Graphical interface: the basics

Launching

There are several ways to open the graphical interface:

• Calling show() in a Python script opens a standalone viewer in the script process; the commands below launch the full editor.
• Running python3 -m zencad in a terminal (usage: python3 -m zencad [filepath]).
• Running the zencad command-line utility (usage: zencad [filepath]).

Updating the model when the source changes

The viewer watches the geometry source file and automatically reruns the script when it changes. The editor starts a separate script worker and receives a scene snapshot. The viewer and camera persist between evaluations. If the script fails, the last successful result remains visible. See Inside ZenCad.

Built-in text editor

The viewer includes a text editor for quick edits and experiments. Toggle it with View/'Hide editor'.

Built-in console

ZenCad also forwards terminal output to its built-in console. Toggle it with View/'Hide console'. This is useful when the main terminal is unavailable.

Markers and coordinates

Use Q(F1) and W(F2) to place markers. Each marker's coordinates appear in the corresponding field. When both markers are set, the Distance field shows the distance between them.

3D navigation

Rotation: MouseLeftClick/Alt + MouseMove
Pan: MouseMiddleClick/MouseRightClick/Shift + MouseMove
Zoom: PgUp/PgDown/MouseWheel

Choose a navigation scheme in Edit/Settings: ZenCad, Legacy ZenCad, Blender, FreeCAD CAD, Maya or Custom. Custom lets you assign Rotate, Pan and Zoom gestures separately. You can also invert the wheel and rotation direction.

The viewer supports two orientation modes: upright orientation (Z always points up) and free rotation. Switch between them with Navigation/'Axionometric view' and Navigation/'Free rotation view'.