CAD for Linux............

[Jack_Hester]

I try to have a hard drive with Fedora loaded, just to do a bit in Linux.  I recently tried Ubuntu and SUSE, but moved back to Fedora, just for familiarity.  Too old to change much. 

Anyway, I made a quick search to see if any topics applied to mine, but only found old ones with not as much detail.  I use AutoCAD '05 for my schematics and all other CAD related drawings.  I've used Draftsight in the past, but not much.  I have Fedora 22 installed on a drive that I can pop in and experiment.  At the moment, I have Bri-CAD and Draftsight downloading (on a very slow DSL). 

Is there a preferred CAD program that will open my .DWG files (freebie, of course)?  I know that Draftsight will.  Not sure about Bri-CAD. 

Jack

[pompeiisneaks]

I am no CAD expert, I'm a linux one though. I've been using it for about 20 years at this point, (Started in the early 90's in college).  I found this with a quick google search, but I don't know which ones may open DWG files:

http://www.techdrivein.com/2011/08/8-best-cad-apps-for-linux.html

OTOH here is a DWG viewer:

http://lx-viewer.sourceforge.net/

~Phil

[HighFlyingV]

Try libre cad , true open source . It is at the bottom of the above techdriven page I have not tried it .

[Jack_Hester]

I couldn't get Draftsight or BRL-CAD to install On Fedora.  Just wouldn't finish.  I have viewers, but want to try a Linux CAD editor.  I'll try the LibreCAD, as I have several of the Libre packages installed.

Jack

[pompeiisneaks]

what kinds of problems were you having?  Redhat happens to be my strength.

any output at all?

[Jack_Hester]

Redhat was my first experience, many years ago.  A book and a CD in the back.  I don't use Linux very often, as most of my applications are Windows-based.  But, I still like to experiment from time to time. 

With the current Fedora, the installation was clean and fast, from the memory stick that I had to purchase to get the full program.  The Draftsight that I tried is a Beta, so I didn't expect a whole lot.  It didn't install, after a couple attempts.  So, I'm not chasing that one, until they have something proven.  However, I'm not having much success installing other drafting programs.  They just fail after a few minutes of installing.  Have not tried LibreCAD, so that will be next.  I'm not spending much time on Linux, so when I do, it's in short spells.  The machine has an i5 Intel processor with 32G of RAM.  I use an onboard docking station for laptop drives, so I can pop out the Windows drive, and insert the Linux (500G) drive.

Jack

[pompeiisneaks]

Okay well when you try the next installation, try running it with verbose settings (If you know how) or from a command prompt if possible, and show me the output.  There may also be a log that was generated from the install somewhere.  If you could point me to the software you're installing I don't mind looking up the install process on redhat and seeing what may be going on as well.

~Phil

[Jack_Hester]

Thanks.  When I do that, you will have to explain verbose setting.  I lived with DOS, long after everyone else had moved to Windows.  That's the last time I did any serious command prompt work.  That is, except for CHKDSK from the command prompt in the modern Windows. 

I am unfamiliar with Linux command prompt usage, or the commands.  There was a time at work that I used UNIX, but have long since forgotten those commands. 

Jack

[pompeiisneaks]

Well since I don't know what 'installer' it is using, that's hard to say, I can try to do an install myself and see what I get.  Basically there is often some option in the installer for verbose output, or the help menu shows you where to find the logs.  Also some logs just dump into your home directory, so you could open the file manager and see if there are any logs there.   Let me know what app you're using, the link to the page maybe and I'll see if I can download it and get it going.

~Phil

[pompeiisneaks]

Okay I think I've figured out what is failing most likely.

you are running a 64 bit OS but the app is 32 bit.  You'll need to install some 32 bit libraries to support it. 

At a minimum I had to install two.  I did this in a terminal via:

sudo dnf install mesa-libGLU.i686 32 bit libs for graphics work

sudo dnf install nas  (mine was missing the entire audio stuff needed)

sudo dns install nas-libs.i686  for the 32 bit libs for audio

Then the installation worked. 

I didn't get much of a chance to play with it, as my laptop ran dead and I can't find a charging cable :P

It did launch and work though. 

~Phil

[pompeiisneaks]

I realized my statements were pretty unclear because I didn't separate the commands from some of my comments.  Reread those but run these commands:

sudo dnf install mesa-libGLU.i686
sudo dnf install nas
sudo dns install nas-libs.i686

those three installations should do it, you can put them all on one line likely like so:

sudo dnf install mesa-libGLU.i686 nas nas-libs.i686

~Phil

[Jack_Hester]

Had to stay home from Church, as I'm having to cover as the on-call tech for a co-worker.  So, I decided to wipe the hard drive on my Linux machine, re-install Fedora 22, and then see if I could install LibreCAD. 

Well, it worked.  Now, I'm seeing if I can install Dropbox.  Never tried this on Linux, but I sure hope it works.  I use Dropbox to transfer/copy files to and from my private computer in my cubicle at work.  I spend time on it early in the morning and at lunch. 

I'll report back with my progress.  I have my Sano drawings folder on it, at present.  This is the amp that I have posted on another thread.  I'm anxious to see how well LibreCAD works with my AutoCAD drawings.  I only work in 2-D.  It states that it can take DXF and DWG files.  We'll see.  More to come.  Have a good one. 

Jack

[pompeiisneaks]

Sounds good, let me know what you find.  I've never done dropbox either, but I doubt it would be too hard.

~Phil

[Jack_Hester]

Dropbox installed just fine.  Got my Sano drawings on the Linux machine.  However, LibreCAD crashes when trying to open a DWG file.  I'll go make a DXF of a drawing and give it a try. 

Jack

[pompeiisneaks]

Looks like a recent known issue that's been patched, but not sure if it is in the main release yet: http://forum.librecad.org/Opening-dwg-error-amp-crash-librecad-td5712323.html

~Phil

[Jack_Hester]

As a side note to this thread, I've spent a bit more time becoming familiar with Fedora 22.  I've learned how to put shortcuts on my desktop, and how to better emulate the Windows 7/8/10 environment that I have to use, otherwise.  I'm liking it more and more.  Maybe because my learning curve is going up, and moving around in it is easier. 

I did get Draftsight to install, but it won't run.  I get an error message:

Failed to load modules. The application will close.
Please reinstall the application.

And, I am unable to remove it.  I'll chase this more during the upcoming week. 

Jack

[Jack_Hester]

Success!  Draftsight now loads and appears to be in working order.  I will opens some drawings in a little while, and see if they edit like in AutoCAD. 

I found a webpage that recommended a number of installations to enhance Fedora.  Installed most of them, but the one that I believe to be the fix for the CAD issue was an app called: Fedy

Found here: https://www.linux.com/learn/tutorials/833026-things-to-do-after-installing-fedora-22

It also fixed or enabled a lot of other features. 

So, back to the CAD topic.  I'll report my findings with Draftsight on Fedora when I'm back on this machine.  Have a good one. 

Jack

[pompeiisneaks]

Cool glad you got it all working.  It can be tricking getting used to a new environment.  Like its been tricky for me getting used to tube amps :)

~Phil

[Jack_Hester]

I have an Akai Professional EIE that I picked up awhile back.  I can't remember why I chose this particular piece, other than I obtained it for a really good price.  I know nothing about it, yet.  But, I wanted something for experimenting with recording at better quality than directly into the computer.  I've got a couple friends with studios, but they don't live close by.  I'm new to recording anything, so it will be ongoing. 

Point is, I've been looking at some software offered for such, for Fedora (probably Linux, in general), to interface with this equipment.  I sure hope it works.  The machine that I'm on now, is a 64 bit machine.  My old laptop will only support 32 bit, and the reason I bring this up is that rather than trying to upgrade it from XP to a 32 bit Win10, I'll try a fresh installation of Fedora 23 32 bit.  Then, I can install DraftSight, and hopefully the same recording software  that I may find for the Akai.  Mobility is why I am making this effort.  Mobility in recording, that is.  It's still a good machine, and I dislike abandoning anything that is still useful.  I know tablets are the thing, nowadays.  But, I like old tools, and this has now become an old tool. 

Anyway, I'll report my success (hopefully that) with Fedora on that machine.  Have a good one. 

Jack

[pompeiisneaks]

Looks like EIE support on linux is beta at best, see this site for details:

https://github.com/mmm444/eie-pro-linux

Sadly that can be one of the problems with linux is that large vendors like Akai never provide drivers for Linux.

~Phil

[Jack_Hester]

Looks like EIE support on linux is beta at best, see this site for details:

https://github.com/mmm444/eie-pro-linux

Sadly that can be one of the problems with linux is that large vendors like Akai never provide drivers for Linux.

~Phil

Fortunately, my 16 bit EIE works well with Linux.  As I have now learned the term 'class compliant', and that my interface falls in that realm, I am able to use it with just about any audio software.  Mine is not considered the Pro model.  The Pro EIE is not class compliant, and special drivers are needed.  My progress can be found on my thread for Fedora Linux.

Jack