Solved Good intuitive Linux CAD program?

[truckerDave]

I've downloaded and installed LibreCad, Openscad, FreeCad, and Sagcad from the Linux Mint Software Manager.

I used AutoCadd for years as a draftsman for an engineering firm a long time ago. And for the surveying company I was employed at for over 16 years. So, I at least used to know my way around a CADD program.

With each of the programs I mentioned above, I spent 15 to 20 minutes with each just trying to draw a simple straight line of a specific distance. I gave up on each. One shouldn't need to write a code for that to happen. Or go through 5 or six menus, etc.

Is there such a thing as a simple intuitive 2D drafting program for Linux???? I know there are "on-line" options. No thanks. Folks in an office far far away don't need direct access to my ideas. No matter how meager they are.

 

[AlphaObeisance]

Have you looked into DraftSight? DraftSight has a familiar interface for anyone used to AutoCAD and supports most of the basic drawing tools you'd expect, such as lines, circles, arcs, polylines, and more. It also allows you to open and edit DWG files.

 

[truckerDave]

Have you looked into DraftSight? DraftSight has a familiar interface for anyone used to AutoCAD and supports most of the basic drawing tools you'd expect, such as lines, circles, arcs, polylines, and more. It also allows you to open and edit DWG files.

Can't say I have as I've never heard of it til now. I'll go check it out.

 

[truckerDave]

Have you looked into DraftSight? DraftSight has a familiar interface for anyone used to AutoCAD and supports most of the basic drawing tools you'd expect, such as lines, circles, arcs, polylines, and more. It also allows you to open and edit DWG files.

That didn't take long. $300/yr is a bit pricey for something I would probably only use once or twice a year. But I do appreciate the lead!

 

[AlphaObeisance]

That didn't take long. $300/yr is a bit pricey for something I would probably only use once or twice a year. But I do appreciate the lead!

No problem! I don't have any personal experience with it but I did some research after reading your post and figured I'd share the findings.

Happy hunting!

 

[GatorsFan]

There is Cadquery here - https://github.com/CadQuery/cadquery

BRL-CAD here - https://github.com/BRL-CAD/brlcad

QCad here - https://qcad.org/en/ but it is only 2D

 

[JasKinasis]

Maybe try the CADSketcher extension for Blender?

 

[truckerDave]

QCad here - https://qcad.org/en/ but it is only 2D

Thank You!!

2D is what I am looking for. And QCad looks the part so far. I just installed it and am already able to get a grasp of it. Very (early) AutoCad like.

I dabble in woodworking and on occasion don't want to bother breaking out the abacus and slide rule to figure out angles etc. It's just easier to break out a program to draw up a more complex project.

If it does meet my needs, I would be open to paying for the Pro version if it wasn't for just 1 year of updates. But that, in my case, would be akin to paying $40 for a program to sign 15-20 Christmas cards when I'm fully capable of signing my own name.

 

[MikeWalsh]

There's also EagleCAD. Yes, you do need to create an a/c, but it runs entirely locally, is free to use, and should be immediately familiar to anyone that's ever used AutoCAD.......'cos it comes from the same people (AutoDesk).

(Oops; my mistake. It appears the "free" version I downloaded and played around with a couple of years ago is no longer viable. Now, it's only available to those who pay for an AutoDesk 'Fusion' subscription.......over $700 US dollars annually!)

Ouch. Forget that..! That's getting into enterprise territory.....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​

Me, I'll second the recommendation for QCad.....which is the original project from which LibreCAD was "forked" a number of years ago. It's always worked perfectly for my admittedly simple 2D CAD needs.....and IS intuitive & easy-to-use.

It's one of many apps I've re-built into 'portable' format for the 'Puppy' Linux community.


Mike.

 

[truckerDave]

Me, I'll second the recommendation for QCad.

I've used it for roughly an hour now. This will most certainly work for my purposes.

 

[DexTheDog]

Onshape is what I use.

 

[truckerDave]

Onshape is what I use.

Nah. I refuse to use "cloud based" programing. But if it works for you, have at it.

 

[Juin]

Hi! 4 options that you can try....1 - Draftsight 2019 (look for it instalation .deb in the Web, still works if you return the date of your OS, before open the program), 2 - ODA file explorer, 3- Freedraft (thrugh wine), 4 - progecad smart 2009 (thrugh wine), to convert recente DWGs file, to older version and open in some of those programs use ODA file converter... Paid options: Bricscad, Ares Commander, Gstarcad (just released).

 

[truckerDave]

Hi! 4 options that you can try....1 - Draftsight 2019 (look for it instalation .deb in the Web, still works if you return the date of your OS, before open the program), 2 - ODA file explorer, 3- Freedraft (thrugh wine), 4 - progecad smart 2009 (thrugh wine), to convert recente DWGs file, to older version and open in some of those programs use ODA file converter... Paid options: Bricscad, Ares Commander, Gstarcad (just released).

Much appreciated. However, I'll be using Qcad. It's intuitive and very sufficient for my needs.