DraftSight 2015 is out with a 64bit only version for Linux.

DraftSight 2015 is out and Linux users can now install it without problems on a 64bit distro because this version is 64 bit only.

DraftSight Linux goes 64 bit

According to official sources, the next (V1R6) release of DraftSight for Linux will be 64bit instead of the 32bit  older releases. This will make many Linux users happy because a native 64bit DraftSight version was a very popular demand. Unfortunately for users with older machines the 32bit version will be dropped.

A user's perspective on Linux CAD programs.

BricsCAD V14 versus DraftSight V1R5 comparison

For a long time, CAD users were bind to Windows platform, because there was no Linux or Mac alternative CAD software to AutoCAD or other windows CAD programs. In recent years the situation has changed a lot on Linux platform with the rise of DraftSight, BricsCAD and ARES CE.

DraftSight V1R5.2 fixes localization bug

DraftSight V1R5.2 is out and the important news are that now Linux users can open their files normally without worrying if the path contains any non-English characters. Finally after six months of waiting, DraftSight Linux users can expect normal functionality when they try  to open their files.

You can download DraftSight V1R5.2 from here. As usually 32 bit .deb and .rpm files are available.

Teigha Viewer and Teigha File Converter have been upated to v4.00

Teigha Viewer an Teigha File Converter the official tools from ODA for viewing and converting dwg files have been updated to v4.00. The big news for this release is the availability of these two interesting apps for android devices. As usual ODA provides 32bit-only .deb and .rpm packages but you can easily install them without modifications on a 64bit system.

You can download them from ODA's website. Both applications are available without any charge.

How to make DraftSight look native on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS 64 bit

Here is a workaround to make DraftSight to use your desktop theme on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS 64bit.

• Create a new file named .gtkrc-2.0 inside your home folder

• Add the following line and save it.

gtk-theme-name="Ambiance"

• Edit your .profile file. It is inside your home folder and it's hidden so you have to hit Ctrl+H in order to make it visible.

• Add the following line at the end of this file and save it.

export GTK2_RC_FILES="$HOME/.gtkrc-2.0"

• Install gtk2-engines-murrine:i386

• Logout and then Login back in order to apply the changes

Now DraftSight will use the default desktop theme on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS 64 bit.

DraftSight and Ubuntu 14.04 LTS 64-bit

Ubuntu 14.04 LTS is the new LTS version of Ubuntu and it will be available on its final state later this month. 64-bit  LTS versions are ideal for someone who wants to built a modern CAD workstation but unfortunately DraftSight comes on a 32-bit version only. Ubuntu provides support for running 32-bit applications on a 64-bit OS but DraftSight's installer doesn't support this functionality which is known as multiarch support. However the installation of DraftSight on a 64-bit Ubuntu 14.04 LTS system is possible with a few tweaks.

Migration Assistant: Intro

While Microsoft's support for Windows XP has officially ended since April 8th, many users are about to examine the migration to a different free OS instead of upgrading to a new version of Windows and/or buying new hardware. Linux migration can save a lot of money especially for small offices. However, a successful migration is a demanding process and it isn't possible for all users. Before you migrate to a different OS you have to be a 100% sure that your new configuration can satisfy all your needs. Having tested the new environment before is necessary.
This series of posts will provide you helpful instructions about how to test the possibility of migrating your CAD-related working environment to Linux.

Some basic guidelines for a successful migration:

Linux is a different OS:
This is the most important thing that you must keep in mind while you are trying to migrate to Linux. Some things are similar or even same but there are some significant differences between Linux and Windows.

CAD users mainly need good and powerful CAD applications and not necessarily a good OS:
Even if you are familiar with Linux there is a possibility that the available applications cannot satisfy your needs. Linux has some great choices for CAD applications and most users may find these alternatives very capable. But since not all the CAD applications are available for Linux some users simply cannot migrate.

Linux is not only for older PCs:
Linux runs great on newer computers too. Even if you believe that you have to buy new hardware, Linux can be your choice for a powerful CAD workstation.

Older Hardware vs Capable hardware:
Linux is less resource hungry than Windows and it can be customized in order to have even less hardware requirements but this doesn't mean that it will magically make modern CAD applications run smoothly on ancient hardware.

Combine and use many different applications:
Instead of using one application for all the things you do, you may find useful combining different applications. Typically they can give you better results. And do not ignore FOSS applications. They can be useful and adequate for many people.

This series of posts will help you to:

• Choose the appropriate distro/DE based on several software/hardware configurations.
• Choose compatible hardware in case you need to buy new hardware.
• Examine the possibility to migrate on an alternative Linux-based configuration.
• Create Multi-OS configurations.
• Getting familiar with the new environment.
• Troubleshooting common problems.

You can find all the future posts of this series under the new tag Migration Assistant.

DraftSight V1R5.1 is out.

An update for DraftSight, the popular free DWG based CAD from Dassault Systemes, is now available. V1R5.1 comes with no major changes and unfortunately doesn't fix the bug with non-English characters.

BricsCAD V14 for Linux is out !!!

Today Bricsys announced the availability of BricsCAD V14 for Linux. This new release has a lot of new features and improvements.

DraftSight V1R5 is out with a lot of changes

DraftSight V1R5 has been released and its Linux version has some significant changes.
Most important of all is the change of the package name and the new locations of files and folders.