Newsgroup: it.comp.os.linux.development
Titolo: About DWG and DXF (cad) file formats and applications

Hello,
                                 (
1.st
: sorry for my poor english)
I'am searching for a DWG and DXF (cad file) parser written in C/C++.
[Q]: Are there any GPL (General Public License) projects which address 
these proprietary, closed AutoCad file formats ?
It's quite irritating that AutoCad DWG file format is closed and mainly 
unknown to developers and engineers. DXF is de-facto (AutoCad) drawing 
standard and it's well known and documented. But DWG is not, even beeing 
so dominant in CAD-world.
-----------
www.openDWG.org
 : (HARDLY OPEN ?)
I have just visited the 
www.openDWG.org
, which claims to provide a 
parser for AutoCad DWG and DXF files.  The name "open" could imply that 
the source code is avalable for download and review, but NO !!   One has 
to pay (quite a lot of money) to get hands on the source. Thou openDWG 
provides binary libraries for various platforms.
Binary libraries are not a valid option for many - Developers need a 
GPL'ed source.
And it seems that many volunteers contribute and do free TESTING for them.
openDWG.org should change their name to closedDWG and back off and leave 
the scene with AutoDesk (acad) !   f'em really.
-----------
A SERIOUS PROPOSITION:
Ww need a stronly GPL'ed CAD project which re/reverse-engineers and 
OPENs the DWG-binary file format. Let's call this project for OpenCAD, 
for example. Give it a better name.
It would be:
   - GPL'ed C/C++ project, mainly developed on Linux.
    (gradually ported to other OS'es)
It could comprise these tools:
   - Analyze and convert DWG and DXF (or other important) file formats.
   - Create a complete 2D/3D CAD drafting tool for architectual
     and mechanical engineering.
   - Gradually, it should understand the meaning of an 'object' -  not
     just existence of simple lines, arcs and circles.
Suggested project groups (just thinking):
  - Reverse engineering and documentation of DWG AutoCad file format.
  - DXF parser and C/C++ structures and classes to hold the data.
  - Multi platform GUI with QT ot GTK toolkits.
  - Admin of project space on 
www.sourceforge.net
 (e.g.)
  - ...
This kind of OpenCAD should read/write the most-important CAD formats, 
but it needs to emphasize, point out open standards such as XML, so 
other tools can make use of it's output.
[Q]: Are there anyone who would like to lead such a project?
I believe that many developers, designers, mathematicians etc. will come 
and participate. I have no capacity or knowledge to lead this project, 
but I do really want to contribute and co-work.
Let's open the world of CAD.
Any comments ?
Please, give reply to news://comp.os.linux.development.apps
With best wishes,
  Alex drf.

FWIW look at:
http://www.coin3d.org/Dime/about.php
Kind regards,
Bert Timmerman.


 GPL'ed source.
cut...
Siccome il NG e' in italiano rispondo in italiano (l'inglese non lo so :P)
Credo che "open" sia riferito al fatto che hanno rilasciato le specifiche di
un file dwg. Quello che non ho capito e' se con queste specifiche posso
fare quello che voglio o solo quello che vogliono loro. Nel secondo caso
sarebbero proprio degli str..zi a chiamarlo open.
Nicola.
-- 
chi va pian va san e va lontan

Hi
i remember this from: 
cad-...@freelists.org
Hi,
Autodesk have released v6 of their DWF toolkit and it's
under a completely new GPL'esque license as opposed to v5.5 which
was under an OpenDWG type license.
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=823771
basic license as I read it:
- you can distribute the code as source or binary (just include
their license)
- you can modify and redistribute their source (as above
but state you've modified the code) and compile it.
- you retain all rights to your software
- you can give it away free or charge for it.
gotchas (nothing major):
If you modify their code you need to post it somewhere on
the www, say what you've done to their code, and notify Autodesk
with copies of both of the above (just an email I guess).
A big thanks to Lee Harding for the new license.
-- 
OS your mind, 
http://kino3d.com
 blender and OS italian site

Thank's a lot.
/alex


 
Hi
hope this useful :) , from the same mailing list seem
ther's a restart of the Varkon development 
http://www.tech.oru.se/cad/varkon/
ciao
kino
p.s. sorry for my poor english, is not so good as i would want