Cadalyst-Mobile-CAD-Software-Roundup

CADALYST LABS REPORT
eDrawings Viewer v2.0.1 (Android)
Mobile CAD viewer
Overall Grade: A-
Pros: Opens a variety of 2D and 3D specialty file formats.
Cons: No markup tools in free version; lack of visual style control.
Price: Free
Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks
800.693.9000
www.solidworks.com
CAD professionals and engineers working with mechanical
designs may find the eDrawings Viewer application from
SolidWorks to be just what they’ve been waiting for. In the category
of mobile mechanical CAD viewers, eDrawings Viewer stands
out as an excellent option.
The application is simple to install, quick to respond to both
file opening and multitouch input, and supports SolidWorks files
as well as native DXF and DWG format files. While performance
was smooth overall, eDrawings Viewer did crash a handful of
times for no apparent reason during testing on an iPad 2 tablet.
Output and sharing options in eDrawings Viewer.
ZWCAD Touch v1.3.0 (Android)
Mobile CAD editor
Overall Grade: B
Pros: Very thorough toolset; very similar to desktop CAD;
voice memo feature.
Cons: Limited filetype support; no object property features.
Price: Free
ZWSOFT
321.676.3222
www.zwsoft.com
Desktop CAD users may find it hard to let go of their regular
user interface and replace it with more modern, touchcentric
interfaces. Luckily for them, there is ZWCAD Touch from
ZWSOFT, which is sure to sway many users with its desktop-like
experience. This free mobile CAD editor is both capable and well
featured. ZWCAD Touch is available as a free download from the
Google Play Store and the Apple App Store for Android and iOS
mobile devices, respectively (we reviewed the Android version).
Modern CAD users will find the ribbon user interface full
of tools similar to those of any modern desktop CAD program.
Drawing, editing, layer management, inquiry, and layout selection
tools, among others, are all lined up and easy to find. Contextual
ribbons provide additional options.
ZWCAD Touch is quick to regen and react to multitouch input
for panning, zooming, and rotating. The application’s visual
style control is effective and easy. Users will also find the familiar
Save messages before closing a drawing to be reassuring. Output
options are limited to DWG format.
A key differentiator for ZWCAD Touch is its capability to save
and play back voice memos attached to the drawings, a feature
sure to be handy for anyone who is in the field with full hands or
needs to capture a thought quickly.
8
The eDrawings Viewer offers viewing in exploded model mode.
The application is available in free and Pro versions for both
Android and iOS; I reviewed the Android version. The free version
offers viewing of multiple component mechanical assemblies with
eDrawing’s excellent rendering, animated viewing, and exploded
assembly tools. No account is required for use of the free version;
no online storage is included with the application.
An in-app purchase ($7.99) unlocks the Pro version, key to
which is a fantastic system for dynamic section views that is intuitive
and renders quickly. This easy-to-use tool makes creating
section views as easy as dragging your finger. Inquiry and markup
tools allow for easy information gathering and collaboration with
coworkers. Marked-up files are easily shared via e-mail.
ZWCAD Touch
offers many of the
same tools found
in desktop CAD
programs. It is
quick to regen in
a 3D solid display
mode.
ZWCAD Touch’s user interface in 2D display mode offers
well-known markup tools.
Curt Moreno is a Houston, Texas–based CAD
manager, writer, and speaker who has been using
AutoCAD since 1990. Reach him via his web site,
www.kungfudrafter.com, or follow @wkfd on Twitter.
www.cadalyst.com cadalyst Special Report Summer 2014