Editing Getting started with 2D CAD drafting
From Wiki.OSArch
Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
The edit can be undone. Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then save the changes below to finish undoing the edit.
Latest revision | Your text | ||
Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
The field of 2D CAD within the AEC industry is currently dominated by [[AutoCAD]], and in particular, the proprietary [[Drawing (DWG)|DWG]] file format. Heavy reliance on AutoCAD, along with the tight control that parent company Autodesk exerts over the proprietary DWG file format, both stifles innovation and perpetuates proprietary software in our industry. In contrast [[AEC_Open_Data_Standards_Directory|open formats]] support users freedom. | The field of 2D CAD within the AEC industry is currently dominated by [[AutoCAD]], and in particular, the proprietary [[Drawing (DWG)|DWG]] file format. Heavy reliance on AutoCAD, along with the tight control that parent company Autodesk exerts over the proprietary DWG file format, both stifles innovation and perpetuates proprietary software in our industry. In contrast [[AEC_Open_Data_Standards_Directory|open formats]] support users freedom. | ||
− | To make the switch away from proprietary software and file formats, there are two key ways in which you can make a difference in the industry. The first is by requesting and producing the open [[ | + | To make the switch away from proprietary software and file formats, there are two key ways in which you can make a difference in the industry. The first is by requesting and producing the open [[Drawing Exchange Format (DXF)|DXF]] format instead of the proprietary DWG format. The second is by switching from AutoCAD to another software entirely. |
= Switch from DWG to DXF = | = Switch from DWG to DXF = | ||
Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
[[Drawing Exchange Format (DXF)]] is an open format that provides many similar features to [[Drawing (DWG)]]. In general, DXF is much more widely supported and has much better cross-platform support. It is extremely easy to switch. Almost all CAD software has the ability to read and write DXF, so it is simply a manner of making it a habit to use one instead of the other. It is also usually a good idea to specify DXF as a digital deliverable in contracts. Most BIM projects currently specify IFC as an OpenBIM format, but neglect to also specify DXF as an open format. | [[Drawing Exchange Format (DXF)]] is an open format that provides many similar features to [[Drawing (DWG)]]. In general, DXF is much more widely supported and has much better cross-platform support. It is extremely easy to switch. Almost all CAD software has the ability to read and write DXF, so it is simply a manner of making it a habit to use one instead of the other. It is also usually a good idea to specify DXF as a digital deliverable in contracts. Most BIM projects currently specify IFC as an OpenBIM format, but neglect to also specify DXF as an open format. | ||
− | If a DWG file is provided, and it is not possible to ask for the provider to provide a DXF instead, you have a few options. The first is to open the DWG with QCAD or [[LibreCAD|LibreCAD]], and then convert it to a DXF yourself. Of the two, QCAD's support for DWG far surpasses [[LibreCAD|LibreCAD]], but unfortunately relies on | + | If a DWG file is provided, and it is not possible to ask for the provider to provide a DXF instead, you have a few options. The first is to open the DWG with QCAD or [[LibreCAD|LibreCAD]], and then convert it to a DXF yourself. Of the two, QCAD's support for DWG far surpasses [[LibreCAD|LibreCAD]], but unfortunately relies on ODA. |
FreeCAD 0.19 linux version (appimage) [https://yorik.uncreated.net/blog/2021-004-freecad-november-december can import DWG files based on LibreDWG library], and eventually export with this format too. To install this library on Windows version see this [https://wiki.freecadweb.org/FreeCAD_and_DWG_Import FreeCAD documentation]. | FreeCAD 0.19 linux version (appimage) [https://yorik.uncreated.net/blog/2021-004-freecad-november-december can import DWG files based on LibreDWG library], and eventually export with this format too. To install this library on Windows version see this [https://wiki.freecadweb.org/FreeCAD_and_DWG_Import FreeCAD documentation]. | ||
Line 59: | Line 59: | ||
= Switching to free/libre software = | = Switching to free/libre software = | ||
− | While there are very advanced free/libre 3D geometry applications, there are very few 2D applications | + | While there are very advanced free/libre 3D geometry applications, there are very few 2D applications. |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
* [[QCAD]] Community Edition is the most feature rich libre/free software for 2D CAD. It is multi platform and supports a typical 2D CAD workflow. | * [[QCAD]] Community Edition is the most feature rich libre/free software for 2D CAD. It is multi platform and supports a typical 2D CAD workflow. | ||
* [[QCAD]] Professional is the paid version of QCAD with a few more functions. Buy QCADE professional supports the development of QCAD Community Edition. | * [[QCAD]] Professional is the paid version of QCAD with a few more functions. Buy QCADE professional supports the development of QCAD Community Edition. | ||
* [[LibreCAD]] is a free/libre 2D CAD software. It is a fork from QCAD v2 and has seen gradual development. | * [[LibreCAD]] is a free/libre 2D CAD software. It is a fork from QCAD v2 and has seen gradual development. | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
* [[FreeCAD]] has three workbenches useful for 2D drafting, [https://wiki.freecadweb.org/Sketcher_Workbench Sketcher], [https://wiki.freecadweb.org/Draft_Module Draft] & [https://wiki.freecadweb.org/TechDraw_Module Techdraw]. TechDraw is the most advanced and sees most development. | * [[FreeCAD]] has three workbenches useful for 2D drafting, [https://wiki.freecadweb.org/Sketcher_Workbench Sketcher], [https://wiki.freecadweb.org/Draft_Module Draft] & [https://wiki.freecadweb.org/TechDraw_Module Techdraw]. TechDraw is the most advanced and sees most development. | ||
* [[SolveSpace]] can import DWG files up to some extend (even saved as AutoCAD 2013). It has some basic 2D drawing tools to do some edition. Finally it can export the files as DXF (2007), PDF or SVG. | * [[SolveSpace]] can import DWG files up to some extend (even saved as AutoCAD 2013). It has some basic 2D drawing tools to do some edition. Finally it can export the files as DXF (2007), PDF or SVG. | ||
− | * [https://github.com/zamtmn/zcad ZCAD] is a small 2D CAD program that can open | + | * [https://github.com/zamtmn/zcad ZCAD] is a small 2D CAD program that can open DXF files and has a few edition tools. You can save as DXF, PDF ad SVG. |
− | * [http://lx-viewer.sourceforge.net/ LX-Viewer] (Linux Drawing Viewer) is a program that will allow you to open, view, print DXF files. But it cannot | + | * [http://lx-viewer.sourceforge.net/ LX-Viewer] (Linux Drawing Viewer) is a program that will allow you to open, view, print DXF files. But it cannot make edition. |
− | * [[Inkscape]] & [[Krita]] have been used by some for drafting. You can use Inkscape as PDF/DXF converter, for | + | * [[Inkscape]] & [[Krita]] have been used by some for drafting. You can use Inkscape as PDF/DXF converter, for drawing edition and presentation improvement. And then, export a final PDF/DXF file. |
− | * [https://www.libreoffice.org/ Libre Office Draw] can open DXF files version 2004 or earlier, but it cannot make | + | * [https://www.libreoffice.org/ Libre Office Draw] can open DXF files version 2004 or earlier, but it cannot make significant edition. Also, it only can export PDF/SVG format. |
− | |||
= See also = | = See also = |