Corel CorelCAD 2017 Reviewer’s Guide

Contents

1 | Introducing CorelCAD 2017...............................................................1

2 | Customer profiles ..................................................................................3

3 | Key features..............................................................................................7

4 |

Integrating CorelCAD 2017 into other graphics workflows

5 |

Comparing CorelCAD 2017 to Light CAD applications

........... 19

............. 21

Introducing CorelCAD™ 2017

CorelCAD™ 2017 is the best choice in
computer-aided design by delivering custom­izable tools and the precision you need to
exceed the CAD results you expect in 2D
drafting and 3D design. It uses native .DWG
file format, offering compatibility with all
major CAD programs, is optimized for
Windows and Mac OS, and adds support for
Android devices to deliver consistent
performance and speed across platforms.

Enterprises that rely on CAD have always had
tough choices to make about software. While
there are several budget-priced alternatives,
many lack critical tools or use a format that
impedes collaboration and sharing. CorelCAD
2017 simplifies things by offering an
inexpensive, full-featured 2D CAD application
with 3D solid modeling tools.

The use of CAD files is becoming more
commonplace for a wide range of graphics
professionals, from technical illustrators to
designers in marketing departments — even
among 3D printing enthusiasts. As such,
businesses need a CAD solution that is versatile
enough to be used effectively by a wide range
of skillsets. What’s more, the ability to open
and repurpose CAD content, such as .DWG

files, has become a requirement that saves
organizations both time and money.

The native CorelCAD file format (.DWG)
supports the latest AutoCAD .DWG file format
(R2013 .DWG), as generated by most recent
AutoCAD application versions up to AutoCAD
2017, ensuring total fidelity with the industry
standard. CorelCAD 2017 shows off its
versatility in the handling of file attributes of
non-supported AutoCAD features and
preserving functionality in .DWG files,
eliminating conversion and sharing issues.

If you’ve worked with other popular CAD tools,
making the transition to CorelCAD is
straightforward. CorelCAD incorporates a
range of intuitive tools, commands, and
familiar UI elements found in other CAD
software so any CAD designer can quickly get
to work with no learning curve.

Windows has traditionally been the operating
system of the CAD world, but there are pockets
of dedicated Mac users. With that in mind,
CorelCAD is optimized for both platforms —
and at a fraction of the price of other CAD
software available for the Mac. And as mobile
devices are revolutionizing how we work,
CorelCAD 2017 extends the desktop to Android
tablets with the new CorelCAD Mobile.

Reviewer’s Guide [ 1 ]

Customer profiles

Architects, Engineers, and
Construction (AEC) service
providers

In the AEC sector, CAD designers work
primarily in 2D, but with an increasing
emphasis on 3D design. They work for small to
medium-sized firms and create a variety of
drawings, including 2D designs for drafting and
construction plans, elevations, floor plans, and
construction details. Their projects are just as
likely to be created from scratch as to be based
on legacy design components. The ability to
collaborate and exchange files with colleagues
and clients is critical to their workflow. And,
many architects prefer the macOS or work in a
hybrid Windows PC and Macintosh
environment. And as mobile devices become
more powerful, the ability to work anywhere
opens up a world of possibilities for this sector.

CorelCAD 2017 offers a lightweight, standards­compliant 2D application that supports 3D
solid modeling. The ability to work in the .DWG
format, including AutoCAD 2017 .DWG files,
eliminates any conversion issues when
exchanging files with colleagues or reusing
legacy files. Collaboration is simplified and
accelerated through support for voice
notations and commenting in editable
drawings. Plus, files can be exported to
CorelDRAW (CDR)*, Corel DESIGNER (DES)*,
and PDF, simplifying information sharing with
other departments in their company, such as
documentation or marketing. What’s more,
And the new CorelCAD Mobile is the perfect
tool for getting things done anywhere, anytime
on an Android device. It works seamlessly with
Windows or Mac versions of CorelCAD and
allows users to design and annotate on the go.
CorelCAD Mobile is also ideal for quickly
presenting projects to clients and colleagues
wherever and whenever the need arises.

* Windows version only

Reviewer’s Guide [ 3 ]

3D Enthusiasts and DIY designers
for 3D printing

transformation from 2D to 3D. They then
export it to print on a 3D printer or send it to a
3D printing output service.

3D enthusiasts and Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
designers for 3D printing are playing a critical
role as this technological revolution becomes
more mainstream. They’re at the forefront of
realizing the unlimited potential and output
possibilities of 3D printing.

The foundation of their 3D printing projects is
built using 2D vector graphics. The first step in
their workflow is a 2D sketch because it’s
easier, faster and more intuitive than
attempting to draw a 3D design from scratch.

After exporting the 2D design to .DWG, they
use a 3D design application to complete the

CorelCAD is part of a powerful range of Corel
products that provide all the specific tools
needed for a 3D printing project. The ability to
directly import CorelDRAW (CDR)* sketches
means users can move from the initial
sketching to the 3D design phase without any
disruption. Then, DIY designers turn to
CorelCAD 2017 for a simplified 2D-to-3D
conversion process and precise design tools to
complete the project. They also seek the file
compatibility CorelCAD 2017 offers with a
range of common formats integral to 3D
printing projects.

* Windows version only

[ 4 ] Reviewer’s Guide

Occasional 2D CAD users

There are two groups of occasional 2D CAD
users, each with distinct needs and workflows.

Firstly, CAD designers working for large
enterprises in the manufacturing sector design
primarily in 3D, however, they still need 2D
support. The types of drawings they design
include assembly schematics and parts details,
and many of their legacy files are 2D CAD
(.DWG), which have to be maintained. A 2D
draft will often serve as the basis for a 3D
design, and they need to be able to repurpose
3D files to add detail to 2D drawings. To share
their work with other departments, they
publish CAD drawings to a range of formats.

Secondly, graphic designers need an intuitive
tool to edit CAD files that supports all elements
of .DWG drawings, such as model spaces and
layout sheets. They work in marketing and
technical documentation departments, and the
ability to work with 2D CAD files allows them
to reuse design content in user guides,
marketing materials, and presentations.

CorelCAD addresses these needs by offering
an affordable, standards-compliant 2D CAD
application that complements 3D CAD
solutions. The ability to import drafts from
CorelDRAW (CDR), and export CAD drawings
to CorelDRAW and Corel DESIGNER file
formats* simplifies repurposing content,
ensuring that users can maintain and reuse
legacy content.

* Windows version only

Reviewer’s Guide [ 5 ]

Key features

With native .DWG support and industry­standard CAD features, CorelCAD 2017 helps
users be more productive with intuitive 2D­and 3D-design tools and versatile file-format
compatibility. Optimized for Windows, Mac OS
and Android tablets, CorelCAD delivers
impressive speed and powerful performance
on your preferred platform.

CorelCAD 2017 offers new and enhanced 2D
editing tools that simplify and accelerate
modifying the geometry of objects and
trimming hatches or color fills. You can work
faster and with more precision thanks to new
drawing tools, an intuitively redesigned print
dialog, and performance enhancements.

Advanced .DWG file support: While most CAD

tools let you work with AutoCAD .DWG files,
many employ their own native file formats.
Often, converting these file formats to and
from .DWG, causes critical loss or
misrepresentation of parts of the drawing. And
some CAD tools are unable to open these
third-party proprietary file formats. CorelCAD
2017 uses .DWG as its primary drawing format,
so you’re assured of worry-free collaboration.

partners and customers who work with the
.DWG file format.

Familiar CAD user interface: If you’ve worked in

other popular CAD applications, there’s no
learning curve with CorelCAD, so you can be
productive immediately. Offering a familiar
CAD user interface — including the command
line — you can quickly get to work by using the
same commands and keyboard shortcuts you
already know.

Many CAD tools and their proprietary file
formats contain elements that aren’t supported
in .DWG. And conversely, AutoCAD has features
that aren’t supported by some applications,
which can cause untimely and unwanted
surprises during file conversion. With CorelCAD
2017 and its ability to process the file attributes
of non-supported AutoCAD features, you’ll
enjoy full compatibility when collaborating with

Reviewer’s Guide [ 7 ]