VariCAD — Powerful and Affordable 2D and 3D CAD Software

VariCAD 2D/3D CAD Software Overview

Have you been looking for an affordable and inexpensive alternative to AutoDesk AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Pro/Engineer ("Pro/E") and the like, while maintaining a degree of compatibility with those expensive titles? VariCAD is perhaps just what you were looking for, with excellent 2d and 3d CAD Features in a Powerful yet Affordable Cross-Platform 2D and 3D CAD Software (Windows / Linux) in either 32-bit or 64-bit versions.

Are you looking to get into 3D product design and development on a budget? Are you new to CAD / CAM and need an easy-to-learn Computer Aided Design system that you can get up an running with in a hurry? Are you tired of the expensive "add-on" features or varying degrees of functionality in other CAD software applications (where each little feature you desire costs a fortune)? Again, VariCAD is the software you have been looking for.

VariCAD is 3D/2D CAD system primarily intended for mechanical engineering design. In addition to powerful tools for 3D modeling and 2D drafting and dimensioning, the CAD system provides libraries of standard mechanical parts (ANSI, DIN), calculations of standard mechanical components, and tools for working with bills of materials (BOM) and blocks.

Key Features of VariCAD

VariCAD is comprehensive CAD software that is sold as one "fully loaded" package, with all features and functions, for one very affordable price. VariCAD's high performance, powerful features, and simple and quick user interface make VariCAD the best value in the CAD market.

Some of VariCAD's Key Features include:

• Robust 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional CAD design and modeling environment.
• CAD supported on Windows or Linux and 32-bit or 64-bit operating systems.
• Compatibility with DWG, DXF, IGES, STEP and STL formats. (see paragraph below)
• 3D modeling with automatic export to 2D.
• Sizing of mechanical components.
• Predefined library of mechanical components, electrical and hydraulic symbols, and other parts.
• Development Plan Layers

• UPDATED: 2012-05-03: VariCAD 2012-2.xx has been released with the following updates:
  • lofting of profiles — allows you to loft one profile into another. This includes improved creation of helical surfaces and creation of rotation combined with lofting.
  • New options for profile extrusion, support of draft angle.
  • New methods of 2D profile selection, including better detection of forgotten overlaps, gaps, intersections, etc.
  • 2D drawing in 3D space: comfortably draw a profile at a selected plane and then select method of solid creation (ike profile extrusion, lofting, rotation, etc.) There are also new 3D edge-selection methods for blending — you can select multiple edges, or optionally edges of entire outlines; and, before blending, selected edges are sorted automatically.
  • Other various user-interface productivity improvements include: multiple options for dialog panel buttons, solid translations or for 3D view rotations; multiple new selection methods are available between commands, e.g., press and hold Shift for edges-selection or press and hold Ctrl + Shift for drawing-plane selection; plus various other UI feature updates.

• UPDATED: 2011-11-08: VariCAD 2012-1.xx has been released with the following updates to this robust CAD software product:
  • Significant improvements in graphic interface. You now have the option of using larger icons and larger dialog text size for monitors with higher resolution. Right-clicking an object offers you more options than previously, especially in 3D module. Right-clicking within an empty area in 2D or in 3D offers you more context-sensivitve options than previously.
  • Quite a few new 2D features and improvements were made. New 2D dimensioning features allow all types of existing 2D dimensions to be comfortably edited. In addition, all types of 2D dimensions adjust automatically when they are stretched or transformed. Changed settings of dimensions and single arrows. New editing of dimension style. New method of creation and editing finish symbols, according to ISO 1302.
  • Printing improvements! Changed and significantly improved 2D printing dialogue. New printing offers multiple selections of printing methods, including various exact selections of printed area. This release includes significantly improved batch printing capabilities as well.
  • DWG/DXF interface: Dimensions are exported to DWG files as fully editable objects. Optionally, it is possible to export dimensions as blocks.
  • Possibility to modify right-click behavior during any location input or selection of objects. Plus, more editing features are now available via mouse right-click.

• UPDATED: 2011-04-18: VariCAD 2011-1.xx includes numerous and substantial improvements to this already strong CAD software product:
  • Rebuilt and significantly better DWG/DXF interface, new or changed 2D functions, better support of 2D NURBS objects (splines), significantly improved user interface and improved STEP input.
  • DWG/DXF interface supports file formats from AutoCAD 2011 down to R12, and works with wider range of objects than previous versions.
  • 2D module contains: improved working with NURBS curves (including editing NURBS curves), improved interaction with user-defined blocks or symbol libraries, changed hatch functions and editing of existing hatches, and new edit functions (like changing line lengths or arc radii).
  • User interface new features include displaying coordinates nearby the cursor and multiple options during 2D location input. Additional UI improvements for more convenient methods of keyboard inputs, entering fixed lengths, radii, angles or coordinates.
  • Possibility to modify right-click behavior during any location input or selection of objects. Plus, more editing features are now available via mouse right-click.

VariCAD can interchange files with other CAD systems and convert between common CAD software data-file formats. You can export STEP (3D), STL (3D), IGES (3D and 2D), DWG (2D), DXF (2D) files, and import STEP (3D), DWG (2D), DXF (2D) and IGES (2D).

STEP, the Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data, is a comprehensive ISO standard (ISO 10303) that describes how to represent and exchange digital product information.

The Open Design Alliance is an association of software developers and users committed to promoting open, industry-standard formats for the exchange of CAD data.
OpenDWG, the industry standard format, is based on the DWG format used in AutoCAD.

VariCAD's Unique Value Proposition

• Powerful enough for all your 2D/3D CAD requirements...
• ...and CAD that is affordable enough even for hobby use!
• VariCAD delivers an excellent performance-to-price ratio.
• Compatible: interchange with AutoCAD and other CAD software.
• GUI: offers quick and intuitive 3D/2D orientation and Modeling Capabilities.
• See the VariCAD Features Page for further details, and see the VariCAD Free Downloads Page (30-day trials for Windows or Linux) before ordering VariCAD from MV4T.com at the best price possible in the USA.

Latest VariCAD Release / Version Information

Latest VariCAD version: 2012 1.xx
Available now, and new for 2012!
For latest point-release news, see the VariCAD.com corporate site.