Nabble - LibreCAD 3 Development discussion

Mechanism that moves

2026-01-23T14:21:11Z

If I draw a mechanism in librecad is there a facility to show this mechanism moving? If so, librecad could enable simulations of mechanisms. That would be unique.

Layer Tree y Lista de Capas

2025-11-09T14:03:46Z

Estoy utilizando la version 2.2.1.2 de Librecad, y en esta version conviven los dos Widgets , Layer Tree y Lista de Capas, ¿ hay alguna razon para ello ? , creo que con Layer Tree seria suficiente

Finding center of gravity

2025-06-07T16:22:16Z

Is there a way for libreCAD to find the center of gravity of a part if it knows all the dimensions?
Is this a viable route of development?

Read AutoCAD's DWG file format

2024-01-04T01:05:38Z

Hello LibreCAD developers：
I compiled LibreCAD according to the official documentation and can build it with QT, but I found that it seems to be not so friendly to AutoCAD DWG files. Even DXF files drawn in AutoCAD, I opened them with LibreCAD, and the text in the files was gone. What plugins can I use to improve these features?
——Xiao Ke

I propose...

2025-02-18T09:32:08Z

I propose to the developers of Libre Cad, the improvement of this (at least) pseudo 3D, using mathematics
https://tips.clip-studio.com/es-es/articles/1458

Bemassung

2025-02-07T23:14:19Z

Hallo Gibt es eine Funktion um eine Linie zu Bemassen in dem man diese anklickt oder ist so eine Funktion vorgesehen
M.F.G.J.Fey

Model/paper space

2025-01-04T04:40:29Z

I like to draw actual size because of CNC reasons so a paper space would help when I design big items

Block synchronization in block navigator

2024-09-24T11:18:17Z

Hi everyone,

Not sure if I am writing in the correct place or if I can ask for features for V3, but I realised that sync for blocks in navigator would be very helpful. Because when you have a lot of blocks and don't want to explode it, but want to edit text for example you need to search for it in the navigator. While it could be easier if you select the block, press shortcut or button and then its selected in navigator. Then you can easily edit the block in other window. If this feature is already available please let me know, maybe I just lack knowledge.

Electrical engineering and automation

.dwg file read by LibreCad when?

2024-08-22T10:26:56Z

Hello

When will I have the possibility of opening .dwg file on LibreCad. Is any team working on this?
Best regards
Pawel

Or any hint how can I open .dwg file directly, not after the previous change to .dxf

Appimage for librecad 3

2023-08-17T23:09:47Z

Hi,
I'm interested in trying Librecad 3. I know it's the wild west and many things can go wrong. However I'm attracted to the scripting capability.
I see the source on github. But compiling it seems way long and way beyond my ability.
So I found https://github.com/LibreCAD/LibreCAD_3/wiki/Installation that says I can just run from an appimage. However I can't find an appimage to download. Help?

I'm on linux but would prefer to do this on windows -- however I assume a windows .exe is very very far off?

TIA

include rulers in worksheet

2023-03-11T05:27:51Z

Is it possible to include rulers on top and left sides of worksheet?

Using LibreCad as newbie

2023-05-06T06:55:34Z

I've been using Autocad since 1985 and I think it's logically done. Nowadays I use the 2007 version because I don't need anything but the 2D version. When moving from the Windows operating system to Linux, I need a new CAD program because AutoCad does not exist for Linux and I think the only alternative is LibreCad. But but but...... Where is the logic of Librecad??? Even the printing is absolutely amazing. Have I been using AutoCad for too long that I can't even switch to LibreCad? Dear LibreCad developers, please tell me why the threshold of switching to LibreCad is really difficult. I don't want to read the libreCad manual all the way through. Only the parts that are mandatory to read. Most of the cads that I have used in the Windows world have been so logical that I have not needed a manual to start using them. Why is LibreCad made so difficult? Is it done completely without a plan?
asks Masa

divide circle into sections

2023-04-10T11:37:56Z

How do I Divide a circle into 60 degree sections to make drill template for bolt holes.

librecad3 on wsl/ubuntu

2022-03-27T06:45:14Z

hello thanks for your efforts. is there an ubuntu ppa for librecad3-dev or should i build from source?

https://wiki.librecad.org/index.php/Installation
Daily and Stable Builds in Ubuntu PPA
For those users who want to live on the bleeding edge and try out the newest features as they are pushed to our github repository, you can use our Daily Build PPA, available for Ubuntu 10.10 (Maverick) and later. First, install LibreCAD as per above directions. Then:
$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:librecad-dev/librecad-daily
https://launchpad.net/~librecad-dev/+archive/ubuntu/librecad-daily
Latest updates librecad 197 weeks ago

https://github.com/LibreCAD/LibreCAD_3
https://github.com/LibreCAD/LibreCAD_3.git
https://github.com/LibreCAD/LibreCAD_3/wiki/Building
Debian/Ubuntu/Mint
$ apt-get install qttools5-dev qttools5-dev-tools libqt5opengl5-dev liblua5.2-dev git g++ libcairo2-dev libpango-1.0-0 libpango1.0-dev libboost-dev libboost-log-dev libboost-program-options-dev libqt5svg5-dev libgtest-dev libeigen3-dev libcurl4-gnutls-dev libgtk-3-dev libglew-dev rapidjson-dev libbz2-dev libglfw3-dev libglm-dev
# You need to compile Google Test in /usr/src/gtest/ and move the libraries in /usr/lib/

Compiling LibreCad_3 from source code to complete install

2022-03-26T17:52:26Z

I have a clean installation of Debian 10. My plan is to write a Coordinate Geometry program called COGO. I'll be using feature of LUA 5+ to create a multi Dimensional database while using LibreCad's two dimension graphic engine.

The COGO Program will be written in pure C, and when needed, Lua. The COGO Program completion date will be towards September '22. I will be doing that COGO coding starting immediately.

I will use the Table Data Structure in Lua to build a Coordinate Database that will be at the center COGO going forward. The Lua portion of the program will play a Central role.

I'm a Professional Survey Engineer by trade, how ever great that Profession my be, I'm departing for Coding.

Request for LibreCAD 3 and 2, but mainly for version 3

2021-01-25T14:11:51Z

1) Autolisp support

this could facilitate a migration since AutoCAD

2) DCL support

Autolisp but with GUI

3) 3D Model Space

Is very necessary to create 3D drawings for details and presentations

4) Visual Programming or Python node

this needs to integrate LibreCAD to multiple programs without 2D drawing

https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=36299

....

the mentioned request is very necessary to integrate LibreCAD into workflows, FreeCAD already can here a sample:

https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic. … mp;t=36299https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=36299

I think if LibreCAD 2 and 3 could have PyFlow nodes or at least Dynamo node to be integrated into multiple workflows.

this is the way. please consider my request, I think is the best way for LibreCAD 2 and 3 futures.

Appearance of LibreCAD vs AutoCAD

2021-04-04T04:24:38Z

Probably the most popular CAD program is AutoCAD.
So why not change the LibreCAD interface so that it becomes exactly the same as in AutoCAD?

Of course first of all this concerns the ribbon.
It seems to me that if LibreCAD has exactly the same interface as AutoCAD, it will attract the attention of people and more users will use LibreCAD.

Also personally I really like the fact that in AutoCAD the desktop is dark gray and not black as in LibreCAD.
Of course, redoing the interface and appearance will not solve the internal errors of LibreCAD. But over time, you can fix the errors.

Advantages, if LibreCAD has exactly the same interface as AutoCAD:
* users who are used to AutoCAD instantly adapt to LibreCAD.
* there are a lot of training videos for AutoCAD in the Internet and especially on YouTube.
* it will help users who do not have the money to buy AutoCAD decide to use LibreCAD.

Questions:
* Is it legal?
* The AutoCAD ribbon interface, its dimensions, icon shapes, and so on are the intellectual property of AutoCAD?

It would be very nice if someone could create a poll so that users would vote for the future appearance of LibreCAD.

Impression partielle

2021-03-12T03:21:18Z

Comment faire pour imprimer q'une partie de mon dessin si je veux que cette partie soit imprimé plus gros car je veux voir les détails de cette partie de mon choix

Merci

lua scripting

2021-02-14T09:38:10Z

I am using Windows 10 with LibreCAD 2.1.3.
Not sure I understand if Lua scripting is available for this . I googled the issue but could not find an answer.
I found this link https://wiki.librecad.org/index.php/LibreCAD_3_-_Lua_Scripting
It says "To create entities within a document there is a builder object that allows to add new entities or append selected entities into the build. From there you can apply steps to process the entities. After each step the result of the step is passed along to the next step.". However I am not sure I know how to create/use this "builder object"

Thank you

Congrats for LC3

2020-06-28T13:59:52Z

I noticed that the alpha or beta of LC3 was released and I have some questions:

1 when will be launched the stable version?
2 vlisp, autolisp, lisp routines support will be added in the next releases.
3 what is the future for LC3?
4 sweet home 3d and IFC import-export is being relevant thanks to BIM and MASSIS, in the future will support IFC and SH3D formats?

... congrats for the new Release, do not stop the great work.

Considerable feature and require update to existing one

2020-06-05T00:47:24Z

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EOfqoLeJYig8eXijhMKt-pxL7A3J8hB6/view?usp=sharing
Dimensional Constraint feature

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HxN0kf8gTHH27PpOXmc_0biOdd4bTOwq/view?usp=sharing
TRIM command should WORK like THIS !!!!!

Considerable Features For Next Release (LC 3.0)

2020-05-31T22:20:23Z

It will add the more value to LibreCAD, if new two features will be added to next release, LC 3.0 as shown in the below images.....

1) Dimensional Constraints

2) Geometric Constraints

libreCAD on web

2020-04-02T22:04:59Z

Hello Everyone!
I am wondering if it is possible in any way to launch libreCAD on the web (web server), so, users of the website could use it?

LC 3 compile

2015-08-05T14:56:42Z

i want to compile LC 3 for testing , i follow the instruction https://github.com/LibreCAD/LibreCAD_3 but i have error any help.

request for updates

2020-01-04T19:53:58Z

When can we receive some updates for LibreCAD 3?

cmake hits undefined reference to `pthread_create'

2019-06-05T11:53:56Z

i made an attempt to build LibreCAD 3 from master branch
https://github.com/LibreCAD/LibreCAD_3

the git clones is well ok, but at the cmake step i got an error

Building C object CMakeFiles/cmTC_1b545.dir/CheckSymbolExists.c.o
...
/usr/bin/cc      -rdynamic CMakeFiles/cmTC_1b545.dir/CheckSymbolExists.c.o  -o cmTC_1b545 
/usr/lib64/gcc/x86_64-suse-linux/7/../../../../x86_64-suse-linux/bin/ld: CMakeFiles/cmTC_1b545.dir/CheckSymbolExists.c.o: in function `main':
CheckSymbolExists.c:(.text+0x16): undefined reference to `pthread_create'
collect2: error: ld returned 1 exit status

/* */
#include <pthread.h>

int main(int argc, char** argv)
{
  (void)argv;
#ifndef pthread_create
  return ((int*)(&pthread_create))[argc];
#else
  (void)argc;
  return 0;
#endif
}

i'm currently running opensuse leap 15.1 it is just recently released
and i've verified that i've installed the dependencies as given on github page as well. the dependencies give no errors after those are resolved

if i manually built the codes with cc pthreadtest.c -lpthread, it works no errors which means that pthreads library is installed
the CMakeLists.txt are apparently giving a problem.

i've even tried adding ${CMAKE_THREAD_LIBS_INIT} in all the target_link_libraries( ... ) clauses in literally all CMakeLists.txt found and i'm still getting the same error.

has anyone else encountered similar situations? this is getting pretty frustrating as cmake provides no clue as to which CMakeList and statements are causing the missing dependencies. even tried cmake --trace, and commented the last set of commands in the CMakelists.txt found in the trace but the same error persists.

cmake version 3.10.2

compile failed on Debian jessie

2019-05-23T16:12:22Z

Hi All:
I am trying to compile LibreCAD3 on my debian jessie PC. But I failed with these output in CMakeErrors.log file:

Determining if the function pthread_create exists in the pthreads failed with the following output:
Change Dir: /home/lottefang/Documents/Builds/librecad3/LibreCAD_3/build/CMakeFiles/CMakeTmp
Run Build Command(s):/usr/bin/make cmTC_fab83/fast
/usr/bin/make -f CMakeFiles/cmTC_fab83.dir/build.make CMakeFiles/cmTC_fab83.dir/build
make[1]: Entering directory '/home/lottefang/Documents/Builds/librecad3/LibreCAD_3/build/CMakeFiles/CMakeTmp'
Building C object CMakeFiles/cmTC_fab83.dir/CheckFunctionExists.c.o
/usr/bin/cc -DCHECK_FUNCTION_EXISTS=pthread_create -o CMakeFiles/cmTC_fab83.dir/CheckFunctionExists.c.o -c /usr/local/share/cmake-3.14/Modules/CheckFunctionExists.c
Linking C executable cmTC_fab83
/usr/local/bin/cmake -E cmake_link_script CMakeFiles/cmTC_fab83.dir/link.txt --verbose=1
/usr/bin/cc -DCHECK_FUNCTION_EXISTS=pthread_create -rdynamic CMakeFiles/cmTC_fab83.dir/CheckFunctionExists.c.o -o cmTC_fab83 -lpthreads
/usr/bin/ld: cannot find -lpthreads
collect2: error: ld returned 1 exit status
CMakeFiles/cmTC_fab83.dir/build.make:86: recipe for target 'cmTC_fab83' failed
make[1]: *** [cmTC_fab83] Error 1
make[1]: Leaving directory '/home/lottefang/Documents/Builds/librecad3/LibreCAD_3/build/CMakeFiles/CMakeTmp'
Makefile:121: recipe for target 'cmTC_fab83/fast' failed
make: *** [cmTC_fab83/fast] Error 2

It is the same thing here https://github.com/LibreCAD/LibreCAD_3/issues/192. I alse installed all those dependencies needed by LibreCAD3. and I tried the way this link told me but still doesn't work for me . I don't know how to solve this problem, Could any one please tell me how to fix this ?

COGO

2018-12-22T21:06:00Z

I've seen some discussion of COGO for surveyors and civil engineers bavk in 2015. Has any progress been mage to adapt COGO to Librecad?

Any news on GSOC 2018 ?

2018-08-24T02:25:59Z

Hello,
latest news on blog are from June 2018.
Is there any news on LibreCAD GSOC 2018 ?

LC3

2017-05-28T01:51:52Z

Is there any working on LibreCAD 3?

What is the status of its development?

--
H.S.Rai

GSoC 17 LibreCAD

2017-03-30T01:33:16Z

Hi all,

I am vaibhav bhel pursuing my engineering in chandigarh university. I am in second year now and have a keen interest in programming. My past experience is on C, C++, somewhat Java and ruby as well. I would like to contribute to LibreCAD 3 this year in the LC phase 1 UI.

I downloaded the LibreCAD 3 source code and tried to understand the workings. Somewhat I understood.

I had a quick call with Gaganjyot ( was my senior in the college ) two days ago and he explained me that in this project we need to develop a sort of abstraction from the UI for the LibreCAD.

So I realise we need multiple interfaces for to communicate between UI and LibreCAD kernel.
1) Mouse interface
2) Keyboard interface
3) Buttons interface
4) Menubar interface
5) Context Menu interface.
6) Scroll bar interface ( not sure though )

These interfaces are librecad side interfaces which will be called by Qt/GTK UI.

After building these interfaces, i need to connect LibreCAD and our UI via these interfaces and make them working.

Is this understanding correct?

What else comes under this project? any guidance will be helpful.

I'll be writing and uploading a proposal this weekend.

I know I am a bit late to communicate, I was kind of stuck up in mid-sem exams.

Any other sort of guidance, thoughts will help me in making a better proposal. Please let me know.

Thanks and Regards,
Vaibhav.

LibreCAD3 Using Eigen

2017-03-09T04:52:04Z

Here's a blog post benchmarking eigen and Boost UBLAS ( we were using boost ones previously ) and is upto 80x better. We are using Eigen in LibreCAD 3 and hence performance will be better in v3 as compared to v2.

https://attractivechaos.wordpress.com/2016/08/28/optimizing-matrix-multiplication/

Regards,
Gaganjyot

Whats happening with LibreCAD 3 these days?

2016-06-07T01:21:47Z

Hi

I just wondered what is the latest on LibreCAD 3.

Is there any releases due soon to try out from a users point of view?

regards

TLW

plugin interface for LibreCAD 3

2016-11-14T04:50:38Z

Hi all,

I am trying to develop a plugin interface for LibreCAD 3.

http://gaganjyot.com/CAD_Plugin_interface

I have just started the progress and I have my thoughts and ideas on the above blog. I'd appreciate any thoughts, Ideas or contributions in any forms for this.

If anyone is interested in standardizing the JSON format for communication between plugin and LibreCAD, that would be of very great help to me.

https://github.com/gaganjyot/cad_interface

--
Thankyou
Gaganjyot

LibreCAD3 maths classes

2016-05-01T07:54:44Z

I and Dli were discussing about the foundation of the mathematics portion of LibreCAD3, Regarding the linear and quadratic portions of the Solver.

What I did was separated the Linear and the Quadratic portions, this way we were able to avoid most of the if else code that we do and implementations were separate for linear, quadratic and also linear/linear, linear/quadratic, quadratic/quadratic intersections finding.

Dli has reviewed this, and has suggested that instead of separating the implementations, we should keep a single implementation ( quadratic one ) and when we are to calculate linear equations, we replace other values with 0.

This way the if elses will be avoided but there might be some overkill when we will be calculating linear equations.

I personally think separating implementations is better but that is some extra code to be maintained which in dli's suggestion is removed to some cost of useless calculations.

So I'd like suggestions from others on this.