RogCAD™ retro 3D CAD |
RogCAD is surface-modeling software featuring accuracy, stability and flexibility of design and presentation. It's very useful for analytical work. 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 (which can take up to a week). This software technology was already dated at RogCAD's inception in 1993. RogCAD is fun and useful, but young engineering types would not want to launch their careers with it. It is ancientware. Web page updated 08/07/2026 |
Text file data entry is read by the RogCAD software. Boats, architectural, general purpose. Software description is beneath the first set of images. Download RogCAD here: luebeckdownloads.com RogCAD instructions: rogcad.com/instructions RogCAD code: program code |
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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 -- for great facility during
the design phase.
* Unlimited flexibility of design for general purpose or
architectural applications, with a "good enough" 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.
* RogCAD's most striking aspect is its complete stability;
no quirky behavior or random crashes.
* 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.
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Part two of software description is beneath the next set of images. |
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Software description. Part two of three parts. Examples of text file data entry: |
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Part three of software description is beneath the next set of images. |
50 second looping video RogCAD for Windows output, with customizable color palette: |
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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. (262,144-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@rogcad.com Roger Luebeck This page was updated on 08/07/2026 Sitemap |
Link: 
66 second looping video
Three options for an addition
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 repeated along lines
or curves.
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
Low resolution DOS
