RibbonSoft released QCAD 3.4

A new version of QCAD has been released a few days ago. This new version contains some new features, like a new view mode and support for custom properties. Any Linux users that are interested in trying this CAD application, can download QCAD here. QCAD 3.4 will work just fine in any modern Linux distro.

QCAD/CAM adds CAM functionality to QCAD 3 pro

RibbonSoft announced the availability of QCAD/CAM an add-on for QCAD 3 pro that adds CAM functionality on the existing CAD application.
QCAD/CAM allows you to export your drawings to the popular gcode format that can be used to control several types of CNC machines.
QCAD/CAM is available for Linux and you can download a free trial from here.

 CAM Export Configuration Dialog Box

The CAM pull-down menu

Lost in Support: QCAD pro

QCAD pro is a 2D CAD program that has Linux support for years. Its relevance for Linux users is very high since not only it had long been the unique reliable 2D CAD solution but also its GPL Community Edition is the base for LibreCAD.
QCAD pro comes in its latest version 3 with significant new functionality added, such as .dwg support, new script engine, .svg support and more.

2012 Flash Back

The year that is leaving today was an interesting one in the field of Linux CAD.
Below are listed the top events of 2012 for Linux CAD:

How to embed the partlibrary of QCAD 2.x to the new QCAD 3

The final release of QCAD 3 is out and the new features of this CAD application like the property editor, the new scripting engine, the new library browser, .dwg support and more are available to its users.
One very interesting feature is the new library browser that can handle  different type of files like .dwg, .dxf, .svg and scripting items.
Many users may want to use the old QCAD's partlibrary with this new release. The solution is really very simple and with a few mouse clicks you can successfully embed the old partlibrary into the new QCAD3.
So the only thing you have to do is to open the application's preferences and navigate to Widgets-->Library browser. Then you have to add the path  to the partlibrary's folder and/or any other location that includes files you want to use into the Library Browser.

Save the changes and restart QCAD3 and you're ready!!!

Ubuntu 12.04 LTS and .dwg-based CAD

After the installation of the new Ubuntu 12.04 LTS I tested the installation of all the available .dwg based CAD applications.

QCAD 3 is near to the final release

QCAD 3 is very close to the final release. It will have a lot of improvements like dwg support, new library browser, new scripting engine, various UI improvements and more...
Also new versions for CAM Expert and QCAD Community Edition, based on QCAD 3 will be available.
All the beta/RC versions I had tested were working well on both 32 and 64 bit Linux and I expect the same for the final release.
You can read the full official announcement here. 

QCAD 3 RC1 released!

QCAD 3 RC 1 released for downloading and testing. This version has many bug fixes and improvements and it's one step before the final release. QCAD 3 tries to combine dwg compatibility without changing  the familiar QCAD interface. You can download it from here and you can read more about this version here.

QCAD 3 RC1 on Debian Wheezy 64bit

A second beta for QCAD 3 just arrived

Ribbonsoft announced the availability of a second beta version of QCAD 3. This version comes with many bug fixes and some new features. You can download QCAD 3 beta 2 from here.
This release changed my plans of a detailed view on QCAD 3, a post that was almost ready, but now I have to   test for a while the new beta 2 and re-write the post after that, in order to include the latest changes.

How to work with pdf files with ARES CE,Bricscad,DraftSight and Librecad

Importing PDF files is a missing feature from all Linux CAD packages. However there are some very interesting and simple workarounds to bypass this problem.

QCAD 3 Beta is available for public download

A new beta version of QCAD 3 is available for public downloading and testing. Get this new version from here.
QCAD 3 has a new polished look, dwg support, a new properties editor, and various new tools and improvements.

Drawing settings dialog

The new splash screen

The new GUI

The tar.gz version is preferable for testing, unless you want to test the installer. It's also necessary to read the notes before start the downloading process.

Feel free to submit bugs and feature requests here.

QCAD 3 TP1 available

Ribbonsoft released a Technology Preview version of QCAD 3 Proffesional, available for download only for users that have bought QCAD 2 during 2010 and 2011.
QCAD 3 has many improvements, DWG support and a polished interface.
You can read more about this release here.