1

In our office we use Windows 8.1 mostly and some 7. W7s are OK but 8.1s are not yet bought. Let's say we are "trying" them.

I have convinced the buying department to use Ubuntu since they are only using basic functions of Word and Excel and Outlook. They are very much happier with Writer, Calc and Thunderbird.

However, we do very much basic drawing of electrical units, lines, cameras, lambs etc. Using Autocad for this is really overkill. So no one wants to pay for it (it is still wrong though). So they accepted me looking for totally legal and equally usefull alternatives.

I have tried BricsCAD and DraftSight so far with no success.. In Turkey Linux is very little known, so is methods of installing apps on it. They are so used to click on an exe and "next" a few times.. In my unsuccessfull demonstration of installing both apps in 64bit Ubuntu 12.04LTS (and 13.10) they failed and I could not make them work no matter what.

We can not use FreeCAD and LibreCAD since they only work with DXF format and arcitects are sending us the files in DWG format.

Interestingly, they work pretty well when I try them on a Windows environment. But no success on Ubuntu, so this makes them think Ubuntu is not ready as a daily driver.

So basicly, I need to convince them to switch to a Ubuntu system with an easily install-able CAD program which gives us very basic 2D functions like making lines, polylines and stretching them, working with layers, locking layers, making and editing blocks (shaped like bulbs, fuses,..), moving, copying etc..

Could you advise me some solutions? Easy to be installed and similar to Autocad interface if possible. So I can convince everybody. They do NOT have to be free since they will anyway be very much cheaper than a Windows 8.1 + antivirus + Office + AutoCAD system :)

Olli
  • 9,129
Can
  • 11
  • 4

3 Answers3

0

VariCAD - 3D / 2D CAD software for mechanical engineering

VariCAD is compact, fast, easy to use, and provides everything necessary for mechanical design. VariCAD is sold "fully loaded", including all features and functions, for one affordable price. The system contains:

  • 3D Modeling
  • 2D Drawing and Editing
  • Optional Support of Parameters
  • Optional Support of Geometrical Constraints
  • Shells Modeling, Pipelines, Wires
  • Crash Tests (Interferences)
  • 3D Assemblies and Groups
  • Surface Development (Sheet Metal Unbending)
  • Mechanical Part Libraries and Symbol Libraries
  • Calculations of 3D Objects or 2D Sections
  • BOM and Title Blocks

Learn more about: https://www.varicad.com/en/home/products/description/

Maythux
  • 87,123
0

My first recommendation would be Electric, which is conceived precisely for the design of electrical systems. It can be installed directly from the Software Centre.

For something more akin to AutoCAD, beyond those you refer:

There are many others, but these are the most commonly referenced. I have used mostly QCAD and LibreCAD and never had interoperability problems.

Finally, note that DWG is not an open format and should never be used to transmit information. You should demand your sources data in more digestible formats like DXF.

Luís de Sousa
  • 13,500
-2

If you can't use Bricscad in your linux, you should really change your linux. Because Bricscad is the BEST native CAD in linux. By far.Second best is ARES Commnader and CorelCAD. Third best is DraftSight.

ipse lute
  • 2,614