Nabble - New user - Introduce yourself

Re: Hello -- and how do I start LibreCAD?

2026-04-01T07:48:13Z

Okay. I see now I have to download the installer separate from the .zip file. So far so good.

Hello -- and how do I start LibreCAD?

2026-04-01T06:12:24Z

Good Morning,

I just downloaded the Windows version of LibreCAD this morning. That all seemed to go as expected. I unpacked the .zip file, and that went fine.

BUT I cannot find a .exe file to initiate the program. What am I doing wrong? I feel like a novice (and maybe I am).

Anyway, I look forward to using LibreCAD. I have multiple projects needing design pretty much immediately.

Thank you for your help.

Re: Hello, thanks, and question

2026-03-31T22:02:01Z

Jozef,

for special purposes, you can also ask AI to create code.

I tried Google AI mode:

generate a python program to list all geometry parameters of all entities in a DXF file, and output them in a CSV file

This is the python program it generated:

pip install ezdxf


import ezdxf
import csv

def export_dxf_to_csv(dxf_path, csv_path):
    try:
        # Load the DXF file
        doc = ezdxf.readfile(dxf_path)
    except IOError:
        print(f"Error: Cannot open file {dxf_path}")
        return
    except ezdxf.DXFStructureError:
        print(f"Error: Invalid or corrupted DXF file: {dxf_path}")
        return

    # Access the modelspace where geometry entities are stored
    msp = doc.modelspace()
    
    # Prepare CSV file for writing
    with open(csv_path, mode='w', newline='', encoding='utf-8') as f:
        writer = csv.writer(f)
        # Define header: Handle (unique ID), Type (LINE, CIRCLE, etc.), Layer, Parameter, Value
        writer.writerow(['Handle', 'Entity_Type', 'Layer', 'Parameter', 'Value'])
        
        for entity in msp:
            handle = entity.dxf.handle
            etype = entity.dxftype()
            layer = entity.dxf.layer
            
            # Extract all available DXF attributes for the current entity
            # This includes geometry (start, end, center, radius) and metadata
            attribs = entity.dxfattribs()
            
            for param_name, value in attribs.items():
                writer.writerow([handle, etype, layer, param_name, str(value)])

    print(f"Data successfully exported to: {csv_path}")

# Example Usage
if __name__ == "__main__":
    # Replace with your actual file names
    input_file = "drawing.dxf"
    output_file = "geometry_parameters.csv"
    export_dxf_to_csv(input_file, output_file)

Jozef wrote

Thanks. I really only need each entitie's coordinates for what I thought I wanted to do. I would want to put them into a csv file. I know the dxf format has other things like color and line thickness and so on. I could parse around all that.

Re: Hello, thanks, and question

2026-03-31T07:34:15Z

Thanks. I really only need each entitie's coordinates for what I thought I wanted to do. I would want to put them into a csv file. I know the dxf format has other things like color and line thickness and so on. I could parse around all that.

Re: Hello, thanks, and question

2026-03-25T13:55:05Z

well, for sure technically it's possible - after all, we have something similar in 2.2.2-alpha (https://github.com/LibreCAD/LibreCAD/releases/tag/2.2.2_alpha-latest) in Entity Info widget.

As for mass selection and export - no, so far there is no such a functionality at the moment - mainly because it's not clear which exact format is needed and, basically, how that output will be handled further (usually such exports are useful for further automated processing).

Actually, it's not a technically complex things to implement as we have good basis internally, and so it might be that I'll add this feature in the future if this will be really needed - at least, I've noted this.

Re: Hello, thanks, and question

2026-03-25T11:35:22Z

Hi, with the "List entities" plugin you could see some of the info you ask for:

Click on Plugins->List entities, select the entities you want the info, then hit Enter

alternatively, first select anything you want info, then click on Plugins->List entities, then hit Enter

Then copy/paste the output to a file, this is not automated, and maybe there are info you don't need, see for example the ouput of a circle:

n 4: CIRCLE
Layer: 0
Color: BYLAYER
Line type: BYLAYER
Line thickness: BYLAYER
ID: 1002
center point: X=20.0000 Y=110.2500
radius: 23.9505
circumference: 150.4852
area: 1802.0961

HTH
Pere

Re: Hello, thanks, and question

2026-03-25T07:45:36Z

well, different entities are described by set of different coordinates... i.e. - point - just one coordinate. line - 2 of them. Circle - coordinate of center and radius... and so on.

So I'm not sure I understand how coordinates of "all entities" may be collected in some uniform way and sent to the file. Do you have some specific format in mind?

Hello, thanks, and question

2026-03-25T05:49:51Z

Hello,
I appreciate LibreCad and all the work that has gone into it. I have mainly used it as a tool to verify the dxf output from another drawing package. So in a way it is my reference and very important to avoid mistakes when sending my files to the shop.
I am working now on an idea for converting a 2d drawing into Gcode for engraving. I know there are packages that claim to do this but I'm yet to find a good one that can output efficient codes. I would like to explore taking the coordinates for the various entities to use. I know that I can get entity coordinates for one thing at a time using the plugin. Is there a way I can get all the entities at once and send them to a file? I know I'm asking a lot, but thought that since LibreCAD already reads the dxf file and must parse all the data, maybe it is available somehow? My apologies if it seems a stupid question.
thanks,
Jozef

New user

2026-03-24T20:37:31Z

New to Librecad. Running on a Dell with Linux Mint 22.1 Xia base: Ubuntu 24.04 noble. Printing on a Brother MFC J6955W tabloid sheets (my current problem). Have
Version: v2.2.1.3-12-gd1ca469c9
Compiler: GNU GCC 11.4.0
Compiled on: Mar 3 2026
Qt Version: 5.15.2
Boost Version: 1.74.0
System: Linux Mint 22.1
And
Version: 2.2.1.3
Compiler: GNU GCC 15.2.0
Compiled on: Nov 11 2011
Qt Version: 5.15.18
Boost Version: 1.80.0
System: KDE Flatpak runtime

Current project is house plans set for construction this summer. Going at it rather hammer and tongs, but have my points on a notepad. I can see more uses for it, as I learn my way around. Shop drawings for a cabinet maker, and shop projects of my own, mostly metal work.

Re: Hello to the community!

2026-03-22T20:21:10Z

You can use (from menu): Tools > Info , or Tools > Dimensions

I found a short video by Mufasu CAD on measuring:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GIQbdNOtk0

There's also another way:

Draw a line between those two points, and select it (by clicking on). The total length of selected curves is also displayed as "Selected Total Length". This method is good, if the distance interested is by arc distance, or manhattan distance, or even more complex ones.

elfoxyt0 wrote

Hello to all,
New user to LibreCAD. I'm a software engineer with strong experience in Photoshop but very little CAD background.
My ambition with LibreCAD is to produce dxf files for a laser printer. Printouts are fairly simple.
I hope to get some help. I already tried the app on Windows 11 but am totally stuck to even measure the distance between 2 points. The wiki or user manual provides no help as it describes items I do not see on the app, such as command line.
I'll come back on the forum with specific questions.
Thank's to all.
Regards.

Re: New User

2026-03-22T15:30:24Z

That zip file contains the source code

You probably want to choose one of the binary packages

Win64 exe for windows
Dmg for Mac( arm64 for ones since 2020)
App images for Linux
Etc.

David R Weist wrote

Hello,

I happened on librecad as a frree and effective replacement for AutoCAD which is too expensive for me to justify. I have the 2.2.0.1 version and I've been using it to create a view of my property for documentation purposes. However, I've experienced a few "bugs". I now want to upgrade the program, however, I can only git an upgrade from github (the source forge option no longer appears on the web page). I've downloaded the LibreCAD-2.2.1-latest.zip file, but have no idea what to do with it. Can anyone tell me how to install the update from this file?

New User

2026-03-22T11:37:09Z

Hello,

I happened on librecad as a frree and effective replacement for AutoCAD which is too expensive for me to justify. I have the 2.2.0.1 version and I've been using it to create a view of my property for documentation purposes. However, I've experienced a few "bugs". I now want to upgrade the program, however, I can only git an upgrade from github (the source forge option no longer appears on the web page). I've downloaded the LibreCAD-2.2.1-latest.zip file, but have no idea what to do with it. Can anyone tell me how to install the update from this file?

Re: Hello to the community!

2026-03-22T11:01:02Z

well, please mention the version of LC you currently use.

As for the command line - it is supported by Cmd widget. In main menu there should be an item like "Widgets" - in sub-menu of it there are several checkable items with widget names, please check that one is enabled.

Alternatively - right click on any toolbar or status bar, in popup menu you'll see that item too.

Also, that widget may be part of tabbed widget somewhere on right side of your screen....

Hello to the community!

2026-03-21T14:37:38Z

Hello to all,
New user to LibreCAD. I'm a software engineer with strong experience in Photoshop but very little CAD background.
My ambition with LibreCAD is to produce dxf files for a laser printer. Printouts are fairly simple.
I hope to get some help. I already tried the app on Windows 11 but am totally stuck to even measure the distance between 2 points. The wiki or user manual provides no help as it describes items I do not see on the app, such as command line.
I'll come back on the forum with specific questions.
Thank's to all.
Regards.

New user.

2026-03-15T12:47:41Z

Hello all, I'm a new user.
Went to Linux as I got tired of Microsoft windows for various reasons.
Was using MasterCam on windows 10.

MasterCam, at least my version wouldn't work on Linux/
So I jumped into LibreCad.

I use CAD for designing woodworking projects.
Basically to generate drawings to help me make my projects.

I have LOTS of years of CAD experience.
Started on Computervision back in the late "70's or early '80's.
Can't remember exactly when.
Just the fact that it was over 4 decades ago gives you an idea on old I am.

I've used CADDS 3 and 4 from computervision, a McDonnell Douglas system, CATIA, CADAM, Solid Edge and MasterCam.
Maybe I've even forgotten a few.
Its been a while.

Vast majority has been 2D drawing to allow manufacturing of Tooling, Injection Molds and Stamping Dies.

These drawings then would be used in a CAM software to program various machines to make tooling.

I Find that I get my mind so used to one system that starting another is the hardest part.
Some functions are different and the whole process of drawing is different.

So I'm sure I'll be asking some really dumb questions till I get used to LibreCad, so thanks in advance to all.

Re: setting the correct scale on an imperial architectural drawing

2026-03-13T12:15:28Z

Basicly you have to draw your drawing template with borders and title block in 1:1 scale first and then scale the whole thing up 48 times. There is no paper space method in LibreCAD. Then you can make the actual drawing in real world values within it. For printing the drawing is scaled down again to 1:48 in Print Preview mode.

I once have made a template for letter size. I now have made a template for A1 out of it.
It may not answer all your questions but may give you some clues:

arch_inch_1_48_letter.dxf
arch_inch_1_48_a1.dxf

setting the correct scale on an imperial architectural drawing

2026-03-13T10:05:04Z

Good morning all,

Here's the intro:
My name is Stu Rhodes. I'm a retired Tech Ed teacher and Red Seal Carpenter. I used to do quite a bit of residential architecture as a side job. Initially all my work was on the board with conventional drafting tools. Later I became quite proficient at using MiniCAD (for a Mac) to execute my designs/drawings. Fast forward about 20 years and I've found myself roped into helping some friends create drawings for several buildings on a remote recreational property. I no longer have access to the now outdated MiniCAD so so thought I would give LibreCAD a try.

Here's the dilemma:
I'm pretty old school (as are the friends I am helping) so I prefer to draw/work in Imperial (feet, inches, fractions of an inch) and use the standard residential scale for these drawings of 1/4" represents 1'-0" (or 12") or 1:48. I need to create/present the drawings on a standard A1 page format. Past practice for me in MiniCAD or AutoCAD has been to open the A1 page, create a border and title block, then establish the desired scale of 1:48, set the grid at the desired snap spacing (usually 1/8" or 1/16") , establish all the likely layers, save as a template for all the pages to be drawn, then get to work creating the actual drawing of the house.

I've managed to open the A1 page and draw the title block. As per usual, I created the title block with slightly more than a half inch of space outside on the top and bottom to leave 22", less an inch for the title block leaves 21" of drawing space in height. Then I allowed half an inch of space on the right edge and a little over an inch on the left to allow for binding, thus leaving a drawing space of 31 1/5" in width. The problem arises when trying to set the scale! These drawing space dimensions should equate to 84 feet in height by 126 feet in width. Try as I might, I am unable to adjust the scale to get this amount of distance. The maximum height and width I can get within the borders is approximately 45'-9" feet high by 67' wide. It is critically important to establish the correct scale on the drawing so it fits within the allocated boundaries set by the title block and so it prints at the appropriate scale so building trades practitioners can perform approximate scaling of dimensions directly off the printed drawings using a simple tape measure (with 1/4" increments) or a scale ruler with 1/4": 1'-0" designation.

I've been stuck in this rut for a couple of days now! Please help! Many thanks in advance! :)

Re: New User with a question about trimmiing

2026-02-26T06:51:37Z

hi Vonzipper:

I found a basic trimming video tutorial:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ieabm6DhzN4

The steps are like:
Trim (One): Trims one entity up to a limiting entity.
1. Select Modify -> Trim (or tr in command line).
2. Click the line that acts as the boundary (the cutting edge).
3. Click the part of the line you want to keep.

Trimming a circle works similarly: after selecting a limiting curve/line, click on the portion of the circle to preserve, so the portion on the other side will be trimmed.

Trimming two works mostly, but is not as robust as trimming one.

Feel free to ask for further questions.

Vonurzipper wrote

I am used to Autocad Ltite and have been trying to draw the wrench in one of the tutorials. I cannot seem to get trim or trim two work on removing parts of circles. I have even tried Divide. Any suggestions. Maybe this subject has been covered before on the forum. Is there a way to look it up?

Re: New User with a question about trimmiing

2026-02-26T05:48:41Z

Since it says introduce myself, I am a 75 year old retired from 47 years of Civil Engineering and 5+ years as a golf pro. I was a beekeeper for a while too. I live in Jacksonville Florida.

New User with a question about trimmiing

2026-02-26T05:44:06Z

I am used to Autocad Lite and have been trying to draw the wrench in one of the tutorials. I cannot seem to get trim or trim two to work on removing parts of circles. I have even tried Divide. Any suggestions. Maybe this subject has been covered before on the forum. Is there a way to look it up?

Previous MicroStation user woes

2026-02-25T14:24:28Z

Hi everyone - new user from Scotland here. Have used LibreOffice for many years and now that I'm no longer working needed access to a CAD programme. During my working life I used MicroStation for many years, and latterly Revit for 3D CAD. Anyone who has ever used MicroStation will know how totally different it is from AutoCAD which LibreCAD seems to be based around. It's going to be a steep learning curve - already struggling with things I used to do with my eyes closed.....brace yourselves for lots of queries!

Re: New User

2025-12-30T01:39:13Z

Well, the support of DWG in LibreCAD is quite limited. So the more promising way in your scenario will be as following:

1) existing dwg are exported as dxf (either using AutoCAD or via some online services - there are tons of them nowadays, like https://cloudconvert.com/dwg-to-dxf or https://cad.online-convert.com/convert/dwg-to-dxf or any other suitable, you may simply find them with google).
2) these dxf may be opened by LibreCAD
3) you make necessary modification there
4) save/export to pdf.

New User

2025-12-29T16:28:14Z

I did use AutoCAD, more than 15 years ago gave it up as the cost per use made no sense. Have tried to retire, I may be failing. Many of my contacts, architects, engineers, and designers, have been asking for some help in some of the concrete construction details and I will need to import their DWG files and work out the details and could export in PDF. Is their another format to export format that AutoCAD would read and simplyfi the transision?

Re: Introduction

2025-11-24T03:44:25Z

@dxli. Thanks for the reply. There's an idea in the following but you don't have to reply.

I am suddenly asking myself if AutoCAD has a complete script language; if all functionality can be accessed by it. Maybe it has limits.
I allways used AutoLISP and was quite good at it actually. Sometimes i wrote a piece of script with AutoLISP, to be picked up automatically by AutoCAD when restarted (to get something going at the start that could not be done with AutoLISP). Apart form this we made limited use of script in AutoCAD.

This is why i am so interested in Clojure, which is a much better Lisp. Find it amazing.

AI (chat GPT in my case) does amazing things. I thought Clojure was an obscure language but when I asked for a function for some task, it produced it flawless.
Now I know there are quite a lot of users.

[Start Idea]

Simple example in AutoLISP: (setq p1 '(0 0) p2 '(100 100)) (command "LINE" p1 p2 "")

This draws via the command system. This way ellipses, arcs, inserts, polylines, etc., could be drawn. It went fairly quick but to speed up you could write directly into the database using the DXF-codes. The entities to be forced into the database looked like '((0 . "LINE") (10 . 0.0 0.0) (11 . 100.0 100.0) (8 . "GEO1") . . .)
(other codes where mandatory to get it accepted.)

I was thinking . . . since drawings in LibreCAD are saved as DXF, will it become possible to do something similar with python?

[End Idea]

We could go on about this (scripting and programming) for a long time but it would be a waste of time for you. I would benefit mostly i guess.

Thanks again.

Re: Introduction

2025-11-24T00:57:16Z

Getting python support is minimum effort towards a Turing complete scripting framework. As a bonus, lots of computation libraries can be used in python.

Yes, python is intended for advanced users.

There's another possibility, get AI support. For example, user only describe the objective:

draw a parabola tangent to x-axis and the line y=x;
fillet at tangential points for r=0.1;

the AI will find out the parabola and fillet parameters, so the commands and computational being delegated to an external AI.

The current command system is not complete, but not too bad, after years of user experience.

eengebruiker wrote

@dxli. I approach you as a developer here. Is that correct?

You wrote "Commands are not well designed, and that explains why they are not well documented. What we have are a collection of quick fixes for specific feature requests."

This looks pretty dangerous to me. How to get things straight once it has gone too far in the wrong direction?
My idea: Feature request must be considered very carefully and hesitant to avoid future problems. All users will benefit from that attitude, including the requesters.

You also wrote that Python support is due to arrive, Doesn't that ask for development skills of the user?
(I barely know any python, so maybe a bit unfair to put it this way.)
Do you present this as a substitute for scripting?

If the intention really is to have a script language to run in LibreCAD, then all commands (all things avaliable to the user) should be present in that language. And should be kept level with every improvement or addition to LibreCAD. (Must be eveluated in every development plan.)

You can read the above as the following request from me. "A solid and complete script language in LibreCAD that is kept stable and complete during all developments." I think it is very usefull to have this. Maybe it is necessary to start all over for once, with a new initiative.

I think it is important to have this done, before serious developments in paperspace, 2 1/2D or solidmodelling are considered (I read something about this).

Just an opinion.

Re: Introduction

2025-11-23T08:59:00Z

@dxli. I approach you as a developer here. Is that correct?

You wrote "Commands are not well designed, and that explains why they are not well documented. What we have are a collection of quick fixes for specific feature requests."

This looks pretty dangerous to me. How to get things straight once it has gone too far in the wrong direction?
My idea: Feature request must be considered very carefully and hesitant to avoid future problems. All users will benefit from that attitude, including the requesters.

You also wrote that Python support is due to arrive, Doesn't that ask for development skills of the user?
(I barely know any python, so maybe a bit unfair to put it this way.)
Do you present this as a substitute for scripting?

If the intention really is to have a script language to run in LibreCAD, then all commands (all things avaliable to the user) should be present in that language. And should be kept level with every improvement or addition to LibreCAD. (Must be eveluated in every development plan.)

You can read the above as the following request from me. "A solid and complete script language in LibreCAD that is kept stable and complete during all developments." I think it is very usefull to have this. Maybe it is necessary to start all over for once, with a new initiative.

I think it is important to have this done, before serious developments in paperspace, 2 1/2D or solidmodelling are considered (I read something about this).

Just an opinion.

Re: Introduction

2025-11-21T15:50:37Z

https://forum.librecad.org/Self-Documenting-Tools-tp5725976p5728021.html and thereabouts seems to resonate with your comments. Are you prepared to sift through the code in the repository for details?

Re: Introduction

2025-11-21T15:42:35Z

dxli wrote

Good news is that initial Python support is expected soon.

Are you referring to https://forum.librecad.org/Python-LibreDcl-first-test-td5725735.html?

I'd be much happier if I could run some [any] version of it in Windows. An Alpha release would be really good. I also think it would very much benefit from JSON-Based Configuration.

Re: Introduction

2025-11-21T12:41:44Z

Commands are not well designed, and that explains why they are not well documented. What we have are a collection of quick fixes for specific feature requests.

Good news is that initial Python support is expected soon.

eengebruiker wrote

Hello, I am a new user. In the past I have used AutoCAD quite a lot, including AutoLisp programming (which I really liked to do). Of course there was also the script in AutoCAD.

Now I am trying to work with LibreCAD (personal use), and was immediately drawn to command files which I can create in other applications, for example Google Sheet.

In a way it is similar but the details are bugging me. I will post some question in the appropriate groups on this forum.
BTW, developers are reading on this forum as well. The documentation seems pretty basic. Some sample command files (drawing recognazible things), would be very instructive.

Thanks for all help in advance.

eengebruiker

Introduction

2025-11-21T09:27:26Z

Hello, I am a new user. In the past I have used AutoCAD quite a lot, including AutoLisp programming (which I really liked to do). Of course there was also the script in AutoCAD.

Now I am trying to work with LibreCAD (personal use), and was immediately drawn to command files which I can create in other applications, for example Google Sheet.

In a way it is similar but the details are bugging me. I will post some question in the appropriate groups on this forum.
BTW, developers are reading on this forum as well. The documentation seems pretty basic. Some sample command files (drawing recognazible things), would be very instructive.

Thanks for all help in advance.

eengebruiker

Mi presento

2025-11-17T09:03:59Z

buonasera, sono appena entrato nel forum essendo un vecchio geometra. Mi piace il CAD ma considerato che ho lasciato gli studi da circa 40 anni, vorrei riprendere dimestichezza con il programma.
Sono lieto di poter partecipare alle discussioni che serviranno sicuramente a migliorare l'apprendimento.

Re: issues for new user?

2025-11-13T01:02:35Z

https://forum.librecad.org/template/NamlServlet.jtp?macro=search_page&node=4499512&query=vertical

https://forum.librecad.org/Controlling-vertical-line-lengths-in-Tools-Line-Vertical-Limitations-via-Command-Line-td5728147.html

^{investing less than half an hour into Search function can save hours or days of waiting for a solution}

Re: issues for new user?

2025-11-12T20:20:18Z

unfornately that isnt the answer
Thank you

Re: issues for new user?

2025-11-12T01:52:16Z

Welcome!

Sounds you have draft mode selected, has caused some discussion here.

Check from the top, that draft mode is not enabled.

issues for new user?

2025-11-12T00:19:36Z

Hi, New user here, Having some issues with Librecad.
cant draw a horizontal or verticle line, when i click on a point and enter the distance i require is says unknown command.
It then draw a line for 1 grid only.
can use line with 2 point though. but still cant use keyboard length.
layers, created some layers and select the layer, but the colour is wrong.
and help would be appreciated
Regards
Frank

Version: v2.2.1.2
Compiler: GNU GCC 12.2.0
Compiled on: Jul 13 2025
Qt Version: 5.15.2
Boost Version: 1.87.0
System: Windows 10 Version 2009