CAD expert comment: Zhongwang CAD+ and IntelliCAD product use experience

In the previous article, I explored the similarities between Zhongwang CAD+ and AutoCAD 2013 in terms of functionality and user interface. Today, I will compare Zhongwang CAD+ with IntelliCAD 7. Although Zhongwang CAD was originally based on IntelliCAD, the two are now fundamentally different. This is not just a simple comparison—it’s a look at how one product has evolved beyond its origins. To begin, let's understand what IntelliCAD is. The IntelliCAD Technology Alliance (ITC) is an industry group formed by several smaller CAD vendors. They collaborate by hiring programmers to develop IntelliCAD code, which is then shared with member companies. Each company customizes the software, adds their branding, and offers it as their own product. As a result, users never directly purchase IntelliCAD; instead, they buy versions like ProgeCAD, CADian, BtoCAD, or GstarCAD. Zhongwang Software is one of the key members of ITC. For years, Zhongwang CAD relied on the IntelliCAD codebase. However, updates from ITC were slow, failing to meet the needs of both the market and its members. In response, Zhongwang took a bold step: it completely rewrote its CAD software from the ground up. In July 2012, Zhongwang released Zhongwang CAD+. The “+” symbol signifies a new codebase. This rewrite allowed Zhongwang to break free from reliance on ITC technology. Now, the company has its own CAD kernel, eliminating the need to wait for ITC updates or bug fixes. Instead, it can update based on real-time business needs, fix issues immediately, and add features that users request. Additionally, Zhongwang developed a powerful API, making the software more flexible and customizable. One of the most notable improvements in Zhongwang CAD+ is its ability to handle larger drawings than before. Older IntelliCAD-based programs could not open or edit files over 100MB. Zhongwang CAD+, however, uses 50% less memory and manages it more efficiently, making it ideal for complex projects. Some long-time users may notice that certain functions are missing in Zhongwang CAD+. According to Du Yulin, CEO of Zhongwang Software, this is because the new codebase requires time to fully implement all features. For example, dynamic block support was included in the development plan for Zhongwang CAD+ 2013. When comparing Zhongwang CAD+ to IntelliCAD, it's important to note that each competitor's version of IntelliCAD has slightly different features. For this comparison, I'll use GstarCAD 2012 as a reference point. **Innovative Features of Zhongwang CAD+** Zhongwang CAD+ introduces several new commands not found in GstarCAD. One such feature is attribute synchronization in attribute definitions. Users can also make attribute text span multiple lines, which is especially useful when adding detailed product descriptions. In terms of printing, Zhongwang CAD+ supports DWF files—a format similar to PDF—and allows the use of STB-style sheets for printing. It can now export designs in both PDF and DWF formats. Many commands have been optimized for speed and performance, including redrawing, undo/redo, grid, and offset functions. A 3D dynamic viewer allows users to rotate and adjust the visual style of 3D models, offering a more interactive experience. Other enhanced commands include field text, attribute matching, revision clouds, and object tracking. The tool palette organizes and displays frequently used commands, and users can customize it with fills, gradients, blocks, and symbols. For instance, Zhongwang CAD+ includes a feature-matching command that applies print and table styles between entities—something GstarCAD lacks. GstarCAD also had no support for tables or visual styles during 3D editing. Zhongwang CAD+ continues to use the Open Design Alliance’s DWG read/write technology, ensuring compatibility with any AutoCAD version from 2.5 up to 2012. Even unsupported entities are accurately represented. **Advanced User Interface** Since Zhongwang CAD+ is no longer based on IntelliCAD, the user interface has been completely redesigned. It now features a Ribbon interface, similar to Microsoft Office, along with a Gesture Wizard that lets users execute commands using mouse gestures. The Ribbon interface groups tools into icons, making it easier for new users to navigate. Classic menus and toolbars are still available for those who prefer them. Zhongwang CAD+ offers two modes: - **Ribbon mode**: A special button in the top-right corner gives access to the full menu bar. - **Classic mode**: Menus and toolbars appear in their traditional positions. The Gesture Wizard allows users to perform actions without a keyboard. By dragging the mouse, users can draw commands like copy or arc, and green strokes appear on screen to indicate the action. This feature is highly customizable, allowing users to assign any command via mouse movement. **Powerful API Extensions** LISP, a popular extension language among CAD users, runs faster in Zhongwang CAD+ compared to IntelliCAD. While IntelliCAD supports about 80% of AutoCAD’s LISP features, Zhongwang CAD+ reaches 93%, with significantly improved performance. VBA, used in Microsoft Office applications, is also supported. Zhongwang has fixed many VBA bugs and added extra features, making it run much smoother than in older IntelliCAD versions. For professional developers, Zhongwang CAD+ provides a new ZRX API that is compatible with AutoCAD’s ARX. This makes it easy for third-party developers to port applications from AutoCAD or IntelliCAD to Zhongwang CAD+. Benchmark tests show some applications running 6.5 times faster. **Conclusion** Zhongwang Software has always focused on compatibility with AutoCAD. With the successful rewrite of Zhongwang CAD+, the software has become a strong alternative to IntelliCAD. Today, it has sold over 320,000 official licenses and is used in more than 80 countries worldwide, offering professional CAD solutions for a wide range of users. **About the Author**: Ralph is an editor at upFront.eZine Media and a contributor to WorldCAD. He has written over 100 books and hundreds of articles on CAD. Previously, he worked as a technical editor for Cadalyst magazine and contributed to the CADENCE and AutoCAD communities.

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