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.

Lost in Support: VariCAD

VariCAD is a general purpose 2D/3D Mechanical CAD. It already has a native Linux port for many years and it's  very popular between Linux users.

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.

Lost in Support: DraftSight

DraftSight, the free 2D dwg-based solution by Dassault Systemes, is an interesting choice for everybody.

Lost in Support: BricsCAD

BricsCAD is a unique piece of software. It tries to be a full .dwg-based solution with some exciting features like direct modeling, 2D/3D parametric constraints, etc. So it is unfair to describe it as an AutoCAD-clone. BricsCAD has a native Linux version since September 2010 and it comes in 3 different versions: Classic, Pro and Platinum.

Lost in Support: ARES CE

ARES CE is one of the available dwg-based AutoCAD-like programs for Linux.
It's a commercial application that costs  795 € and has a Linux version since October 2010.

Lost in Support:LibreCAD

LibreCAD is an important piece of software for the OpenSource community. Currently it is the only available and mature OpenSource solution for 2D CAD.
Let's see what happens with its Linux Support.

Lost in support:FreeCAD

FreeCAD is a perfect example of a well-supported application under Linux. Also its active community provides excellent documentation and support with lots of tutorials, answers and helpful advices all accessible with a few clicks from the application's homepage.

Lost in Support:Intro

The latest DraftSight V1R2 release was a disaster. Despite the localization bug this version also has some very annoying problems such as the crash when there is no Internet connection available. These problems gave me the idea for a series of articles that will evaluate, compare and rate the support level of the available Linux CAD applications.

Things to compare:
Installation/Installation Instructions
Active Bugs/Bug Fixes
Linux-related answers
Help/Command Reference
Development/Improvements/New features

Applications:
FreeCAD
LibreCAD
ARES CE
Bricscad
DraftSight
QCAD Pro
VariCAD

So how easy is for a Linux newbie and non experienced user to deal with these applications with only help the resources that the CAD vendors/developers provide?

VariCAD 2012-1.03 for Linux

VariCAD is a 2D/3D CAD application, that has been shipping Linux versions for over a decade. It is a powerful application, quite different than other CAD programs, with a lot of interesting features.

(Almost an) Application Review: Graphite One 3D CAD

GraphiteOne is a 3D Parametric Solid Modeler. It uses the Parasolid kernel which is used also in various well known similar packages such as NX or Solidworks.
GraphiteOne provides packages for various Linux distros: Ubuntu, PCLinuxOS, OpenSUSE, CentOS.

A full list is available here. 

30-days trial versions are available with no registration.

Application Review: Bricscad V11 Classic Linux (Part II)

Continue from Part I

Application Review: Bricscad V11 Classic Linux (Part I)

Bricscad is well known on Linux world. Not only for being the first native dwg-based CAD, but also for the support of the Wine version some years ago. Bricscad Classic is at the moment the only product of Bricsys that runs on Linux. Pro version with support of full ACIS 3D modelling, rendering and BRX, will be released later.

Application Review: ARES Commander Edition for Linux (Part II)

Continuing from Part I

Application Review: ARES Commander Edition for Linux (Part I)

ARES is a newcomer in Linux world. Released on October 2010 is one of the two -the other is Bricscad- Autocad-like .dwg based applications that are available on Linux.

Application Review: LibreCAD (Part II)

As I wrote in Part I LibreCAD is primarily focused on occasional and amateur CAD users.
That doesn't mean that you cannot use it for professional purposes.

Application Review: LibreCAD (Part I)

LibreCAD is a fork of QCAD Community Edition. It has a new GUI based on Qt 4x and some new features

TeighaViewer for Linux

TeighaViewer is a .dwg .dxf and .dgn viewer from Open Design Alliance.

You can download it for free here
Unfortunately for Ubuntu users it comes as .rpm package (32bit only)

Let's see how to install it in Ubuntu and other .deb based distros