ViaCAD Pro V11

The Punch!CAD Software team is pleased to announce the availability of ViaCAD Pro V11 (build 1417). This solution offers a seamless progression for CAD hobbyists looking to take their skills to the next level. Designed with professionals in mind, ViaCAD Pro delivers the flexibility of mesh-based modeling to help you go quickly from idea to 3D concept.

What's new in ViaCAD Pro V11:

- Dimension and Constraints
Dimension and constraint tools are now available to manage the geometric relationships between 2D shapes. These relationships are used to remember design intent of 2D sketches, which typically drive 3D solids. Modifying any object within a system of constraints will update all other dependent objects accordingly.
- Skinning Centerline Path
Skinning is the process of constructing a NURB surface between sections. Skins in ViaCAD can be open resulting in a NURB Surface or closed creating a Solid. V11 introduces the ability to specify a path. The path defines the flow of the surface between the sections. Specifing a path means you may be able to define less sections which may produce a more overall smooth surfaces.
- Batch Files
The Batch File tool is used to convert files from one format to another. This video demonstrates converting a folder of 3MF files into SketchUP files.
- Stopped Chamfers
Stopped Chamfers are a new solid modeling feature in V11. A Stopped Chamfer replaces an edge with a bevel, typically for decorative purpose. The bevel starts and ends by a user specified value.
- Feature Based Edge Treatments
Furniture or counter top designers often need to add an edge to their designs for either decorative or functional purposes. Adding these edges can be time consuming especially if the underlying length, width, or height is changed. Edge features introduced in V11 provide a means to rapidly define parametric edges used in wood, marble, or granite designs.
- NURB Surfaces From Parametrics
Regenerative design or algorithmic modeling is a method in which designers use and tweak formulas to create complex shapes that would otherwise be very difficult to design. V11 introduces the ability to use parametric formulas to design NURB shapes. Formulas are defined by users specifying how x, y, and z relate to a parameterized equation (UV).
- Simplify Curves
Some design tasks prefer higher order curves such as arcs, circles, and/or ellipses over lines. For example sharing data with a plasma or water jet cutting CNC system or extruding a profile into a solid and later adding edge treatments. V11 introduces the Simplify Curve tool to assist in this task.
- Layer Duplicate
A new command to duplicate a layer and all the objects in that layer is now available through Concept Explorer. To access this command, place your cursor over the layer you want to duplicate, right click, and select the Duplicate command. If you Duplicate a sub layer, the new duplicated layer is promoted to a first level layer.
- Change Icon Sizes
Right clicking on a tool palette panel now displays an option to change the palette size to: 16x16, 24x24, 32x32, 64x64
- SketchUp 2018/2019
SketchUp(TM) has introduced a new file format starting with their 2019 products. V11 has been updated to support the new format as well as supporting textures.
- 3MF Import/Export
The 3D Manufacturing Format (3MF) is a 3D printing format that allows design applications to send full-fidelity 3D models to other applications, platforms, services, and printers. The long term goal of the 3MF consortium is to replace STL as the industry standard format for 3D printing.
- VRML Texture Export
VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) is a file format used to describe 3D interactive graphics for the world wide web. Although replaced by other file formats, VRML is still popular in some circles. In fact VRML is one of the few formats that can be used to define a fully colored 3D print model*.
The image to the right is a VRML 2.0 file with textures uploaded to Shapeways. Shape ways has the ability to print this type of a model using SandStone suitable for figurines and sculptures.
*3MF will replace this feature at some point but many print bureaus such as Shapeways do not yet support 3MF.
- SVG Import/Export
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) is an XML-based vector image format for two-dimensional graphics with support for interactivity and animation. The SVG specification is an open standard developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) since 1999. V11 now supports importing and exporting to this new format. The new SVG Import/Export provides an alternative to using the Adobe Illustrator format for sharing vector based (scalable) graphics.
- PhotoRendering & Textures
The PhotoRendering features provided by Lightworks in the ViaCAD Pro and SharkCAD Pro now supports rendering texture images imported from OBJ, 3MF, SketchUP, and 3DS file formats.
- High Resolution Printing & Textures
Prints involving objects with textures now internally use Lightworks to generate the image for the printer, providing a high resolution output.
- 3DS/OBJ/SketchUp Import with Textures
The OBJ file format was updated to supporting reading and displaying textures.


About ViaCAD. Punch! ViaCAD is an easy-to-use suite of 2D and 3D computer-aided design software the delivers valuable and productive tools to architects, engineers, CAD drafters, 3D printing experts, furniture designers, DIY hobbyists, and students. The software permits the creation of 2D drawings and sketches; architectural, mechanical, and electrical designs; schematics and plans; and 3D models and prototypes.

The CAD program is equipped with comprehensive sets of design, drafting, modeling, and prototyping tools which enable users to achieve flexibility and precision as they work on their projects. It allows them to transform 3D models to 2D drawings with ease, and enhance their drawings through the aid of its drawing tools. With Punch! ViaCAD, 3D models can be edited intuitively. Last but not least, the software offers advanced solid modeling and drafting toolsets that are ideal for designing parts and objects.


About Punch!CAD Software. PunchCAD is a line of commercial and business computer-aided design (CAD) software. Distributed by Encore software and designed by Evosoft, PunchCAD products are primarily used for design and drafting in both the 2D and 3D space. PunchCAD’s most recently released versions are designed to work on both PC and Mac computers.

PunchCAD’s products are used by 3D printing enthusiasts, CAD drafters, engineers, architects, furniture designers, students, and hobbyists.

Product: ViaCAD Pro
Version: 11.0.0 build 1417
Supported Architectures: x64
Website Home Page : www.punchcad.com
Language: english
System Requirements: PC
Supported Operating Systems: Windows 7even or newer
Size: 487.1 mb