SW and Linux?

[Theophilus]

With the recent new options of Linux OS variations, Linux is looking to be a practical option. Many "standard" applications such as word processing and even email are able to run in both Windows and Linux environments.

What about SolidWorks? Is this dependent on code within SolidWorks or is it a matter of getting the right Linux OS? (I was just looking at a review for Xandros' Desktop OS 2.0.)




Jeff Mowry
Industrial Designhaus, LLC

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

 

[looslib]

Any limitation would have to be on teh SolidWorks end. Parasolid is available in a Linux version.


"Wildfires are dangerous, hard to control, and economically catastrophic."

Ben Loosli
CAD/CAM System Analyst
Ingersoll-Rand

 

[JNR]

"Parasolid is available in a Linux version"? What does that mean? Parasolid is merely a data file format.

Linux would have to provide an exact Windows compatible emulator. SolidWorks was written deliberately in the Windows environment and to be fully OLE compliant. It takes advantage of all the Windows features. Ie. it is intimately tied to Windows. It is not a port of a Unix originated code to Windows as are many other CAD systems. It is HIGHLY unlikely that SW would even desire or attempt to address Linux. In addition, if you look at the percentage of desktop workstations using or likely to use Linux now or in the foreseeable future, it does not make any ecconomic commercial sense for them to do so. Look at the history of Win-v-Mac. The market size for Mac was so small compared to Win. Where do you put your development dollars? Do you want 20% of 95% of the total market or 50% of 5%? That is why applications like CAD were sparse for Mac the few had made the choice to go for this niche market, but there was not room for many competitors to make a profit.

I was - and he did. So at least I didn't get coal.....
OK, OK, It's a reference to my holiday sig. "Be naughty - Save Santa a trip..."

 

[Theophilus]

Right. So I think the need for the Windows emulator answers most of my questions--which I would think would not give any resource advantage. (Windows XP is an absolute pig.)

Has anyone attempted a SW installation for use through any Linux system? I wonder if any Linux variations emulate Windows sufficiently--and if so, whether there are any resource advantages.

Linux still has as long way to go, but they're making some waves--perhaps they'll produce enough hurt in Microsoft to get their attention and create some competitive excellence.




Jeff Mowry
Industrial Designhaus, LLC

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

 

[APPENG]

Jeff,

I use and really like Linux for my home system that I do web stuff with, and not much else.

They Do have windoze emulators available that can run basic applications like word, and excel, and things like that but even then it take a bit of tweaking.

Solidworks is a very demanding, high resource application the exepcts to have a certain amount of support from the operating system. And linux may not provide the type of memory management support that it requires while using and emulator to simulate the winDoze environment.

As you are all aware, Graphics Hardware, and drivers are a big issue with SWX... I could see the headache of trying to find a useable driver for linux that would satisfy SWX...

And while Im thinking about it... not only do you need support for SolidWorks, you also need to support Excel, and Access as well if you intend on doing, design tables, and using the toolbox, hole wizard, and other things... one more thing.. what would a linux file manager due to custom properties... I dont think that the GNOME or the KDE file managers (although they are powerful tools...) will support windows custom properties which would render BOM's useless....

Myself I would probably try it... because Im a tinkerer... but I wouldnt try it if it were my bread and butter...

just some thoughts

Regards,
Jon
jgbena@yahoo.com

 

[looslib]

JNR wrote:
"Parasolid is available in a Linux version"? What does that mean? Parasolid is merely a data file format.

Think again. Parasolid is the geometric solid modeling kernel used by SolidWorks, as well as SolidEdge, Unigraphics and older versions of Pro/Desktop. It is the most licensed solid modeling engine in the world with over 500,000 seats.



"Wildfires are dangerous, hard to control, and economically catastrophic."

Ben Loosli
CAD/CAM System Analyst
Ingersoll-Rand

 

[drawoh]

Theophilus,

I am exclusively running Linux at home now and I agree with APPENG's post above. You need maximum performance. There is now a very nice open source office suite, but it is not Microsoft Office, which is what SolidWorks requires.

My understanding is that future versions of SolidWorks will be making less use of Microsoft Excel. This is the main stumbling block to porting SolidWorks over to Linux. Come back in three years.

JHG

 

[Theophilus]

Thanks, all, for the feedback. Good discussion. I figured we'd be seeing problems posted regarding Linux if it was really a viable system. The lack of posts suggests the lack of viability. Maybe soon?




Jeff Mowry
Industrial Designhaus, LLC

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

 

[APPENG]

Jeff,

WHo knows... the beauty of Linux is that is a free and open source OS I suppose if someone whos a Linux developer happens to be a SolidWorks guru too... you just might find him working away at his desk creating some magical source code that will do the trick eventually.... There are some incredibly smart guys out there that have last names other than Gates! Time will tell!



Regards,
Jon
jgbena@yahoo.com

 

[JNR]

Looslib: Parasolid is essentially a data file format. You can create or read a Parasolid data file with your own code. There are enough converters out there that can do that. So it has nothing much to do with the operating system is it used on and that's whole point. Code to produce the files is highly portable. The data file format describes solid geometry. You can use it on any operating system - but you need software like a CAD system to make any real use of it. So if your CAD system does not run on Linux you are out of luck.

However it still does not change the fact that SW is not going to produce a Linux version in the foreseeable future - if ever.

BTW: It is indeed interesting that although EDS owns Parasolid and it is used as the kernel for several CAD systems including some (soon to be all) of theirs, 300,000 of the 500,000 seats you mention are SolidWorks!!!

Also note that the secret to Windows success is not the computer savey few like us, it is the vast majority - the major portion of the market by a long way. They want simple point and click interfaces - they don't want or can't learn to understand and use an operating system however "elegant' it is (or simple for that matter- look at DOS). They also want low cost, choice and commonality with just about everyone else out there. And the last sentence is why MAC did not get to be where Windows is today. The majority of the market are ordinary Joe's. They want to do stuff, not mess with an OS. (Remember, virtually half the population is below average intelligence - by definition. That's an interesting thought.) Believe me, I have done RDOS CGOS CVMOS Xenix UNIX VMS, (DOS of course), etc. And I have managed systems, trained and supported on these plus sold DOS based software and hardware. The vast majority want Windows. Heck, they couldn't even deal with the 6 basic commands of DOS. "Can you make me a menu to do everything so I don't have to learn big scary DOS?" "Yeah, sure and here's some free cheese to go with your whine you lazy SOB - at least that what you wanted to say."


John Richards Sr. Mech. Engr.
Rockwell Collins Flight Dynamics

A hobbit's lifestyle sounds rather pleasant...... it's the hairy feet that turn me off.