Punch! ViaCAD 2D/3D V6 [Old Version]

by Punch Software

Product Features

• 3D Modeling Update - Was updated providing improvements to blending, chamfering, shelling, booleans, and direct face editing
• 0Architectural Tools - 2D architectural tools provide fast drafting tools for creating walls, windows, and doors. Features associated with these tools include - Automatic healing with neighboring walls; Auto-dimensions; Attach doors, windows, and custom symbols; Support for customer wall styles (user patterns & colors for multiple material regions)
• Performance Boosts - Significant boosts in visualization including - 200X Faster Hidden Line; 6X Faster Dynamic Repaints (Mac & PC); 2X Faster Static Repaints; Level of Detail for even faster performance
• 3D connexion Support - The SpaceNavigator device drivers are now recognized by ViaCAD. This includes support for Mac OSX (Universal Binary), Windows XP, and Vista. Use the SpaceNavigator to dynamically zoom, rotate, and pan views into your data models.
• Multiple Viewports - Viewports provide a graphical user interface to display the same drawing in multiple views. Each view may have a different orientation, which provides the ability to see an object simultaneously in isometric, side, front, and top views

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0019RJ202
• Item model number: 16800
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 5, 2008
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,706 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
  • #75 in Software > Graphics > CAD

Product Description

VIACAD 2D/3D V6 (WIN 2000XPVISTA)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth Much More Than Its Pricetag, January 25, 2010

By 

Mark Lochala (Mississippi) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Punch! ViaCAD 2D/3D V6 [Old Version] (CD-ROM)

This is probably the most underrated CAD software package out there. For less than the cost of TurboCAD's most economical offering, ViaCAD provides its users with features and functionality usually available on programs costing many times more than its normal price.

Consider the benefits:

* Complete 2D capability.
* True 3D solid modeling using the ACIS engine.
* Simple, efficient layout.
* AutoCAD compatible in DWG and DXF format, plus compatible with an
astounding number of other file formats.
* Intuitive and fast, with SolidWorks-like functionality.
* 3D modeling tools and features include fillet, shelling, bending, lofting,
and intuitive holes, among other things.
* Assign a material (wood, steel, etc.) and instantly know the weight and
volume properties of your design.
* A very good user support network and an excellent user forum and message
board.

If you are familiar with TurboCAD and enjoy doing 3D modeling with it, you can do the same model in ViaCAD in about 25% of the time. Plus, the model you have in ViaCAD will be a true solid model (compared with TurboCAD Deluxe). Also, you'll have many, many more features and tools found only on 3D modeling programs costing much, much more. In my opinion, this program walks circles around TurboCAD (Deluxe & Pro) and AutoCAD.

However, I would caution anyone who purchases this to first have a good computer. CAD programs are resource hogs, and this one is no different. You want a good processor, a lot of memory and a very good graphics card. Those recommended specifications listed on the box are MINIMUM REQUIRED SPECIFICATIONS. Secondly, take your time and learn it properly using the included tutorials. CAD is not something that you can just pick up and learn in five minutes. It takes time and experience to become proficient with any CAD program. Fortunately, this is the easiest to use CAD program I've ever seen.

I highly recommend this to the home inventor or even to small shops with limited budgets. This is a very capable program and also a good stepping stone for learning how to use more complex 3D applications such as SolidWorks or Inventor.

Whatever you do, don't understimate the capability of this program. There are some very serious engineers out there accomplishing some very great things with this "little" program that costs less than $100.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thumbs up for ViaCAD, December 16, 2008

By 

R. Cook (So Cal, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Punch! ViaCAD 2D/3D V6 [Old Version] (CD-ROM)

Two years ago I bought Punch! architectural drafting software to help with some remodeling design projects for my home. Liking that, I recently got ViaCAD 2D/3D V6 to facilitate the design of a tubular frame and suspension for a custom vehicle that I am in the process of acquiring parts for.

I run this proggy on a home built 2.2 GHz P4 system, with 3/4 Gig of ram, an NVidea GeForce MX400 video card (supporting dual Acer 1716 monitors), Maxtor 60 GB and 120 GB hard drives...under Windows 2000 Pro, SP4. The software actually runs very well on this system even though it is not particularly powerful or well appointed by today's standards. Moreover, ViaCAD 2D/3D V6 is NOT officially supported under this OS, which probably accounts for most, if not all, of any quirkiness I've encountered using the program.

All told, I am VERY happy with this software. The tools are powerful enough to do very complex drawings and they are "relatively" intuitive in how they do it. Which is a good thing because the included manual leaves much to be desired. A prior knowledge of drafting terminology and techniques is a big plus...it's been over 20 years since I studied drafting and what little I remember has served me well.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Whwt did you want for the money?, March 7, 2009

By 

M. A. Cotter "crazed cad user" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Punch! ViaCAD 2D/3D V6 [Old Version] (CD-ROM)

If you are used to using Autocad, this will probably dive you a little nuts. Several nice little features that you use all the time like trim and expand, are not so easy to use or find (I still cant fine the stretch or expand). I don't seem to be able to insert drawings into other drawings, like blocks. It could be me!.
Overall though it is a very good program for the money, just a little frustrating.