2010-12-8

ZWSOFT ZWCAD 2011 VS AUTOCAD 2011

ZWCAD Technical Support Team

 Contents
1. OVERVIEW .......................................................................................................................... 2
2. VERSION ............................................................................................................................. 3
3. GENERAL INTRODUCTION OF AUTODESK ............................................................................. 3
4. COMPARISON TABLE ........................................................................................................... 4
5. FEATURES COMPARISON ..................................................................................................... 7
I. ZWCAD’S ADVANTAGES ................................................................................................................ 7
 ZWCAD’s Unique Features ..................................................................................................... 7
 File Compare ............................................................................................................................. 7
 Batch Plot（PLT Plot） ............................................................................................................. 7
 Block Extraction ......................................................................................................................... 7
 Image with TFW coordinate file ................................................................................................ 8
 Tab Environment ....................................................................................................................... 8
 ZWCAD’s better features ........................................................................................................ 9
 Dynamic Prompt........................................................................................................................ 9
II. AUTOCAD’S ADVANTAGE ............................................................................................................... 9
 AutoCAD’s Unique Features ................................................................................................... 9
 Mac OS Support......................................................................................................................... 9
 Ribbon Interface ...................................................................................................................... 10
 Sheet Set Management ........................................................................................................... 10
 Associated Dimension ............................................................................................................. 10
 Dynamic Block ......................................................................................................................... 11
 Inferred Constraint .................................................................................................................. 11
 ViewCube, SteeringWheels and Navigation Bar ..................................................................... 12
 Point Cloud .............................................................................................................................. 12
 DGN Import and Export ........................................................................................................... 12
 Shade Plot................................................................................................................................ 12
 AutoCAD’s better features. .................................................................................................. 13
 Table ........................................................................................................................................ 13
 Solid Modeling......................................................................................................................... 13
 Surface Modeling .................................................................................................................... 13
 3D Operation ........................................................................................................................... 14
 Material ................................................................................................................................... 14

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1. Overview
Generally speaking, ZWCAD is still not as strong as AutoCAD, mainly reflected in following 3 aspects:
1) User interface
2) Advanced management features
3) 3D modeling functions
The first two points are always AutoCAD’s advantages. But in recent 2 versions of AutoCAD, they
starts to focus more on 3D functions and make a lot of new features and improvements. Such as
point clouds, solid history, NURBS surface, and surface analysis, etc. All these features were only
available in some professional 3D CAD software. But in AutoCAD, they are kind of simpler than in
professional 3D software, and only providing basic functions.

But ZWCAD has its own advantages. Talking about interface, ZWCAD always keeps clear and simple
with classical Windows style interface. This may not look so “pretty” like ribbon, but it fits most of
the old users’ need in design since they have already been familiar with this style, and also much
easier for new users to learn to use it. Another advantage of this interface is that it doesn’t cost too
much system resources, thus need lower configuration of user’s computer, result in lower costs.

Secondly, as a 2D CAD platform, ZWCAD is always focusing on 2D drawing functions, as well as basic
3D features. It has little differences on 2D area compared with AutoCAD and can meet users’
demand perfectly. What’s more, in ZWCAD 2011, Table, Field, Mleader, together with the new
Parametric Drawing tools, are all available to make your 2D drawing more efficient and precise.

Besides, as powerful and professional CAD software, ZWCAD always keeps itself “fit”. The size of
ZWCAD installation package is only about 140MB. Even after full installed, the program is just
around 300MB. Compared to AutoCAD’s large body over 4.5GB, it’s rather small. But ZWCAD
provides almost 90% of AutoCAD’s functions, especially those frequently used ones. This advantage
again can save the hardware and software resource for users to cut the cost.

At the same time, ZWCAD never gives up its best advantage, which is cost-efficiency. You can buy
ZWCAD with a relatively lower and affordable price with almost the same function as AutoCAD. It
meets the designers’ demand as well as saves budget for the company. ZWCAD also provides wide
service and support channels. Users can get local services from local partners and resellers, or
contact ZWSOFT directly for further support via website, forum, online chat and email. All the
support is free to every licensed or even trial version users.

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2. Version
ZWCAD 2011: 2010.11.25 (16241)
AutoCAD 2011: E.49.0.0

3. General Introduction of Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc., Headquartered in San Rafael, CA, US, is the world leading
design software and digital creation company, employed in architecture,
mechanical, manufacture, civil, telecommunication, media and entertainment. Founded in
1982, Autodesk provide design software, Internet service, wireless development platform and
application, help 9 million users in over 180 countries to push their business and keep
competitiveness.

Autodesk has branches and offices in 111 countries and regions over the world, 16 R&D
centers with more than 3000 R&D engineers. Autodesk’s investment in R&D every year is
about 20% of total global income.

As one of the biggest design software company, Autodesk has the longest product line and
widest coverage of industries. It has 18 language versions, 1,700 channel partners in the world,
over 2,000 training center, 3,300 members in Autodesk Developer Network.

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4. Comparison Table
LEGEND
✓ Feature Supported
X Feature Not Supported
☆ Feature Partial Supported
TM ® ®
ZWCAD 2011 AutoCAD 2011 AutoCAD 2011 LT

COMPATIBILITY
DWG & DXF Support ✓ ✓ ✓
®
AutoCAD Command ✓ ✓ ✓
®
AutoCAD Menu and Alias Support ✓ ✓ ✓
TTF & SHX Font Support ✓ ✓ ✓
Resource File Support (LIN,PAT,SLD,UNT) ✓ ✓ ✓
®
Windows Operating System Support ✓ ✓ ✓
®
Mac Operating System Support X ✓ ✓

USER INTERFACE
Graphical User Interface ✓ ✓ ✓
Ribbon X ✓ ✓
SteeringWheels
®
and ViewCube
®
X ✓ X
Initial Setup ✓ ✓ ✓

DRAFTING & DETAILING

2D Geometric Entities ✓ ✓ ✓
Basic Editing Tools ✓ ✓ ✓
Hatch and Gradient ✓ ✓ ✓
Dimensioning ✓ ✓ ✓
Associated Dimension X ✓ ✓
Raster Images ✓ ✓ ✓
External References ✓ ✓ ✓
Pline and Spline Editing ✓ ✓ ✓
Multiline and Multiline Editing ✓ ✓ X
Multiple Grips Editing ✓ ✓ ✓
Blocks and Attributes ✓ ✓ ✓
Dynamic Blocks X ✓ ✓
OLE Support ✓ ✓ ✓
In-Place Mtext Editor ✓ ✓ ✓
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In-Place Reference and Attribute Editing ✓ ✓ ✓
Entity Snap and Tracking ✓ ✓ ✓
Layer Properties and Layer States ✓ ✓ ✓
Table ☆ ✓ ✓
Field ✓ ✓ ✓
Multileaders ✓ ✓ ✓
Geometric Constraint ✓ ✓ X
Dimensional Constraint ✓ ✓ X
Parametric Management ✓ ✓ X
Inferred Constraint X ✓ X

MODELING & SURFACING

Solid Modeling ✓ ✓ X
Solid Editing ☆ ✓ X
Sweeps and Lofts ✓ ✓ X
Extrudes and Revolves ✓ ✓ X
Surface Modeling ✓ ✓ X
Surface Editing ☆ ✓ X
Mesh Modeling ✓ ✓ X
Mesh Editing X ✓ X
Solid Profiling ✓ ✓ X
Point Cloud Support X ✓ X

MANAGEMENT
Design Center ✓ ✓ ✓
Tool Palette ✓ ✓ ✓
Sheet Set Manager X ✓ X
Aerial View ✓ ✓ ✓
Dynamic Prompt ✓ ☆ ☆
Multiple Redo and Undo Facility ✓ ✓ ✓
Multiple Documents ✓ ✓ ✓
Tab Environment ✓ X X
Express Tools ✓ ✓ X
Quick Tools ✓ ✓ ✓

COMMUNICATION
Plot with Plot Style and Plot Stamp ✓ ✓ ✓
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Shade Plot X ✓ ✓
Layered PDF Plotting ✓ ✓ ✓
Integrated JPEG and PNG Plotter ✓ ✓ ✓
Publish and Export ✓ ✓ ✓
PDF / DWF / DGN Underlay X ✓ ✓
DGN Import and Export X ✓ ✓
eTransmit ✓ ✓ ✓
Materials ☆ ✓ X
Lights ✓ ✓ X
Photorealistic Rendering ✓ ✓ X
Visual Styles ✓ ✓ X
3D Printing X ✓ X

CUSTOMIZATION
LISP ✓ ✓ X
Object ARX ZRX ✓ X
AutoCAD® Development System(ADS) SDS ✓ X
VBA ✓ ✓ X
Interface Customization ✓ ✓ ✓
CUI Support X ✓ ✓

UNIQUE
DWG File Compare ✓ X X
Batch Plot (PLT Plot) ✓ X X
Block Extraction ✓ X X
Image with TFW coordinate file ✓ X X

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5. Features Comparison
I. ZWCAD’s Advantages
 ZWCAD’s Unique Features
 File Compare
ZWCAD: support
AutoCAD: not support
This feature is used for comparing two similar looking drawings, and displays the differences
between them in different colors. It’s mostly used when we need to compare the new version
and old version of the same drawing, in order to know what have been modified. It’s the
unique feature supported in ZWCAD, which is not included in AutoCAD.

 Batch Plot（PLT Plot）

ZWCAD: support
AutoCAD: not support
Using this function enables you to batch plot PLT\PRN files. Import a series of PLT or PRN files
that has been plotted, and batch plot them on papers. You can set the number of copies, and
choose Selective Plot. At the same time, you can even save the file list as a TXT file, and reusing
it at another time by simply importing this TXT file.

The advantage of this PLT batch plot

feature is that, different designers can
firstly plot their DWG files to PLT files, and
then all the PLT files can be collected
together for printing so that company can
manage the printing issue better and save
cost. And PLT file has two advantages: 1.
it’s encrypted means it can’t be edited. 2.
Its size is much smaller than DWG file. So it
can be better managed.

 Block Extraction
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ZWCAD: support
AutoCAD: not support
Use Block Extraction feature to extract selected blocks in current drawing to different DWG
files, in order to create and manage block library for better reusing.

 Image with TFW coordinate file

ZWCAD: support
AutoCAD: not support
When inserting image as references, a positioning file in TFW format is available to be attached
to set the position of the image in current coordinate system, without manual control. This is
very helpful when you need to precisely control the position of the image. It’s also an unique
feature provided in ZWCAD.

 Tab Environment
ZWCAD: support
AutoCAD: not support
ZWCAD support a multi document tab environment. After opening a file, there will be a
corresponding tab indicating this file on tab bar. You can switch among drawings by clicking
any tab, drag the tab to replace its order, or right-click on it to use New, Open, Save, Find
Target functions and so on. It supports to open 255 drawings at the same time, and very
convenient for users to operate.
AutoCAD support multi document though, but do not have such tab environment. You need to
access Window menu to switch drawings, which is not so convenient as ZWCAD.

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  ZWCAD’s better features
 Dynamic Prompt
ZWCAD: support
AutoCAD: partial support
ZWCAD has a powerful dynamic prompt function. It includes two aspects: one is when
inputting commands, it can display all available commands that begin with your input; the
other is when executing a command, it can prompt the available options to select. Since the
prompt is right near the cursor, it is convenient for user to view and select. AutoCAD’s prompt
only support the second aspect.
The first point is very useful. For a new user, he can quickly find what he want and help him to
learn and remember commands. For an experienced user, he can concentrate himself on
designing, instead of taking lots of time on inputting complex command.

II. AutoCAD’s Advantage

 AutoCAD’s Unique Features
 Mac OS Support
ZWCAD: not support
AutoCAD: support
AutoCAD now has release its latest version which can be run on Mac OS, IPad, IPod Touch,
IPhone. ZWCAD only support Windows systems.

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  Ribbon Interface
ZWCAD: not support
AutoCAD: support
AutoCAD starts to support the new Windows Ribbon style user interface, while keeping the
traditional interface as optional. ZWCAD only support classic interface currently.

 Sheet Set Management

ZWCAD: not support
AutoCAD: support
AutoCAD 2011 has a sheet set manager, to put
layouts in different drawings together in it which
helps you easily manage, view, edit and output
you drawings.

 Associated Dimension
ZWCAD: not support
AutoCAD: support
In AutoCAD, you can control the Associativity between dimensions and entities by system
variable DIMASSOC. When its value is set to 2, they will be completely associated. It means
that modifying objects will update the dimension together.

ZWCAD also has the same variable, but it only supports the value 0 and 1. You can select both
dimension and entity and do modifications to update the dimension dynamically.

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  Dynamic Block
ZWCAD: not support
AutoCAD: support
By using Dynamic Blocks in AutoCAD, you can create blocks with dynamic effects. Every time
you use such block, you can give their parameters different values to make it looks different.
The parameters include Constraint parameters and Action parameters.

ZWCAD doesn’t support this feature currently. When opening drawings that containing
dynamic blocks created by AutoCAD, they will be turned into normal blocks.

 Inferred Constraint
ZWCAD: not support
AutoCAD: support
AutoCAD has improved the Parametric Tools in
2011 version. The biggest improvement is the
new invented Infer Constraint. When it is on, it
can infer and add geometric constraints through
the drawing tools, tracks or snaps you used to

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draw this objects, so everything you drew is with correct geometric constraints. It almost
functions the same as Auto Constraint.

 ViewCube, SteeringWheels and Navigation Bar

ZWCAD: not support
AutoCAD: support
These are all AutoCAD’s unique 3D viewer. By clicking the edge, corner or face of ViewCube,
you can easily orbit a 3D view. SteeringWheels and Navigation Bar integrate pan, zoom and
many other viewing tools together.

Navigation Bar

ViewCube

SteeringWheels
 Point Cloud
ZWCAD: not support
AutoCAD: support
AutoCAD 2011 starts to support Point Cloud
data. It can insert a PCG or ISD file and use it
to rebuild the solid. But it is not like the
professional 3D CAD software, which can
directly restore these point clouds to solids.
AutoCAD uses them more like an underlay.
It means you can use these points for snap
and track when creating solid, in order to
rebuild them.

 DGN Import and Export

ZWCAD: not support
AutoCAD: support
DGN file format is used by MicroStation. AutoCAD can import and export this kind of file, which
is not supported in ZWCAD.

 Shade Plot
ZWCAD: not support
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AutoCAD: support
ZWCAD is not able to plot in shade mode, only
Wireframe and Hidden mode are available.

 AutoCAD’s better features.

 Table
ZWCAD: partial support
AutoCAD: support
Table is one of the new features in ZWCAD 2011, but it is still not as powerful as AutoCAD table.
There are several functions missing in ZWCAD table, like: insert block, insert formula, manage cell
content, match cell, link data, and update from source file.

 Solid Modeling
ZWCAD: partial support
AutoCAD: support
ZWCAD do not support Polysolid, which can create 3D walls directly.
ZWCAD do not support Presspull method to create solid from any closed objects, faces or
regions. It functions like Extrude.
ZWCAD do not support Extract Edges, which can gain the solid’s 3D profile. It’s not like Solprof
function that can only be used in paper space, and generate profile as a whole block. Profile
created by this function consists of lines, splines and arcs.
ZWCAD do not support 3D solid grips editing.

 Surface Modeling
ZWCAD: partial support
AutoCAD: support
ZWCAD do not support Blend, Patch and offset methods to create new surfaces from existing
surfaces. And the surfaces’ edge connection type can be adjusted, including Position, Tangent
and Curvature.

ZWCAD do not support the creation and editing of NURBS surface.

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ZWCAD do not support Surface Associativity, this function can keep associativity between
neighbor surfaces, or surfaces and its profiles.
ZWCAD do not support Surface Analysis, which can use 3 methods to analyse the quality of
surfaces, including Zebra, Curvature and Draft mode.

 3D Operation
ZWCAD: partial support
AutoCAD: support
Some new 3D operation tools is available in AutoCAD, including Fillet and Chamfer Edge(used
for 3D solids only), 3D Trim and Extend(used for surfaces only), and Sculpt.

 Material
ZWCAD: partial support
AutoCAD: support
Both AutoCAD and ZWCAD support to use different materials to render 3D solids. But in
AutoCAD 2011, it has an integrated Material Library, which contains hundreds of materials. All
of them can be used onto solids easily.

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