Frequently Asked Questions
about CADViewer

We've anticipated the questions that would be asked by a majority of CADViewer users, and have grouped them according to whether the user is a Web publisher (who is making drawings available) or an end user (who wants to view those drawings.)

For CADViewer users

How does the CADViewer work?

Any end-user who wants to view one or more large-format drawings, connects to a particular Web site that features such drawings. After the browser opens a page that contains the CADViewer applet code, the applet then "builds" the CADViewer on the fly in the browser window, then downloads and displays a drawing in the viewer window.

Once the drawing is visible, the end user can zoom in or out, pan around the drawing, then make additional marks or comments on the drawing that others can review.

When the end user is finished, they simply open another page or quit the browser, at which time the applet code is purged and no residual files are left on their system.

Do all Web browsers work with the CADViewer applet?

The key to using the CADViewer is having a Java-enabled Web browser. Most recent-edition browsers are Java-capable, including Netscape Navigator 3.x, Netscape Communicator 4.x and 6.x, and Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x and 5.x.

Does CADViewer work better with certain browsers?

We recommend Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.x as the best Web browser for use with CADViewer as it supports the latest Java and loads pages more quickly than competing browsers.

What operating systems and platforms are supported?

You can take advantage of the CADViewer on any operating system/platform on which a Java-enabled Web browser has been installed. This includes all Windows 9x and NT operating systems, all recent Mac OS versions, and several versions of UNIX and Linux.

Are there any Java-capable Web browsers that can be used in a Windows 3.1 environment?

Internet Explorer 4.0 is the only Java-capable browser that runs on Windows 3.1

Do I need to download and install the CADViewer?

No separate download or installation is needed if your computer is connected to a Web server or another desktop computer with the proper software installed. In other words, you can connect to a neighbor's computer or to a remote Web server and if the proper publishing preparations were completed, your Web browser will create and use the CADViewer automatically.

What if I upgrade or change Web browsers?

This will not affect your ability to use the CADViewer and its features. The next time you open a page or site that uses the CADViewer, a fully operational CADViewer will be installed in your browser, enabling you to view and annotate drawings.

Can I make use of the CADViewer on my own computer?

Yes, although you must consider whether or not you want to activate the redlining features, which require a Perl script and Perl compiler on your computer. For information on such an installation, click LINK. To publish drawings that you can view, you must first create an HTML file that includes the <applet> tag. You must then link the applet to a drawing or a collection of drawings that are stored locally -- by editing the applet parameters. You can then open this HTML file in a browser, at which time the viewer will start automatically and display the default drawing.

For CADViewer Web publishers

How do I install the CADViewer on my Web server?

The process involves the installation of Perl (if not already present), and the copying of a key collection of resource files into a CADViewer directory. You must then prepare a collection of drawings in either .DWF or .SVF formats, then copy those files into a linked directory on the Web server. After circulating or publishing the main URL to your CADViewer directory, your system is ready for use.

For more information, click the "Installing CADViewer" link in the left-hand column.

How do I set up the CADViewer to display .DWF, .SVF, .GIF, .JPEG drawings?

You simply add an <applet> tag and relevant parameters to an HTML file, indicating the drawing name.

Do I need my own Web server in order to publish my drawings for other CADViewer users?

Not at all. Your desktop computer can serve the CADViewer and drawing files to other users. For more information, click the "Installing CADViewer" link in the left-hand column.

Onto what Web servers can I install the CADViewer?

The CADViewer files and resources will work on any Web server—including a "local" Web sharing volume on your own computer. Click "Installing CADViewer" for more information.

Do I need to change mime-type settings on my server?

No. No change is needed to support DWF.

Do the DWF drawings need any modification?

No. No changes are neededÑprovided you do not compress the files. The CADViewer cannot expand and then publish compressed files.

Can the CADViewer run as a stand-alone application or do I always need to use a Web server?

The CADViewer can run via a Web server over the internet or as a stand-alone application. Users who share drawings through the file system might simply copy the CADViewer to a shared directory.

Do I need to install Perl on my Web server?

If you do not wish to save drawing or redline file to the server, then you do not need to install Perl. Perl or other server side software such as Servlet Container, PHP, is required, if you want to permit users to save their redlines or drawing as separate files.

What drawing file formats does the CADViewer support?

The CADViewer currently opens files in two formats : .DWF (AutoCAD), .SVF, .GIF, .TIFF, and .JPEG. You can convert drawings in other formats in three ways:

• Open and convert relevant files by means of the originating application.

• Use a conversion utility (such as Tailor Made Software Ltd. line of conversion applications to open and convert files either one at a time or in batches.)

• Use CADViewer Enterprise Version

For more information on these options, go to the Tailor Made Software Ltd. Web site and review the product information on the complete line of Tailor Made Software Ltd image conversion software applications.

How is the CADViewer different from "Whip!" ?

The differences are many and include the following:

• CADViewer is a Java applet, and does not need any installation on the client.

• As a 3Mb file (3,000Kb), Whip! requires a separate download and installation, and is not suitable for occasional use.

• Whip! (produced by AutoDesk) does not provide redlining features.

• Whip! will only run on Windows. As potential audiences use diverse browsers and operating systems, this becomes an important point.

• CADViewer adds only 85Kb to the memory requirements for Internet Explorer and 100Kb for Netscape Navigator/Communicator.

• Whip! "enables" only one client while the CADViewer "enables" an entire Web site.

• Whip! must be reinstalled on the user's computer every time a browser is upgraded, or when the .DWF format changes. (By contrast, only the CADViewer server software must be updated when this occurs.)

• To place DWF drawings on a web site using the Whip!, a mime type must be set on the server, which may pose a serious obstacle for some Web publishers.

Can I remove unused buttons on the tool bar menu?

Yes, you can remove any button on the tool bar as you wish. Actually, you need to add buttons to the toolbar and only buttons that you add will be on the toolbar. To add a button on the tool bar, you need to add a line to the *.cfg file similar to the following line:

• toolbaricon=zoomwindow;zoomwindow.gif

Can I change the icon images in the toolbar?

Yes, you can change the icon images. As in the above example, if you use your image myzoomwindowImage.gif then you only need to change as follow:

• toolbaricon=zoomwindow;myzoomwindowImage.gif