Files and Directories Used by VariCAD

Running VariCAD the First Time

On Windows, VariCAD is installed by default to “C:\Program Files\VariCAD”. On Linux, the default installation directory is “/opt/VariCAD”. The installation directories contain all system files. When running VariCAD the first time, the configuration directory is created under your working directory. Configuration files are copied to this directory, in which system settings are stored. A second directory is also created automatically after VariCAD startup; this directory will contain your data such 2D/3D drawings, additional data structures, bills of materials, etc. You are always informed when new directories are created. The only file in the work directory is one that contains definitions of directories used or created by VariCAD. To change the working directory, right-click on the VariCAD desktop icon, select Properties, and edit the line “Start in.”


Default VariCAD Files

The files you create are stored as the following file types:

  • *.dwb - 2D/3D files containing 2D drawings and 3D solids
  • *.bkb - block files containing 2D objects (obsolete, loaded only from older versions)
  • *.sym - symbol libraries containing 2D symbols
  • bom_mask.bmask – BOM, attributes and title block configuration
  • *.mdata – list of materials
  • *.dwb_fpv – file preview of folders containing VariCAD files

If you need to transfer VariCAD projects to another VariCAD user, be sure to include all files of these types. If you have to provide data created in a BOM import or export for another system, see Bill of Materials. For Linux, VariCAD file extensions must be lowercase.


There are other files containing VariCAD configuration. These files can be saved into backup or restored by corresponding command (Menu Tools, then Backup or Restore All Settings).


Converting 2D/3D Objects to and from Other Formats

VariCAD supports the following formats:

  • *.STP - STEP 3D, import or export.
  • *.STL – Stereo lithography 3D (rapid prototyping), export.
  • *.DWG - AutoCAD 2D, import or export. The DWG translator supports files from AutoCAD 9 through the latest AutoCAD. For AutoCAD 12 through the latest AutoCAD, you can load DWG files created as a result of VariCAD export.
  • *.DXF - Same as DWG. The DXF format should be used for all systems other than AutoCAD.
  • *.IGS - IGES 3D, export.

To import a specific file type, use the Files of Type field in the File-Open window. To export the active file to another format, use File / Save As. You can also export only the selected objects to any supported file format or import objects from any supported file format to the active 3D space or 2D drawing area.


Batch File Conversion - FCO

Use File / Batch File Conversion to convert multiple files of a selected format in a specified directory. The converted files are written to another defined directory. You can also customize settings for data translation. For DWG/DXF conversion, you can set units to inches or millimeters, or set the units to be detected automatically. For STEP format, you can select an application protocol and usage of NURBS vs. analytic types of curves or surfaces. Use the options in the Tools / System Settings menu to specify conversion settings.


How 3D Objects Are Converted to STEP or IGES

In general, 3D Objects are described as NURBS patches trimmed by NURBS curves. For some objects, curves and patches can be described analytically. These objects are:

  • Line
  • Circle
  • Plane
  • Cylinder
  • Cone
  • Torus (created by rotating a circle around an axis) - spheres are included but not lemon-shaped surfaces.

In most cases, the NURBS description is sufficient. However, analytic description can be faster and more accurate, and may require less memory and less storage space when saved. Run “CFG” command to set parameters for converting 3D objects to STEP or STL.


Creation of STL format

Run “CFG” command to set parameters of creation of STL files. STL format contains triangles covering surfaces of all exported objects. You can select accuracy of such approximation, a format of coordinates of triangle vertices, whether the objects are transformed to ensure all coordinates are positive and whether the coordinates are expressed in millimeters or inches. VariCAD exports all objects from the current file, or all selected objects, if the “Save Selected Objects” function is used. Some systems can require only one object in one file. In such case, use “Save Selected Objects” and select only one desired object.


STL output settings allow you to select triangles density (and consequently, accuracy of surfaces interpolation). It is possible to select from predefined accuracy, or to define accuracy by moving sliders. STL output can be visually checked. To do so, run command:

Test STL Output to Display – TESTSTL

Sections in Exported 3D Objects

You can choose export to STEP, STL or IGES formats with sections. Normally, export of sections is meaningless because sections are only used for display and do not describe geometry of the actual parts. However, exporting with sections can be useful if you want to render 3D objects in a visualization application. If the export with sections is not selected and the exported file contains any objects in an active section, warning message is displayed and export is cancelled. You can export the sections only when converting a single file, not in the batch files conversion.


Objects Imported from STEP

Objects imported from STEP are described as closed solids or open shells. In case of detected problems, some patches may be deleted during STEP file import. For more information about 3D objects shape representation, see 3D Objects Shape Representation. In case some solids are not imported correctly, you can use tools for reparation, see Solving Problems in 3D.


Directories

Run “CFG” command to set directories of VariCAD backup files. We recommend not using network directories for backups. This directory is used also for work and temporary files created by VariCAD.


You can also define whether a directory of a particular file type is the same for both files loaded or saved or is different for load and save operations. You can also define a different or same directory for loading/saving complete files vs. loading file into the current file or saving only selected objects.


User Data Directories (2D/3D Files)

Directories used for user data saving or loading are by default the last used. Changing the directory when the file is saved or loaded, you change the default directory for the next usage.


All Directories (Folders) used by VariCAD

You can list all VariCAD system directories. In the list, you can right-click any line containing a directory and open the directory in File explorer (or Dolphin under Linux). The list displays these directories:

  • Current working directory.
  • Safety backups and temporary files
  • Configuration directory
  • Directory used last time for file open or save
  • BOM mask directory
  • Directory of list of materials
  • Title block directory
  • Bitmap images and print to files output

List of directories (folders) can be called from pull-down menu Tools or by command:

Information – INFO

Information about Current File Changes

You can display information about currently open VariCAD file. Listed information is:

  • VariCAD version the file was saved at
  • Time and date of last save
  • Time and date of last file modification
  • User name and computer name used when the file was saved
  • User name and computer name used when the file was modified

By other words, you can learn who and when saved or modified a VariCAD file the last time.


This feature is available from pull-down menu Tools, or can be called as command:

Information about Current File Changes - INFF

 

 


VariCAD HELP

Introduction to VariCAD
VariCAD Installation Installing Upgrades Hardware and Software Requirements
Files and Directories Used by VariCAD Default VariCAD Files Converting 2D/3D Objects to and from Other Formats How 3D Objects Are Converted to STEP or IGES Creation of STL format Directories
Getting Started VariCAD User Interface Working with Multiple Monitors 2D/3D Area Status Bar Toolbar Icons Dialog Windows - Cancel and Back Buttons Mouse Buttons 3D Mouse Invoking and Running VariCAD Functions Finishing VariCAD Functions Stepping Back within a Function Selecting Objects between Functions Additional Options within Functions Creating, Opening and Saving VariCAD 2D/3D Files File or Folder Preview Definition Backing up Your Files Working with Multiple Files Copy and Paste Switching between 2D and 3D Undo and Redo Dragging Objects Dragging Increments Turning off Detection Temporarily
System Settings (Preferences) Backing up Your Configuration Colors
2D Drawing Displaying the 2D Drawing Area Changing the View Using the Mouse and Keyboard Display Functions Rebuilding Functions Zoom Functions Saving Views 2D Display Settings 2D Circle Display Settings Cursor Settings and Coordinate Listing Types of 2D Objects 2D Drawing Attributes - Units, Formats, Scale Units Format and Sheet Border 2D Drawing Scale Attributes of 2D Objects Working with 2D Layers 2D Object Colors Line Types Visibility of 2D Objects Work Sets 2D Coordinate System
2D Drawing Aids Grid Construction Lines Creating Construction Lines Deleting Construction Lines Creating Multiple Construction Lines Temporary Construction Lines Transient Construction Lines Increment Cursor Mode Ortho Mode
Selecting 2D Objects Using Selection Windows Limited 2D Selections Deselecting Objects Finishing the Selection Selecting 2D Locations Defining Angles and Directions Writing Special Characters Mathematic Expressions Checking Objects, Distance, Angle and Coordinates
Drawing 2D Objects Drawing Lines Arrows Drawing Curves Creating Points Creating Circles and Arcs Creating Text Objects Editing and Deleting 2D Objects Deleting Objects Changing Objects Geometry Creating Corners, Chamfers and Fillets Breaking and Dividing 2D Objects Editing Text Transforming and Copying 2D Objects Translating, Rotating and Scaling Mirroring Objects Offsetting Objects Stretching Objects
Dimensioning Single Dimensions - Horizontal, Vertical and Diagonal Predefined Horizontal, Vertical and Diagonal Dimensions Serial, Parallel and Datum Dimensions Angular Dimensions Diameter and Radius Dimensions, Thread Dimensions Dimension Attributes Finish Symbols Weld and Tolerance Symbols Creating Leaders, Item Numbers Editing Dimensions
Axes
Hatching Solid Fill Hatching 2D Objects Editing Hatches Creating a Hatch Pattern
Symbols 2D Blocks Creating and Inserting Blocks Editing Blocks 2D Polylines Creating Polylines Editing Polylines
Automatic Updates of Dimensions, Axes and Hatches after Changes in 3D. Automatic updates of dimensions Automatic Updates of Axes Automatic Updates of Hatches Checking of Updatable 2D Objects and Dimensions
Libraries of Mechanical Parts Selecting Mechanical Parts Configuring Mechanical Parts Selection Dialog Inserting Mechanical Parts into 2D Inserting Mechanical Parts into 3D Pre-selecting Dimensions Options Available for Mechanical Parts in 3D Modifying Mechanical Parts in 3D Modifying Counter-parts, Drilling Holes for Screws Mechanical Part Calculations
Printing and Plotting Printing Methods Selecting a Printer Batch Print Exporting Images as Bitmaps
VariCAD on the Internet Trial Versions, Online Purchasing
3D Display Dynamic View Manipulation Animated View Changes Predefined View Rotating View Using the Arrow Keys 3D View Tools Saving Views Shaded and Wireframe Display 3D Display Settings View Rotation Center Enhanced Rendering Surface Shading Setting 3D Display Performance Hardware accelerated OpenGL Test of Hardware Performance 3D Objects Shape Representation Types of Shape Representation Converting Shape Representations into Different Types Highlighting Objects with Open Surfaces Solving Problems in 3D Tools Rebuilding 3D Data Structures Tools Repairing Erroneous Solids Loaded from STEP Tools Repairing Erroneous File Sketching - 2D Drawing in 3D Planes, Drawing Methods Displaying Objects 2D Drawing Features Construction Lines, Temporary Construction Lines Working with 3D Objects
Creating Solids Sketching of a 2D Solid Profile Sketching Plane Definition Sketching Environment, Finish Sketching Sketching of Profile of New Solid Displaying of Created or Edited Solids Multiple Sketching Planes Common Sketching Features Additional Sketching Features Closed Rotation of Multiple Profiles Convergence of Lofted Profiles into One Point Tangent Direction of Lofting Features Related to Solid Creation Method Manual Selection of Profile’s 2D Objects Solid Insertion Point Solid Insertion Point for Profiles Selected in 2D Mode Rotating, Extruding, and Lofting Profiles Rotated Solids Extruded Solids Lofted Solids Helical Surfaces Basic Solid Volumes Cylinders, Cones, Boxes, Pyramids, Pipes, Spheres Editing of Spatial Dimensions of Basic Solids
Editing Solids Selecting Solids Visibility of 3D Objects Shading and Colors of Individual Solids Boolean Operations - Adding and Cutting Solids Boolean Operations Boolean Tree Structure Editing Common Boolean Operations Holes, Grooves, Cutting by Planes Resolving (Exploding) Solids 3D Filleting and Chamfering Deleting Solids Editing Shape of Solids Edit Solid Element Shape Transforming and Copying Solids Solid Object Coordinate System 3D Space Coordinate System Inserting and Transforming Solids Defining Vectors and Rotation Axes Transforming Objects Using their Axes Translating by Distance Dynamic Translation Rotating by Angle Dynamic Rotation Dragging in Increments Additional Rotation around an Axis Setting the Direction of Solids Axes Positioning and Location at Surface Positioning by Plane Zoom in on Transformed Solids Additional Options for Right-Click Objects during Transformation Additional Boolean Operation, Constraints Definition Changing Insertion Point, Displaying Axes Inserting and Copying Identical Copies of Solids Permanent Change of Axes of Solids Imported from Step Defining 3D Locations Selecting Planes 3D Locations Settings Mirroring and Rescaling Solids Exploded View of Assemblies Groups of Solids
Parameters Definition of Parameters Parameters in File Parameters in Scaled Solids Type of Parameters Working with Parameters Geometric Constraints Constraints as Additional Transformations Constraints as Removed Degrees of Freedom Definition of Constraints Constrained Objects Types of Geometric Constraints Chain of Constraints Fixed Object within Constraints Constraining Angles Constraints in Solid Creation 2D Profiles Constraining Objects in 2D Profile Selecting Vertexes Display Options Filleting, Chamfering and Radii of Circles or Arcs Constraining Circular Arcs Constraining NURBS Curves Editing Constraints Deleting Constraints Coordinate Systems
Exporting Views and Sections from 3D to 2D Creating 2D from 3D List of 3D View Exports, Updating Views 3D Sections 3D Comprehensive Shapes Creating and Editing 3D Texts Pipes and Wires Sweeping of 2D Profiles Offset Patches – Thick Shells Threads in 3D
Checking Functions and Calculations Units of Calculation Results Volume, Mass, Surface and Moment of Inertia Calculations Checking and Measuring Geometry Interferences among Solids
3D Assemblies Creating Part Files, Assembly Files and Assembly Links Saving and Loading the Assembly Files Sub-assemblies Relative Paths in Assembly Links Simultaneously Open Assembly and Part Files Definition of Assembly-Part links Definition of Sub-assembly - Part links Breaking Links between Part or Sub-assembly and Assembly Editing Sub-assemblies or Parts in Assembly Environment Selecting Parts or Sub-assemblies for Editing Editing Parts or Sub-assemblies 3D Assembly Tree Scheme 3D Assembly Tree Scheme Window Objects Select Mode Part Editing or Attributes Definition Mode Managing All Assembly Tree Files Surface Development (Unbending)
Bill of Material, Object Attributes and Title Blocks Object Attributes BOM, Attributes and Title Blocks Mask Sharing BOM, Attributes and Title Blocks Settings (Mask) Attribute Definition Groups of Attributes Output to Formatted Text (List of Parts) Title Blocks Export to Other Systems Compatibility of Defined Attributes and Attribute Groups Working with BOM BOM at Basic Level BOM Containing structure of Assembly BOM from 3D Group BOM Objects Displaying, Filtering and Sorting BOM Objects Creating Files from BOM Copying Data from Assembly into Parts and Vice Versa Defining Item Numbers in BOM Single Click Attributes Copy Attributes from 2D Area Supplementary Objects Solid and Assembly Attributes Solid Attributes List of Materials Material as a Solid Attribute Assembly Attributes, Title Block Filling
Tips and Tricks List of All VariCAD Functions Hotkeys Embedded Functions

QUICK DEMO

Tips and Tricks
Basics Of Control

Interface, examples of various input steps, like mouse button clicks, hot-keys and their combinations. Examples of detection, objects selection and view changes.

Tools for 2D location, Tool combinations

Tools for location of 2D objects.

2D object selection, Filter combinations

Tools for selection of 2D objects.

Line

Drawing line from a point to another point, Using leading lines, According to values entered from a keyboard (xy, dx dy, angle radius, called by pressing K, D, R keys), Using fixed (locked) values (called by pressing TAB key), Combining multiple tools (TAB, dxdy...), Tangent lines.

Rectangle

Drawing rectangle by two opposite locations, Using fixed (locked) values (called by pressing TAB key), Diagonal distance.

Multi-line

Offset at one side from the central polyline, Offset at both sides from the central polyline.

Circle

Drawing circle by center and point at the circle, Center and radius, Two points, Three points, As a tangent to 2 objects, As a tangent to 3 objects.

Rotated parts

Shaft – a front view, Shaft – create a contour.

Polygon: hexagon

Leading circle is inside, the polygon orientation is at the edge, Leading circle is outside, the polygon orientation is at the vertex.

Dragging a circle to the rectangle center

Dragging, start by Ctrl+Shift+move cursor over an object, Dragging – right click. Two methods, different location at a center, Dragging, clicking an icon, Using Ctrl+X, Ctrl+V, Translate by a defined vector, Translate to a shifted center, Locate, using incremental cursor movement.

Stretching of objects

Dragging, start by Ctrl+Shift+move cursor over an object, Dragging – right click. Two methods, different location at a center, Dragging, clicking an icon, Using Ctrl+X, Ctrl+V, Translate by a defined vector, Translate to a shifted center, Locate, using incremental cursor movement.

Blending

Filleting of 2D corners, instant access (using Shift key), Filleting of 2D corners, Chamfering of 2D corners, instant access (using Shift key).

Divide or extend a 2D object

Extend to a boundary, Create a full circle from a circular arc, Remove a segment, Trim, Divide an object by a boundary, Divide an object by a point.

Changing 2D object attributes

Changing color, Changing line type, Changing layers, Blank/unblank objects (invisible/visible), Changing displayed thickness - 1 or 2 pixels.

Dimensioning

Smart dimensioning – easy dimensioning done within a single command. Horizontal and vertical dimensioning. Dimensioning of threads, chamfers, fillets and diameters. Aligning dimensions according to each other.

Settings

Drawing format, sheet border, Drawing scale, Using 2D layers, automatic changes of 2D layers, Default settings of a new file.

Creating a 2D drawing data

Drawing 2D objects and filling title blocks manually in the 2D area, 2D objects and title blocks created automatically from 3D space, Printing to PDF.

Selection of solids

Working with 3D solids. Examples of solid insertion, selection or transformation.

Solid transformation

Examples of solid insertion, detection and transformation. Examples of solid copying.

Single solid shapes

Creating predefined solid shapes (Box, cylinder, cone, pipe...). All solids can be created by rotation, extrusion or lofting of contours.

Solid creation by defined contour

Solid creation by extrusion, full or partial rotation of contour.

Lofting rectangle to circle

Creating a solid by lofting rectangle to circle.

Lofting a rectangle to single point

Creating a solid by lofting a rectangle to single point.

Lofting among multiple contours

Creating a solid by lofting among multiple various planar profiles.

Lofting among profiles rotated symmetrically around an axis

Creating a solid by lofting among multiple various planar profiles.

Sweeping of a 2D contour in 3D space

Sweeping of a 2D contour - creation of a banister, pipe...

Creating pipes or wires

Creating of pipes, wires (banister, cables, ropes...).

Rotation and lofting of contours

Rotation and lofting between two different contours, like between a circle and rectangle or between circles with different radii. Profile change is linear or allowing tangential direction from both ends.

Helical surface

Creating a helical surface by simultaneous rotation and extrusion of 2D contour.

Creating holes and grooves

Creating holes and threaded holes, cutting by an extruded contour, creating groove, cutting by a box. X axis of a tool is always perpendicular to selected surface.

Shells, sheet metal parts

Creating a sheet metal part using shell tools.

Editing of solid elements

Editing of solid elements by changing dimensions. Values can be defined in tables or by 3D dimensions. Editing of dimensions together with change of location of solid elements.

Editing of solid elements by changing creation contours

Editing of basic shapes by changing their creation contours.

Editing of solid elements, selection by cursor or from scheme

Solid element can be selected by cursor (press and hold Ctrl key, move cursor over it), or from Boolean tree scheme.

Editing of 3D pipes and wires

Example of creation of 3D wire, thread and geometrical constraint. Next step shows editing of it.

Assembly, Parts, 2D Drawings

An example of alternative creation of an assembly, sub-assembly, parts and corresponding 2D drawings.



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