Migrating to TouchCad: How to Import Projects and Optimize Your Setup

Overview

TouchCAD is a cross-platform (Windows/macOS) 3D modeling and unfolding CAD program developed by Lundström Design, focused on creating complex free‑form surfaces and converting them into accurate, buildable flat patterns. It’s especially used for marine design, fabric/tent design, inflatable objects, sheet‑metal and plywood development, and sculpture.

Key features

• 3D push–pull free‑form modeling using control points placed directly on surfaces
• Dynamic unfolding: real‑time conversion of compound curved surfaces into flat panels with adjustable overlaps, seams, darts and panel joins
• Parametric unfolding controls (panel orientation, overlap widths, number of pieces/cuts, resolution)
• Export to DXF and compatibility with Illustrator, VectorWorks and other CAD/rendering tools
• Import of background images/lines to model from plans or photos; nesting/layout for material optimization
• Basic hydrostatics and geometry/property summaries useful for boat design
• Cross‑platform; historically available as a standalone licensed application (trial/demo versions offered)

Typical uses

• Boat hull and marine component design (rapid hydrostatics, panel development)
• Fabrication patterns for tents, sails, inflatables, soft goods
• Sheet metal and plywood pattern generation for manufacturing and prototyping
• Reverse engineering and sculptural design

Notes / provenance

• Created by Claes Lundström (Lundström Design).
• Longstanding niche tool valued for its unique dynamic unfolding capability and ease of producing accurate flat patterns from compound surfaces.