Introducing new user interface, Customer Corner, and improved 2D support in CAD Exchanger 3.11.0

CAD Exchanger
5 min readApr 11, 2022

--

For the first quarter of 2022, CAD Exchanger usability was identified as the top priority. We constantly improve the functionality and thus managed to provide 3D data compatibility to hundreds of thousands of users. But to make this experience smooth, we have to keep its environment, i.e., user interface, API, and website, clear and up-to-date.

Here are the highlights of CAD Exchanger 3.11.0:

  • New user interface — for visual and functional consistency
  • Customer Corner — for one-stop access to user’s licenses
  • 2D drawing export to DXF — for fuller 2D geometry support with CAD Exchanger SDK

New CAD Exchanger user interface

At the beginning of the year, we focused on working on the new interface of the CAD Exchanger. We’ve rearranged the toolbars and settings, optimized the notification algorithm, and improved the design.

The goal of rearranging the toolbars was to make them easier to access and navigate. As a result, there is a horizontal menubar, with tools and view configurators put in the center. Responsive tooltips, highlights, and drop-down menus provide a context of the available actions and currently selected options.

Measurement, exploded view, and manipulation in the new CAD Exchanger interface

We also wanted to simplify the adjustment of the major processes: import, export, and meshing. CAD Exchanger provides numerous parameters for all three, which is likely to result in a cumbersome multilayered settings menu. Within the new interface, the settings are brief and self-evident to let users effortlessly sort out where they are and what they can do next.

Product structure, properties, and PMI in the new CAD Exchanger interface

The visual and functional consistency of the new interface is a reliable base for the new features that we are going to introduce soon. Other upcoming changes would include video tutorials and examples of the most data-rich models integrated directly into CAD Exchanger. Until then, we would love to hear your feedback on the introduced changes. Whether you think something needs improvement or you want to compliment the team on a good job, contact us via the feedback form.

Import settings in the new CAD Exchanger interface
Export settings in the new CAD Exchanger interface
Meshing settings in the new CAD Exchanger interface

Your Customer Corner

From now on, CAD Exchanger users can create their accounts at cadexchanger.com and get access to all their licenses. The first version of a Customer Corner provides you with the following functionality:

  • Overview of all your licenses
  • Installation packages download
  • Sharing of your licenses with your team (e.g., developers) via projects

You don’t need to contact the support team anymore if, for any reason, you need a serial number, license key, or installation package. Now all the information is available 24/7 online.

View all the licenses in your Customer Corner at cadexchanger.com
Check out the license details in your Customer Corner at cadexchanger.com
Share your licenses with your team via projects at my.cadexchanger.com

Such features as license transfer, evaluation version requests, support plans, and support tickets will appear in the next versions of a Customer Corner.

To sign up, please visit my.cadexchanger.com.

2D drawing to DXF export in CAD Exchanger SDK

Intending to enable 2D drawing support, we have already added DWG reading to the scope of CAD Exchanger SDK. In version 3.11.0, we move forward by introducing the export of 2D data to DXF format. DXF, which stands for Drawing Interchange Format, is more compatible with third-party software and can be used to transfer 2D geometry to non-Autodesk CAD packages, CNC machines, or other 3D formats.

Please note that, for now, this feature is available in CAD Exchanger SDK only.

Export of 2D drawing to DXF with CAD Exchanger

Miscellaneous

CAD Exchanger 3.11.0 also contains minor improvements to its reading, writing, and meshing tools.

The team had enhanced the import of certain geometry and property types from CATIA, IFC, and OBJ files and its export to FBX, Parasolid, and STEP formats. SOLIDWORKS reader now displays the colors identical to the ones in the original model.

Color display for SOLIDWORKS B-Rep models: original model in SOLIDWORKS vs imported model in CAD Exchanger 3.11.0

CAD Exchanger delivered an improved meshing quality for complex geometry and the general stability of the mesher, as well as an enhanced performance of CAD Exchanger SDK in a variety of import and export scenarios.

Improvement of the meshing quality by CAD Exchanger

So what do you do next?

If you are already a CAD Exchanger user, create an account in the Customer Corner and download CAD Exchanger 3.11.0. When signing up, please enter the email which was used for purchasing the license. Your project page will be automatically created with all the licenses linked to the indicated email address.

If you haven’t tried CAD Exchanger yet, start your 30-day trial right now. After completing the form under the links below, you will get an email with a download link and detailed guidance:

If you would like to carefully consider each new feature of the 3.11.0 version, check out the CHANGES.txt file. Every new CAD format and data available for import or export with CAD Exchanger since 2009 is specified there.

Whatever question or advice you have, you can always contact us here, be it product feedback, bug report, or quote request.

Having introduced usability upgrades, we paved the way for future functionality changes. In three months’ time, we are bringing in new formats and features. Share your suggestions while there’s time, and stay tuned!

Originally published at https://cadexchanger.com on April 11, 2022.

--

--

CAD Exchanger
CAD Exchanger

Written by CAD Exchanger

CAD Exchanger is a technology that enables data exchange in the multi-CAD world.

No responses yet