Open and Edit DWG files in 32bit and 64bit Linux with DraftSight

[Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec)]

Ever wanted to open and edit .DWG files in Linux... I've just come across DraftSight:
http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/free-cad-software

Free* CAD Software, that has a Linux edition
(*Standalone license. Activation required.)

The only issue I had was that it is 32bit ONLY (at least the .deb version is)... the good news, it CAN be installed in 64bit Ubuntu/Mint and no doubt Debian.

Ubuntu 64bit installation instructions -

Download the DraftSight.deb file from here:
http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/download-draftsight/
and place it in your home directory.

First you'llneed a few packages installing, so open a terminal and enter:

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sudo apt-get install ia32-libs libdirectfb-extra libxcb-render-util0 libaudio2

then cd to your home directory:

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cd ~

then try a forced install:

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sudo dpkg -i --force-architecture DraftSight.deb

Now test the application...

In GNOME 2.x it'll be in the Applications>Graphics menu.
In Unity, search the Applications lens for DraftSight.

If you get errors whils installing, as I did...

Create a temporary directory in you home directory called tempds

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mkdir ~/tempds

move the DraftSight.deb into it:

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mv ~/DraftSight.deb ~/tempds/DraftSight.deb

cd into the tempds directory:

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cd ~/tempds

and extract the DraftSight.deb contents:

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dpkg-deb -x DraftSight.deb ~/tempds && dpkg-deb -e DraftSight.deb ~/tempds/DEBIAN

Now you need to copy the ~/tempds/opt/dassault-systemes directory to /opt :

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sudo cp -r ~/tempds/opt/dassault-systemes /opt

and the ~/tempds/var/opt directory to /var :

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sudo cp -r ~/tempds/var/opt /var

Now cd onto the ~/tempds/DEBIAN directory:

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cd ~/tempds/DEBIAN

And run these final 2 commands to finish the install:

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sudo ./preinst

and

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sudo ./postinst

That's it, you're done... test the application works, if it does you can safely delete the tempds directory.

[BkS]

This will be very useful for mocking up some plans of mine! I used to use CAD a lot on windows. Thanking you muchly Mark!

[Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec)]

As you're running the 32bit version of Ubuntu (I think), just download the DraftSight.deb and double-click to install

You only have to do the above for 64bit Ubuntu/Mint/Debian.

[donwatson]

Hi Mark,
I have just found this and it looks as if it could be useful to me.
I am running Peppermint 3 will I be able to 'just download the DraftSight.deb and double-click to install '

take care
Don W
I use Solidworks eDrawings to view .EASM files.
Dassault Systemes Corporation seem to be the head honcho in a group that includes Solidworks, 3ds and DraftSight ?

[Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec)]

If you have Peppermint 32bit .. then quite probably it will just install if you get the .deb

If  you have Peppermint 64bit .. then you'll probably have to follow the instructions above.

But any problems, give me a shout.

If you're not sure if you have 32bit or 64bit .. post the output from:

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uname -a

[donwatson]

Hi Mark,
Here is the output you asked for

Linux ldwatson 3.2.0-23-generic #36-Ubuntu SMP Tue Apr 10 20:41:14 UTC 2012 i686 athlon i386 GNU/Linux

Hope this helps

take care
Don W

[Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec)]

Yup, you're running 32bit .. so DraftSight *should* just install and work

[donwatson]

Thanks Mark,
It is running ok, but will take a while to get used to.
The programme seems to insist on using Imperial measurement every time I start up, while I insist on using Metric.
I will have a read through the Help File and see what I can do.

take care
Don W
PS I am having problems with VLC now so I will find a Forum that suits.

take care
Don W