DXF File Editor For Mac?

[ludesign]

Originally Posted by Brian@BNE

Ok, problem fixed by now by the sounds of it.

In general I find the best MAC solution is to run windows version (whatever you want) under BootCamp, then run the windows app. Typically a Windows app is somewhat castrated in its MAC guise, compared to an app written for MAC in the first place. I'm liking my MAC, but just cant imagine surviving without the BootCamp option. I've installed both Windows 7 and Windows XP, but only very rarely have gone to the latter for anything at all.

In this case I'd suggest AutoSketch 10. Its 2D only but appears to do DXF & DWG the way Autodesk intend, but at a fraction of the AutoCAD pricing.

I disagree. The best way is of course to use generic Mac programs. I do all my CAD work on Mac using generic Mac programs, and have done so for almost 25 years now.

[Brian@BNE]

Claes
I agree that if using a MAC then its best to use MAC programs - that's why I referred to 'castrated' above.

But if you already have legacy Windows programs, or stuff that only exists for that platform, then BootCamp etc is a great solution.

[ludesign]

Originally Posted by Brian@BNE

Claes
I agree that if using a MAC then its best to use MAC programs - that's why I referred to 'castrated' above.

But if you already have legacy Windows programs, or stuff that only exists for that platform, then BootCamp etc is a great solution.

Yes, but you don't need an AutoCAD product to read and write DXF and DWG. Most major players outside the AutoCAD world use the OpenDWG library, which generally comes very close to generic AutoCAD file communication, and usually works very well.

There are of course fewer CAD programs available for the Mac compared to Windows, but there are still plenty to choose from. For less than Autosketch money, you can for example try some of the TurboCAD versions, RealCADD, Vellum, etc. These programs all communicate with DXF/DWG and are usually a lot more user friendly than the AutoCAD products.

Higher up in price, you will find some Vellum products, and of course the market leader on the Mac, Vectorworks, which offers full 2D/3D CAD and solid modeling based on Siemens Parasolids, for less than AutoCAD LT money.