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[SOLVED] Is there a "free" version?

Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 7:37 pm
by Badlizard
I found this on the QCAD - 2D CAD page of qcad.org:

"QCAD is a free, open source application for computer aided drafting (CAD) in two dimensions (2D)."

This makes it sound as though there is a 'free' version of QCAD. Is this the case, or am I interpreting it wrong?

Re: Is there a "free" version?

Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 7:48 pm
by Husky
Badlizard wrote:
Wed Nov 13, 2019 7:37 pm
I found this on the QCAD - 2D CAD page of qcad.org:

"QCAD is a free, open source application for computer aided drafting (CAD) in two dimensions (2D)."

This makes it sound as though there is a 'free' version of QCAD. Is this the case, or am I interpreting it wrong?
Nope - you're not wrong.
Feel free to download a QCAD Pro trial version and turn it regarding to the instruction to a free community version.

https://www.qcad.org/en/qcad-downloads-trial

Have fun.

Re: Is there a "free" version?

Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 8:24 pm
by Badlizard
Thanks again, Husky.
Then again, at 38 USD it's practically free anyway. :mrgreen:

Re: Is there a "free" version?

Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 9:23 pm
by Husky
Badlizard wrote:
Wed Nov 13, 2019 8:24 pm
Thanks again, Husky.
You're quit welcome.
Badlizard wrote:
Wed Nov 13, 2019 8:24 pm
Then again, at 38 USD it's practically free anyway. :mrgreen:
I agree! And to be clear - I'm just a user like you. The software (QCAD Pro or QCAD Pro / CAM) quality-price ratio is unbeatable and you get an additional one year of free updates. And that is quit a lot:

https://www.qcad.org/en/changelog

After one year you can decide to stick to your last downloaded update version (you can use it forever!) or renew the update period for another year sweetened with a significant rebate price tag. That sounds to me like a steal ..... :shock:

Re: [SOLVED] Is there a "free" version?

Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 11:42 pm
by Badlizard
Yeah, it was crazy to NOT pull the trigger at that price, so I did. 8)

Re: [SOLVED] Is there a "free" version?

Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2024 8:34 am
by Chips&Chips
I am going to buy the Pro version, but I must say that there is a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. I also have seen the "completely free" words used but it seems that it is very difficult to actually get that free version. I am retired and living on limited funds. I really wanted to use Q CAD for a month or three, making an actual project or two with it, before buying to be sure it does fill my needs.

This is on the page where your link leads:

"QCAD Community Edition

If you are looking for the free open source QCAD Community Edition, you can download the trial version for your platform (see above) and then remove the QCAD Professional add-on running in trial mode (click Remove in the Trial widget and follow on screen instructions)."

I guess a more computer savvy person would instantly know just what the "Trial widget" is and where to find it. But I can find no trace of any such thing. ????? Is it in the trial program that I downloaded? Is it on your web site? Perhaps somewhere in the Windows mess of menus on my computer? Where?

Oh, and I looked up "Widget" on Wikipedia. Boy, does that ever need a re-write! But I would bet that if anyone ever re-wrote it the present author would wipe that change and put back the gibberish in an instant.

I need a new 2D CAD program so I guess I must just buy the least expensive version and hope for the best. But computer geeks really should learn to say things in plain or understandable English or whatever their native language may be. As I said, I am doing this, but with a bad taste in my mouth from it.

Re: [SOLVED] Is there a "free" version?

Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2024 9:45 am
by CVH
Hi,
Chips&Chips wrote:
Sat Feb 03, 2024 8:34 am
I also have seen the "completely free" words used but it seems that it is very difficult to actually get that free version.
The trial versions are downloaded from the main download page:
https://www.ribbonsoft.com/en/download

That are fully functional versions of QCAD Professional or QCAD/CAM what will run limited in time each startup.
Trial versions can be started a limited number of times.

Consider a Widget as a well defined partial area on your screen.
In QCAD a single Toolbar, the Block or Layer list, the Property Editor or a Dialog are all Widgets.
But even the menus, the drawing panel itself or a single button or text field are in fact QWidgets of Qt.
So there are Widgets in all kind of flavors. :wink:
All are indeed 'graphical user interface elements' as explained per Wikipedia.

When running a trial version there is a Trial Widget displayed usually in the right lower corner.
Looks like: https://www.qcad.org/rsforum/viewtopic. ... ial#p17988
For your interest ... The QCAD forum is searchable on keywords ... Here I used "QCAD" and "trial" and then looked for a topic with an image. :wink:

QCAD CE or Community Edition is a Trial version without the Professional addon's.
One can use the Remove button of the Trial Widget or follow these instructions:
https://www.qcad.org/rsforum/viewtopic.php?f=76&t=4668

QCAD/CAM is QCAD Professional with additional CAM addon's.

The difference between CE - Pro and the additional CAM features can be found here:
https://www.ribbonsoft.com/en/documentation/features

Licensed versions of QCAD Professional or QCAD/CAM are downloaded from a personal download page.
The non-public link to your personal page will be send to you by email after purchase.
Your licence to use the software is forever, the access to the download page with issued updates or snapshots is limited to one year.

Hoping this shed some light on the mentioned issues but to be honest ... Most of this info is readily available.
Hoping that the taste goes away and that you enjoy using QCAD.

Regards,
CVH