[Lvlug] CAD Software for Linux

[Scott Phelan]

I haven't looked at GnuCash, but I will.

SolidWorks offers a Linux compatible viewer (Java Based) so they are at 
least showing some interest.

Solid Edge is what we use now. My Solid Edge sales rep didn't seem like 
he was very knowledgeable about what goes on upstairs. But he did point 
out that they are working on a Linux port of some other engineering 
software called NX UNIX.
It's a really high end CAD/CAM and they are working with help from AMD 
to port it to x64 based Linux.
It gives them the advantage of being able to sell it to users that don't 
have money for a Unix workstation.
To me this is a vision of hope for more serious Linux apps to come of 
age. It's only just a matter of time.

I'm sure there will be more movement on all the commercial software 
companies, i.e. gaming and the more serious apps to Linux in the next 
few years. I'm just letting them know that I'm looking to see them as 
soon as possible.

I got a name for the director of Technology Management at UGS, it's Bob 
Brandenstein. He is heading up the team working on NX. I'll email him 
something.

Scott

Stephen Corbesero wrote:

>Good luck in your search, and I would be interested if you find
>something.  I suspect you will find something.
>
>
>This is somewhat of a disappointment since the real cad packages
>started on Unix workstations.  In the "old days', 70's and 80's,
>workstations were the only machines that had enough power to do real cad
>work.  I remember when AutoCad came out.  It was nice, but it was
>somewhat of a step down from the packages I was used to at school.
>PC's just couldn't handle the big apps.  
>
>Nowadays, although PC's can handle the big apps, the big apps still
>have somewhat of a little machine mentality and just don't "feel" like
>they are industrial strength.
>
>As far as financial software goes, have you looked at GnuCASH?
>
>
>
>On Mon, Dec 19, 2005 at 06:56:06PM -0500, Scott Phelan wrote:
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>
>>Here at my place of business, we use a high end 3D cad package called 
>>Solid Edge.
>>It's Windoze only.  During the latest upgrade, it popped up a message 
>>saying that they will stop supporting Win 2000 in two more revisions. 
>>Advanced notice is nice, but I won't be DOWNgrading any of my machines 
>>to XP and I won't give Microsoft a dime.
>>
>>So taking a clue from the podcast, I contacted my sales rep and asked if 
>>they are doing anything to produce a Linux version. I even offered to 
>>alpha or beta test it. I got back a standard response.
>>
>>- snip -
>>
>>As far as I know, there are no plans to investigate porting Solid Edge to
>>any platform other than Windows. The cost of this exercise is enormous,
>>including the "hidden" costs of extra testing/certification, support,
>>translation to other languages etc.  
>>
>>- snip -
>>
>>So I've asked for an email address of someone in marketing that may be 
>>interested in why they should consider it.
>>
>>CAD and a good financial package is really the only thing keeping us 
>>from being an all Linux shop.
>>Anyone else deal with the CAD issue? Do you know of any good ammunition 
>>to use to let them know that we will go with the first company that has 
>>a good working Linux package.
>>I want to be able to show them the hidden cost of ignoring the Linux 
>>user base.
>>I've heard that Solid Works (their main competitor) is working on, but 
>>has yet to release a Linux version.
>>    
>>
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