Ubuntu Linux - Good Grief

[Highspeed]

I've been tempted to try Linux again for a while. I hate Windows and back in the 90's I used to run a Linux PC.

So anyway I downloaded Ubuntu, put it on a Flash drive and I was honestly amazed. It detected all my hardware correctly and just...worked...straightaway.

I can't find the command line though....

[Rich]

I can't find the command line though....

Open menu.

Look under system for terminal.

Click on it.

voila.

(unless Gnome 3 screwed that up too.)

Otherwise, download Mint 13 with the MATE desktop.

[Highspeed]

What I'd like Chris is a native Linux 3D CAD application - not 3D Modelling but actual engineering CAD

Doesn't look like there is such a thing though. I downloaded FreeCad, which is great except it doesn't do anything yet

Tell you what, as soon as we can afford a PC just for running entertainment then Ubuntu is the OS of choice.

[Denis]

As Chris says, try DraftSight from Dassault. DraftSight works just fine with Ubuntu, and you can use the Ubuntu software installer menu to get it and set it up. Easy.

http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/ ... -software/

Look on YouTube for DS tutorials. There is a downloadable book somewhere too.

This HSM thread and this other thread may also be helpful for other ideas.

PS - thanks Chris for the Ubuntu without the rubbish suggestions. Now how does one save used data when switching between Ubuntu and another Linux distro?

[Highspeed]

I'm going to download Draftsight as a starter.

Chris - What I do with 3D CAD ( Solidworks currently ) is to design firearm mechanisms and then design ways to make them relatively easily in a home shop with limited equipment. I think in 3D, so it's intuitive for me. 2D isn't a problem, but a 3D workflow is much better.
In some ways I could actually get by with a 3D modelling program, but they give you too much freedom to create shapes which couldn't be machined, or in a lot of cases actually exist in the real world. Usually they'll only warn you about the ones which wouldn't render. And there is no 2D drawing output.
I'd be happy to keep on using Solidworks, but I find Windows so annoying. It's better than it used to be, but it still gets on my nerves.

As for CAM, now we seem to be partially financially secure ( she got that gig poledancing ) there's a chance I'll convert my mill to CNC in the future. But that's not for certain, I've got to work out if it will be worth the time and expense - if I do go CNC it's got to earn it's keep rather than just make cool things for my own use. So CAM isn't a huge issue.

Edit :- I've got FreeCad already, but the functionality is incredibly limited unless you use the Python command line. I'm a mouse guy, not a typing commands guy. It'll be great when the interface is finished but it's no good for me right now.

[Highspeed]

Installed Mint 14 to HDD as per advice. Took 15 mins maybe total time - it autodetected ALL my hardware.
I seem to remember Win7 took half a day and three attempts, and then I had to go hunting for drivers and spend another hour turning off the Windows nannying 'features'