Draftsight 2017 CAD software on Ubuntu / Fedora

Since 2011, 3DS DraftSight has been an excellent free (though not libre) AutoCAD 2D-compatible CAD software available for Linux, Mac and Windows. DraftSight also works remotely using X-Forwarding.

Install DraftSight (AutoCAD 2D compatible) on Ubuntu / Fedora

1. Download Draftsight for Linux

2. In Terminal:

    sudo apt install gdebi
    sudo gdebi draftSight.deb
    sudo ln -s /opt/dassault-systemes/DraftSight/Linux/DraftSight /usr/local/bin/DraftSight
   

Troubleshooting Draftsight install

Usually DraftSight “just works” on Ubuntu and Fedora Linux, if not, here are a few things to try.

DraftSight doesn’t start

Try typing in Terminal

DraftSight

see if the splash screen AND the second window requesting your registration pops up (careful, this second registration window is sometimes hidden under other app windows you have open!)

Draftsight isn’t “found”

probably the link wasn’t put automatically into /usr/bin/draftsight. try:

cd /opt/dassault-systemes/DraftSight/Linux/
./DraftSight

If that works, then you need to create a softlink to the binary:

sudo ln -s /opt/dassault-systemes/DraftSight/Linux/DraftSight /usr/local/bin/DraftSight

No DraftSight icon in the “start menu” of Ubuntu

try:

nano ~/.local/share/applications/draftsight.desktop

and paste this content:

[Desktop Entry]
Name=DraftSight (Linux)
Comment=Edit DWG/DXF files
GenericName=DraftSight
Exec="/opt/dassault-systemes/DraftSight/Linux/DraftSight"
Path=/opt/dassault-systemes/DraftSight/Linux

Type=Application
Terminal=false
Icon=dassault-systemes.draftsight

Categories=Application;Graphics;