We’re excited to introduce MindCAD 2D V6.1, delivering smarter tools and greater precision across pattern creation and variant management.
This release enhances efficiency with the new Cylindrical Development Tool, a redesigned Variant Window for faster part organization, and improved Stitch Simulation with embedded image support for realistic visualization.
Enjoy streamlined notch management, instant property visibility, and powerful copy/paste functions for notches and labels.
For footwear design, the new Automatic Spring Adjustment automates complex transformations, saving time while ensuring perfect fit and alignment.
MindCAD 2D V6.1 accelerates design-to-production with automation, control, and consistency at every step.
General Updates (All Editions)
New Feature: Cylindrical Development Tool for Part Creation
The new Cylindrical Development Tool in MindCAD simplifies the creation of cylindrical parts, particularly for three-dimensional applications like in the leather goods industry. Users can automatically generate a secondary part with precise dimensions, ensuring a perfect fit with the original. The tool allows easy segment selection, offset configuration, and snapping for precise adjustments. Notches from the original part are copied and linked to the new part, maintaining consistency even after saving and reloading the file. The Stitch Simulation tool can be used to validate the alignment and measurements before production. This automation reduces manual adjustments, improves accuracy, and enhances production efficiency.
To access this feature, go to menu Parts > Create Part > Edge Part option.
New Variant Window for Efficient Part Management
A new Variant Window in MindCAD2D simplifies the definition and management of part variants directly within the workflow. Users can create variants with specific combinations of parts, quantities, and group assignments. A standout feature is the combo box in the Group column, allowing quick selection of existing group names from the Library Parts. Parts can be shared across variants, with all group info and quantities automatically saved to the MindGEST PDM, ensuring data consistency across Mind software, including synchronization with MindGEST Material Estimation.
To accesss this new functionality, go to Edit > Variants
Parts list dialog improvements
The Parts List dialog has been improved to simplify the management of parts across complex projects. Now, you can not only view parts from all pages in the document but also filter them by part name, group, or page, streamlining your workflow and making it easier to manage parts without switching between tabs. You can now:
- Show parts from all pages in a single list
- Filter by part name, group, or page
- Sort parts based on name, group, page, and more
With this improvement, it’s now possible to assign the same name or material group to identical parts that appear across different pages — all from a single, dynamic window.
To access it, go to Parts > List in the toolbar menu.
Instant Visibility of Properties in Tool Options
A key improvement is that properties assigned to elements are now immediately visible in the Tool Options when the element is selected, without needing to click the property button. This streamlines the workflow and enhances user efficiency by displaying all relevant properties directly in the interface.
When a property doesn't belong to all geometries in a group (e.g., a punch group), it will be shown with a * after the property name. In the example below, some of the properties, such as A, B, and C, are only assigned to certain elements, while all elements in the group share the properties Draw and Text.
Enhancements to the Stitch Simulation Tool
Support for Embedded Images in Stitch Simulation
The Stitch Simulation feature has been enhanced to support pattern pieces with embedded images. This improvement allows for much more accurate and realistic visualization during the stitching process.
Users can now simulate a pattern that needs to align perfectly between pieces, while maintaining transparency and visual alignment even when pieces overlap. This provides greater visual control, which is essential for designs with precise graphic placement.
When you have pieces with embedded images, to see the improvement, go to Operation > Stitch Simulation to test the new functionality.
New Option to Control Stitch Direction in Simulation
The Stitch Simulation tool now includes a new option to swap the stitching direction, giving users greater control over the simulation path. You can now select "Swap Direction" to choose an alternative stitching path, rather than being limited to the default route. This is especially useful in cases where the stitching logic or visual outcome needs to follow a specific sequence.
To take advantage of this improvement, start by creating your pattern pieces. Then, navigate to Operations > Stitch Simulation. Select the start stitch, move the cursor to the end stitch, then right-click and choose the "Swap Direction" option. Finally, click on the final stitch to confirm the alternative stitching path.
Copy/Paste Notches and Labels
In this new version, the ability to copy and paste notches and labels has been introduced. You can now easily copy these elements from one part and paste them into another part or section of the same part.
When notches are copied, an automatic link is established between the original and the copied notches, ensuring their positions remain synchronized.
To copy and paste notches or labels, simply select the elements you want to copy, press Ctrl+C or choose the Copy option from the context menu. Then, select the part or border where you want to paste them, and press Ctrl+V or select the Paste option from the context menu to complete the action.
Notch Management Enhancements
Linked Position for Part Notches
This feature allows users to link the position of two or more notches, ensuring they stay in the same relative position across all linked parts. Any changes made to one notch position are automatically propagated to the linked notches.
To link notches, select them and click the Link button 
/ 
in the tool options.
Improvements to Notch Positioning
The drag-and-drop functionality has been added to reposition notches between different edges of the part. The system snaps the notch to the most appropriate location, and users can control notch positioning using new options such as selecting the beginning, middle, or end of an edge segment. Offsets can also be adjusted directly in the tool options panel.
To move a notch to a different position, simply click and drag the notch to the desired edge/position.
New "Specific" Button for Quick Notch Creation in Tool Options
A dedicated "Specific" button has been added to the Tool Options when a part is selected, providing a quicker and more accessible way to create notches. While it was already possible to add notches directly on parts (by using Shift + click), this new button streamlines the process by offering a clear, visible tool in the interface, especially helpful for users who prefer toolbar-based workflows or are new to the software.
To use this tool, select the part you want to add the notch to, then click on the notch option in the Tool Options panel.
Notch Position Control and Offset Adjustment
A new option has been added for notch position control, allowing users to place notches using percentage values for position and apply an offset value. Buttons next to the text boxes provide additional control for adjusting these values more easily. These updates simplify the process of positioning notches and applying offsets, giving users greater precision and flexibility.
Revision and Addition of New Buttons and Icons for Notch
To further enhance the user experience, several new buttons have been added to the Tool Options panel to enhance the notch shape selection and control over curvature values. The previous text options have been replaced by intuitive icons, making it easier to select the notch shape. Additionally, users now have the ability to invert curvature values or reset them to zero with a single click. This streamlines the process and adds greater flexibility when adjusting notches.
Updates for Footwear
Specific enhancements for the MindCAD 2D Footwear edition.
Enhanced Sub-Grading Results
The Sub-Grading functionality in MindCAD has been improved to provide better flexibility and precision. While the Quick Action for Sub-Grading has been available since the previous version, the latest update focuses on optimizing the algorithm to deliver more accurate results.
New Feature: Automatic Spring Adjustment Tool
The new Automatic Spring Adjustment Tool automates the springing process for shoe patterns, which was previously done manually through multiple steps. While the manual process provided precise control over transforming flat 2D shapes into smooth, wrinkle-free 3D forms that fit the shoe last, it required a lot of manual adjustments.
Now, with the automation, users can select affected lines, define the inflection point, and adjust the spring with a pivot radius, ensuring the part aligns perfectly with the reference axis in a single operation. The tool also ensures that the part maintains the same curvature as the shoe last when stitched, guaranteeing a secure fit. This optimization significantly reduces time and effort, offering a more efficient solution for design and production scenarios.
To access this new feature, go to Tools - Change - Spring Adjustment - Auto Adjustment
