Install Draftsight 2017 CAD on Linux

Since 2011, 3DS DraftSight has been excellent free (though not libre) AutoCAD 2D-compatible CAD available for Linux, Mac and Windows.

Draftsight is currently natively compatible with AutoCAD DWG/DXF formats through R2017 (R2013 format). DraftSight also works remotely using X11-Forwarding or VNC/RDP.

Install DraftSight

1. Download Draftsight for Linux
2. In Terminal:

   gdebi draftSight.deb
   
   ln -s /opt/dassault-systemes/DraftSight/Linux/DraftSight $HOME/.local/bin/
   

Troubleshooting Draftsight install

Usually DraftSight “just works” on Ubuntu and Fedora Linux.

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 ~/.local/bin/. try:

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

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

ln -s /opt/dassault-systemes/DraftSight/Linux/DraftSight $HOME/.local/bin/

No DraftSight icon in the “start menu” of Ubuntu

create ~/.local/share/applications/draftsight.desktop containing:

[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;