Page Last Updated And Links Checked: 19 July 2003 Page Last Updated And Links Checked: 19 July 2003 IntelliCad Introduction
IntelliCad 2001 is an open source drawing package with AutoCad compatability and features. The IntelliCad Standard version (look and feel of AutoCad 14), which for some time could be downloaded for an unlimited time trial (and is free for educational users anyway!) or the free TurboCad 2D version (simple mouse driven -no command line), provide the means for any disadvantaged educational organisation to be able to introduce students to 2D CAD drawing with .dwg compatibility.
intellicad/overview2001.html Overview of Intellicad 2000, the 3rd release of Intellicad and the 1st since it was transferred into open source from Visio. ** Use browser backbutton to return **.
intellicad/cmdfndiff.html List of eight commands and their function that do have subtle differences to the equivalent AutoCad commands. ** Use browser backbutton to return **.
The Acis engine (for 3D solid modelling) was introduced in 2003. This component may or may not be in the "free" download which had changed to a 100 day time trial last time I looked.
IntelliCad Websites
www.intellicad.org The Intellicad Technology Consortium (ITC). The consortium promoting Intellicad. A lot of useful information. In particular stating precicely what IntelliCad is and is not, providing end user FAQ's and sources for obtaining IntelliCad (which is hard to find because they say see the Product Catalogue which turns out be the Membership List).
www.cadopia.com Cadopia, marketers of IntelliCad which is a fraction of the price of AutoCad. Go to Products and choose either to download Standard, Professional or the Electronic Training Material. The Electronic Training Material link did not seem to lead anywhere but in Para 8 of the Standard download page you can download a pdf manual (3.57MB zipped, 5.24MB unzipped).
There is a useful Cadopia Users Forum. I saw discussion on Autolisp and VBA (an add-on) so we are definitely talking AutoCad compatibility and features here. IntelliCad has a Lisp interpreter which is compatible with Autolisp (Note AutoCad LT does not have AutoLisp!). There is also TrueSpace For IntelliCad which is described as a 3D design package.
** Note.** Cadopia's Intellicad Standard was always a no time-limit evaluation but the ver3.3 Intellicad 2001 Standard released July 2002 that I downloaded "free" in August 2002 was time limited to 120 days. My whole promotion of IntelliCad is based on school students and teachers from relatively disadvantaged schools being able to have free access to it. An Issue! There are other sources of Intellicad versions beside Cadopia so I'll reseach it a bit more and let you know what's doing.
**Also Note.** At Standard level the package is best described as having 3D surface modelling capability. So be warned Standard does not have ACIS so no extruding solids. If you elect to pay money ensure check if the version has the Spatial Technologies ACIS Solid Modelling module (choice between viewer only or actual solidmodelling capability) if you require it.
My first response to Cadopia (apparently) not offering an unrestricted evaluation IntelliCad version is ... 
www.intellicadms.com Cad Manufacturing Solutions (CMS). Offers the (pre-ver3.3) Intellicad 2001 as a free download (20 Aug 02). Has a number of manufacturing orientated IntelliCad related products.
The Premium Edition (PE) has additional components and PE Plus has the Acis engine (for 3D solid modelling).
(July 2003) IntelliCAD 4 PE Plus is a new edition, which includes ACIS based full editing of 3D solid models, Microsoft's Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), raster image capabilities and rendering integrated within IntelliCAD and is compatible with AutoCAD 2002 commands, drawing formats (dwg), and add-ins (dont forget autolisp ..I'm sure it's there too -aj)
.My second response
www.siacad.com Singapore Institute of Architects. Click on Downloads on left nav bar to go to the download page and then click on IntelliCad up in the top nav bar (or just click here!) to download any of the following:-
IntelliCad 2000. Dated 24 Nov 2000
IntelliCad 2001 Tutorial. Dated 24 Nov 2000 also!?
IntelliCad 2001 with save disabled. Dated 7 Aug 2002 (I think this is their v3.1).
IntelliCad 2001 10 diskette download option! Dated 7 Aug 2002
www.cadian.co.kr Intelli Korea. Korean based Intellicad provider.
Offers CADian IntelliCAD 2002, CADianMECH 2002 (with Mechanical symbols) and CADianARCH 2002. English versions.
www.vdraft.com VDraft. Edit dwg drawings up to A2002
Talks like it's a replacemnt for AutoCad Lite. Not sure if related to Intellicad or not
www.tenlinks.com/CAD/users/intellicad.htm Ten Top Links -IntelliCad
Google Group's Alt CAD Forums select the Intellicad Forum (or one of the other forums such as the AutoCad one for example).
IntelliCad Tutorials
www.cadinfo.net/icad CadInfo Net's IntelliCad article, tutorial and tips index. Excellent.
Sites already listed under AutoCad.
www.cadalot.co.uk Alan James Wooldridge's Cadalot -UK. (Support for IntelliCad Users -Excellent.)
www.contractcaddgroup.com Contract Cad Group (IntelliCad VBA Downloads)
Intellicad Tips (Also interesting for people with AutoCad background)
Change the Command Prompt
To change what appears in the command bar, type CMDLNTEXT and enter a new word or a symbol. What is provided is fine but for fun I changed it to Cmd : which is my abbrieviation of AutoCad's well known Command :
Script Recording
IntelliCAD improves on scripts, AutoLISP, and ADS by providing additional functions. For scripts, IntelliCAD includes a Script Recorder that records both command line entries and screen picks you make with your mouse.
After you activate the Script Recorder (Tools > Record Script), every keyboard entry you make and any points you select in a drawing are recorded until you stop the Script Recorder (Tools >Stop Recording). You can play back your script at any time.
You can record a script file (.scr extension). You can stop recording at a particular instance. You can append to an existing script file. You can replay it (or run it). You can customize repetitive tasks by creating appropriate script files and use these to optimize your work. (This is great for non-programmers to make that first step into automating some aspects of their work ..see also scripting entries in the Customising page in my AutoCad area -AJ).
Toggling Ortho ON/OFF On The Fly
Besides being able to toggle Ortho with the F8 key you can hold down SHIFT when you draw a line etc. to put you in Ortho mode temporarily. Once you release the SHIFT key you will be out of Ortho.
Drag a prompt box to a particular part of the screen and future prompt boxes will display in that location.
Dynamic Zooming
Dynamic Zooming: Ctrl+Shift+Left click and drag.
Dynamic Panning: Ctrl+Shift+Right click and drag.
Dynamic Rotation: Ctrl+CapsLock+Right click and drag.
Dynamic Real-time Sphere: Ctrl+CapsLock+Left click and drag.
For continuous motion go to Tools-> Options-> Move to the Display tab. Tick the 'Enable continuous Inertial motion in Real-time' check box.
Fast Zoom: Z [Enter] then window the region of interest.
All Zoom Options: Z [Enter] then select from the screen dropdown display.
Choosing Between Alternate Screen Setups
With AutoCad you get the standard display on installation and then add to the screen display as required. Intellicad provides a choice of three screen arrangements. Choose Tools > Options > General > Experience Level (or enter config) and select either:
Beginner: Menus and toolbars display only basic commands.
Intermediate: (The Default) Menus and toolbars display most two-dimensional entity creation and modification commands.
Advanced: Menus and toolbars display all available commands.
(I'm a bit bothered by this feature. A new user from another package could easily consider the package to be too limited based on an inspectiom of the Menu dropdowns if it was set at the default Intermediate settings.)
Toolbar Customization
To remove individual tools you rarely use from a toolbar press the SHIFT key and drag the tool away from the toolbar.
For more toolbar customization options or to replace tools you have removed, go to Tools > Customise > Toolbars.
Check Your Measurements
You can find distances, areas and exact locations in the drawing using tools on the Inquiry Toolbar or the menu.
View > Toolbars > Select Inquiry then OK ..or
Tools > Inquiry .. then choose from Dist, Area, ID, List and Timer
Scroll Bar Display
Do one of the following:
Choose View > Scroll Bars ..or
Type scrollbar, press Enter, and then select On, Off, or Toggle.
Changing Properties Of An Entity
To change an entity's layer, linetype or thickness for example, just double left click it. The 'Entity Properties' dialog box is brought up where a user can assign the changes and click OK.
You can also do the same thing by left clicking on a entity to select it then right clicking and select the 'Properties' option in the pop-menu.
Prompt Box Location/Display
To change where prompt boxes appear on the screen, move one to a different location. Future prompt boxes will display in the new position.
If you wish you can turn prompt boxes off using Tools > Options > Display ..then clear the Display Prompt boxes check box.
Are you talking about the symbol, ie: triangle, square, etc?
If so, go to settings> entity snap settings->coord.input-> click on 'flyover snaps'-> uncheck 'display marker'.
TurboCad Introduction
TurboCad is an established CAD package with a devoted following. It meets the needs of educators students, tradesmen as well as professional design draughting or manufacturing companies who want to produce .dwg and .dwf files and without paying AutoCad prices.
And some would just like to be able to use their computer to be able to draw for pleasure or some occaisional practical need and don't want to pay AutoCad prices to be able to do it. It has long been considered an easy to use package. It has no command line so you must work with the mouse.
Talking about pleasure! TuboCad (starting with v6 Std or Pro) was the first CAD package to provide voice recognition for all Menu commands.
The current release is TurboCad v8 (Std US$100 or Pro US$500). Pro is being promoted as an AutoCad killer with 3D capabiity (and VBA!) at half the price of AutoCad LT (no VBA!) or a tenth the price of AutoCad.
I've seen TurboCad v5 Professional on CD's supplied with computers, computer magazines or book purchases and if you are happy to draw in 2D, you can download the free TurboCad 2D (also called LT or LT 2D ..Note as at 24 Aug 2002 I see the free download referred to as the TurboCad v4 Learning Edition!). So TurboCad and IntelliCad both offer a free first class 2D drawing package producing .dwg files. Educators on tight budgets or who work with disadvantaged students take note!
TurboCad Websites
www.imsisoft.com
IMSI's US site. You can download TurboCad v8 Pro (64Mb) for a 15 day trial. TurboCad v8 Std has less features than Pro and is one fifth the price.
Click on 'Free Software' for their current free no time-limit TurboCad 2D version and their 15 day trials of their full versions
TurboCad's free, easy to use 2D drawing package quickly become one of my favourite things and encouraged me to look at TurboCad v8 Pro.
www.imsi.com.au
Australian website for IMSI, the makers of TurboCad.
The IMSI representative's office is in Melbourne. There is a A$22 TotalCad offering
When you click on Free DownLoads you are transferred to the Free software page on the US site.
www.cadcourse.com
CadCourse sells TurboCad v8 Pro
at the same price as IMSI (US$499) but as part of comprehensive Book and CD training course. Look here before deciding to buy. See also the US$299 deal for a training bundle with v7 Std.
www.cadcourse.com/products/essentials.htm
Reference to Ken Doyle at Mudgee Tafe in the Central West region and his distance education and self-paced Cad training system.
www.cadcourse.com/winston Winston's page on their site. Excellent reference (duplicated in tutorials below).
www.turbocad.com
IMSI's TurboCad only, user orientated site with tutorials, forums, tips and tricks etc.
Downloading is still via the same IMSI download sites but I think special deals are promoted here.
There is Documentation and Courseware offered which links to the nct.digitalriver.com site. Some older offerings are free.
www.turbocad.com/products/2dcentral.cfm
Found in Google search for Turbocad 2d free downloads. Could not get here from elsewhere in links.
2D free download page at TurboCad's User Site. Gives impression download will be v6 (has v6 header and upgrade to v6.5 offers) but the page you get sent to when click on is www.imsisoft.com/free/ which itself offers Turbocad v4 Learning Edition as the download! When you select this a form appears requesting your email so they can tell you (by email) how to proceed to the next step of the download process.
nct.digitalriver.com/fulfill/0002.16/download/19495de1095d659656e5b4bd01fadedb-0
Where you are referred to in their reply email (after electing to download the TurboCad4 Learning Edition and filling in their form that asks for your email and address). Note the IMSI header that makes it look like you arer in the IMSI site even though the url is nct.digitalriver.com
TurboCad User Groups
www.itug.com International TurboCAD User Group (ITUG).
TurboCad Articles
www.cadenceweb.com/../ TurboCAD: A Solid Performer (John Wilson -CadenceWeb May 02).
www.cadenceweb.com/../ Creating TurboCAD Solids (John Wilson -CadenceWeb Jun 02).
Sites Of Interest To TurboCad Users
www.al-ki.com/tcad TurboCADables.
For a variety of drafting and design resources for TurboCAD and related products. Resources include free downloads, an online catalog, and a collection of links to useful offsite materials. **Features an exhaustive set of TurboCad links ..the best I've seen -aj**
www.teachers.ash.org.au Shareware page of teachers website.
www.teachers.ash.org.au Teachers home page.
Autocad to Turbocad Equivalent Keystrokes Quick Reference
www.cadcourse.com/winston/Acad2Tcad.html Winston's page describing how Autocad users can use SEKEs, -Single Entry Keystoke Equivelents (hotkeys), to become quickly comfortable with TurboCad despite Turbocad not having a command line and being (supposedly) gui driven. An AutoCad command line to TurboCad equivalent reference link is provided.
www.cadcourse.com/winston/Downloads/Acad2Tcad.pdf The AutoCad command line to TurboCad equivalent quick-reference by Joe Tilman. View on-screen or print (pdf 99kb).
TurboCad Tutorials
www.david.hvp-macadamias.com/TCFAQ.htm David's Snaffled TurboCAD FAQ. Collection of articles, tutorials and FAQ's based initially on the TurboCADigest.
www.cadcourse.com/winston Winston's TurboCad Page. Collection of articles, tools, tips and tutorials based inially on selected IMSI's forum postings and tutorials. Support and assistance for TurboCAD v6 or later.
www.civeng.unsw.edu.au/internal/subjects/cven1025/CAD_Drawing2D/#Heading
(*Link problem ..requires password now!*) UNSW Civ Eng Comps1 TurboCad v5 Lectures 1 to 7.
TurboCad Forums
www.imsisoft.com/forums/Main.cfm?CFApp=200 IMSI.
www.message-board.com:8888/~itug/login ITUG. International TurboCad User Group.
Contact: Aussie John wpsmoke@yahoo.co.uk