Getting Started

VariCAD User Interface

The VariCAD window is divided into three parts. The largest part is the 2D drawing / 3D modeling area. The part above the modeling area contains the Menu Bar. Below the modeling area is the Status Bar. Toolbars are docked in various places on the screen, and toolbars can be undocked to become floating windows.


2D/3D Area

This area contains the 2D or 3D objects you create. You can switch between 2D and 3D at any time, and menus and toolbars will change accordingly.


Status Bar

For functions that do not require a window for input, all messages and prompts are displayed in the Status Bar. The following items are displayed on the right side of the Status Bar:


Toolbar Icons

Toolbars can be docked to sit above, below, or to the side of the drawing area, or they can be used as floating windows. Toolbars typically contain groups of icons for related functions, such as drawing functions, basic solids, dimensioning, etc. We recommended not to remove the following toolbars:

You can right-click on any toolbar to invoke a menu enabling you to add, delete, or reconfigure toolbars. You can also manage toolbars by using the following function:

Toolbar Settings - TLBS

Function Windows - Cancel and Back Buttons

Most VariCAD windows have buttons for “Cancel” and “Back.” See Finishing VariCAD Functions or Stepping Back within a Function. Right-clicking while the cursor is inside the window is equivalent to clicking OK.


Mouse Buttons

For both 2D and 3D, the default mouse settings are as follows:


Invoking and Running VariCAD Functions

To invoke a function, you can:


Some functions always behave as the embedded ones – current function is interrupted temporarily regardless the method of embedded command calling. For instance, you can change a view or measure distances without the necessity of finishing the current command. Measuring distances is especially convenient. You can “Cut and Paste” results – use them as input for any values.

For a list of all embedded functions, see Embedded Functions


Finishing VariCAD Functions

Many VariCAD functions are “continuous.” For example, when drawing a line, you define two endpoints. After the line is finished, you can begin creating a new line. To end and exit a function, you can:

If you exit a function by pressing Esc, the Status Bar displays “Ready.” If the cursor is still within the drawing area, you can right-click to invoke the previous function.


Stepping Back within a Function

Functions are typically performed in steps. For instance, when drawing a line, Step 1 is to define the first point, and Step 2 is to define the second point. To go one step back, you can:

Stepping back enables you to repeat or correct previous input without having to exit the function. Using Undo and Redo does not have the same effect; these functions actually change the 2D/3D object database. See Undo and Redo


Additional Options within Functions

Many functions provide additional, temporary options. If you need to select an object or define a location, toolbars will appear with options relevant to the current situation. For example, when creating dimensions you have the option of changing the dimension text or style while defining the dimension position.



Example of standard 2D selection toolbar



Example of 2D selection toolbar with additional option icons


For a list of all functions and commands, see List of All VariCAD Functions.

For a list of all hotkeys, see Hotkeys


Creating, Opening and Saving VariCAD 2D/3D Files

Create a New File – DOP, Ctrl + N

VariCAD always starts with a new, empty file. This file has the default file parameters, and is assigned a preliminary name of “NONAME” plus new file’s serial number (for instance NONAME 1). In order to save this file, you must assign a valid filename. If you want to create another new file, you can confirm or change its parameters. Defined parameters of new file are:



New file creation window


Current File Attributes as Default - DEF

This function enables you to set the defaults for all new files. The dialog is similar to the creation of a new file (see the previous function).


The mode (3D/2D), units (millimeters or inches), sheet border format, scale and 2D grid distance can be defined in a window. Predefined 2D layers, 2D default line attributes (current layer, color and line style) and angles of the construction lines are copied from the current file.


Open an existing file – DAD, Ctrl + O

Opens an existing file. You can also open an existing file by pressing Tab, if the previous function is finished and “Ready” is displayed in the Status Bar.

Open Recent Files

This function allows you to open a file from the list of recently used files rather than from the standard file dialog.

Close – CLO, Ctrl + F4

Closes the current file. Next current file is the file which was active previously. If only one file is open, you are asked whether to exit the session or to create another new file with the default parameters.


Listing 2D/3D Files

When viewing a list of VariCAD files, a 2D or 3D component of the file is displayed in the preview window. You can select whether the 2D or 3D will be displayed. By default, the component that was active when the file was saved will be displayed.

List 2D/3D Files - DRV

This function lists file content in a window larger than standard preview window of the file dialog.


Saving and Inserting 2D/3D Files

Save – DSV, Ctrl + S

Saves the current file. If the file was created as new or copied to new document window, you must define a valid filename.

Save As – SVA

Saves the current file. You can select a different filename or different file type, like STEP, DWG etc.

Save Only Selected Objects - DPS

Select objects first. Then define a filename. You can save a selected objects to any other supported file type.

Insert Objects From File - DPO

Inserts all objects from the selected file to the current file. If you are in 2D, only 2D objects are inserted. If you are in 3D, only 3D objects are inserted.


Selection of 2D objects is described at Selecting, 2D Objects. Selection of 3D solids is described at Selecting Solids. 2D objects from another file are inserted similarly as 2D blocks – see Insert Block. 3D objects from another file are inserted the same way as the solids are transformed and copied – see Transforming and Copying Solids.


Backing up Your Files

Backup - BAK

Backup saves 2D/3D files after a specified number of changes. If the session ends unintentionally, you can recover your backup data the next time you use VariCAD.


Working with Multiple Files

Changing Active File

To change the current (active) file, you can always use pull-down menu “Windows” and select the file to be active from the list. The list of open files is limited to 10 items. If the number of open files is greater, use the following function instead:

Windows – WIN, Ctrl + 3

This function offers you a clearly arranged list of the open files. You can save or close any selected file or activate selected file from the list.

Previous Document Window – SWD, Ctrl + TAB

Activates a previously active file. Repeatedly used, this function allows you to easily switch between the two files.

Save All Changed – SVALL

Saves all changed open files to VariCAD native format. If the file is created as new or copied to a new document window, you must always define its real name. If the file is imported from another format, you must confirm or redefine the file name. If the current files are all from the native format, no dialog is displayed.

New Document from Current Document - NDW

Creates a new file, copies all objects from the current file and activates this file.

Settings of Work with Multiple Files - WMF

You can configure:


Copy and Paste

VariCAD works with separate clipboards for 2D objects and for 3D objects. During work with VariCAD, you can store objects to a corresponding clipboard and whenever insert them to any open file.

Copy – CPY, Ctrl + C

Stores selected objects to the clipboard.

Paste – PAS, Ctrl + V

Insert objects from the clipboard to the current file.


Switching between 2D and 3D

Switch to 2D - 2D, Alt + 2
Switch to 3D - 3D, Alt + 3
You can switch between 2D and 3D at any time. To switch, you can:

Switching between 2D and 3D also changes the available toolbars and menus. There is no direct link between 2D and 3D data, but you can update 2D views after making changes in 3D by using 3D View Exports.


Undo and Redo

Undo – UND, Ctrl + Z
Redo – RED, Ctrl + Y

When creating 2D or 3D data, you can use Undo to return backward step-by-step to previous states of your 2D/3D objects. You can also return to where you began work, or to the point at which the file was loaded. Once Undo has been used, Redo can be used to step forward. Undo/Redo history is separate for 2D and 3D objects. When working with assembly connections, this history is lost after parts are reloaded into the assembly after changes have been made. If this occurs, you will receive a message informing you of the problem.


Dragging Objects

Many 2D functions, and some methods of 3D transformation, use dragging. In Windows and Mouse Settings you can choose between two methods of dragging. In both methods the cursor defines the position of the reference point or insertion point.


Listing System Information

Information – INFO

Lists directories currently used by VariCAD.


2D Drawing vs. 3D Modeling

This section contains a comparison of 2D and 3D. For more detailed descriptions of specific functions, see 2D Drawing or 3D Modeling.

When starting a new design project, you need to decide whether to work in 2D or 3D. While there are advantages to both methods, 3D modeling is usually more efficient.

Working in 3D allows you to:


Working in 2D has advantages as well. Hardware requirements are smaller, and work is faster. If you only need to create a few small drawings that won’t be updated or changed, working in 2D is more efficient.