Basic Settings
Always start with the right settings
IronCAD is configurable to your liking in many areas. Think standard file locations, keyboard shortcuts, camera settings and technical drawing details. With the right basic settings, you’ll work faster, more consistently and more clearly. Below are the most important changes and how to apply them.
The Options menu
Most of the settings can be found under Options. Here you can adjust everything manually, but you can also load settings from a file all at once. This is useful after a new installation or when you want to copy a colleague’s settings.
- Open the Options menu in IronCAD.
- Adjust settings manually, or click Load at the bottom to load a configuration file.
- Use the Export button to save and share your own settings file.
Dynfos recommends that new users start with the ready-made file below.
Camera
- Off: Enable camera Look At during editing
Prevents the camera from automatically rotating when editing cross sections. This gives more peace of mind and overview. - Off: Enable camera Parallel during editing
Prevents the perspective setting from unexpectedly changing to parallel. With F9 you can switch this manually.
Assembly
-
Off: Show pop-up Dialog
Prevents annoying notifications when dragging parts on patterns or linked objects. -
Default action: Do not duplicate pattern/link
New parts are not automatically linked; you deliberately choose when needed.
Interaction
-
On: Use snap as default handle behavior (without Shift key)
Machining levers “snap” to geometry by default, which is faster and more precise. -
On: Disable Symmetrical Handle Toggle
Removes extra levers that often get in the way; symmetrical scaling is easily done with right-click.
TriBall behavior
-
On: Enable master shape positioning (with Pattern)
Enables an entire pattern to be moved at once. -
On: Reset Triball to copy
The Triball is immediately on the new object after a copy, which is faster. -
Off: Show Triball activator Icon
Eliminates unnecessary buttons on screen; simply activate the Triball with Q. -
Tip: Default Focus for Copy/Link Dialog
Choose which field is active by default so you can enter values right away.
Performance
-
Off: Use Cached Graphical Display Data
Files open slightly slower, but the display is more reliable because all the data is freshly loaded.
In the Scene file
In addition to the options in the Options menu, a number of settings are stored in the IronCAD Scene file. These determine how your working environment looks and behaves by default. We provide a custom 3D template file (Blue.ics) for this purpose, in which the following improvements have been made:
Exposure
- Neutral lights: white light with no color cast for realistic colors.
- One shadow lamp: only one lamp calculates shadows, which works more quietly and quickly.
Provides a stable image without distracting color differences or heavy render settings.
TriBall
-
Full axes visible: always clear which direction is active.
-
Larger view: better view of all levers.
-
All handles on: instant access to all functions.
Makes the Triball clearer and faster for operations and patterns.
Work Environment
-
Quiet background color: neutral base for more focus.
-
Multiple templates: different scenes for design or presentation.
This way you always choose the right environment for the purpose of your design.
Resources
With the right tools, you’ll work faster and more consistently in IronCAD. Check out more helpful templates, basic settings and the knowledge base.
Libraries
Libraries give you access to ready-to-use parts, making your design even faster and more efficient.
Templates
Templates form the basis for new files in IronCAD and ensure that every design in 3D and 2D has the right settings immediately.
Knowledge base
In the knowledge base you will find articles explaining features, settings and working methods in IronCAD.