I am a Bioengineering student who works with SolidWorks and I would like to be able to run it on Ubuntu 13.04. Short of having to install Windows, what methods are available and which works best?
If I were to use Virtualization and install Windows on a Virtual machine, is there anyway I can optimize graphic performance among other things? Is Wine a viable option for high intensity use?
Since everyone else in the department uses SolidWorks, I don't want to veer off and use unfamiliar software.
4 Answers
Wine is a useful tool for running Windows applications however I wouldn't recommend it for graphics intensive programs (games, CAD, etc.) as these can create many bugs in Wine.
I think you would be better off with VMWare Player or VirtualBox which both allow you to run a virtual Windows OS inside Ubuntu.
To optimize your VM, see
1For 3D Cads you have no choice, you have to install Windows.. I have the same problem. Unless you use less sophisticated cads for linux like Medusa amongst other. But Solidworks is the best, so just make a dual boot pc with Windows and Ubuntu. Use Windows for 3D Cad and Ubuntu for all other applications. You can always run Ubuntu from within Windows using a virtual machine (e.g. VirtualBox) that points to Ubuntu physical partition on your disk, so that when you use it in a virtualized environment you are actually making modifications you'll find when booting the machine with Ubuntu.
1No Solidworks love for Ubuntu (or for linux, in general). Maybe try Freecad or BRL-CAD, but don't expect commercial-grade results. Siemens NX runs in some linuxes.
Draftsight is the best alternative for AutoCAD in Linux system.
And, Solidwork in this time, you have to use in Windows platform.
