Hey everyone! I'm an engineering student planning to transition to Linux, either partially or fully. I'm on the hunt for good alternatives to AutoCAD and SolidWorks. Specifically, for AutoCAD, I need the alternative to support .dwg files for team projects or assignment submissions.
Also, I want to know if I can run MATLAB and Simulink on Linux Mint, even though it's not listed as compatible. I found a [list of compatible distros](https://www.mathworks.com/support/requirements/matlab-linux.html) and [required packages](https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/2018166-what-dependencies-are-needed-to-install-matlab-on-minimal-or-core-linux-installations).
I'm mostly aiming to use Linux for everyday tasks like web browsing, using free alternatives to Microsoft Office, and coding. I plan to dual boot or install Linux on a separate drive for applications that aren't natively supported on Linux. If there are solid alternatives to the programs I need, I'd be happy to go all-in on Linux!
3 Answers
Look, I get the desire to switch to Linux, but as an engineering student, you should really be familiar with the industry standard tools. Stick with AutoCAD and SolidWorks if you can. Alternatives are cool, but don't prioritize learning them over what you need for your future job prospects. You’ll find MS Office to be standard in most workplaces too!
Honestly, for AutoCAD and SolidWorks, you're likely out of luck with direct alternatives unless you go through Wine, which has been hit-or-miss for years now. FreeCAD could be an option, but it may not be the best for collaboration, especially if you're working in a team. For MATLAB, while the list states compatible distros, many folks have had success running it on other distros like Debian or Mint. If Simulink isn't a must, check out Octave—it’s a great, faster alternative to MATLAB!
I've run Octave on my Mint setup, and it works pretty well for most tasks. Just remember it might not be a 1:1 replacement for MATLAB.
For CAD work without a native Linux version, you're pretty much looking at Wine. But, be aware that AutoCAD can have some serious compatibility issues, especially with newer versions. You might want to explore that GitHub project for SolidWorks on Linux, but don't expect it to be a magic fix. As for MATLAB, just ensure you're on a stable distro that meets the base requirements to avoid any crashes during long calculations. Dual booting could give you the best of both worlds!
Yeah, dual booting seems like a solid plan if you need those specific programs for school. Can't hurt to have Windows available just in case.
I’m comfortable with MS Office already, and I plan on keeping dual boot for the software I really need. I want to reduce my reliance on Microsoft as much as possible.