any autocad users here?

[b.mulqueen]

ive been curious about linux for some time now. i am currently a cad user. i seen there are some replacements, but would rather use the autodesk software(i am supposed to be getting a job with a reseller) i was wondering if anybody was in the same boat. or if u guys would recomend dual boot or somthing?

anyways im new to the forums. and just deciding on whether to go linux or not?

[kakariko81280]

Indirectly, yes. My brother is a civil engineer and all round geek so it was only a matter of time before we tried autocad under Linux.

The good news:

It works pretty well. Everything we tried worked exactly as it would under windows. We opened a few plans and it all looked pretty ship shape. All very painless under a default installation of wine.

The bad news:

While everything we did worked, that is no guarantee that everything will work. If you get caught out with some obscure but needed feature that crashes autocad then you'll be in a tricky situation.

I emailed autodesk about the chances of producing a native version and got no reply. Conspiracy theories abound.

As much as it pains me to say it; as long as you rely on autocad professionally, I'd run it under windows.

I'd still suggest dual booting. Linux is a worthy thing to learn about all on its own, and if you are working for a reseller then you may have better luck with an email than I did. Autocad for Linux would be a very, very nice thing.

Let us know how you get on,

Chris...

[Jonathan183]

ive been curious about linux for some time now. i am currently a cad user. i seen there are some replacements, but would rather use the autodesk software(i am supposed to be getting a job with a reseller) i was wondering if anybody was in the same boat. or if u guys would recomend dual boot or somthing?

anyways im new to the forums. and just deciding on whether to go linux or not?

I use Autocad occasionally at work but this is on Windows 2000. I have Linux and Windows on a couple of machines at home. I have not had time to try CAD packages out yet.

A quick search on the web shows that people have got Autocad to work on Linux but this is using Wine or Crossover Office. As these both allow Windows applications to run on a Linux machine things will almost certainly be slower than if run on Windows. Autodesk are also unlikely to support these types of installation.

As previous poster I would go for dual boot if you want to use Autocad. I find I use Windows at home very little ... months between Windows boots.

[b.mulqueen]

thanx for the quick response. i think i am go ahead the with dual boot. any advice for a newbie. i have been reading all day and feel i haven't touched the surface. i think i am going to be going with Ubuntu, for starters.

[oz]

i think i am going to be going with Ubuntu, for starters.

Here's a poll you can check for favorite distro for new users:

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/cof...rs-2008-a.html

Ubuntu seems to always win it, so you've apparently made a good choice.

[Jonathan183]

thanx for the quick response. i think i am go ahead the with dual boot. any advice for a newbie. i have been reading all day and feel i haven't touched the surface. i think i am going to be going with Ubuntu, for starters.

1. Try some of the live CDs before you install to the hard drive.

2. Download the PartedMagic CD and set up the partitions you want (it will let you resize windows partitions etc.)

3. Store data to a separate partition - it makes backup easier, means you are less likely to lose your data if an operating system crashes and makes it easy to share information between your Windows and Linux applications.

4. There is a poll on best distro for new users you may want to check out. Ozar put the link in previous post !

[b.mulqueen]

Here's a poll you can check for favorite distro for new users:

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/cof...rs-2008-a.html

Ubuntu seems to always win it, so you've apparently made a good choice.

i checked the poll before i posted. it actually helped me pick Ubuntu. i am gonna try the live cd first. my home computer is actually my brothers.(my work laptop gets here this week) his drive is partitioned already.

any other tips for newb, must haves, personal triumph or disaster stories, or links to good info would be appreicated.

i feel as if i am making a huge step. (in the right direction)

[oz]

any other tips for newb, must haves, personal triumph or disaster stories, or links to good info would be appreicated.

Check the link in my signature for lots of good information on getting started with Linux. It's a lot of reading, but most of it is well worth the time spent and it gives you a better understanding of what you are getting yourself into.

Enjoy the Linux experience...

[b.mulqueen]

Check the link in my signature for lots of good information on getting started with Linux. It's a lot of reading, but most of it is well worth the time spent and it gives you a better understanding of what you are getting yourself into.

Enjoy the Linux experience...

thanx. gave it a gander before my fist post. one last question. before i do this tomorrow. i see red hat fedora has technical support while the majority likes Ubuntu better. it also seems more people are surfing the red hat/fedora forums.

i was wonder if you had to choose between Ubuntu and red hat/fedora which would you choose.

i am pretty set on Ubuntu. hope i dont have any issues.

thanks for all the responces

[Suvir]

Hey,
I would suggest CAElinux. I dont really use much of autocad myself. But just a suggestion. Check CAElinux. They claim its a distro specially for scientists and engineers.