Need a simple drawing viewer 1

[IFRs]

I need a simple drawing viewer to replace pdf format for internal use. We have a couple hundred standard parts that we have autocad drawings for. Currently our parts viewer program spawns the free Adobe viewer with the drawing pdf. It is such a pain to maintain current pdf files that we are looking for a free drawing viewer that can print also. We don't need any other funcionality. If I can integrate it into a VB6 progrm, even better.

Any and all suggestions and comments are welcome!!

Thanks!!

 

[sunthorn]

the users in my company that need to view drawings but don't need a cad program use volvoview from autodesk. Its a free download. I don't know about integrating it with vb6

 

[IFRs]

Sunthorn - good idea but AutoCAD no longer has the free VoloView viewer on their web site.

"The download Volo® View Express 2.1 is no longer available."

By the way, our drawings are AutoCAD 2005 format.

 

[ajack1]

Are the parts ever modified? If not what about screen dumps saved in word, paint or such like.

Not the ideal solution but a possible get around.

 

[IFRs]

The parts do change. I am trying to eliminate the intermediate step of creating an image - pdf, jpg, bmp, etc. and just want a simple dwg viewer/printer.

 

[ajack1]

http://www.edrawingsviewer.com/pages/features/index.html

Again not exactly what you are asking for but it might help, untill someone who knows what they are on about comes along.

 

[IFRs]

Thanks ajack1 for your suggestion.

I tried this one, but it printe very light, does not do thick polyoines and does not do imbedded images.

 

[ajack1]

http://www.bentley.com/en-US/Products/Bentley+View/Overview.htm?skid=1-463SQ9

Any better? I take it you have run this through a few search engines so maybe not.

 

[IFRs]

ajack1 - Thanks for your suggestion.

I have Googled and installed Bentley, Brava, Delcam PS_Exchange, ETransmit, VoloView Express (old version) and a couple others.

The Bentley one is way more than we need. Too many featuers, too complicated, can't be called from a command line, harder to manipulate by non-techincal users. It is the only one so far that does a good job on 3D files though.

I'm still waiting for ProgeSOFT to post their latest version.

I have not given up hope just yet, but it's looking bad for eliminating pdf files.

 

[Ralph2]

Try Slick View from

http://www.slickwin.com

Relativly cheap and work real good

 

[IFRs]

Ralph2 - Thnaks for the suggestion. Slick is the best thing so far. Simple, it works and it prints. It does not handle 3D rendered viewports though and is not free.

I know, I know - I'm shooting for the moon!!

Maybe the next post will be the golden arrow I'm looking for.

 

[Ralph2]

At work we use "Slick" to view and print drawings by those that do not have access to Autocad. Unfortunately it does not yet support Autocad 2004 and 2005 formats. And as we do not have any 3D drawings that is not an issue (yet).
I made a data base of our drawings in MS Access and one of the features I incorporated is shelling out to Slick. Once a drawing is found through various search criteria ... if it is in an electronic format a click of a button will open the drawing where it can be red lined, viewed, printed or.......

 

[Hangerguy]

We use Fastlook (by Kamel Software) to view drawings, it works very well for us. Not sure what the cost is.

http://www.kamelsoft.com/

 

[mowermech]

http://www.guthcad.com/viewer.htm

not sure if this is what your looking for, hope it helps.

 

[IFRs]

I'm intrigued by Fastlook because they make available an API I may be able to integrate into our custom software. They don't have pricing on their web site though so I'll have to call them.

Guthcad looks nice but at $75 per seat it is a bunch more expensive than Slick.

Good suggestions all !!

 

[palmeira]

I use (and like) the ACMECad free :

http://www.freefirestudio.com/

 

[IFRs]

palmeira - Thanks for your suggestion.
Nice viewer. But, the unregistered versions do not print and it does not seem to render 3D objects well. I tried their converter and viewer.

I am once again cast adrift in the sea of dwg....but I have ot lost hope yet!!!

 

[chicopee]

HAVE YOU TRIED TO INSERT .PDF DRAWINGS INTO ACAD VIA THE INSERT>OLE OBJECT BY OPENING A NEW DRWG?

 

[IFRs]

chicopee - thanks for your suggestion. What I am trying to do is eliminate pdf altogether. I am looking for a dwg viewer/printer so we don't have to maintain pdf files at all. I hoped to get a simple one that was free or very low cost that viewed and printed but nothing more. I would also be happy with some VB code or API I could build into custom software.

Keep 'em coming !!!

 

[borgunit]

I am not sure but also check on the Solidworks site for eDrawings. I believe it supports viewing DXF and DWG files. It has been a while since I looked up its capabilities.

"Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects." — Will Rogers