Integrated software tool for computer drawing, 3D modelling and realistic visualisation for engineers, designers and architects. The aim of bCAD and products based on it is to deliver high-tech 3D graphic software solutions to a wide range of end-users for a moderate price. Here, we take into consideration the cost of both the software and the hardware which is powerful enough to run that software really EFFICIENTLY. The combination of powerful 2D and 3D features, price point, and robust performance makes the bCAD a breakthrough for the price sensitive, professional user. Native 32-bit architecture ensures maximum performance, compatibility, and connectivity with the latest and future generations of Microsoft Windows, which is fast becoming the dominating OS technology for the CAD and 3D design desktop.

Multi-window flexible icon-drive user interface makes work in bCAD easy and effective. Multi-document architecture allows to work with few projects simultaneously and exchange data between them. One of the distinctive features of bCAD are powerful yet efficient visualisation tools - from OpenGL driven real-time preview, to hidden line removal and textured rendering up to photo-realistic ray-tracing including both polygraphic quality still-images and screen walk-through animations. bCAD supports import and export of wide range of data formats, including AutoCAD drawings and 3D Studio models, including texturing and lighting. The bCAD concept assumes giving to user the complete range of design tools, so whole project can be done in single environment - from the sketch to precise shape, model and final drawings for manufacturing and images for presentation. For third-part developers bCAD introduces an API for Java language, which allows to develop new tools and complete problem-oriented solutions.


Major features

"All-in-one" design, all vital parts are built-into the single compact executable.
32-bit native code (Pentium optimised).
Plug-n-play features
Modern multi-window icon-driven customisable GUI
Multi-dociment interface.
Unlimited UNDO
Unlimited number of layers
Built-in manual, instant context-sensitive Tool Tips
Powerful tools for precise 2D drawing and 3D modelling
Compatibility with AutoCAD line styles, hatch patterns, SHP fonts
Export/Import of 3D meshes to/from 3D Studio 3DS ASC
Export of raster images to BMP, TIFF, GIF, PCX, JPEG, TGA
Export of vector drawings to HPGL, EPS
Import Textures from BMP/GIF/JPEG/TGA/CEL/PIC files.
Export/Import of DWG/DXF R10-12 by user choice
Import of ready-to-render models from the native 3D Studio files, including material settings, textures, bump and reflection maps, correct usage of the smoothing groups.
Photo-realistic rendering with z-buffer and ray-tracing algorithm
Walk-trough animation
OpenGL support
Java API

2D Drawing tools

lines (six methods)
circles (five methods)
arcs (three methods)
ellipses( three methods)
rectangles ( four methods)
polylines
text - different font typefaces (AutoCAD font acceptable), scaleable, customisable symbols italic, customisable line slope
right polygons ( custom number of edges)
hatching - hatching of existing objects, using parts of existing objects as hatching contour, customisable scaleable patterns ( AutoCAD patterns compatible)
Customisable line width in range 0..128mm (0..5")
Customisable lines pattern (AutoCAD patterns compatible)
Customisable accuracy of arcs, circles and smooth curves creation.

3D Modelling tools

boxes
spheres and semi-spheres (dishes, domes)
torus
cylinders
cones and truncated cones
four corner mesh
single 3D faces
surfaces of revolution
surface of and extrusion
fractal surfaces
Customisable meshes complexity
usage of 2D shapes as templates
TrueType 3D texts

Material definition

colour
shininess (highlight brightness)
mirror reflection level
roughness (highlight size)
transparency
self-illumination
index of refraction
built-in 3D solid textures
rotation and scaling of texture images
raster and procedural textures and bumps
planar
spherical
cylindrical
entire mesh (UV coordinates)
solid (for procedural pigments)
reflection mapping
import textures and bumps from BMP/GIF/TGA/PCX/CEL/JPEG/PIC
animated textures FLC/FLI

Object selection options

by node position
by rectangle window
by overlapped rectangle
by crossed line
by properties: colour, line width range, layer name, line pattern
unconditional (Select ALL)

Modification tools

erase
move
copy
copy from another drawing/window
rotate
mirror
stretch
group/ungroup
change properties: line width, line pattern, layer, colour, material settings, hatch layout, text, wire-frames accuracy,
contours editor: move vertex, delete vertex, add vertex, cut polyline, weld contours, chamfer(customisable), fillet(customisable), smooth curve (spline), decurve (opposite to smooth)

3D Constructive solid modelling

Intersection
Subtraction
Union
Merge
Bend
Twist
Collision detection
Line of intersection detection

Dimensions

horizontal
vertical
slope
external radius
internal radius
diameter
angular by two lines
angular by three points
tolerances setting
five arrow styles
perimeter, area, volume mesurement
dimension properties: text size, arrows size, colour, text placement, arrows style, text boarding style

Coordinates input

Cartesian/polar coordinates
millimetres/inches units
degrees/radians units
customisable origin
relative to last selected point
coordinates entry format compatible with AutoCAD
customisable cursor step
ortho drawing mode
customisable grid: dot/lines style, step by x, y separately

Object snap options

line segment endpoint
line segment midpoint
circle tangent points
circle centre
arc centre
arc endpoints
3D face vertices
centre of gravity

OpenGL real-time preview

Interactive navigation through 3D space
Wlak-throughs playback in real time
Mesh optimising for speed
dynamci camera adjustment
Gouraud, flat and wire-frame modes
Background customisation

Realistic rendering

Hidden lines removal
Fast OpenGL rendering
Flat textured shading
Textured Gouraud rendering
Z-buffered Phong with shadows casting
Ray-tracing
selected only option
antialiasing
spot studio lights
spot and omni internal lights
ambient light
quick draft mode
auto camera adjustment
halo effect
aperture ratio
walk-trough animation
customisable global environment
customisable background: custom colour or raster image, imported from BMP, GIF, JPEG, TGA, JPEG, CEL, PIC files