Any decent general CAD programs for Linux (like AutoCAD)

[Red Squirrel]

Linux seems to really lack in CAD programs, at least ones that I've tried.  They are not intuitive to use at all and very cumbersome and tedious compared to say, AutoCAD.  Speaking about general CAD and not PCB.  I've tried LibreCAD, FreeCAD, and a few others.  One feature all of them seem to lack is the ability to type dimensions on the fly as you are drawing a line.   You can do this in AutoCAD and it saves a lot of time.   Also they mostly all seem to lack ability to select chunks of objects and do things with them, like move, duplicate etc.

There is also Blender, but it's not really suited for precision, specifying or measuring dimensions is not exactly easily doable. 

Is there perhaps a program I'm missing that I did not try?  I'd like to eventually look into 3D printing or CNC but need an intuitive way to actually design objects.  I'm hoping I don't have to rely on having to run a windows program in a VM, as that means having to setup network shares and permissions and all that and overall having to manage a separate OS.

[Circlotron]

The full paid Windows version of QCAD seems to run okay under wine. I don't know whether it has all the features you want though.

[olkipukki]

Linux seems to really lack in CAD programs, at least ones that I've tried. 

free or commercial? If 2nd - have a look BricsCAD

[Red Squirrel]

Looking for free, hopefully.  If I'm going to pay I'm just going to use AutoCAD.

[olkipukki]

As far as I know, AutoCAD doesn't run under Linux (without Windows VM etc) and you cannot buy a perpetual license. Also, you will need a full license (not LT) to work with 3D models...

Anyway, if you are after 3D and CNC, free Fusion 360 is worth to consider.

P.S.
DraftSight 2D used to be free, but not anymore, still possible activate a free DraftSight 2018 not sure how long

[PKTKS]

Linux seems to really lack in CAD programs, at least ones that I've tried.
(..)
There is also Blender, but it's not really suited for precision, specifying or measuring dimensions is not exactly easily doable. 
(..)

It depends on that "precision" you have in mind.

You quote the best options:
- FreeCAD
- Blender

both can do quite a lot and quite impressive with few resources
really small footprint and - best of all free of charge and **ROYALTIES**

Subscribing AutoCAD and Windows and all that CLOUD crappy things
and paying that for long term... well  I will not issue opinion

We were bounded to believe that AutoCAD and MS and now
"THE CLOUD"  are the only "options"... they are not.

You also have one more option that is like above 2 free of
that ROYALTIES and fees..  Wings3D

Wings is also a quite capable 3D CAD and runs like no other
based on a proper alternative language  http://www.wings3d.com/

It is quite capable https://www.youtube.com/user/wings3dchannel/videos

If you (like me) was forced to the AutoCAD way of things since
the DOS times...  this example of using FreeCAD
may help to understand that IT DOES THE JOB QUITE FINE as well



it's  a matter of changing the mind and dropping all that crappy CLOUD
model of fees and charges which some folks are doing quite a lot to push

hope it helps
Paul

[Red Squirrel]

By precision I mostly mean being able to do things like snap, or type dimensions on the fly as I'm drawing a line etc.   Blender is all free hand modeling so you can't really make things specific sizes, at least not all that easily without having to manually dial it in.  Or is there ways to specify dimensions as you're building?  I've only played briefly with Blender.  If I can get that to work as a CAD program it would be the best bet as it's such a universal free program.   Is there maybe plugins or modes that give it more of a CAD feel?

I tried Freecad but you can't type dimensions on the fly as you model so it makes it very tedious.  Also lacks lot of things like being able to select a bunch of stuff and copy/move etc.  Basically standard features most windows programs would have to make workflow easy.

And yeah don't want to do anything subscription or cloud based.   I used Google Sketchup a few times and it was great, too bad you can't download that as a desktop app that runs in Linux since it would be perfect.

Wings3D sounds interesting never heard of that one, may check it out.

[PKTKS]

type dimensions on the fly as I'm drawing a line etc.   

The FreeCAD example shows exactly how you type "dimensions"
I have chosen that very specifically

Blender is all free hand modeling so you can't really make things specific sizes

No. You may have to twist a bit your "concepts"

When AutoCAD  was "introduced" CAD on the PC was a very (VERY) crud thing
LISP was most of the time used to achieve tasks that today some newbies
take for granted just in a "MENU" of operations.

Under the hood CAD (and all GKS based system) runs without the notion
of "dimension" - IT USES A PLAIN  "UNIT" (aka "1") and all the things are
multiple in that "dimension" (or fractions)

This eventually became a specification (aka VRML or in open lingo OpenGL)

VRML works in a unitary dimensionless space.
You just define what a UNIT means... ( milimeter kilometer  whatever )

That is the base of most "MODELING" tools like Wings3D and Blender
the vrml  script may be rendered in whatever canvas you want.
(One of the base premises of the GKS System when devised)

After you have been "educated" in the AutoCAD  confined spaces
and  LISP scripts tools.. it is hard to cut loose of all that and think
free using other design methods.

The FreeCAD example  show how to do that.

An enormous number of folks is now USING FreeCAD to export
the STEP files  directly to 3D printers.. 

** IN A VERY EXACT and PRECISE DIMENSION SPACE **  (3D printers)

so just a matter of learning a new tool and cutting loose the old methods

Wings3D sounds interesting never heard of that one, may check it out.

You will find  some intermediate tool in between BLENDER (3D dimensionless space)
and FreeCAD...  precise and complex operations in simple (VERY SIMPLE) menus.

Wings3D is very powerful in complex tasks.

KiCAD MODELS WERE MOSTLY WRITTEN using Wings.
While now the STEP models have been ported using FreeCAD

Unfortunately while VRML is pathetic small (but very good rendering)
STEP models are enormous and consume dozen GIGA bytes more space.

I am still avoiding converting my VRML KiCAD models to STEP.
It will use 20x to 50x times more space and require more resources....

New times already started in GL standards.
Rendering with POVRay is far more easy and small using VRML

and I still can edit the VRML KiCAD models in Wings3D just fine.
2 cents of paved ways
Paul

[Warhawk]

Linux seems to really lack in CAD programs, at least ones that I've tried.  They are not intuitive to use at all and very cumbersome and tedious compared to say, AutoCAD.  Speaking about general CAD and not PCB.  I've tried LibreCAD, FreeCAD, and a few others.  One feature all of them seem to lack is the ability to type dimensions on the fly as you are drawing a line.   You can do this in AutoCAD and it saves a lot of time.   Also they mostly all seem to lack ability to select chunks of objects and do things with them, like move, duplicate etc.

There is also Blender, but it's not really suited for precision, specifying or measuring dimensions is not exactly easily doable. 

Is there perhaps a program I'm missing that I did not try?  I'd like to eventually look into 3D printing or CNC but need an intuitive way to actually design objects.  I'm hoping I don't have to rely on having to run a windows program in a VM, as that means having to setup network shares and permissions and all that and overall having to manage a separate OS.

Right on time Mr. Red Squirrel, I've been dealing with the same issue too and found some decent solutions.

First of all, the only usable 2D cad which runs under linux is DraftSight. It used to be the best kid in the town but what happened is quite known. It is not free anymore and it is subscription only. I would buy it but subscription SW is not for me. I am not a latte drinking instagram smug.

The good thing is that the versions for MAC and Linux are still listed as "Beta" and still for free. However, I was still looking for the alternative because DS can change their mind anytime soon.

Now comes the alternative - you can try to buy Autocad 98LT or better 2000LT (not i) on ebay and install it under wine. The 2000 version is the last Autocad which does not require online activation. You just install it. The 98LT works without any tweaks, the 2000 needs some help but still work. I somewhere have the manual. You may also be amazed how fast it is and how good the software was until they introduced their fu$%$%g ribbon and bull$hit functions (I have 2017 at work). I use it for hobby and it is simply good old Autocad I grew up with. I have a legal versions from my father who retired***

Good luck, Jiri

PS: I tried QCAD and LibreCAD. Hmm. I probably spent too much time with Autocad and don't like it.

*** EU Law allows transferring (selling) licenses no matter what the SW company claims. However, the SW company is not required to provide further support. For example, you can't reinstall old Autocad versions with online activation because servers are already down. I was told it is doable over the phone but you must be the legal (original) owner. I am happy I grew up in times where you could actually owe things.

[PKTKS]

( ..)
you can't reinstall old Autocad versions with online activation because servers are already down. I was told it is doable over the phone but you must be the legal (original) owner. I am happy I grew up in times where you could actually owe things.

It makes  not much of a difference if  you "OWN" or not the "SOFTWARE"
** AS LONG AS (software)  IS BOUNDED TO A LICENSE **

Since some DEPTOs. starting to reckon software patents all the ruthless
players on the IT buzz started to put clients on ** "A LOOP" **

The buzz LOOP follows simple lines:
- release "version"  (user is trapped in version upgrade scheme)
- patent "formats"  ( user no long owns his/her own produced data bounded into format)
- obsolete version frequently - very frequently (user is forced to upgrade)
- put dead ends in version/format compat. (user is forced to buy new license)

I can put some half dozens big players built on that model.. but I think i don't
need to remember.

A decade ago a project started to make a R12  compat library available..
Big players used a HAMMER to KO the project making all the assets base
on R12 or R13 or whatever format confined to their license.

All the R12 and others savings on that formats would be useless
unless you play the LOOP game.

To put things even worst they managed to issue some "certificated" formats.

As long as we put our work into that format... we are doomed.

Paul

Actually more than a decade ago ... and it just got worse