to reference a block from any file into

current sketch. During this insertion, you can keep the association between original

block and the reference instance by checking the “Link to file” option, or create a

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new block through copying the block if you don’t check the option, or even use the

“Explode” option to just copy the entities without creating any block.

You can directly copy a block, and paste it to create a new block onto another sketch.

No association remain between original block and the copied one.

If a block is associative with an external block, its name on bloke manager will be

tagged with “<-” mark. You can dissolve the association with the “Unlink” command

from its right-click menu.

You can learn about the association status through Block manager and Link manager.

If a block is outdated, its name is marked in red on the Block manger. And you can

update it by the “Regen” from its right-click menu.

5. Block manager

The Block manger lists out all blocks inside the selected file, and provide common edit

tools for blocks.

File browser button can open any Z3 file you like to look into.

You can use the text filter to search the block name you like

to see.

All common selection behaviors are provided, such as Ctrl and

Shift.

The right-click menu is provided all command edit tools, such

as edit, insert, delete, rename, regen and so on.

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->How it works

To create a four bar linkage

1. Inside a sketch context, use “Slot” and “Circle” to create 4 profiles as following, and

make them into 4 blocks.

Fixed Rod

Rigid

Driving Rod

Rigid

Driven Rod

Rigid

Link Rod

Flexible

2. Connect these blocks together using “Point incident” constraint, and give a horizontal

constraint to Fixed Rod.

3. Drag the incident point between Driving and Link rods to make the Driving rod

horizontally. Link rod will automatically extend itself.

4. Drag the incident point between Driven and Link rods to make the Driven rod horizontally.

Link rod will be shortened.

5. Open Block manager and right-click on the Link rod, and pick “Change to Rigid” to

convert Link rod from flexible to rigid.

6. Drag he incident point between Driving and Link rods and rotate to check whether the

Driving rod can rotate 360 degrees.

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3.1.2 Custom Ready Sketch

After sketch blocks are defined inside a sketch, you can save these sketch blocks as Ready

sketch into the ReadySketchMM.Z3 or ReadySketchIN.Z3 file, and then re-insert them again

later.

You can right-click on any rigid blocks and pick the “Save to Ready

Sketch” to save them as custom ready sketch.

After defined custom ready sketches, “Custom Ready Sketch”

command can re-insert them into a sketch.

“Custom Ready Sketch” only lists out custom blocks.

“Custom Ready Sketch” will create a new block every time it is

executed even you pick the same custom block.

You can dissolve the block during its insertion with the “Explode”

option.

To redefine a saved custom block, you need to create another block with the same name and

pick the Override option when using “Save to Ready Sketch”.

3.1.3 ★Data Manager Visible inside Sketch Context

Data manager carries history manager, assembly manager, view manager and visual manger to

work as a common entry to access all info. Since sketch is closely connected to part/assembly

context, 2017 supports to display data manger inside the sketch context, so you can access all

the data through it. Here are the common related operations:

Access all edit tools for variables and block of current sketch.

Toggle the visibility of geometry entities on the history manager.

Toggle the dimension visibility of history features.

Toggle the visibility of components on the assembly manager.

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Change the graphic display effect through view and visualize manager.

->How it works

1. Blank unwanted components during on-place editing a component of an assembly

1) Open an assembly file, then double-click on the component you want to edit on the

assembly tree into the part editing context.

2) New a sketch to go into the sketch context.

3) During drawing, when you want to pick some edge from certain component, but

there are too much components displayed blocking you to find the edge. pick the

unwanted components on the assembly tree, and right-click to select “Blank”

command.

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2. Directly reference an external feature dimension during editing a sketch dimension

1) New a part, and create a block.

2) Create a sketch feature to get into sketch context, then draw a Slot.

3) The radius dimension of the slot is going to reference the width dimension of the

block, but the width dimension is hidden. So right-click the block feature on the

history manger, and pick “Show Dimensions” command to display the dimensions.

4) Double-click the radius dimension to bring up the edit form, then click the “Select

dimension” button; hold down F7 key, and pick the width dimension, then edit the

number field to input \2, click OK button to finish.

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3.1.4 New “Move entities along a direction”

This “Move entities along a direction” mode of “Move” provides you a direction and a

distance field to re-locate the entities. After enter all inputs of the form, you still can drag

the arrow handle to change the direction and distance on the graphic area.

3.2 Wireframe Design

3.2.1 ★New “Extract Centerline”

“Extract Centerline” is to extract the centerlines of revolved face and the swept face with

sections of circle or arc as following pictures show.

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->Where it is

Part context > Wireframe Ribbon > Curve > Extract Centerline

->How it works

1. To extract centerlines of revolved faces: cylindrical, conical and torus faces.

2. To extract centerlines of fillet faces.

3. To extract centerlines of swept faces with circle or arc section

Constant radius->

Various radius->

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3.2.2 Upgraded “Project Silhouette to a Plane” into “Silhouette Curves”

This “Silhouette Curves” consists of the old “Project Silhouette Curves to Plane” and the new

“Create Silhouette Curves by Direction”.

1. New “Create Silhouette Curves by Direction”

This mode creates silhouette curves on the 3D model basing on a defined direction,

unlick the “Project Silhouette Curves to Plane” whose curves are on a plane.

For example, these 2 modes generate silhouette curves in the normal direction of the

blue plane. Their results look the same if you align the view to the plane, but they are

very different if you look in different angle.

3D Model and the direction plane Align the view to the plane to see result

Project Silhouette Curves to Plane Create Silhouette Curves by Direction

2. Single face can be picked to generate silhouette curves

Both “Project Silhouette Curves to Plane” and “Create Silhouette Curves by Direction”

can pick one single face to create silhouette curves.

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3.3 Part Design

3.3.1 ★Improved Boolean

1. Direct Boolean support on faces smaller than part tolerance

On previous version, you need to turn down the part tolerance when doing Boolean on

faces smaller than it. On 2017, you just can do it directly.

2. Improved Boolean on cases with overlapped edges or vertices, and enhanced face

split on tangent faces with tolerant vertices

Tol Vertices Before 2017 2017

3. Speed up shade display during Boolean operation

Further clarification and better recognition on modified faces during Boolean operation

will speed up the instant echo display of Boolean operation under shade mode, which can

provide a better work efficiency on big and complex models.

3.3.2 ★Enhanced Face Extension

Face extension improves its ways to deal with following aspects: the boundary self-

intersection during extension, extension distance calculation and trimmed boundary extension,

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offering a better outcome. This enhancement will benefit “Extend Face”, “Extend Open

Shape” and “Direct Edit” related commands.

3.3.3 ★Improved “Direct Edit”

Face extension and closure of “Direct Edit” have been polished up, especially for “Simplify”,

“DE Move” and “Replace”.

1. Improved the result of simplifying groups of faces which aren’t connected with each

other

2. Better closure for “DE Move”

3. Faster process on conical faces

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3.3.4 Improved Fillet to Work Faster and Cover More Cases

1. Speed up echo for Fillet on large parts

Modified faces need to refresh to display during solid echo. Due to better recognition on

which faces are modified to avoid faces false-marked as modified, fillet echo now works

better on large parts.

2. Improved the end patch of Fillet on inversely tangent edges

Without using the “Hold fillet to edge” option, the cylindrical face is chosen to close the

fillet face as following.

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3.3.5 Tweaked Part Configuration to Support Export and Import

1. New “Add all dimensions” button to enlist all history features and their dimensions

into part configuration

If you want to control all the features and their dimensions of a model inside part

configuration, you can use this new button to enlist all of them at one time. After that,

you can modify the suppression status of value of each feature, or export the

configuration to csv file.

2. New “Export” and “Import” buttons

You can export the part configuration into a csv file, then use Excel to edit the file like

adding new configuration item, changing dimension value. After that, you can import the

modified csv file again to update the part configuration.

The imported csv file will replace current part configuration with its own data. So it’s

recommended that no change should be made after export and before import, for the

change will be lost after import.

3.3.6 Misc.

1. “Swept Rod” generates solid shape on closed path

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2. Improved Trim with extension to make it clean

3. “Modify Fillet” adds selection limitation to only support picking cylindrical and

spherical faces, and a new “Tolerance” field

The added selection limitation is to avoid mal-picking on invalid entities, and the

tolerance field is to facilitate the user to customize the feature tolerance.

“Modify Radius” also has added the “Tolerance” field.

4. Variable used by a feature’s parameters or conditional suppression will be listed on its

dependency inquiry

5. (SP)New “Show Only” on history tree to isolate picked entities

When a part is very complex and you need to focus on some specific object, “Show only”

is a quick way to isolate this object. You can have this new command on entities under

part, sketch and assembly context.

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6. (SP)New option to truly flatten face in “Unfold to Plane” instead of edges

When flatting single face, you can truly flatten the face instead just its boundaries.

3.4 ★Sheet Metal Design

3.4.1 Upgraded “Full Flange”

“Full Flange” has strengthened many aspects for you to better control its profile and easier to

finish your work in a good efficiency.

1. Enrich ways to control flange height

4 different kinds of flange height are provided for you to use to meet your actual practice.

Type Legend Note

Standard Length

Wall length is defined singly, so flange height can consist of wall length, bend radius, bend angle and thickness.

Outer Height

Flange height is defined explicitly, thus the wall length is determined by the height, bend radius, bend angle and thickness.

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Inner Height

The flange height measred from the inner of the wall is defined, therefore the wall length is by this height, bend radius and bend angle.

Extrapolated Length

The wall length measured from the outer intersection of the walls is defined, so the flange height consists of this length and bend angle.

2. More new profile control for S bend

Each detail portion of the S bend is given a parameter for you to set up: Bend radius,

Bend angle and Height/Length.

You need to make the Height bigger than the sum of the 2 Bend radius if you want it to

work.

Height Length

3. New dynamic dimension handle support

Just like the other command, besides dragging the arrow to change the number, you also

can double-click on the number to input a new one.

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4. New “Flip the flanges” option

The flange bends in the direction of the picked edge, and you can switch it onto the

other direction with this option just like you have picked the other edge.

5. Modified flange offset

Offsetting the flange on an edge of the acute angle has changed as following:

6. Upgraded Miter function to eliminate interference

This “Resolve flange interference” option can eliminate the interferences among the

flanges “Full flange” is adding to adjacent edges.

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7. New close corner support

You can directly close the corners among the adjacent flanges which “Full flange” is

attaching to multiple edges at the same time. And just like what the “Close Corner” can

do, gap and relief are available.

For the interference can be erased by the close corner, the “Resolve flange interference”

option is no need to use if the close is on.

Un-close Close

3.4.2 Upgraded “Partial Flange”

“Partial Flange” has done similar change with the “Full Flange”.

1. Enrich ways to control flange height

Just like the ones in “Full Flange”.

Standard Outer Height Inner Height Extrapolated Length

2. More new profile control for S bend

Just like the ones in “Full Flange”.

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Height Length

3. New dynamic dimension handle support

4. New “Flip the flanges” option

3.4.3 Upgraded “Swept Flange”

“Swept Flange” has enhanced its path support and instant close corner to expand its

capability and work efficiency.

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1. New G0 path support

You can add swept flanges on connected edges of a tab.

2. New close path support

You can pick all the edges of a tab to form a close path to sweep the profile.

3. New close corner support

When you sweep a profile on G0 connected edges of a tab, the swept flanges are closed

to each other on each corner by default, just like what the “Close Corner” command does.

4. New offset < 0 support and adjusted offset to make flange following the profile

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4 different positions to attach swept flange:

Material inside Material outside Natural Offset

When offset < 0, the tab is enlarged to hold the swept.

Original Material inside Material outside Offset < 0

3.4.4 Updated “Close Corner”

“Close Corner” has been tweaked to enhance its preview and closing capability on concave

edges as following.

1. Preview for Relief

Full preview of a close corner is now supported.

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2. 0 gap support for edge closing

There was a 2X tolerance gap before if you set up a 0 gap of edge closing. Now there is 0

gap truly.

3. Closing flanges on concave edges

When you add flanges on concave adjacent edges, there will be interference among them

if you don’t use the miter function or close corner. To eliminate that, you can add a

close corner after the flange feature.

3.4.5 Upgraded “Fold by Line”

“Fold by Line” has strengthened its fold line extension to make it more robust to cover more

complex cases, meanwhile, it also provides a few new features as following.

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1. 2 more new bend positions

Type Legend Note

Material inside

Fold line is outside of the web of the bend to make sure the bend and the web is inside of the line.

Material outside

Fold line is inside of the web of the bend to make sure the web is outside of the line.

2. Bend area preview

During the folding, there are 2 lines showing on the graphic area to illustrate what the

bend would be after unfold.

Original Bend Area Preview Result

3. Enhanced fold line extension

There are many scenarios about how the fold line intersects with the boundaries of the

tab, such as no intersection or crossing the boundaries. Auto extension will be performed

to make sure the line is good enough to fold the tab.

For example, following fold line is only across one boundary of the tab. When the bend

radius is getting bigger and bigger, the line will be extended and trimmed to make the

fold work.

Origin Radius 1 Radius 5 Radius 10 Radius 20

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3.4.6 New “Hem”

“Hem Flange” is to fold a sheet metal on picked edges onto itself to increase edge stiffness or

for safe handling.

1. Different kinds of flange profiles

All kinds of profiles have its own dimension settings.

Closed Open Close loop Open loop Centered loop S bend Curl

2. “Flip the hems” to switch bend direction

The hem bends onto the picked edge by default, but you can use this option to switch to

the other side.

3. Hem can work on linear and arc edges of a tab

4. Miter option to eliminate the interference among the adjacent hems

Gap can also set up between the hems.

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3.4.7 New “Jog”

“Jog” is to create a step with 2 bends on a tab from a linear line in an efficient fashion and

can strengthen the structure, or provide clearance if the jog height is small.

1. Single line as fold line

The single fold line can be from sketch or wireframe, and can reside on the planar face,

or off the face. If the line is off the face being folded, it will be projected to the face

first, then the projected line will work as the fold line to fold the tab.

The fold line doesn’t need to cross the face, and it will be extended automatically during

folding, but it’s recommended that the fold line is better on the boundaries of the face

you are going to fold.

2. 2 different kinds of folding

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There are 2 kings of folding for you to use.

Keeping the projected length during folding – the projected length of the jog will be

the same with the one before the jog.

Keeping the unfold length – the unfold length of the jog will be the same as the one

before the jog.

The results of the 2 folding are quite different as following.

Type Origin ISO View Top View Unfold

Keeping projected length

Keeping unfold length

3. 5 different positions

Type Legend Note

Fold line outside

The fold line is outside the first bend of the jog after unfold, i.e. is on the intersection line of the first bend and its adjacent jog web after unfold.

Fold line inside

The fold line is inside the first bend of the jog after unfold, i.e. is on the intersection line of the first bend and its adjacent web after unfold.

Fold line middle

The fold line is on the middle of the first bend of the jog after unfold.

Material inside

The fold line is on the outside of the jog web to make sure that the first bend and the jog web is inside the line.

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Material outside

The fold line is on the inside of the jog web to make sure that the jog wed is outside the line.

4. Switch the bending direction on the same fold line

You can decide which side the jog should bend to through the “Reverse stationary side”

option.

3.4.8 New “Extend Flange”

“Flange Extend” is to stretch an existing tab or flange from its picked edges. It would be

helpful if users don’t want to redefine the flange or an Extrusion tab feature to change the

size for replay efficiency, or you want to work on an imported/converted sheet metal part

that doesn’t have any redefine-able features.

1. 2 extension ways

Original Normal to Edge Along Edge

The 2 ends of the linear edge can use different extension way separately.

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2. Extend adjacent bend together

When you extend flange in “Along boundary edge” way, you can extend adjacent bend

together.

3. Material can be removed if you shorten the flange

Basing on how you drag the edge, the flange can add more material or remove some.

4. 3 ways to define the extension distance

You can use your favorite way out of these 3 common ways to extend the flange.

“Through until” and “To selected” have an offset to define if you want to leave some gap

behind.

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Distance Through until To selected

Extend in number Exend to meet the picked Exend to touch the picked

->How it works

1) You can use “Through until” to extend the flange to close the gap between adjacent

flanges.

2) Extend the flange to adjust the overlap of the close corner

3) Eliminate the interference among the adjacent flanges with “Through until”

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3.4.9 New “Bend Taper”

“Bend Taper” can miter the flange to change its profile and avoid the interference with other

flanges, or make some gap, especially on the imported sheet metal which has no flange

features.

1. You can miter both ends of a flange at the same time with same taper, or with

different tapers, or only miter one end.

One end Symmetric Both ends

2. 2 different kinds of taper profile

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Type Legend Note

Linear

the unfold profile of the tappered bend will be linear.

Tangent

the unfold profile of the tappered bend will be tangent.

3. 2 different kinds of taper input

Type Legend Note

Angle

The angle between the thickness side face and the radius direction of the bend after unfold.

Setback

The height difference on the axial direction of the bend after unfold.

4. Propagated taper along connected flanges

None propagation Propagate to 1st flange Propagate to all

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->How it works

1) Eliminate the interference among adjacent flanges

Besides using Close corner and Extend to erase the interference, “Bend Taper” is

another option to do so.

2) Change the flange profile

The flange profile is changed from rectangle to trapezoid.

3.4.10 New “Normal Cut”

“Normal Cut”, just like the cutting die in a workshop, is to cut material by projecting a profile

onto the sheet metal and then cutting normal to the sheet metal faces intersected by the

projection, as if the part were completely flat, even if it is unfolded.

1. 2 different kinds of projection target

You can have different projection area if a profile is projected onto different target faces.

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Type Legend Note

Normal to Both Sides

The profile is projected onto both side faces of the sheet metal, then projection areas are merged and is used to remove the material on the thickness direction.

Normal to Middle

The profile is projected onto the middle faces of the sheet metal.

2. Custom projection direction

“Flip side to cut” option can help you to keep the part of the model.

3. Ways to define the cut depth

Besides cutting in one side, or both sides, or symmetric, you can use the “To point”, “To

face” and “Through all” options to define how far the cut goes.

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4. Multiple loops are supported in one cut profile

The profile can contain multiple close loops which don’t overlap each other for you to

cut the sheet metal in better work efficiency.

If open loop is included in the profile, the loop should intersect with the boundaries of

the tab to form a valid close loop.

->How it works

1) Normal cut on fold and unfold status

You can do normal cut on fold or unfold status, but the cut area will be different

after unfold or fold. You need to choose how to do it according to your practice.

Ø 20 profile cut in fold Cut in fold Unfold

Ø 20 profile cut in unfold Cut in fold Unfold

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3.4.11 Misc.

1. Auto collect bends for “Fold” and “Unfold”

“Fold” and “Unfold” have provided a “Collect all bends” button to help you pick all

bends.

3.5 Assembly Design

3.5.1 ★Assembly Fillet

Just like the “Assembly Hole” command, “Assembly Fillet” adds fillet features onto edges of

picked components to change their looks, but these new looks only exist inside the assembly,

while the origin part of those components has not changed at all.

->Where it is

Part/Assembly context > Assembly Ribbon > Basic Editing > Fillet

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3.5.2 ★New “Assembly Chamfer”

Similar with “Assembly Fillet”, “Assembly Chamfer” attaches chamfer features onto edges of

picked components, but these changes only exist inside the assembly, and the original part of

those component has no change.

->Where it is

Part/Assembly context > Assembly Ribbon > Basic Editing > Chamfer

3.5.3 Improved Component Regeneration with Assembly Replay

Component regeneration under assembly context is to facilitate users to directly regenerate

specified components if needed to avoid any component activation and replay one by one,

and hence users can work more efficient.

1. Tweaked “Auto Regen” of top-level components to set up regeneration along with

assembly replay

Regeneration along with assembly replay is done by “Auto regen” which lies on the right-

click menu of top-level components and the form of “Insert Component” command. Here

are the options provided by “Auto Regen”.

New assembly mode

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“Before assembly regen” -> if the original part of the component is outdated,

the component will regenerate its own history before the assembly regeneration

is executed.

“After assembly regen” -> if the original part of the component is outdated,

after the assembly finishes its regeneration, the component then will regenerate

its own history.

Due to the component regen after the assembly, the assembly features and

alignments related to the component would be outdated. So you have to regen

the assembly again to update assembly features or alignments.

“None” -> if no desire for auto regen during assembly replay, this is the one. And

this is default option.

Old assembly mode

3 similar options are also provided as previous version which you can refer to the help

documentation.

2. New “Regen” command on each component to regenerate its original part directly

Whenever you want to regenerate the component, you just use this, no need to activate

or open the component.

3. (SP)New Outdated marked on component node of assembly tree and new “Regen

Outdated component” command to update components

If the original part of a component is marked Outdated, the component node of the

assembly tree is also marked Outdated. Then you can use the new “Regen Outdated

component” command to update the original part.

3.5.4 Tweaked “Insert a Component”

1. Auto select the sole part/assembly object

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If a Z3 file only contains a part/assembly object, it will be selected directly as the

component to insert.

2. Tweaked the auto alignment during insertion with new “frame” alignment support

After the tweak, the auto align provides following ways.

Point

Auto add point coincidence alignment between the insert point and the origin of the

component if the insert point is on some entity.

Face/Datum

If a face is selected as the align entity, a coincident alignment will be added

between the face and the XY plane of the component.

If a datum is selected, the datum is coincident aligned with the XY plane of the

component along with their origins.

Frame

The component will be fully constrained by the frame alignment between the

selected datum and the XY plane of the component.

3. Regen setting support on new assembly mode

After this support, you can set up component regen as you desire. For meaning of each

option, please refer to previous section.

New assembly mode Old assembly mode

None

Before assembly regen

After assembly regen

None

At insert

At end

To switch between new and old, check on/off the option “Configuration > Part > New

assembly mode”.

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3.5.5 Misc.

1. “Mirror” provides new “As a whole to mirror” option

Components can be picked at one Mirror operation to insert new instances at the mirror

position. If you want those new mirror instances staying just like the original, check on

this option to make them mirrored as one unit. But if you just want each picked

component mirrored one by one, don’t check on this option.

As a whole to mirror Mirror one by one

2. Part from a file with .Z3PRT suffix can’t be renamed by “Rename Part”

The part name of the file with .Z3PRT suffix is the same with the file name, so you can’t

change the part name after the file is open.

3. Shape visibility of the original part of a component will not be changed by “Assembly

cut”

If a shape of a component is picked as the cutter for “Assembly cut”, the visibility of the

shape inside the original part of the component will not be changed by the “Hide the

cutter” option, but the component itself will be.

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4. New “Use shape material” option in “Extract Shape”

This new option is to set the part material of new part generated by Extract shape as the

shape.

5. New “Adjust Component” to replace the standard part with another specification

After a standard part is inserted in an assembly from the Part Library, you can replace

this part with another specification from Part Library by “Adjust Component” if you want.

You can have this command on the right-click menu of the standard part inserted from

Part Library.

6. New “Create the part in a new file” option on the form of Part Library

After checking on this new option, the inserted part will be generated as a

standalone .Z3PRT file to insert into an assembly as component. You need save this file to

the directory of the assembly before closing the assembly file.

7. Auto zoom to the edited component at activation to present a clear view

When you double-click a component from the assembly tree to activate an on-place edit,

the corresponding component on the graphic area will be automatically zoom to its size

for you to see it clearly.

8. New Outdated marked on component node of assembly tree

If the original part of a component instance is outdated, the corresponding instance node

on the assembly tree will be marked Outdated. So you can directly to regen the part

using the new “Regen outdated component” command in its right-click menu, no need to

activate the original part.

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9. New “Show Only” to isolate the picked component

This new “Show Only” command is available in the right-click menu of any component. So

you can observe the picked component without any distraction.

10. New “Allow dynamic drag of assembly component” option

There is a new “Allow dynamic drag of assembly component” in Configuration > Part to

toggle dynamic component drag.

3.6 Mold Design

3.6.1 ★New Mold Standard Part Lib Directory Customization Support

After this lib directory customization support, you can set up your lib on your favorite

directory, even on a sever to share the lib for multiple users to access as a public lib.

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->Where it is

Part context > Mold Ribbon > Tools Panel > Config > Library

3.6.2 See-through Support in “Region”

The form of “Region” command has provided the see-through button for each type of faces to

blank them for you to have a better observation on the underlying faces.

3.6.3 (SP)Inch Mold Bases and General Standard Parts

Inch DME mold bases and general standard parts are available in ZW3D 2017 SP. It provides

more flexible choice for mold makers, especially for users in USA.

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3.7 Drawing Sheet Design

3.7.1 ★New project line setting on Each Projected Components

The projection curves of components of an assembly view follow the same attributes set by

the view by default, but you can set individual projection curve attributes for each

component of the view to achieve special effect.

->Where it is

Drafting context > Sheet Manager > View Node > Assembly Node > Right-click on each

component node

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3.7.2 New “Depth” option on Section View to Define What is projected

After defining the section lines, you can use this “Depth” option to further clip the model to

erase the unwanted portion of the mode from the final section view, then you can have

leaner section view. Full section and 3D named section view provide this option.

3.7.3 New Hatch Visibility Setting on Each Projected Components

When doing section view, you can set up the hatch status for each component through the

options provided on the Section option group.

If you want to set up the component hatch individually, don’t check on the “Component

hatch state from part” option.

The “Component hatch state from part” option is also available on the right-click menu

of the section view on the sheet manager.

When “Component hatch state from part” option is inactive, you can pick components

from the assembly tree and use “Don’t Hatch” option from the right-click menu.

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If a section view is not using the “Component hatch state from part” option, you also can

turn on/off the hatch of each component from the assembly tree on the sheet manager.

The name of components with no hatch will be italic.

->Where it is

Drafting context > Layout Ribbon > Full Section/3D Name Section

Drafting context > Sheet Manager > Right-click on Section View Node

Drafting context > Sheet Manager > Section Node > Assembly Node > Right-click on each

component node

3.7.4 New “Dynamic hatch scaling and angle” in “Aligned Section”

“Dynamic hatch scaling and angle” option is added onto “Aligned Section” to calculate the

hatch scale and angle based on the section curves to make the hatch, just like same option on

“Full Section”.

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3.7.5 New Associative Model Setup for Each Drawing Sheet

Any model can have its views inserted into one sheet, but only one model can be the

associative model of the sheet to read out the part attributes to update corresponding

variables. The model of the first inserted view is the associative model by the default, but

you can change to any model of inserted views by such “Associated model” option.

->Where it is

Drafting context > Sheet manager > Right-click on the sheet node > Attributes >

Associated model

3.7.6 New Equation Manager

Just like the one inside part context, a new equation manager is provided under drafting

context for user to manage all their customized variables at one form.

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->Where it is

Drafting > Tools Ribbon > Utilities

->How it works

1. Open equation manager and create a new constant number variable “Roughness” giving

1.2 value.

2. Start dimension ribbon > Surface Finish, and pick one entity to locate the symbol, then

input the characters “[$Roughness]” (without the quotation mark) on the Minimum

roughness value field, and click OK to finish. Now you can use the variable to control

the roughness.

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3.7.7 ★New Format for Referencing Variable

When you reference a variable or a part attribute within a dimension or a text, you can use

following format to control how the dimension or text reads out the value of the variable.

1. Decimal digits and leading zero suppression of numeric variable

Reference form with custom format: [$Varibal%0.xU]

Variable is the variable name.

% is the separator between the variable and the format settings

0 is to suppress the leading zero.

x is the number to define how many digits is kept.

U or u is to display the variable unit.

For example, A = 0.123456mm is referenced in a text as [$A%0.2U], which means no

leading zero and only 2 decimal digits are kept, so its result will be .12mm.

If a dimension references a variable, the decimal digit follows its attribute setting by

default, but you also can give a custom format to have your own readout.

2. Format to read out the date and time

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You can use following format to control how to read out the time or date.

Format: [part_startdate%D(L)T(S)] or [part_startdate%D(yy/MM/dd)T(HH/mm/ss)]

part_startdate is the variable name.

% is the separator between the variable and the format settings.

D() is the format to read out the date while T() is for the time. L, S, yy/MM/dd and

HH/mm/ss are the parameters you can input into the brackets to control the data is

arranged. Here are some examples.

part_startdate%D(L) -> Wednesday, August 10, 2016

part_startdate%D(S) -> 8/10/2016

part_startdate%D(yy/MM/dd) -> 15/08/10

part_startdate%T(L) -> 11:45:02 AM

part_startdate%T(S) -> 11:45 AM

part_startdate%T(HH/mm/ss) -> 11/45/02

3. (SP)New “Part_Quantity” system variable

Format to use the Part_Quantity:

[$File Name:Assembly Name:Part_Quantity>fileName>partName]

It means inside “Assembly Name” object of the “File Name” Z3 file, the component with

name “partname” from the “filename” Z3 file is read out its quantity.

If both File Name and Assembly Name are not specified, the active object will be the

default object, or the associate mode if you are inside drawing sheet context.

This “Part_Quanity” system variable is used to read out its number from specific

directory.

4. (SP)New “Link to Table Cell”

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There is a new command “Link to Table Cell” inside the Text Editor to allow you to refer

data from any table cell. You can also use following format to manually specify which

cell from what table to refer to.

[$SheetName>TableName>Row number>Column number]

3.7.8 ★Improved BOM

1. More new attributes to read out: Size, Length, Width, Height

Size, length, width and height are the added-newly attributes of part physical attributes

as mentioned by previous section. BOM supports to read out these new attributes as

following picture shows.

If these attributes are not found inside the 3D models, BOM will automatically calculate

to get their values by default.

2. Column is available for equation operation

Common equation combines the default columns to form a new column. For example, you

can use the default Length, Width and Height column mentioned above to get a new

Custom Size column.

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Now you can use any column including any customized column in an equation. <TC_XXX>

is the way to define which column is used in the equation. For example, Price is a

customized column, and Total Cost column uses <TC_Quantity>*<TC_Price> equation to

get the product of Price and Quantity columns.

3. Adjust ID update when BOM ID is using assembly order

When BOM ID is using assembly order and the assembly order is changed inside the 3D

model, the ID can be updated by BOM regen. But if there are some custom changes on

some IDs, then the BOM regen have no effect on IDs. If you like to update the ID on such

case, you need to use the “Restore Origin Value” command from the right-click menu of

each modified cells to reset their value first.

4. More new BOM drag behaviors

When dragging the boundary line of rows or column of BOM to adjust their width or

height, you can snap to the lines of sheet border or title block to align with them.

After pre-select the BOM, holding down Alt key and drag can move the BOM around.

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4 CAM

4.1 Summary of CAM new features

ZW3D CAM contains 2~5aixs machining modules with flexible and rich milling strategies. It’s

an easy to learn and easy to use NC CAM software which is widely used in tool making,

automotive industry, and mold industry. This document describes the most significant

improvements of ZW3D 2017 version. ZW3D 2017 contains the following new features and

enhancements in CAM module:

New Flat Finishing Operation - For planar face machining, to make programming tool path on

planar face more efficient and reliable

Profile and Surface Engraving Supports User-Defined Tool – Allow users to define their own

tools, and use the defined tools to calculate tool path in profile and surface engraving

operations, finally, it supports to solid verify the machining process.

Mill-Turn Simulation – To support simultaneous mill-turn simulation

New Ramp Pitch for Ramp Operation – To make the parameters setting in ramp operation

more user-friendly

Misc. - some enhancements to make users' work more efficient and more stable, such as

Forced Plane Engagement in Z Level – Add an option in Z level operation and make it can

detect all planes automatically and then guarantee all the planes to be engaged with tool

path during stepping down by turn on this option

Batch calculation supports one-click import

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4.2 ★New Flat Finishing Operation

There is a new operation Flat Finishing added in ZW3D 2017 version to make the planar

surface programming more efficient and more reliable.

The new flat finishing operation can detect all of the planar surface within given flat

tolerance automatically, and then create tool path for all planar surfaces in one operation or

create tool path for the planar surfaces within limiting parameters.

It also supports to use Reference Tool function to clean up the corners of planar face by using

a smaller cutter to refer to a big cutter.

Two path pattern types are supported in this operation, one is Lace and the other is Offset 2D.

See below figures.

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There is a Bottom Finish option to allow users to create two layers of tool path for semi-

finishing with specific stepdown value.

The flat end-mill and bullnose end-mill are recommended cutters for this operation.

There are some new parameters built in this dedicated flat machining operation to make it

more flexible and reliable. The parameters as below, and the figure shows the position of

these parameters:

Path Type: Use this option to specify which path pattern will be used, Offset2D or Lace path

pattern.

Ignore Hole TDU: To filter some tool path on small regions by inputting a ratio between cutter

diameters and area of single flat region.

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Outside In: To define the tool path on boundary or past boundary.

Side Finish: Distance between cleanup tool path and filling tool path.

Bottom Finish: It will add one more layer tool path if you give a Z step value in this option.

How it works

Pick Flat finishing icon to create a flat finishing operation, and create a Flat Region feature to

add to this operation, and then it can select a cutter to create tool path.

Note 1, the Flat Region feature is a necessary feature for this operation. The profile feature

can be used to define the machining area, and it is used to limit tool path within profile

feature.

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Note 2, the Flat Tolerance is used for extracting surfaces whose height difference is under the

given tolerance value to create flat region.

4.3 ★Profile and Surface Engraving support user-defined tool

There are a lot of customers from part making and wood machining industry want that the

Profile and Surface Engraving operations can support user-defined tool, below are some key

features offered in new version:

Users can define any shape tools by themselves in tool manager

The defined tool can be used for calculating tool path in Profile and Surface Engraving

operations

The solid verify can support to simulate the effect of cutting by using these tools

4.3.1 User-Defined Tool

There is a new option User Define added in Subtype. Users can click Add button to add lines

or arcs step by step to draw out a cutter.

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The figure below points out the sequence of the lines, and can be an example to help to

explain the rules of user-defined tool and some parameters,

Line Length: length of straight line

Angle: Start angle for line and arc segment. Vertex of angle is on the start point of segment,

0 degree always start form x negative direction, see below picture shows,

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And let’s take an example for reference, see below.

Radius: Radius of arc

Sweep: degree of central angle

Note:

1. The first segment starts from the center line of the cutter, and you just need to draw out

half section of the cutter.

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2. The next segment always starts from the end point of last segment.

3. The line and arc can be in one segment as No. 3 in this example. But the premise is the

value of angles are the same.

4.3.2 Tool Path Calculation in Profile and Surface Engraving Operation

There are two operations support to use user-defined tool to calculate tool path.

One is Profile operation in 2x Mill module,

The other one is Surface Engraving operation which list in 3X Nurbs module.

Note: It always extracts the maximum diameters and lowest point of the user defined cutter

to calculate tool path in these two operations.

4.3.3 Solid Verify with User-Defined Tool

The solid verify can support to simulate the effect of cutting by using these user-defined tools.

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4.4 ★Mill-Turn Simulation

In ZW3D2017, it supports mill-turn simultaneous simulation in this new version.

4.5 New Ramp Pitch for Ramp Operation

In previous version, there is no Z stepdown option to define z step size directly, it’s hard for users

to define z step size by using Ramp Angle, and it cannot support to create tool path for multi

regions with same step size, see below, the figure shows the result of Ramp Angle setting,

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To make this operation more user-friendly, the new Ramp Pitch option is added in this

operation, it can define the z step size directly, and can make tool path for different regions

with same Z step size, see the figure below,

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4.6 Misc.

4.6.1 Forced Plane Engagement in Z Level Operation

In previous version, we need to manually pick the planes to define the plane engagement to

make the uniform thickness remain on the desired planes.

It’s a little difficult to manually pick the planes if the part contains a lot of planes. To make this

work more stable and reliable, we add a new option, Plane Engagement, to help users detect

these planes automatically.

We use Synchro ZLevel option to manually pick the points on the planes in previous version,

Now we just turn on Plane Engagement option in new version then it can detect all planes

automatically.

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4.6.2 Batch Calculate Support One-Click Import

In ZW3D2017 version, all batch calculation tool-path can be imported at a time by click on

new added Import All button.