I ran across this article because I am looking for a Cad program for Linux.
http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=126985
So far I have found
-Draftsight
-GstarCad
-BricsCad
-LibreCad
-QCad
Has anyone used these, and if so how good are they?
Best Cad program?
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Best Cad program?
Last edited by LockBot on Wed Dec 28, 2022 7:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
Re: Best Cad program?
As many of the older Linux users may know, I am a Registered Architect living and working in the US.
I have been using Linux and Open Source exclusively for a few years now. I refuse to use AutoCAD.
I am asked these types of questions all the time.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AutoCAD is the only true Architectural Design program accepted by most professionals. The AIA (an American Architects Fraturnity) almost disbarred me for not using this Windows-based software.
While there are NO Linux-based drafting programs to rival the maturity of AutoCAD, some like Archimedes, LibreCAD and SagCAD are gaining popularity 'Worldwide' over the AutoCAD drafting/CAD market. In the next couple of years, I can see these programs giving the Windows-based AutoCAD -- serious competition. QCad and SagCAD save their files in the same DXF format as AutoCAD so my saved files are compatible and viewable on most 'any computer.
Like many Windows-based programs, I never did get AutoCAD to work through Wine or VirtualBox.
AutoCAD is very glitchy and unstable, in that regard.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Archimedes-for-Linux (CAD) is not so user-friendly a program/application as one might think. Although this is a good program, the learning curve is steep.
My recommendations for good user-friendly Architectural/Engineering programs are: QCad, SagCAD LibreCAD and Blender.
QCad is an excellent architectural/enginnering Linux-based program.
SagCAD is a great architectural program for Linux, most similar to AutoCAD.
LibreCAD is a new, up and coming architectural-specific rival to AutoCAD and completely Free Open Source.
Blender is a 3D modelling program (similar to Googles' Sketchup) . . . I use Blender for my 3D Perspective Architectural Renderings.
No need to search the web for any of these programs/applications, as they are all in the Debian/Mint/Ubuntu repositories.
Simply use the Synaptic Manager, select 'install' . . . Done.
If you want, read up on each, check out their respective Wiki pages ... they each, also, have good Help-Forums.
And, yes ... I agree that the price for AutoCAD is outrageous.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unfortunately, I am usually busy, either with work or Linux, though I do frequent the LinuxMint Forum - daily.
If you need to get a hold of me > I am a Moderator at the LinuxMint Forums (main and spanish forum) and a Debian-Maintainer.
Easiest to find me here.
I have been using Linux and Open Source exclusively for a few years now. I refuse to use AutoCAD.
I am asked these types of questions all the time.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AutoCAD is the only true Architectural Design program accepted by most professionals. The AIA (an American Architects Fraturnity) almost disbarred me for not using this Windows-based software.
While there are NO Linux-based drafting programs to rival the maturity of AutoCAD, some like Archimedes, LibreCAD and SagCAD are gaining popularity 'Worldwide' over the AutoCAD drafting/CAD market. In the next couple of years, I can see these programs giving the Windows-based AutoCAD -- serious competition. QCad and SagCAD save their files in the same DXF format as AutoCAD so my saved files are compatible and viewable on most 'any computer.
Like many Windows-based programs, I never did get AutoCAD to work through Wine or VirtualBox.
AutoCAD is very glitchy and unstable, in that regard.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Archimedes-for-Linux (CAD) is not so user-friendly a program/application as one might think. Although this is a good program, the learning curve is steep.
My recommendations for good user-friendly Architectural/Engineering programs are: QCad, SagCAD LibreCAD and Blender.
QCad is an excellent architectural/enginnering Linux-based program.
SagCAD is a great architectural program for Linux, most similar to AutoCAD.
LibreCAD is a new, up and coming architectural-specific rival to AutoCAD and completely Free Open Source.
Blender is a 3D modelling program (similar to Googles' Sketchup) . . . I use Blender for my 3D Perspective Architectural Renderings.
No need to search the web for any of these programs/applications, as they are all in the Debian/Mint/Ubuntu repositories.
Simply use the Synaptic Manager, select 'install' . . . Done.
If you want, read up on each, check out their respective Wiki pages ... they each, also, have good Help-Forums.
And, yes ... I agree that the price for AutoCAD is outrageous.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unfortunately, I am usually busy, either with work or Linux, though I do frequent the LinuxMint Forum - daily.
If you need to get a hold of me > I am a Moderator at the LinuxMint Forums (main and spanish forum) and a Debian-Maintainer.
Easiest to find me here.
Re: Best Cad program?
WOW, what a great post for all us Walter Mitty architects among open source advocates!
If you have written more extensively about your experiences using open source programs in your long career, I have not been able to find it. Judging from the number of superficial published articles "reviewing" Linux CAD programs, surely there is a demand for an extensive review by someone who has walked the walk and can tell the story of what it was really like.
jouzts
If you have written more extensively about your experiences using open source programs in your long career, I have not been able to find it. Judging from the number of superficial published articles "reviewing" Linux CAD programs, surely there is a demand for an extensive review by someone who has walked the walk and can tell the story of what it was really like.
jouzts