RogCAD retro 3D CAD

RogCAD™
RogCAD is surface-modeling software featuring accuracy, stability,
flexibility of design and flexibility of presentation.

Very useful for analytical work.  I developed it from 1993 to present.

If you find it as fun as I do and spend enough time with it, you
could learn how to model the more advanced examples on this page.

Web page updated 03/30/2025



  Simple text files generate 3D models.

  Boats, architectural, general purpose.

  Software description is beneath the first set of images.


  Download RogCAD here:  luebeckdownloads.com

  RogCAD instructions:  rogcad.com/instructions




        









Click on image for higher resolution (and maximize your browser window).






Click on image for higher resolution (and maximize your browser window).







Software description.  Part one of three parts.



 RogCAD features: 

   *  Freeware.

   *  No installation or licensing.  

   *  Requires less than 9 MB of RAM.  You can run multiple
      copies of RogCAD simultaneously, whether full-screen or 
      in side-by-side windows.

   *  Unlimited flexibility of design for general purpose or
      architectural applications, with an effective level of realism.

   *  RogCAD excels at modeling boat hulls.

   *  Keyboard entry ensures accuracy.

   *  Data for a project is displayed collectively in text-files.

   *  Designs take shape quickly.  There are automated systems 
      -- as well as transformation routines -- built into RogCAD's 
      data text-file system.  A little data entry can go a long way.

   *  Perspective and focal point can be specified using
      3D coordinates or by using the navigation feature,
      which also displays those coordinates as you navigate.

   *  Can combine multi-colored wireframe modeling and surface modeling 
      in any manner for clear presentations and analyses.

   *  RogCAD's most striking aspect is its complete stability.

   *  You can expect to spend 3 to 15 days engaged in
      self-study with the instruction document, depending 
      on what skill level you are aiming for.
      

 Limitations:

   *  Not compatible with any other CAD format.

   *  You need to have an appreciation for the
      "by the numbers" approach used in this software.

   *  Provides no support for machine operations or 3D printing.

   *  Currently contains no libraries of predrawn elements, therefore
      not best suited for rapid detailed drawings of standard designs.
  
      RogCAD is best suited for accurately modeling novel designs. 



Part two of software description is beneath the next set of images.





Link:  RogCAD Girder and Panel

     



  RogCAD modeling (with corrected dimensions) of 
  this 1851 artist's conception of the Crystal Palace:

  




  66 second looping video

   



Three options for an addition






Software description.  Part two of three parts.

Examples of text file data entry:







Projects in RogCAD are built up mostly through the use
of cubic primitives.  The user defines a cubic shape by 
specifying two diagonally opposite vertices.

RogCAD automatically supplies the remaining six vertices
as well as the connecting lines and planes.

These cubic elements can be skewed, resized, rotated by 
any degree, translated (slid) and replicated.


Here are some cubics defined in a text file using Notepad:

start   x   y   z            x   y   z
point   minimum values       maximum values  rotation  color
-----   --------------       --------------  --------  -----

type 1 window frames
001     0   0   0           .5   44  1.5      180      3
011     0   0   48.5        .5   44  51       180      3
021     0   0   1.5         .5   2   48.5     180      3
031     0   42  1.5         .5   44  48.5     180      3

type 2 window frames
041     0   0   0           .5   40  1.5      180      3
051     0   0   48.5        .5   40  51       180      3
061     0   0   1.5         .5   2   48.5     180      3
071     0   38  1.5         .5   40  48.5     180      3
.
.
etc    



Cubics can also be repeated along straight or curved paths,
then rotated by any degree and translated (slid) into position.

Thus generated are things like rows of mitered boards, 
windows, rows of buildings and spiral staircases:





x   y   z        x    y    z      spacing   endcube   rotation  color

0   0   0      .292 .292  2.67      5.86      28        270       2


ZWRAP: 
start first   start last   angle per cube   how many   lift value
  
2001          2008         1.44             26         .223







Points, lines and planes can also be defined independently, and are
integrated with the cubic data structures, as are curved surfaces.

point    x     y     z          Connect points:
-----    -------------           
1        0     63.2  0          LINE GROUP 1:
2        24    63.2  0          8,23   1,12   12,13   2,13
3        24    41.2  0          1,31   8,13   1,2     2,3
4        0     45.2  8          3,18   3,8    5,18    5,6
5        24    0     6          .
6        0     0     6          .
7        0     41.2  6          etc
8        24    41.2  8
9        24    0     8
.
.
etc



Plane data, with light-source shading information:

            points
        --------------
plane   t1  b1  t2  b2   direction  color

1       3   8   3   18     270       5
2       18  5   8   9      270       5
3       44  43  2   13     270       5
4       1   2   12  13     180       5
.
.
etc




Rotations and translations are easy:

--------------------------------------------
first  last  z-angle  tran-x  tran-y  tran-z

ZROTATETRANSLATE:
1      358     115      7       13      0
--------------------------------------------



 You can build a library of objects, then rotate
 and translate (slide) them for precise placement.

 Simplest use -- an early image from 1995:

 




Complex curved surfaces are modeled by stretching 
basic circular shapes in a variety of directions.

Curved elements with unlimited deformation potential:


points       degrees       radius         offset           weight
per        -----------     -------      -----------       --------
section    start   arc     X     Y      X    Y    Z       left inc   stretch

   20
             20    -70     19.2  6      24   30   2.83     0    0     0
             20    -70     19.2  6      24   30   4.83     0    0     0
   20
             20    -70     19.2  6      24   30   4.83     0    0     0
             3     -87     10    6.9    24  27.6  4.83     0    0     0
   20
             3     -87     10    6.9    24  27.6  4.83     0    0     0
             3     -87     10    6.9    24  27.6  6.17     0    0     0
   . 
   etc

Boat hulls are especially easy:






Part three of software description is beneath the next set of images.


RogCAD for Windows output, with customizable color palette:






  50 second looping video

   



Click image for better detail















Software description.  Part three of three parts.


Versions:

RogCAD is available for Windows, DOS and cross-platform.

RogCAD for DOS has 640x416 viewport
resolution and 15 on-screen colors.
(64-color palette.)

RogCAD for Windows has 1320x1020 viewport
resolution and 255 on-screen colors.
(16 million-color palette.)

RogCAD for DOS is now also available as a
stand-alone program for running on any
computer, including Mac, thanks to QB64.
(1320x1020 with 255 on-screen colors. 
(262,144-color palette.)

RogCAD for Windows also comes in a version
with a 4896x3060 virtual viewport.



History:

I originally wrote RogCAD to run on my old IBM XT 
with the text-only monitor.  The data-points had to 
be plotted on paper by hand and then connected with 
a straightedge.

From 1993 to 2001, I developed it into its nearly 
current form.  Significant new features were added 
from 2021 to 2023, and RogCAD is now in its final form.

history

program code


RogCAD is a general use CAD program.  You can download 
a copy of it or hire me to model your project for you.

Client project:  cabin addition

Client project:  new workshop/office

Project:  sunrise - sunset modeling



Contact:

Roger Luebeck
roger@rogcad.com


This page was updated on 03/30/2025


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