Feb 25, 2012

Ubuntu 12.04 LTS 64bit will make the life easier to Linux CAD users and vendors

As you probably already know all the .dwg-based Linux CAD are 32bit only and their installation on 64bit Ubuntu systems is currently painful. But this will  change soon...

Feb 23, 2012

Highlights of Bricscad V12 Linux: Screenshot tour

Fully editable tables can be created or imported from csv files.
Here is a test file created with LibreOffice Calc 

 Editing the above table

 Flatshot command creates 2D profiles from 3D solids in model space

 The Quad cursor in action for easy and fast 3D direct modelling

The Solprof command is similar to Flatshot but in paper space
Hatch wipeout!

Refedit allows to edit xref's directly

 With this command you can: select which entity of the xref you want to edit and lock the others, 
add/remove entities to set,draw new geometry, save/discard changes

 Livesections in action

Feb 20, 2012

Bricscad V12 for Linux is out!

Today Bricsys has released the final V12 version of Bricscad for Linux.
This release includes many fixes and new features such as direct modelling, 2D and 3D parametric constraints, realistic rendering via RedSDK and more ( a full changelog is available here).
Bricscad V12 for Linux is a powerful and affordable application that can reduce the cost of a CAD workstation significantly . Combined with the upcoming Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, which will come with a 5-years support period, it can be a reliable long time solution for anyone, not only current Linux users.
Bricscad V12 for Linux comes in 3 versions:
  • Classic (2D only with LISP)
  • Pro (plus 3D, direct modelling, realistic rendering, BRX)
  • Platinum (plus 3D constraints and design intent capturing)
As usual 30-days trial version is available after registration

The installation on Ubuntu 11.10 32bit was fast and trouble-free. However the new features and especially the real-time realistic rendering need more powerful hardware (especially GPU). Also consider that you have to tweak some settings in order to get better performance ( I had to change the default settings of quad cursor to make it work better in my machine).


Startup Wizard



3d modelling space

Push/Pull in action

A more detailed view and any possible tweaks/fixes will be available soon.

Feb 9, 2012

Trazar City Tools for Bricscad Linux: A very good start

Bricscad for Linux is a powerful and fast application. While the V12 is in the final stage of development with a lot of cool new features including direct modelling and more, the current stable V11 is a very good choice for a Linux CAD workstation.
One of the advantages of Bricscad is that you can extend its functionality via APIs.
Trazar City Tools from Bethel IngenierĂ­a is the first and currently the only available application that is compatible with Bricscad for Linux.
It is a Lisp application so you can also use it with the cheap, 2D only, Classic version of Bricscad. Of course it is compatible with the Pro version too.
This application contains a full set of tools and libraries for effective 2D design of pipes, ducts, fire protection systems, plumbing, HVAC, and more.
Trazar City Tools can be downloaded from here for testing. A full license costs about 895$ or 995$ if you buy both Trazar City Tools and Bricscad Classic.

 Trazar Building Library window

Trazar Suite window


 All the extra toolbars of Trazar City Tools

So you can have a 2D DWG -compatible, Linux CAD workstation with extra MEP functionality with about 400-500$ lower cost than a Windows-based workstation with AutoCAD LT which cannot run external applications. A very interesting choice!!!




Feb 1, 2012

A silent DraftSight update: Some important fixes and a stupid new bug

Today I mentioned that the DraftSight's deb and rpm files have been updated since January's 17 but there was no information about that. No mail notification, not even a post on DraftSight's community. However this new V1R1.4 version of DraftSight is important for linux users.