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Cirowest Group LLC 1100 Cherokee, Unit 401. Denver, CO 80204 USA
719.221.1867
Software Review: ZW3D Premium
2011 – Capable CAD and CAM In One
Package
Conducted for
ZWSOFT
By Jeff Rowe
Cairowest Group, LLC Sept. 9, 2011
Cirowest Group LLC 1100 Cherokee, Unit 401. Denver, CO 80204 USA
719.221.1867
Software Review: ZW3D Premium 2011 – Capable CAD and CAM In One Package Although they do share some similarities, CAD and CAM processes are actually more
different then they are similar. They have different requirements, workflows, and outputs,
and very few design/engineering software packages are up to the task for performing both.
ZW3D Premium 2011, however, handles them both – all in one package. The ability to
handle both CAD and CAM in one package has several distinct advantages, including a
common user interface, the fact that you can seamlessly toggle between CAD and CAM, and
service packs and updates can be applied to both simultaneously when they are available.
All in all, a single, integrated, and comprehensive application that can handle both CAD and
CAM makes for a more efficient manufacturing workflow that can provide better end results.
For those of you who might not be familiar with the company that develops, markets, and
supports ZW3D, it's ZWSOFT, based in China and has been involved with CAD since 1993.
Its 2D product, ZWCAD, has been available for almost 10 years. Its 2D/3D family, ZW3D,
was added to its product portfolio last year when it acquired the products and technologies
of VX Corp., a company known for its integrated CAD/CAM software and used extensively in
the plastics manufacturing industry. As part of the acquisition, ZW3D continues to
incorporate and enhance the proprietary geometric modeling kernel originally developed by
VX – something I consider an advantage because it provides greater control over
development and can optimize the functionality of a CAD product.
Recently released, ZW3D 2011 is available in three versions – Standard, Professional, and
Premium. Let’s take a quick look at what each of the versions offers for users with different
needs and workflows:
ZW3D Standard – Has comprehensive import capabilities, history-based and direct
surface and solid modeling, sheet metal design, design optimization.
ZW3D Professional – Has everything included in Standard, plus integrated
PartSolutions library, mold and die design, point cloud processing.
ZW3D Premium – Has everything in Professional, plus extensive integrated
manufacturing and machining capabilities.
Probably the two most significant breakthroughs with ZW3D 2011 Premium include:
Direct Edit design paradigm that is integrated into the existing history-based
modeling architecture – providing you with different design methodologies that each
have their own distinct advantages.
Auto Feature Machining that reduces the time required to program complex 3D parts
for creating a machining plan by automatically detecting features and optimizing tool
selection and machining strategy.
ZW3D Premium 2011 will be the version covered in this white paper/review, so, let’s get
started. Note also, that although ZW3D Premium has a wide range of CAD and CAM
capabilities, we will focus primarily on the CAD side of the equation. Because there is so
much to cover on the CAM side, we will briefly discuss CAM capabilities in an overview
fashion, hoping to cover them in much greater detail in a future white paper/review.
Getting Started
Regardless of experience, for the most part, learning a new software package always has
challenges and associated frustrations, and CAD programs are often no different than other
types of software.
Cirowest Group LLC 1100 Cherokee, Unit 401. Denver, CO 80204 USA
719.221.1867
Most CAD applications now have educational tools and a path for easing the steepness of
the initial learning curve, with some tools and methods definitely better than others. For
new and even experienced users, the place to start with ZW3D 2011 are the Show-n-Tell
tutorials.
Although hardware prices continue their downward spiral, frugal users without budgets for
new hardware will appreciate ZW3D’s relatively modest system requirements – Intel
Pentium IV or better; 1GB RAM; and 1280 x 1024 VGA video with True Color. Of course,
more advanced hardware will improve performance, but brand new hardware is not a cost
barrier for running ZW3D 2011 Premium.
Figure 1: ZW3D 2011 User Interface
Along with educational materials, a good user interface is also integral for new users, and
ZW3D is making some significant strides in this vital area. However, more work needs to be
done here as it looks and feels somewhat dated. For example, the large number of icons
and drop-down menus are not very intuitive, especially for new users, and take some
getting used to with regard to functionality and sequence.
Unlike some other CAD/CAM systems, files created with ZW3D can contain as many parts,
assemblies, drawings, and CAM plans as needed, each being known as an object. You can
store an entire project of objects in one file or multiple files. A good strategy would be to
store commonly used parts in one file and create part objects specific to an assembly in
another project file.
Another good strategy for beginning a design with ZW3D is to create template objects for
modeling, 2D detailing, and machining. All template objects are stored in the Templates file.
You can edit previous template objects, as well as copying and pasting to create a new one.
Templates can be customized to set such things as colors and line styles, layer schemes,
and machining operations and parameters. A template can be selected and used when
starting, for example, a new part, drawing sheet, or CAM plan. When using templates, be
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sure to properly save and close the Templates file when you have finished editing to ensure
the integrity of your work.
ZW3D has a couple of hints and prompts design aids that new users will appreciate. First,
there is Show Hints that provides context sensitive, continuous tips. Second, at the bottom
of the graphics window is the Prompt/Status Line that displays the current command and
the next logical step ZW3D wants you to perform. This latter feature is not perfect, but is
usually quite helpful.
Figure 2: Importing Geometry with the Import Option There are two ways you can import geometry -- using the Import option under the File
menu or using the TransMagic option under the Applications menu. Using the Import option,
you can import DWG, IGES, STEP, VDA, DXF, Parasolid, STL, and Neutral data formats. If
you have the TransMagic data import/export tool installed (it is a free add-on for ZW3D
users), you can import CATIA V4 and V5, SAT, NX, Inventor, Pro/ENGINEER, and
SolidWorks formats.
With ZW3D Premium you can work with any geometry and solids are not necessarily
required. Once imported you can manipulate solids, surfaces, wireframe, and scanned point
cloud data. Geometry healing is useful for correcting gaps in imported model geometry.
Healing functions make it relatively easy to analyze surface topology, sew surfaces together,
fill gaps with new surfaces, and specify tolerances for creating closed solids.
Modeling Parts
ZW3D is built on the company’s own, proprietary Overdrive modeling kernel, which, as I
previously mentioned is a good thing for mathematical modeling efficiency, optimization,
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and the fact that you and your CAD vendor are not held hostage by a modeling kernel
developers’ schedule.
Figure 3: Creating a New File
Sketching
Regardless of what CAD system is used, most new designs start with sketches, and ZW3D is
no different. However, ZW3D can simplify sketching with a capability called ReadySketch
with several pre-defined commonly used, dimensioned geometric sketch shapes that can be
quickly edited to a needed size. Text created using ReadySketch can be embossed or
extruded.
Sketching in ZW3D is straightforward, making it easy to begin a design. Clicking on a line
and right clicking displays several context sensitive options, such as copy, move, mirror, cut,
etc. Geometric constraints, such as perpendicular, parallel, etc. are automatically displayed
and in effect during sketching. Clicking on a constraint displays options for changing it.
When you save and exit the sketch, you are ready to next create features.
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Figure 4: Sketching a Part in 2D
Adding Features
Probably the most common way that 2D sketches become 3D shapes for further modeling is
by extruding the 2D sketch. Extruding and adding additional features, such as fillets and
chamfers is easy with several options available as they are added for arriving at exactly the
shape you want for your design.
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Figure 5: Adding 3D Features to a 2D Sketch – Extrusion with Several Types of Features Applied
Applying Dimensions
At the 2D level, there are several dimensioning modes available, including
Normal – dimensions point to point
Baseline – dimensions from the first point selected to successive points
Continuous – dimensions continuously between successive points
Ordinate – similar top Baseline, but each successive point receives an ordinate value
measured from the first point.
For 3D, with ZW3D’s dynamic dimensions you can pick and drag 3D dimensions for
modifying shapes with simultaneous visual feedback. This ability lets you construct 3D
geometry with parametric dimensions because they are automatically created during the
design process.
Applying Constraints
If required, and they usually are, constraints can be applied in both 2D and 3D design
environments.
In 2D, there are several commands available for adding constraints to an active sketch,
such as anchor, parallel, perpendicular, co-tangent, etc. Like it or not, constraints force
conditions on geometry as a sketch is modified. You can choose commands to analyze and
solve the constraint system of a sketch. 2D constraints (and dimensions) can also be
applied automatically to sketch geometry on the fly by using the Constraint toolbar and
selecting a base point.
In 3D, the constraints are most commonly applied are assembly alignment constraints. For
assemblies, inserting component parts and adding alignment constraints are considered
individual steps in parametric history. This is a good feature because constraints can be
added in any order since they are not bundled with components or replayed sequentially
during a history replay. When a 3D constraint is applied, a short animation shows the parts
aligning and moving into place in the assembly. Alignment constraints can be added, deleted,
solved, edited, dragged, and investigated. Alignment constraints can also be applied to
anchor components in a fixed position. Applying 3D constraints can be time consuming
however, because in most cases, multiple constraints are required to properly align a
component.
Two Modeling Approaches – Parametric and Direct
Before we go any further, you should know that ZW3D provides two different modeling
methods – history-based and direct. History-based modeling employs a History Manager, or
what other parametric system vendors call a history/feature tree.
ZW3D’ SmoothFlow Direct Editing combines the best of both worlds – the speed and
flexibility of direct modeling with the precision of dimension-driven modeling, while still
maintaining the functionality of history-based modeling. Using SmoothFlow, you can directly
modify model geometry without editing history – a real time saver, since creating and
editing history-based geometry can be a challenge.
Cirowest Group LLC 1100 Cherokee, Unit 401. Denver, CO 80204 USA
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QuickEdit is a new ZW3D technique that streamlines creating and editing shapes. With
QuickEdit you don’t have to pre-select an editing tool. Instead, you touch a part’s face or
edge, right click the mouse, and choose a tool, such as fillet, offset, or move.
SnapPick is a new ZW3D option that takes a point pick and automatically drives it from
intersections, critical points, and axis directions. You can think of SnapPick as an assistant
for helping create 3D sketches, features, and parts.
The direct modeling/editing approach provided by ZW3D is unique because of the way it
employs a feature tree. While some competitors have abandoned the feature tree with their
direct approaches, it does make for a workflow that is easier to track and understand. Direct
model editing lets you pick directly on geometry for quick modifications. You also have
different options for viewing how the model was created with the ability to display the
history of modeling operations, a list of parent and/or child operations, as well as the ability
to replay and step through a model’s history.
Important for ZW3D users who are involved with both CAD and CAM, regardless of whether
you model parametrically or directly, any changes made to geometry automatically updates
associated CNC program output downstream.
Stepping Up to Assemblies Creating assemblies from parts in ZW3D Premium 2011 is one of its strengths because
assembly modeling is key to ZW3D’s underlying design philosophy. It supports efficient
assembly definition, manipulation, and management, and was a fundamental consideration
when the ZW3D architecture was conceived and designed. For example, ZW3D’s Object
Manager loads only display data for an object into memory if that object is active for edit,
minimizing an assembly’s memory footprint while maximizing the size of an assembly that
can be worked with. The Object Manager also lets you decide how assemblies are
distributed into files – ranging from each component in a separate file, an entire assembly
in one file, or anything in between.
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Figure 6: Toggle Clamp Assembly With Alignment Constraints Applied
ZW3D Premium supports the two main assembly creation approaches – bottom-up and top-
down.
In bottom-up assembly design, assemblies are broken down into smaller subassemblies and
components, and each component is designed as a separate, unique part. The component
parts can be archived in a library in one or more ZW3D files, making this approach an
efficient way for creating and managing large, complex assemblies. Each part is inserted
into the active part, creating a component instance and an assembly. The component
becomes the child of the active part and then it becomes the active part. Because an
instance of an actual part is used, you can have it update automatically if the archived part
is modified, or you can modify the archived part by activating and modifying its component
instance. While it might sound complicated, it really isn’t, and this ability illustrates the
flexibility of ZW3D.
In top-down assembly design, all components are typically designed and placed while you
are in an active part. Using the top-down method in ZW3D, the active part actually becomes
the assembly. The component becomes a child of the active part and then it becomes the
active part. When created, the component is an instance of an original part that becomes a
root object placed in the active file. The part or each component is activated and can be
edited. The top-down approach is generally considered more advantageous than bottom-up.
Why? Here’s a typical example. If you are working on a new design, you can elect to keep
all component parts in a single file until the design project nears completion. If the project
is cancelled or you decide to go in a totally new direction, deleing the one file deletes the
part or assembly and all of its components.
The PartSolutions library, at no additional cost, makes standard parts from a wide variety of
suppliers available for insertion into an assembly. At the part level, with the PartSolutions
PartAssembly application, you can insert components into active ZW3D assemblies. You
select the part group that you want, such as fasteners; select the specific part you want to
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insert and modify it if you need to; click on the Transfer to CAD icon; and in ZW3D, select
the insertion point for the new component.
Figure 7: The PartSolutions Library
Finally, ZW3D supports its proprietary lightweight Burst technology that lets you manipulate
large assemblies without memory constraints. The tree structure for assemblies allows
individual component parts to be graphically highlighted for identification and modification
purposes.
Creating Drawings
ZW3D automatically creates 2D associative detail drawings directly from 3D models from
which they are created, so the process is pretty streamlined. The production drawing and
detailing process are assisted by ZW3D’s unique object server architecture that lets you
decide whether drawings will be saved in the same file as the 3D data from the master
model or in separate files.
Drawings provide an opportunity to briefly discuss ZW3D’s architecture that is a multi-level
object-oriented system with access to its various integrated modules (such as drawings,
CAM, etc.) through a common user interface. Rather than having to launch separate
applications for drafting or CAM, you just open a ZW3D file and proceed to the level you
want; in this instance the Drawing Level for creating and editing drawing packets and
drawing sheets. The Drawing Packet Level contains functions that are used to create
drawing packets, while the Drawing Sheet Level is used to create drawing sheets. In ZW3D,
a drawing packet is a collection of one or more drawing sheets. A drawing sheet is where
model geometry is located.
Cirowest Group LLC 1100 Cherokee, Unit 401. Denver, CO 80204 USA
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Figure 8: A ZW3D Drawing
While we’re discussing drawings, there is a new command for bills of material that lets you
synchronize a BOM with part attributes for updating a 3D part by making changes to the
BOM table on a 2D drawing , so you don’t have to drill down to the part.
Visualization
Before proceeding to the manufacturing stage, for rendering a model (scene) at the part
level for presentation, you use the command and options under the Visualize tooltab.
Rendering a scene is performed with the following basic steps in the Visualization
environment:
Position and orient a part or assembly in the scene
Modify any face attributes
Apply any texture attributes or maps
Create and position light sources
Modify any rendering attributes
Render the scene
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While not as sophisticated and complex as the rendering packages found in some competing
CAD products, the visualization capabilities in ZW3D are not overkill, relatively easy to set
up and use, and will fulfill the needs of virtually all users in this design space.
Using Built-In Manufacturing Capabilities
One of the most unique aspects of the ZW3D Premium CAD process is its association with
the manufacturing process. For example, ZW3D recognizes and machines geometric design
features (up to 5 axes), and has the ability to directly manipulate and machine from STL or
mesh scan files.
With an extensive integrated knowledge base, ZW3D Premium 2011 includes automatic
feature recognition (holes, slots, pockets, etc.). ZW3D breaks down part topology into solid
features and then analyzes the capabilities of library tools for producing a machining plan
and generating a machining sequence/workflow. This technology is a real time saver. The
company estimates that it could cut machine programming time in half and machining cycle
time by up to 30%.
ZW3D Premium 2011 lets you create mold geometry that includes core and cavity, parting
surfaces, draft angles and material shutoffs. The core and cavity can be created at the same
time in one operation. Also available is a comprehensive library of standard mold base
components that includes slides, lifters, ejector pins, cooling channels, and electrodes for
producing molds. One of the most significant features of ZW3D’s mold capabilities is the
way it is organized into a logical sequence that walks you through the mold creation process.
Before getting to the mold design phase, you can interrogate, analyze, and animate a
plastic part’s design to ensure that it is manufacturable. ZW3D also generates so-called
intelligent workflow. For example, it employs auto-feature milling with machining strategy
based on a part’s features.
Although you can create them from scratch, the quickest way to create tooling for producing
plastic parts is by using ZW3D Premium’s Mold and Die Tooltab. You use this command set
to insert a mold base from the ZW3D standard parts library. You also use the Mold and Die
Tooltab for automatically creating electrode geometry during mold design. Inputs for
electrodes include approach direction, the faces or features to duplicate, trimming curves to
limit the electrodes, and the side of the faces or features that will remain. In a nutshell, the
built-in mold libraries use knowledge-based libraries to build mold bases and electrodes with
automated parting line, surface, and electrode generation.
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Figure 9: Creating a Blow Mold Cavity
The CAM and Tactics Managers in ZW3D Premium provide assistance during the
manufacturing phase. These management tools help you develop intelligent and efficient
milling and drilling operations. You do this by defining rules that ZW3D CAM will use when
analyzing CAM features. The rules that are defined form a rule set that will help select the
best machining tools from your library and calculate the best tool paths. For example, if a
drilling operation is required and a good match from available drill tools cannot be located in
the library, ZW3D CAM searches existing reaming or boring tools for a better match for the
given operation. The suggested tooling operations can then be organized, verified, and
output just as manually created operations would be.
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Figure 10: Managing ZW3D Machining Operations
ZW3D Premium 2011’s machining tactics/strategy optimization assists in selecting the best
strategy based on part features. It analyzes feature attributes, such as sharpness and depth,
and selects machining strategy based on this information. Machining strategy optimization
provides better flexibility and control with better surface finish and improved tool life.
Figure 11: CAM Plan/Tactics General Machining Managers
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Toolset optimization (TSO) consists of several technologies that ZW3D uses to generate
optimal tool selection for specific machining sequences. It analyzes available tools and
makes “intelligent” choices based on part, stock, material, and machine to compute tool
sequence optimization.
Final Thoughts
While ZW3D 2011 Premium has several strong capabilities in part and assembly design,
drawing creation, and data management, its greatest strength and differentiator is the fact
that in one package, you have all the tools necessary for going from design through
manufacturing (machining). In effect, ZW3D Premium 2011 can handle the entire product
development process. This comprehensive ability really adds to its value proposition
compared with its competitors, many of whom require optional or add-in products to
achieve this level of functionality, especially on the manufacturing side.
Having all workflow capabilities available in one package ensures a similar user experience,
look, feel, and behavior throughout the design and manufacturing process. It also ensures
that all support questions throughout the process can be handled by one organization. All in
all, dealing with one comprehensive software application, such as ZW3D Premium 2011, and
its supporting cast will benefit many potential customers, especially those directly or
indirectly involved with plastic product design and mold and die or machining operations.
Although it’s definitely a competitive market, ZW3D Premium 2011 is a unique
design/engineering/manufacturing software application because it can do it all. In the near
future, look for a much stronger presence of ZW3D in North America by manufacturing
organizations seeking a solution that is capable of doing it all. ZW3D Premium 2011
provides a lot of functionality, and we just scratched the surface and evaluated just a
fraction of its unique features and capabilities. If your organization and workflow call for the
ability to work with both CAD and CAM worlds, then ZW3D Premium 2011 deserves serious
consideration because it provides both in one package.
EVALUATION
ZW3D 2011 Premium
2D/3D CAD/CAM
Pluses: Comprehensive range of capabilities from design through manufacturing; hybrid
history-based and direct modeling; modest system requirements.
Minuses: Dated user interface and workflow; help system/tutorial shortcomings.
Overall: B+
Price: $7,000 (US). Upgrade $1,500 (US). Free trial download available.
For More Information: www.zwsoft.com