ZWCAD

OVERVIEW
Comparison with Autocad
ZWCAD: Personal Opinion

– Discussing about computer aided design (CAD) maybe what comes to the mind
of most people is AutoCAD. I could say this product from Autodesk is the king of
CAD. However, it turns out that the software has many competent alternatives
tool for drawing drafts on a computer. ZWCAD is an alternative software to
replace AutoCAD position. I would say that the ZWCAD can be “AutoCAD Killer”
since it provides innovative, collaborative and customizable features to
designers and engineers especially for the AEC and MFG.
 A SOLUTION FOR YOUR ENTIRE TEAM

ZWCAD

FAMILIAR USER INTERFACE “SMART” INNOVATION FRIENDLY HARDWARE

REQUIREMENT

AUTOCAD COMPATIBLE AND

LOOKALIKE PERMANENT LICENSE FILE COMPARE
 A SOLUTION FOR YOUR ENTIRE TEAM

FAMILIAR User “SMART” Friendly Hardware

Interface Innovation Requirement

Very Easy and innovative UI and the “SmartMouse” feature, which allows you to Have really friendly computer

really have similliarity with the activate commands via mouse gestures (such as specification for running this

one on the AutoCAD opening the circle command by swiping the mouse software, its doesn’t really need

along an arc), and also the “SmartVoice” feature, demanding specification and also

which allows you to annotate your drawings with run and load faster than AutoCAD

voice notes. The notes can be played back by in low-end spec.

clicking the voice icon in the drawing.

 A SOLUTION FOR YOUR ENTIRE TEAM

PERMANENT
AUTOCAD Compatible File Compare
License
and lookalike

For those who already depend ZWCAD offer a permanent This feature is useful for comparing

on AutoCAD wouldn’t find any license rather than a two drafts of an image that look

meaningful differences with subscription service, jus pay alike. ZWCAD is capable of

ZWCAD, since its really similar once, and we get to keep the displaying two drafts in different

with AutoCAD, especially in fully functional software forever. colors for easy comparison.

terms of drawing commands, Its also include upgrade to the

import/export extension, File next annual release.

compatibility, and User Interface

 ZWCAD AUTOCAD
Compatibility
DWG/DXF ● ●

Import DGN ● ●
Interface
Classic and Ribbon ● ●
Interfaces
Customize User Interface ● ●
Dark\Light UI ● ●
Tool Palettes ● ●
Auto-complete Command ● ●
Entry
Adaptive Grid ● ●
 ZWCAD AUTOCAD
Annotation
Both software have same annotation
3D
Solid, Surface, and Mesh ● ●
Modeling
Photorealistic Rendering ● Autocad result more
realistic
Visual Style ● ●
ACIS Viewing ● ●
3D Orbit ● ●
Advanced 3D Moedelling ●
Feature (Viewcube,
Steering Wheels,
Navigation Bar)
 ZWCAD AUTOCAD
Others
File Compare ● Autocad can compare but
cannot display the
differences
Quick Calculator ● ●

Group ● ●
Quick Select ● ●
Multiline and Multiline Style ● ●

Parametric Drawing ●
Pros:
• The most prominent advantage of ZWCAD is the File Compare menu that AutoCAD does not have. This feature is
useful for comparing two drafts of an image that look alike. ZWCAD is capable of displaying two drafts in
different colors for easy comparison.

• ZWCAD also features an Environment Tab which supports multi-document access. After opening the document,
you will find a corresponding tab that indicates the document on that tab. You can move to another image by
pressing tab, then dragging and right-clicking to use the New, Open, Save, and Find Target functions. This feature
is capable of opening hundreds images at a time. AutoCAD can also support multiple documents but does not
have the Tab Environment feature. To open multiple documents, you must access the menu from Windows.

• Other innovations in the latest ZWCAD package include the “SmartMouse” feature, which allows you to activate
commands via mouse gestures (such as opening the circle command by swiping the mouse along an arc), and
also the “SmartVoice” feature, which allows you to annotate your drawings with voice notes. The notes can be
played back by clicking the voice icon in the drawing.
Cons:
• ZWCAD can read dynamic blocks like AutoCAD (only in latest version of ZWCAD), but If you
create a dynamic block with AutoCAD and open it with ZWCAD, it will read like a normal block.

• Even the drawing command is almost 90% same as the AutoCAD, but ZWCAD still missing
several command that really helpful in AutoCAD (Ex: PressPull for 3D Drawing)

• ZWCAD have capability in 3D Drawing, but its really aim the 2D aspect, so its still lack advanced
3D drawing feature.
 ZWCAD: Self Conclusion

So, it seems that ZWCAD is aimed at people who want an affordable and accessible drafting solution,
and also require all the familiarity of AutoCAD.

ZWCAD is designed to be an alternative to AutoCAD, and has much of the functionality and features of
that package. And at its core, it does this job very well, and without numerous unnecessary features
getting in the way.

Traditional AutoCAD users will have no problem adapting to this alternative. It didn’t take me long to
navigate the clean UI and start drawing and creating basic models, so a veteran AutoCAD user will be at
ease with the familiar layout, commands and functions.