Install DraftSight 2019 CAD on Linux

3DS DraftSight 2019 has 2-D and new for 2019 3-D functionality. DraftSight 2019 requires a paid license for Windows. DraftSight 2019 is available in yearly no-charge license for MacOS and Linux. DraftSight 2018 and earlier cease functioning on 31 DEC 2019.

DraftSight 2019 works on:

  • Linux (Ubuntu, Fedora) [no-charge beta]
  • Mac [no-charge beta]
  • Windows [paid license].

DraftSight:

  • is natively compatible with AutoCAD DWG/DXF formats through R2018 (used by AutoCAD 2019).
  • works remotely using X11-Forwarding or VNC/RDP.
  • is free but not libre
  • has been growing and well supported since DraftSight’s initial 2010 release

Install

  1. on Ubuntu:

    apt install gdebi
    1. Download DraftSight for Linux
    2. In Terminal:
    gdebi draftSight.deb

  2. Complete registration with an email address–they only ask for verification once per install.

Hi-DPI

If you have a high resolution screen and the GUI icons look too small, try Tools → Options → System Options → Display → Screen Options → Use Large Icons.

Notes

Usually DraftSight “just works” on native Ubuntu Linux.

It doesn’t seem like one can use WSL to workaround the Windows license limitation. Installing DraftSight into WSL took half an hour, and would just hang WSL until reboot. Perhaps someone will figure that one out….

DraftSight won’t start

Try command

/opt/dassault-systemes/DraftSight/Linux/DraftSight

see if the splash screen AND the second window requesting your registration pops up.

The registration window can be hidden under other app windows you have open.

Add DraftSight icon

If the Ubuntu desktop icon doesn’t show up for DraftSight, create ~/.local/share/applications/draftsight.desktop containing:

[Desktop Entry]
Name=DraftSight
Comment=Editing CAD images
GenericName=DraftSight
Exec="/opt/dassault-systemes/DraftSight/Linux/DraftSight"
Path=/opt/dassault-systemes/DraftSight/Linux
Type=Application
Terminal=false
Icon=dassault-systemes.draftsight
MimeType=image/vnd.dwg;image/vnd.dwt;image/vnd.dxf;application-vnd.dassault-systemes.draftsight-dwg;application-vnd.dassault-systemes.draftsight-dwt;application-vnd.dassault-systemes.draftsight-dxf
Categories=Application;Graphics;2DGraphics;RasterGraphics;