Dionysus
Well-Known Member
Hey all, figured this would be the best place to put this.
I know there has been off-and-on discussion (or more appropriately inquiries) about various software possibilities for Linux users in Tech. Theatre. AutoCAD has been one thing missing for Linux users, neither AutoCAD or Vectorworks is Linux compatible and I know how hard it is to try and emulate it with something like WINE and have it work correctly. I've tried and failed many times.
AutoCAD is also expensive. I try and support the Open Source movement, and there is a lot of cool open source software out there, alot of which is cooler than paid equivalents. I've searched for a half-descent CAD program that is debian-based for a long while with no success. And suddenly I found something!!!
Bricsys' Bricscad is available on Windows and Linux! It is also easily half the price as AutoCAD or Vectorworks. I just downloaded the Demo, and it looks almost identical to about AutoCAD 2004, and uses the DWG file format! So all my old drawings down in AutoCAD 2004 or 2006 carry over (looked at a couple so far and they look fine).
The interface so far is VERY similar. Just trying to figure where a couple of things are yet. This is very exciting to me. I am seriously thinking about dropping the cash to buy this Debian alternative. Certainly saves me from spending the money I was thinking about spending on building a VM server to run CAD remotely on an XP emulated machine over the network. (not an ideal solution).
The program is available Here, with a 30-day trial.
What do you guys think?
(edit) P.S. I have my copy of Lightwright 4, working OK in WINE, just can't do layouts/print b/c it does not seem to like the WINE printer drivers.
I know there has been off-and-on discussion (or more appropriately inquiries) about various software possibilities for Linux users in Tech. Theatre. AutoCAD has been one thing missing for Linux users, neither AutoCAD or Vectorworks is Linux compatible and I know how hard it is to try and emulate it with something like WINE and have it work correctly. I've tried and failed many times.
AutoCAD is also expensive. I try and support the Open Source movement, and there is a lot of cool open source software out there, alot of which is cooler than paid equivalents. I've searched for a half-descent CAD program that is debian-based for a long while with no success. And suddenly I found something!!!
Bricsys' Bricscad is available on Windows and Linux! It is also easily half the price as AutoCAD or Vectorworks. I just downloaded the Demo, and it looks almost identical to about AutoCAD 2004, and uses the DWG file format! So all my old drawings down in AutoCAD 2004 or 2006 carry over (looked at a couple so far and they look fine).
The interface so far is VERY similar. Just trying to figure where a couple of things are yet. This is very exciting to me. I am seriously thinking about dropping the cash to buy this Debian alternative. Certainly saves me from spending the money I was thinking about spending on building a VM server to run CAD remotely on an XP emulated machine over the network. (not an ideal solution).
The program is available Here, with a 30-day trial.
What do you guys think?
(edit) P.S. I have my copy of Lightwright 4, working OK in WINE, just can't do layouts/print b/c it does not seem to like the WINE printer drivers.
Last edited: