Linux CAD?

gulo · 03-05-2004, 11:40 AM

Anyone have knowledge of a good CAD package for Linux?

superbondbond · 03-05-2004, 12:00 PM

http://www.ribbonsoft.com/qcad.html
http://www.linuxcad.com/
http://www.varicad.com/

Are a few. None I would classify as "good" though. They can met simple drafting needs, but if you looking for something to replace any professionally used application like Microstation or AutoCad, then we are all out of luck (currently). Hopefully we'll see a fully developed, professional-grade CAD application for Linux soon....(I'm waiting)

Hope that helps.

jackpal · 03-05-2004, 12:15 PM

There are a few you may want to look at. One that comes too my mind is

ProE Wildfire

Peacedog · 03-05-2004, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by superbondbond
http://www.ribbonsoft.com/qcad.html
http://www.linuxcad.com/
http://www.varicad.com/

Are a few. None I would classify as "good" though. They can met simple drafting needs, but if you looking for something to replace any professionally used application like Microstation or AutoCad, then we are all out of luck (currently). Hopefully we'll see a fully developed, professional-grade CAD application for Linux soon....(I'm waiting)

Hope that helps.

just to add, qcad has made the jump to a pay version.

Quote:

QCad binary for most Linux / i386 distributions (except the ones listed below). All libraries are statically linked in. No Qt required. Demo version - terminates every 10min. The Professional version is available for a small license fee from here .

taken from

http://www.ribbonsoft.com/qcad_downloads.html

terminating every 10 mins. now that's annoying.

Onemessedupjedi · 03-05-2004, 01:24 PM

Will any of those open autocad 2004 drawings?

superbondbond · 03-05-2004, 02:17 PM

When you compare it to the cost of a full seat of AutoCAD. it's much more affordable to an individual or small business. Besides, I have no problem paying for software, especially if your livelyhood depends on it, but it's difficult to find the price AutoDesk charges anywhere near reasonable.

and Onemessedupjedi, they'll probably read a DXF, I'm sure any available documentation will tell you.

Peacedog · 03-05-2004, 03:47 PM

Quote:

When you compare it to the cost of a full seat of AutoCAD. it's much more affordable to an individual or small business. Besides, I have no problem paying for software, especially if your livelyhood depends on it, but it's difficult to find the price AutoDesk charges anywhere near reasonable.

i agree, i was just a little disapointed. the older version that i'm running looked promising, then i took a look a week or so ago, only to find that it's no longer free. i can't complain though, it's as you said, much more reasonable than any autodesk product.

Quote:

Will any of those open autocad 2004 drawings?

qcad does support dxf files for 2004. it's listed in the new features of the latest release.

Superdude · 03-05-2004, 04:58 PM

Isn't it about time someone created an open-source alternative to Autocad that can do everything that Autocad can do?

viciousfish · 03-05-2004, 05:35 PM

According to the site, QCad for Unix (Linux, Mac OS X) is still GPL licensed. However, the Windows version is closed software.

The binaries on the download page terminate every ten minutes. But if you want to get around this, you can just compile it from the source, which is also on the download page. It doesn't make this very clear at all, I reckon its a pretty underhand way of selling licenses. But if you can do a compile, which is usually easy, then you can have the full programme for free.

matador · 03-05-2004, 05:56 PM

I have to agree with jackpal. ProE (or maybe catia) if you can afford it.

Peacedog · 03-05-2004, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by viciousfish
According to the site, QCad for Unix (Linux, Mac OS X) is still GPL licensed. However, the Windows version is closed software.

The binaries on the download page terminate every ten minutes. But if you want to get around this, you can just compile it from the source, which is also on the download page. It doesn't make this very clear at all, I reckon its a pretty underhand way of selling licenses. But if you can do a compile, which is usually easy, then you can have the full programme for free.

couldn't the source contain the code that shuts the program down every 10 mins? in any event, i'm downloading the source as i write. i'll compile it and post the results.

Onemessedupjedi · 03-09-2004, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Isn't it about time someone created an open-source alternative to Autocad that can do everything that Autocad can do?

Well you look like a someone.
In the linux world you can't always rely on someone else doing it because the coders are all volunteers. If you know how to code then you should contribute if you can, otherwise patience is needed.

superbondbond · 03-09-2004, 02:35 PM

I often times think about learning programming of some sort so that I could work on a project like that. I guess I better start