Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, go to our Download page to get your 30-day trial of ZW3D Premium version with no limitation.

Check HERE for the detailed comparison between different ZW3D versions. Most design firms and freelancers choose the Professional version. The Premium version best suits who needs 2X - 3X machining in a regular basis.

ZW3D's pricing structure is quite simple and transparent. Unlike other expensive 3D CAD systems, there is no accumulated maintenance fee required when you upgrade the software.

1. New license price = MSRP
   
   This is the price you pay when you purchase a new license of the newest ZW3D version. Check the current MSRPs HERE.
   
   
2. Maintenance = 25% of MSRP / per year
   
   

   A user can purchase maintenance when (1) purchasing a new license or upgrade (2) deciding to keep the software up-to-date when the current maintenance is still valid.
   
   For example, a user can purchase a new ZW3D 2020 license + 1-yr maintenance. This way when ZW3D 2021 is out, he/she can move up to ZW3D 2021 freely.
   
   A ZW3D 2018 user can purchase an upgrade + 1-yr maintenance and start using the latest version, say ZW3D 2020. This way when ZW3D 2021 is out, he/she can move up to ZW3D 2021 freely.
   
   If ZW3D 2020 is the latest version, a ZW3D 2020 user can purchase an 1-yr maintenance anytime BEFORE ZW3D 2021 is out. This way when ZW3D 2021 is out, he/she can move up to ZW3D 2021 freely.

   
   A user can choose a 1-yr, 2-yr, or 3-yr maintenance to purchase with, and within these years you can upgrade to the latest version for free (that's why it's called a maintenance; it maintains your software and keeps it up to date).
   
   

3. Upgrading = 35% of MSRP / per time
   
   

   If a user doesn’t keep the maintenance with the current version then he will have to pay the upgrade fee if he decides to upgrade to the latest version. The difference here between other 3D CAD vendors' pricing model is: when you upgrade, you don’t need to pay the accumulated maintenance fees within the lost year.So if you bought the ZW3D 2018 (without the maintenance), and you decide to upgrade to the latest version (say ZW3D 2021), you need to pay the 35% to upgrade. In the same scenario, if you decide to stay with ZW3D 2021, and after 7 years, you want to upgrade to ZW3D 2028 , you still only need to pay 35% of the new MSRP to upgrade. No maintenance hassle whatsoever.
   
   

   When you upgrade (paying 35% of MSRP), this is the time you can consider buying extra maintenance fees (25%). If you think you’ll become a loyal user you might want to do this to save some money (10% per year) to upgrade in the near future.

ZW3D provides these licensing options:

1. Soft-key Standalone license (recommended): You'll get a license key (sometimes referred as the Activation ID) as a six letter-number combination like Z1E8-FE3B-YYYY-X3XX-JPIN-XXXX. In ZW3D's license manager you can use the license key to activate the software with just a few clicks. If you want to use the same license on a different PC, you just need to "return" the license on PC 1, and activate it on PC 2.
   
   The activation/returning requires the internet connection, but you only need to do it once. When activated, ZW3D doesn't require the internet connection anymore.
   
   We always recommend this licensing method because it's the easiest way to to deploy and manage ZW3D in your team.
   
   
   
2. Soft-key Network license: This method needs the Network License Manager software to be installed on a local server for distributing ZW3D licenses to individual PCs.
   
   
3. Dongle: Although available, we don't recommend this method because it always brings more trouble than benefits for these reasons:
   
   > Shipping/replacing the dongle takes time and has uncertainties, especially with the global pandemics right now.
   > You may lose the dongle easily (and it always happens!).
   > The dongle occupies an USB port and may cause compatibility issues with other devices.