UBUNTU for Architects

[Fakircho]

As an architect i am trying to see if i could make use of Ubuntu and other opensource software to do my work.
I was encouraged by the story in the link below. http://ivoks.blogspot.com/2007/01/success-story.html

The story is about an engineer but its a step in the right direction.
I would like to find out if other people have any experience and success in being able to their architectural work under Ubuntu.

If you answer YES please indicate what software you are using as architect running Linux.

[dmn_clown]

As an architect i am trying to see if i could make use of Ubuntu and other opensource software to do my work.
I was encouraged by the story in the link below. http://ivoks.blogspot.com/2007/01/success-story.html

The story is about an engineer but its a step in the right direction.
I would like to find out if other people have any experience and success in being able to their architectural work running

There are quite a few CAD programs that have been ported (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&client=iceweasel-a&rls=org.debian%3Aen-US%3Aunofficial&q=linux+cad&btnG=Search) however if you are looking for AutoCAD dwg support you won't find full support from any program other than AutoCAD (a prime example of vendor lock-in).

[LukeCarrier]

It's a real shame that software developers just can't be bothered to develop for Linux. It's great, and I'm sure the vast majority on these forums will agree. I'm all for Microsoft going down the potty and Linux taking over the desktop business. The community support is great and everybody is so happy :D

[Oki]

You might find this interesting:
http://www.linux.com/feature/119278

[SreckoMicic]

Well I'm not architect, but I'm doing architectural visualizations for couple of years now, might give my vote.
My workflow is like this:
I'm usually getting CAD files form AutoCad or else in dxf format. Using QCAD (you have it on repository) I open files and modify it for my needs. Last year I bought license for Maya and I'm using it with MentalRay for my visualization purposes. Then if there is need I do all my postwork jobs with Gimp.
So as you can see only one program in my workflow isn't under GPL license, but could be replaced by Blender (great open source 3d modeling program).
This story is not architectural one, but I think that you could watch for QCAD if you have need only for 2D drawings, and if need to go into 3D waters call me :) <- joke, you could use Blender or else. In last couple of years things are getting better in CAD world and Linux. There is couple of programs, probably lots of people are gonna give their vote in here, that you could use.

[CAD-MAN]

Interesting thread - especially as I am planning on going to university next year to study architecture.

Nice article Oki :)

[frup]

I am studying architecture and have tried QCAD... I've read a few tutorials on it but it confuses the hell out of me, compared to it AutoCAD seems so easy.

The very sad thing is AutoCAD initially came from UNIX land, The whole command based interface seems so natural to a linux user, I'm sure I picked it up slightly faster than others at uni because I do use ubuntu at home.

I love gimp and use it as much as possible, the only problem I personally have had apart from random crashes is that when working on large A1+ presentations it gets very very slow, for web design type work I would never choose anything else.

Blender in my opinion is one of the programs that can produce the most professional work out of any program on linux.

[SreckoMicic]

I am studying architecture and have tried QCAD... I've read a few tutorials on it but it confuses the hell out of me, compared to it AutoCAD seems so easy.

Yes, QCAD got really different way of doing things in compare with other CAD software, especially in those working on Win OS platform. But thats all about habits. That is not rare problem for people how are using Blender for the first time, but when you hang on it you realize that it is GREAT piece of software with very intelligent interface.
For GIMP, I think, with nice amount of memory, and great processor there are no problems even with bigger image sizes.

[Fakircho]

Thanks for all the replies guys.
Personally i am not able to say that i can use Ubuntu do any serious work as an architect at the moment.

My work flow involves the following software under Windows

40% of work done
AutoCAD (http://www.autodesk.com/) - all drafting work including information exchange
40% of work done
Sketchup PRO (http://www.sketchup.com/) - Concept & Design development - 40% of work done
20% of work done
InDesign (http://www.adobe.com/products/indesign/) - Layout for presentations
Cinema 4D (http://www.maxon.net/) - Hi-end rendering especially with the new Vray bridge
Photoshop (http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/index.html) - Image compositing

For me the alternative list under Ubuntu looks like this

AutoCAD - BricsCAD (http://www.bricscad.com/) its not free but its is very good. It supports DWG which is the industry standard and without that i can not exchange information with the people i work with)
Sketchup PRO - NONE - really hope Google will change this soon. (this is the big one for me, the moment a Linux version comes out i can start doing something productive in Ubunutu) :) - you might say Wings 3D (http://www.wings3d.com/) which as a modeler is quite interesting but otherwise it does not come even close.

InDesign - Inkscape (http://www.inkscape.org/) - shows a lot of promise and i am actually impressed
Cinema 4D - rumor has it that MAXON are working on a Linux version otherwise - Blender (http://www.blender.org/)
Photoshop - GIMP (http://www.gimp.org/) - shows a lot of promise but its not Photoshop (this is a persional view and its about standards in the industry)

So like i said i am waiting for Sketchup PRO which has become an essential part of my workflow (best software ever created in my personal view but if you have ever had to model something in 3D relating to architecture you probably agree :lolflag:)
Here I am probably a bit biased because my work is primarily in concept and design development hence my heavy use of Sketchup.
I also run a course in Sketchup.

Please keep you posts coming.

[SreckoMicic]

Just to give you one more tip, as I now InDesign is mostly for DTP, don't think that Inkscape is going that way, it's more like CorelDraw, or Adobe Ilustrator. Try Scribus it is something like InDesign, really proffesional suite.
As I sad Maya is great package, much better then Cinema, that is of couse my opinion (don't want to start any flame here), it has Vray ported, even for Linux (by ChaosGroup founders of Vray). You can still apply for beta testing I think.
As for Sketchup I don't think that it has any solutions as Sketchup is on Linux. But I didn't search more for it, cause I'm not really fan of Sketchup. But knowing Google I think that it is time when it will be ported for Linux. :-)

[tyler22]

I also wish Sketchup would be released for linux. I tried to run it with wine but it failed.

I am not an architect but I have been into enviro designs and interior decorating recently and I found sketchup as a great tool. Sadly I do not own a copy of windows.

[hardyn]

there is a software company sigma design which has pretty resonable architecture package ArrisCad.

The company until just reciently has a sun version, along with the windows verison, it has been requested by many of the users to port to linux; and i would assume unless they are deviating from ansi C and doing some really sun specific things this would be a dead simple port; but alas, this request has fallen on to dead ears.

[Fakircho]

Just to give you one more tip, as I now InDesign is mostly for DTP, don't think that Inkscape is going that way, it's more like CorelDraw, or Adobe Ilustrator. Try Scribus it is something like InDesign, really proffesional suite.
As I sad Maya is great package, much better then Cinema, that is of couse my opinion (don't want to start any flame here), it has Vray ported, even for Linux (by ChaosGroup founders of Vray). You can still apply for beta testing I think.
As for Sketchup I don't think that it has any solutions as Sketchup is on Linux. But I didn't search more for it, cause I'm not really fan of Sketchup. But knowing Google I think that it is time when it will be ported for Linux. :-)

Thanks for the tip SreckoMicic I will check out Scribus. I know about it but i have never checked it out :)

[idkwot]

im an architect and i love ubuntu <3

[tyler22]

know any sketchup alternatives?

[Fakircho]

Ok idkwot but what software do you use to do your architectural work on Ubuntu?

[Fakircho]

Tyler22 please read the while post. You will see that i mention that there are no alternatives to Sketchup. You can try Wings3D as a modeler is quite good but it is not Sketchup.

For me there are no alternatives to Sketchup, its the best :)

[tyler22]

You said you did not do so much research for an alternative to sketchup, I was hoping someone had ;)

Thats too bad there isn't. Hopefully a native version will be released soon as I do not won a copy of Windows.

[noontz]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM2-KeqomLo

[noontz]

And this http://aksels.de/software.php#sketch

[frup]

You said you did not do so much research for an alternative to sketchup, I was hoping someone had ;)

Thats too bad there isn't. Hopefully a native version will be released soon as I do not won a copy of Windows.

I'd certainly sign an online petition to google.

[Fakircho]

Thanks noontz
I was under the impression that there issiues with Sketchup under Wine but after reading and seein this i will test it out :)

[ramjet_1953]

There is an Architectural package specifically for Linux.

It's called Cycas.

Here's a link: http://www.cycas.de

Not being an architect, I'm not sure how good it is, but it downloaded an ran fine on my PC.

Regards,
Roger :cool:

[CAD-MAN]

Anyone tried Archimedes? (http://archimedes.incubadora.fapesp.br/portal)

If so, any opinions?

[Arathorn]

I'll try Archimedes tomorrow, thank you for the link. At least it's an open source alternative project with a decent name instead of the expected OpenCAD or FreeCAD. But the development doesn't seam that fast. What are your experiences with it?

[CAD-MAN]

I'll try Archimedes tomorrow, thank you for the link. At least it's an open source alternative project with a decent name instead of the expected OpenCAD or FreeCAD. But the development doesn't seam that fast. What are your experiences with it?

No, development doesn't seem too fast. I haven't tried it yet, but will do so soon; I just happened to find it last week, so thought Id ask if anybody had used it, and what their opinions were if they had :)

Let me know how it goes!

[Arathorn]

For me, it refuses to make a project. I'm not an architect myself by the way. My sister's studying it, and she's interested in Linux, but needs AutoCAD for her studies. Unfortunately AutoCAD doesn't work with Wine either.

[CAD-MAN]

For me, it refuses to make a project. I'm not an architect myself by the way. My sister's studying it, and she's interested in Linux, but needs AutoCAD for her studies. Unfortunately AutoCAD doesn't work with Wine either.

Thats a shame. Im downloading it now anyway, I'll see how it goes and post my experiences here in the next couple of days.

[cyclefiend2000]

i hope this isnt derailing this thread, but here goes anyways....

i work for a surveying/construction company. we use "Autodesk Land Desktop 2005" right now. we have been talking about either upgrading to a newer autodesk product (either newest LD or Civil 3D) or switching to something cheaper.

do any of you use any drafting software similar to LD or Civil 3D?

[Fakircho]

cyclefiend2000

Check this out even though i belive that i runs only on Windows. Your field is very specialized so i do not think you will find anything for linux :(

http://www.bentley.com/en-us/markets/civil/

[cyclefiend2000]

that is one of the packages we are looking at maybe switching to. right now we are just afraid of the learning curve.

microstation (bentley) used to run on sun's os. and i found this in wikipedia...
MicroStation was compatible with Linux until 1995.

now it seems their software relies on direct-x for 3D rendering.

[Fakircho]

What other software are you looking at ?

[Ron W]

Hello CAD-MAN

Did you have any joy with AutoCAD under Ubuntu?

Ron

[cyclefiend2000]

What other software are you looking at ?

a package made by carlson. it is basically a less powerful clone of LD (best i can tell anyways). it may not do everything that we need it to though. http://www.carlsonsw.com/PL_CS_CivilSuite.html

[caddict]

I mostly work in a Windows environment but strangely my main Cad package is strongly Linux-based. I tried all the Cad apps I could download. And even considering the expensive packages, I settled for CYCAS.

At first it doesn't look like much and the descriptions and tutorials are very understated. But I've been using it for a year now, 30+ hours a week, and still find it excellent.

When I am designing, I work enitrely in 3D without even drawing a 2D line. Of course CYCAS can be used for 2D CAD as well. And it has a slick interface with the Povray render engine. So producing the best quality architectural renderings is pretty easy.

Models/2d images can be exported in a number of formats, dxf, lwo, svg, png to mention some. And it imports dxf and 3ds.

Some people find the tutorials hard to understand, but with persistence CYCAS can be easily mastered. But don't expect anything even vaguely like Autocad. This is fresh thinking.

Easy install in Ubuntu ( a deb package). There is a limited Public version, but the Pro Version is really inexpensive. And there's a forum. Enough said.

/http://www.cycas.de/

PS sorry didn't see the post by Ramjet 2 weeks ago.

[caddict]

Talking about a modeller, I find Amapi really amazing (on Windows).
There is at least one linux version which I have not yet succeeded in installing on Ubuntu.

http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/apps/graphics/modeling/

I and am still searching for more.

Has anyone had success with Amapi on Ubuntu?

[CAD-MAN]

Hello CAD-MAN

Did you have any joy with AutoCAD under Ubuntu?

Ron

I haven't even tried - no-one seems to have had much success, and I don't think it runs under wine. Someone please correct me if im wrong...


I mostly work in a Windows environment but strangely my main Cad package is strongly Linux-based. I tried all the Cad apps I could download. And even considering the expensive packages, I settled for CYCAS.

At first it doesn't look like much and the descriptions and tutorials are very understated. But I've been using it for a year now, 30+ hours a week, and still find it excellent.

When I am designing, I work enitrely in 3D without even drawing a 2D line. Of course CYCAS can be used for 2D CAD as well. And it has a slick interface with the Povray render engine. So producing the best quality architectural renderings is pretty easy.

Models/2d images can be exported in a number of formats, dxf, lwo, svg, png to mention some. And it imports dxf and 3ds.

Some people find the tutorials hard to understand, but with persistence CYCAS can be easily mastered. But don't expect anything even vaguely like Autocad. This is fresh thinking.

Easy install in Ubuntu ( a deb package). There is a limited Public version, but the Pro Version is really inexpensive. And there's a forum. Enough said.

/http://www.cycas.de/

PS sorry didn't see the post by Ramjet 2 weeks ago.


I never knew CYCAS supported 3ds!! I'll look into it now - thanks! :D

P.S. Is CYCAS proprietary? I've had it downloaded for ages, and I've just gone to open it, and it comes up with an ordering box. I get rid of the box, start trying to draw, and nothing happens...

[caddict]

Cycas imports 3DS but does not export it yet.

It is proprietary, but they have a free version for indefinite use. The limitations are: only one layer available (this is quite a limitation if you are used to working in layers), can only print up to A4 (there is a workaround where you ca print out a bigger drawing on consecutive A4 sheets), not for commercial use and no DXF export.

There is also a version for students and a Basic version.

If you have the Public version downloaded, I don't know why you can't draw...just go through the tutorial, it's quite a different system.

[caddict]

Even though CYCAS doesn't export 3ds as yet, the Pro version exports lwo which you can then import into Blender and then export as 3ds. Textures and materials could be a problem, they may not automatically be transferred.

You may also be able to do the same with pp modeller

There is a great little free 3ds viewer called frog3d which runs on Linux.

http://frog3d.sourceforge.net/

Btw the Cycas Campus version has all the Pro features enabled.

[robertrej]

I just installed Ubuntu 7.10 on my old computer and than the newest Wine edition
and BRICSCAD Windows edition v 7.0.0011 and it works just great !
the only feature that freezes up is when I select View/Render/SHADE.
I should point out that all other render modes work just fine.

It seems when it comes to certain CAD programs its hit and miss from one Wine version to another.
Let me know if anyone else has any sucess.
Bob

[Fakircho]

I just installed Ubuntu 7.10 on my old computer and than the newest Wine edition
and BRICSCAD Windows edition v 7.0.0011 and it works just great !
the only feature that freezes up is when I select View/Render/SHADE.
I should point out that all other render modes work just fine.

It seems when it comes to certain CAD programs its hit and miss from one Wine version to another.
Let me know if anyone else has any sucess.
Bob

BRICSCAD has a Linux version, why are you running it with wine? :lolflag:

[stani]

I haven't even tried - no-one seems to have had much success, and I don't think it runs under wine. Someone please correct me if im wrong... AutoCAD r2000 works fine with wine and ubuntu. Later versions don't AFAIK.

[caddict]

As an alternative to Blender or Wings, it's definitely worth having a look at Amapi. It is quite a unique 3D modeller.

And I've just discovered with some excitement that it runs quite well on Wine.

Haven't tested out all functionality, but it seems to run well. Under certain view settings, some buttons may disappear temporarily...

[Fakircho]

The pole is closed now. Thank you to everyone that voted. The results speak for themselves. The the software that we as architects need is simply not available. 45% of the votes show that.
The 20% of you that said that they have all the tools they need have not indicated which these are so i can not make any comment there.
There are a lot of encouraging signs that things will get better in the future, like Brickscad which runs natively on Linux. We need more of that.
What i have a difficult time with is that, there is so much effort put into getting games to work under Linux instead of software that can be used productively. Until that changes one can not expect to see people seriously considering Linux as an operating system.

I really like Ubuntu and what it stands for but as an architect i simply can not employ it as my primary OS as much as want to.

[caddict]

I have to say that there is a significant community of architects internationally who operate solely on Linux. Their main applications are Cycas, Povray, Blender, The Gimp. It can be done. It is being done.

It probably requires quite a jump in thinking, since these apps are quite different in their approach and feel, from mainstream apps.

In the same sense that Ubuntu is different. :)

[Jetzin]

Hello, I'm a landscape architect and use Ubuntu at home only because of software limitations.

I switched to open source alternatives at home one by one and have been getting used to it. However, I'm not convinced enough on the CAD alternatives to switch at work.

I have gotten so used to OpenOffice that I now prefer it to Microsoft Office.

I find GIMP and Inkscape mostly acceptable alternatives to Photoshop and Illustrator. It takes a while to learn the programs because they work differently from the Adobe ones and you need to think differently. This wiki is very useful if you are attempting to switch from Illustrator to Inkscape: http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/index.php/Inkscape_for_Adobe_Illustrator_users. I miss the free and perspective transform tools in Illustrator and still find Photoshop and Illustrator more comfortable - although I hope that will change as I use GIMP and Inkscape more.

I've tried Briscad and was quite impressed and would buy that if I need to use CAD at home again. I was very frustrated with QCAD and didn't think it had the capabilities that I want. I hadn't seen Cycas until I read about it here - thanks Ramjet. For me, a big plus for Briscad is that it uses dwg files, reducing file sharing and compatibility issues.

Thanks for the Scribus tip too, Sreckomicic - an InDesign alternative would be great.

Blender looks like a good alternative to 3D Studio but I haven't had time to test it enough. I have seen some beautiful renderings from Blender though. Sketchup is much faster and I love it for quickly modeling an idea - it would be great to have a Linux version. I haven't done a lot of 3D presentation images since I graduated so I use Sketchup more often than 3D Studio.

A simple thing that I would miss would be the meeting invitations in Outlook. I use these so often at work and between consultants it would be too difficult to loose this capability. Does anyone know a way to make this work with Thunderbird? I couldn't make it work smoothly.

I feel like most of my work needs are met by these programs but not quite all yet.

Great thread!

[Elfy]

Closed - necromancy