EPLANT

ZWCAD versus AutoCAD

ZWCAD is a good alternative to AutoCAD. It is affordable, uses the same dwg format and it has a better performance.

The table below shows the results of a benchmark: Isometric and cpf file extraction and 2D Plan generation from EPLANT-Piping V2018.0 running on different OS and CAD systems.
Times for Isometric and PCF Extraction are mean values using a real 3D model with 122 piping lines, with a mean quantity of 45 different MTO items per piping line. 2D Plan Extraction times were obtained with a 3D model with 2875 components.

When comparing execution times pay attention to the host machine: all but the first one are Virtual Machines either running XP or Win 7 64 bits.

CAD SYSTEM

ISO EXTRACTION
Seconds / Line

PCF EXTRACTION
Seconds / Line

2D PLAN EXTRACTION
Seconds / 100 Components

1) AutoCAD 2005

2.40 AutoCAD 2005 - iso= 2.40 sec/line

0.65 AutoCAD 2005 - pcf= 0.65 sec/line

1.95 AutoCAD 2005 - ple= 1.95 sec/100 cmps

3) AutoCAD 2013 64

7.89 AutoCAD 2013 64 - iso= 7.89 sec/line

4.23 AutoCAD 2013 64 - pcf= 4.23 sec/line

14.5 AutoCAD 2013 64 - ple= 14.5 sec/100 cmps

3) AutoCAD 2017 64

10.6 AutoCAD 2017 64 - iso= 10.56 sec/line

4.96 AutoCAD 2017 64 - pcf= 4.96 sec/line

13.6 AutoCAD 2017 64 - ple= 13.6 sec/100 cmps

2) ZWCAD+ 2012

2.25 ZWCAD+ 2012 - iso= 2.25 sec/line

0.79 ZWCAD+ 2012 - pcf= 0.79 sec/line

2.01 ZWCAD+ 2012 - ple= 2.01 sec/100 cmps

3) ZWCAD+ 2012

2.17 ZWCAD+ 2012 - iso= 2.17 sec/line

0.56 ZWCAD+ 2012 - pcf= 0.56 sec/line

1.88 ZWCAD+ 2012 - ple= 1.88 sec/100 cmps

3) ZWCAD+ 2015

1.89 ZWCAD+ 2015 - iso= 1.89 sec/line

3) ZWCAD 2019 SP1

4.44 ZWCAD 2019 - iso= 4.44 sec/line

1.98 ZWCAD 2019 - pcf= 1.98 sec/line

3) ZWCAD 2020

4.46 ZWCAD 2020 - iso= 4.46 sec/line

1.63 ZWCAD 2020 - pcf= 1.63 sec/line

3) ZWCAD 2021

7.40 ZWCAD 2021 - iso= 7.40 sec/line

2.20 ZWCAD 2021 - pcf= 2.20 sec/line

6.87 ZWCAD+ 2021 - ple= 6.87 sec/100 cmps

3) ZWCAD 2022

5.39 ZWCAD 2022 - iso= 5.39 sec/line

2.20 ZWCAD 2022 - pcf= 2.20 sec/line

6.87 ZWCAD+ 2022 - ple= 6.87 sec/100 cmps

NOTES:

1) Host: HP nx6320 – 2cpu intel Centrino Duo 1.66Ghz – 1,49Gb – XP SP3

2) Host: HP Pavilion dv6 – Intel i-5-2410M 2.30 Ghz - 4cpu – 8Gb - Win 7 64
Virtual Machine: WMware 8.3 - 2pcu – 1Gb – XP SP3 32

3) Host: HP Pavilion dv6 – intel i-5-2410M 2.30 Ghz - 4cpu – 8Gb - Win 7 64
Virtual Machine: WMware 8.3 - 2pcu – 2Gb - Win 7 64

AutoCAD A simple look at the performance of different versions inequivocally shows the extent of performance degradation with new versions.

ZWCAD uses the same dwg format (and therefore its drawing files are 100% compatible with those of AutoCAD) and has a similar user interface, although more simple than the current versions of AutoCAD.

A license enables to use an EPLANT module on any of the supported CAD system and versions.

Download ZWCAD and try it for a month.

 

Last updated September 06th, 2021.