QCAD.org Forum

I have noticed a reoccurring theme in this forum of autocad users transitioning to qcad. Seems that there is an opportunity to share information on the transitional differences. I am posing this thread as a means to share with other users in that transition. I know I need help with that, and assume others do also.

Fire away !

I'm with you as a transitioner from ACAD, only familiar with 2D drawing, hope we can help others.

I'm interested in this thread as well. Except that I'd like to add, that I want to use QCAD to create (preferably) .dxf's or (if necessary) .dwg's for cross-software operability. Put more simply, I want to create drawings in QCAD and then view them in their native file format in AutoCAD (I work with others who exclusively use AutoCAD).

Right now, I'm coming across issues with line type scaling for drawing a schematic in QCAD - it prints and shows up fine in the QCAD environment, but in AutoCAD I need to mess with LTS to get the hidden lines to show up properly dashed. I'm going to play around with drawing much longer lines (instead of drawing them within the 36"x24" sheet that print off on) and see what that changes. I'm also having trouble with text not showing up correctly in AutoCAD and some issues with blocks, but again, this may be due to the fact that initially brought all these shapes with a .dwg drawing from AutoCAD.

Anyways, if nothing else, I'll just update on personal pointers to avoid problems when working with both AutoCAD and QCAD. Any other hybrid users out there?

Edit: Typo, in hindsight this post is more appropriate for an entirely different topic post.

When I look at the dates previous posts . . . There must be a similar ‘thread’ regarding this subject !!
Can a more ‘moderator’ of QCAD help direct us to a more current discussion ?

LenVW,
No, we don't have a site page or forum topic where we compare QCAD with other applications.
In Andrew's words: "QCAD is never intended to be a ACAD clone".

I would search the forum for 'acad' or 'autocad' textual and start reading.
But I don't see much benefit in that.

There are things that don't add up in QCAD:
- Full 3D (Consider QCAD and especially QCAD/CAM as a 2.5D application).
- XREF and UCS.
- Massive drawings or massive blocks.
- lineTypes handling.
But I don't understand all the fuss because IMHO QCAD handles them perfectly so far.
You need to tweak ACAD to do the same.
- Special text formatting.
- ...

There are also things that are far better implemented.

But there is nothing that holds you back from drawing in 2D and sharing these dxf/dwg files with other applications.
I even find QCAD more intuitively than most other CAD applications.
When a bug is reported and considered valid then a fix is usually issued in short notice.
In some rare cases we need to apply a work-around.

Regards,
CVH

I began using AutoCAD 2.6 in the 1980s while working at an Engineering Office.
After decades of machinery designs and process development I found that I preferred to use a ‘drafting’ tool to generate technical documents that would accompany machinery design proposals.
Calculations for strength of materials, thermodynamics and material factors can be done with other applications.

A good 2D package is really all I need and believe QCAD will fit well.
Are there any shortcoming that become evident when working on machinery layouts ?

LenVW wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 17, 2023 6:16 pm

Are there any shortcoming that become evident when working on machinery layouts ?

No, I don't think so. I use QCAD mostly for that kind of task and it handles it similar like other CAD programs I used over the last 35+ years which were priced approx. 250 times higher than QCAD Pro today!

But you have to keep one thing in mind with QCAD - it is built as a universal tool for CAD drawings. It is not specialist in any way - it can be used to draw a well schematic in Africa, Skyscraper in New York, Garden shed in Germany, Engine parts for a Bayliner in Spain, Roundabouts in Australia, colorful kites, miniature models or Suspension bridges in New Zealand. etc. etc. - I consider that as a beautiful thing and it is good to know that still the developers have ALWAYS an open ear to listen to a user requests knowing it could benefit the users and the QCAD project.

LenVW wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 17, 2023 6:16 pm

I began using AutoCAD 2.6 in the 1980s while working at an Engineering Office.

Do not underestimate this experience or an experience in knowing how to do a drawing the "old way" on a drafting board with straightedge and compass constructions. This experience is the best tool in your toolbox!!! Many user expect with buying a CAD program (the more expensive the better) it will compensate for knowledge and experience. Nope - that is not how it works!

Your experience combined with over the time learned possibilities in QCAD should bring you in a very good (CAD) position. The more tools in QCAD you know the better and if you still struggle to solve a task just ask the forum. Many times there is someone who faced the same issue before and is willing to share his/hers experience with you to keep you going.