Alternative to AutoCAD
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Not that I would ever consider returning to 3D in AutoCAD (well, maybe under torture!) but just occasionally it helps to have something to bridge the gap. I've just come across Dassault Systems's (FREE) DraftSight. It looks just like AutoCAD but from what I can see its 2D & without render facility, (only just found it this afternoon, so might be wrong). However, it could be exactly what I need for those occasional 2D plans/viewing ACAD files, etc. Does anyone else use it & what do you think?
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You have also the free DoubleCad XT who is fully compatible SU and Autocad
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Thanks Pilou, I'll take a look at that. You know, what I really want is CAD that will import a PDF file - any suggestions?
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DraftSight is great for general drafting, its very fast and light compared to Autocad and runs on my mac have been using it for while now and have not had any issues.
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Try open source Inkscape http://inkscape.org/ it wil open a pdf and save it as a dxf
Bep
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Do you want PDF 2D or 3DPDF ?
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Fantastic help everyone – many thanks! I’ve spent the last few hours playing with all these alternatives.
My dilemma was that my clients frequently supply site plans to me in PDF format (as well as the odd piece of artwork to convert to CAD for laser cutting), then for me to add construction details, (I do a lot of event plans). These are usually quite large & in the past (for speed) I used to just import the PDF image file straight into ACAD & draw over it. A more accurate & editable method is to convert the PDF to DXF (& erase unwanted info.) For this I use Serif Draw Plus (equivalent to Illustrator). However, the process can be temperamental & you sometimes lose details of the plans. In which case it’s always good to have an alternative programme/method of conversion.
I had two such PDFs this week (one logo & one site plan) & have tested both with Inkscape & DoubleCAD. The logo didn’t translate fully (but it had worked earlier this week thru’ Draw Plus & opened in SketchUp). The site plan was a perfect result. So success all round really!
I’ll definitely be using Inkscape & keep using both DoubleCAD & DraftSight for a few weeks (DC is the pro version on trial – very impressive, but need to test the free version too) & see which is preferable. Either way, that’s a gap filled in my software arsenal & I thought I was going to have to go out & spend £££s – Many thanks.
NB. Note to LO…Both DC & DS include spell check! -
Draftsight is very good 2D CAD, but pdf import is missing.
http://linuxaideddesign.blogspot.cz/2011/08/how-to-work-with-pdf-files-with-ares.htmlYou can try
Bricscad .. pdf underlays
http://www.bricsys.com/en_INTL/bricscad/features.jspprogecad ... pdf import
http://www.progesoft.com/en/products/progecad-professional/features[flash=400,250:eb984pqv]http://www.youtube.com/v/0V_CCzZtVH8?version=3&[/flash:eb984pqv]
Vectorworks .. pdf import
http://www.novedge.com/products/1467/tab/1[flash=400,250:eb984pqv]http://www.youtube.com/v/93ABuH9xvfo?version=3&[/flash:eb984pqv]
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Gosh!... I'l never get any work done - thinking of starting a PDF CAD trials prog.
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